Rockwood Notes
@RockwoodNotes
Turning every page on the Pritzkers
In my ongoing research into the Pritzker family and their history, I’m always looking for more documents, stories, contacts or leads. If you have any information you’re willing to share, you can reach me on @signalapp All communication is confidential unless otherwise agreed.
Rockwood Notes is a kickstarter-style project to fund the research & publication of the most comprehensive account of the Pritzker family—one of the greatest stories of American business & wealth. For the official pitch, visit the About Page (linked on page). Here’s an overview
Anyone out there who started on Substack and then migrated to Ghost (preferably with paid subs)? I know there’s 101 blog posts on it, but would like to talk to live humans (I’m technologically illiterate). DM me.
Forstmann was an interesting guy. He bought Midland-Ross Corp in 1986, which I think Pritzkers were interested in. Jay & Bob Pritzker both got on the BoD, before Forstmann bought it. Would’ve been another good-sized deal. Had sales of ~$700M (Trans Union had $730M in 1977).
Private Equity Legend: Ted Forstmann - Buy a dying jet company. - Make it the Rolex of aviation. - Sell it for $5.5B. Now every billionaire wants one.
Rame did an awesome job with this episode. He found some great content. Was a lot of fun to watch his research process ‘behind the scenes.’ He puts a lot of thought into his episodes. Give it a listen.
Rainmakers is back with another episode. This time on the legendary investor Jay Pritzker. In his father's first ever TV appearance he tells a panel of fellow businessmen why he disdains the media for the ways they portray his family. 41 years later, I give it my own shot.
There’s a fun case study I’m working on with @KarstResearch on this.
Bankruptcy emergence seems like it carries a lot of alpha
The computer has spoken. Check your email to see if you got it.
I’ll be giving a paid subscriber of Rockwood Notes my copy of Nicholas Pritzker’s autobiography. They’ll be randomly selected (via a computer script) on July 1st. Anyone subscribed before July 1 will be included.
Great write up. Probably my favorite to date from @joekraymond (and not just because there’s a Pritzker association..I don’t think).
Nine figure payday. Secretive billionaires, skewed incentives, long legal battle, 10-figure award, life-changing fees. A little-known Pritzker story. Link in bio.
TIL Nicholas Pritzker wrote a letter in the 1940s to his descendants to be opened on the 100th anniversary of his founding his law firm. Source: chicagotribune.com/2013/11/11/har…
First article is out. Free for all to read. I cover the life of Nicholas Pritzker, which I consider central to understanding the Pritzker story. He immigrated, gritted his way to be the family’s first attorney, and established an ethos that defined the family for generations.
I’ll be giving a paid subscriber of Rockwood Notes my copy of Nicholas Pritzker’s autobiography. They’ll be randomly selected (via a computer script) on July 1st. Anyone subscribed before July 1 will be included.
First article is out. Free for all to read. I cover the life of Nicholas Pritzker, which I consider central to understanding the Pritzker story. He immigrated, gritted his way to be the family’s first attorney, and established an ethos that defined the family for generations.
In case you skipped the footnotes in the Nicholas Pritzker article.
Old-school Yelp review:
In the debate between whether owning the Lakers or sticking the initial capital in the index, consider: