Object ID
2011.7.263
Object Name
Book, Account
Object Collection
Alex's Candy Shop (is part of)
Date Created
1920 – 1940
Material
Paper
Object Entities
Object Description
This a single-entry ledger/cash book. The book is bound is a cloth covering. The front has a highly detailed, decorative border. Across the center, at a slight angle is printed "Single Entry Ledger." Above that, hand written in pencil, is 'Cash Book." The back of the book also has a detailed border. There are brown stains all over the front and back of the ledger.

The first six pages of the ledger are organized by alphabetized sections. In the "F G H I" section is a hand written note, "Chi-Herald-American Page 53." In the "Q R S T" section is written "Chicago Tribune Page 50" and " Chicago Times Page 53."

The first page after the alphabetized sections is numbered in the top right hand corner as Page 11. At the top of page 11 is written, in pencil, "Start Oct 15th $19.43" and "Oct 1943." Under this, on the lined page, are twenty separate money entries that occured between October 15th and December 6th. Each entry has a date, person or organization and monetary amount.

Page 51 is titled "Chicago Trib. 1940" and has 21 individual entries written underneath it, ranging from $1.47 - $5.20.

Page 53 is titled "Chi-Herald-American" and has 15 individual entries ranging from $2.00 - $2.40.
Origin
Paulina Franks' grandfather, John Rassogianis, came to Chicago in the 1890s. He began his life in the new city by peddling fruits and later, with the help of his sons Alex and George, would open a candy store. In the 1920s Paulina Franks' father Constantine became a part of the family business and the store was able to prosper. When the second business closed Paulina Rassogianis chose to hold as many of the candy store's items as possible and, later, donate them to the National Hellenic Museum.

The Rassogianis family began their candy business in Chicago proper, working out of their own shop named "St. Louis Ice Cream Parlor." Eventually, the shop was closed and the Rassogianis' chose to continue their candy store venture in Berwyn, Illinois. The new shop they chose to open was named Alex's Sweet Shop.

Paulina Franks' father was a key contributor to the success of the Rassogianis candy stores. While Constantine Rassogianis was a noteworthy entrepeneur, he also had many other accomplishments. Among these was his four years of involvment in the Greek national military during World War I wherein he obtained the rank of sergeant. Also, he was a published author and poet, an experienced mandolin player, a church officer and had extensive knowledge of psalti.
Rights and Reproduction
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Any other use, such as exhibition, publication, or commercial use, is not allowed except by written permission in accordance with the NHM Image Rights and Reproduction Policy.

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Citation
Book, Account, 1920 – 1940, Alex's Candy Shop, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/8809. Accessed 03/29/24.