Sub-series 1. General Correspondence, 1952-2002

Arranged alphabetically by subject, this sub-series contains Sigma-Aldrich Corporation’s General Correspondence files, which were collected by Alfred Bader. These files document various business activities of Sigma-Aldrich and its corporate predecessors between 1952 and 2002. The files also provide documentation of Alfred Bader’s involvement in the management of the firm. The materials in these files mainly concern financial and legal matters. Other business matters, including, but not limited to, investor relations, customer relations, and product orders are also covered here.

A majority of the files in this sub-series were generated by Sigma-Aldrich itself. Ten files generated by Sigma Chemical Company, a corporate predecessor that later became a division of Sigma-Aldrich, are also found in the General Correspondence Files. Four files generated by Sigma International, Limited, which merged with Aldrich Chemical Company to form Sigma-Aldrich, are also present in this sub-series. A single file of correspondence generated by Aldrich Chemical Company, the corporate predecessor co-founded by Alfred Bader, which merged with Sigma International, Limited and later became a division of Sigma-Aldrich is preserved here as well.

The contents of the General Correspondence Files consist of a variety of materials. Memoranda, letters, financial documents, legal documents, reports, and Board of Directors minutes are the most common items. Smaller, but noticeable, amounts of press releases, shareholder meeting notices, and Board of Directors meeting agendas are also present in these files. Small amounts of other miscellaneous materials, including, but not limited to, product order invoices, photocopied newspaper articles, magazine articles, and phone call summaries are preserved in this sub-series as well.