The Royal Tailors, Chicago and New York. Salesman's sample book. 56 pp. Thick paper with minor foxing, markings, tears, and rubbing. Elephant folio, beautifully restored to its original state by Felton Bookbinding Ltd. 54.5 × 42 cm. Bound in black pebbled cloth with red signet. Colour illustration of tiger on the upper board. Endpapers with brown tiger design; an oval portrait of Joseph Vehon (1834-1918), the founder of the clothing manufacturing company, on the front free endpaper. 1920-1. Joseph Vehon, president of the Royal Tailors, Chicago pioneer and originator of the 'money back' and 'tailor to the trade' system, was born in Poland. He immigrated to the United States penniless at the age of 18. He sold merchandise in New York state. Arriving in Chicago in 1861, he opened Vehon Bros. & Eiger at Monroe and Clark streets, but the depression after the Civil War forced the closure of his men's clothing store. He moved to Monticello, Iowa, in 1870 where he originated the 'money back if not satisfied' system of selling clothing. Returning to Chicago in 1886, he opened a store at Halsted and Mark streets. In 1906 he constructed a new building for his thriving business at Polk and La Salle streets. His garment business for men's customized fashions employed over two thousand tailors in Chicago and New York with clothing sold in 10,000 cities and towns across America. After his death his son, Morris (1876-1950), and daughter, Emma, carried on the family business. Each leaf has a colour illustration of men's apparel or a tailor (text below the illustrations informing shoppers of high quality in the merchandise, quick delivery, and customer satisfaction) with fabric samples on the versos of the leaves. 236 samples, 2 missing (on pp. 24 and 36). Most of the drawings are by unknown artists. Two of the identified artists are James Montgomery Flagg and W.F. Werners. Bookseller Inventory # 027217