Skip to content

Counter Cultures: Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Counter Cultures: Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940 Paperback - 1987

by Susan Benson


From the publisher

The luxurious appearance and handsome profits of American department stores from 1890 to 1940 masked a three-way struggle among saleswomen, managers, and customers for control of the selling floor. Counter Cultures explores the complex nature and contradictions of the conflict in an arena where class, gender, and the emerging culture of consumption all came together. The result is a fascinating illumination of the emotional labor of the workplace and the work-culture of consumerism that still defines the workday for millions of Americans.

First line

In 1840 there was no such thing as a department store; the best retail wisdom of the early nineteenth century stressed specialization as opposed to the huge assortment of merchandise that would be the hallmark of the department store.

Details

  • Title Counter Cultures: Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940
  • Author Susan Benson
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 344
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher University of Illinois Press, Urbana
  • Date December 1, 1987
  • ISBN 9780252060137 / 025206013X
  • Weight 1.15 lbs (0.52 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.97 x 6.04 x 1.06 in (22.78 x 15.34 x 2.69 cm)
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 85021012
  • Dewey Decimal Code 381.109

About the author

Susan Porter Benson (d. 2005) taught at the University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Connecticut, and Yale University. She is the author of Household Accounts: Working-class Family Economies in the Interwar United States.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Counter Cultures: Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Counter Cultures: Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940 (Working Class in American History)

by Susan Benson

  • Used
  • good
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252060137 / 025206013X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.00
$4.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Illinois Press, December 1987. Paper Back. Good.
Item Price
$6.00
$4.00 shipping to USA
Counter Cultures : Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940

Counter Cultures : Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940

by Susan Porter Benson

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252060137 / 025206013X
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.22
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Illinois Press, 1987. Paperback. Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$7.22
FREE shipping to USA
Counter Cultures : Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940

Counter Cultures : Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940

by Susan Porter Benson

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252060137 / 025206013X
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.22
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Illinois Press, 1987. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$7.22
FREE shipping to USA
Counter Cultures : Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Counter Cultures : Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940

by Benson, Susan

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252060137 / 025206013x
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.74
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Illinois Press. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$7.74
FREE shipping to USA
Counter Cultures: Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Counter Cultures: Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940 (Working Class in American History)

by Benson, Susan

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252060137 / 025206013X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Staten Island, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.95
$3.94 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Illinois Press, 1987-12-01. Paperback. Good. (NB98 JUN24T7AL) creasing, edge/point wear, has writing, underlining and/or highlighting within
Item Price
$7.95
$3.94 shipping to USA
Counter Cultures: Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Counter Cultures: Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940 (Working Class in American History)

by Susan Benson

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252060137 / 025206013X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$9.39
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Illinois Press, 1987-12-01. Paperback. Good.
Item Price
$9.39
FREE shipping to USA
Counter Cultures Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Counter Cultures Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940 (Working Class in American History)

by Susan Benson

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252060137 / 025206013X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
merrillville, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$42.99$21.50
Save $21.49!
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
clipped 1st pg.
Item Price
$42.99$21.50
Save $21.49 !
FREE shipping to USA
Counter Cultures: Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940

Counter Cultures: Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940

by Susan Benson

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252060137 / 025206013x
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Southport, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$38.49
$12.61 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Paperback / softback. New. The luxurious appearance and handsome profits of American department stores from 1890 to 1940 masked a three-way struggle among saleswomen, managers, and customers for control of the selling floor. Counter Cultures explores the complex nature and contradictions of the conflict in an arena where class, gender, and the emerging culture of consumption all came together. "Counter Cultures is a path-breaking and imaginative social history. Benson has made an original and sophisticated contribution to the study of the work process in the service sector." -- Journal of American History "Counter Cultures advances our understanding of the history of women and work, and it does so in an engaging way that should command the attention not only of historians but of a general readership as well." -- Women's Review of Books
Item Price
$38.49
$12.61 shipping to USA
Counter Cultures – Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890–1940
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Counter Cultures – Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890–1940

by Susan Benson

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252060137 / 025206013X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$39.06
$12.67 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Univ of Illinois Pr, 1988. Paperback. New. reprint edition. 322 pages. 9.25x6.25x1.00 inches.
Item Price
$39.06
$12.67 shipping to USA
Counter Cultures: Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Counter Cultures: Saleswomen, Managers, and Customers in American Department Stores, 1890-1940 (Working Class in American History)

by Susan Benson

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used:Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252060137 / 025206013X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$31.12
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Illinois Press, 1987-12-01. Paperback. Used:Good.
Item Price
$31.12
FREE shipping to USA