A Doctoral Dissertation Using Interviews with the Zale Corporation, 1983-1984

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A University of North Texas Ph.D. dissertation written by Tommy W. Stringer and based upon oral history interviews. Includes topics such as the history of Jews and discrimination against them in Tsarist Russia; "Zhid" and "shtetl"; immigration difficulties; the immigration policies of the United States; the arrival of Sam Zalevsky in Texas in 1910; Jewish communities in Texas; the Ku Klux Klan in Texas in the 1920s; and the establishment of Zales Jewelry stores in 1924. The dissertation also includes a discussion of the company philosophy and credit policy; advertising techniques; the early growth of the firm; coping with the … continued below

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223, [5] p. : facsims. ; 28 cm.

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Stringer, Tommy W. May 1984.

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  • Stringer, Tommy W. (Tommy Wayne)

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UNT Oral History Program

Affiliated with the UNT Department of History, the Oral History Program records, transcribes, and archives oral history interviews in order to preserve local, state, and U.S. history. The program also trains UNT students in the theory and methods of oral history, conducts workshops for community members, and maintains partnerships with related institutions and organizations.

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A University of North Texas Ph.D. dissertation written by Tommy W. Stringer and based upon oral history interviews. Includes topics such as the history of Jews and discrimination against them in Tsarist Russia; "Zhid" and "shtetl"; immigration difficulties; the immigration policies of the United States; the arrival of Sam Zalevsky in Texas in 1910; Jewish communities in Texas; the Ku Klux Klan in Texas in the 1920s; and the establishment of Zales Jewelry stores in 1924. The dissertation also includes a discussion of the company philosophy and credit policy; advertising techniques; the early growth of the firm; coping with the Great Depression; the impact of the deterioration of the oil-based economy upon the firm; the post-Depression era growth; the impact of World War II; the post war expansion; and the purchase of Corrigan's. Additionally, it includes comments about the impact of Love Field on the firm's international expansion and diversification; the role of DeBeers "Diamond Syndicate"; the British Crown Jewels; the firm's philanthropic activities; the Rovinsky trial for misappropriation of funds and illegal campaign contributions in the 1970s; as well as the Light of Peace Diamond; the difficulties with the Internal Revenue Service and the Securities and Exchange Commission in the 1970s; and the 1980s prosperity.

Physical Description

223, [5] p. : facsims. ; 28 cm.

Notes

Photocopy of a dissertation incorporated into the Oral Histories Collection. Added title page with title "A doctoral dissertation using interviews with the Zale Corporation 1983-1984." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 216-223). Photocopy. Denton, Tex. : North Texas State University, 1984. [3], i, 223 p. ; 29 cm.

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UNT Oral Histories

The UNT Oral History Collection in the UNT Digital Library contains a selection of oral history transcripts covering World War II, politics, community activism, desegregation, recollections of life in Texas, and more. Access to some of these items is restricted to the UNT community.

Related Items

The Zale Corporation: A Texas Success Story (Thesis or Dissertation)

The Zale Corporation: A Texas Success Story

The study begins by examining economic, political, and social conditions in Tsarist Russia that prompted the Zale family to immigrate to the United States. They eventually settled in Texas where, as a boy, Morris Zale was introduced to the jewelry business. In his first store in Wichita Falls Zale developed the idea of mass marketing his merchandise, and in order to do so he offered credit to his customers. He also made extensive use of advertising. Both of those approaches were revolutionary in the retail jewelry industry. This study examines various methods used by Zale's to expand its holdings. In addition, attention is given to Zale's diversification in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Emphasis is given in the study to Zale's development of a vertically integrated structure. By purchasing diamonds directly from the Diamond Trading Company, Zale's has been able to process the stones at each stage—cutting, polishing, mounting, and marketing. Such an arrangement eliminated middlemen at each step, permitting Zale's to reduce markups and margins and still maintain necessary profit levels. This study examines several serious adversities that have confronted the company—racial and religious prejudice, the Depression, shortages brought on by World War II, potential competition from a synthetic diamond, and an internal scandal involving Zale's chief financial officer. In each case Zale's managed to emerge from the adversity stronger than it had been previously. From the outset Zale's objective has been to sell the greatest amount of jewelry to the greatest number of people at the lowest possible price, and this study indicates how successful the company has been in reaching that goal.

Relationship to this item: (Is Version Of)

The Zale Corporation: A Texas Success Story, ark:/67531/metadc331145

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  • May 1984

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Added to The Portal to Texas History

  • Aug. 19, 2025, 7:34 p.m.

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  • Sept. 8, 2025, 5:25 p.m.

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Stringer, Tommy W. A Doctoral Dissertation Using Interviews with the Zale Corporation, 1983-1984, dissertation, May 1984; Denton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2478388/: accessed December 14, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Oral History Program.

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