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Start Over Repository Philadelphia History Museum Place Philadelphia (Pa.)

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Philadelphia History Museum local history collection, circa 1682-2014

Extent:
150.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was founded in 1682 by William Penn. Because of its central location among the American colonies, Philadelphia became a gathering place for American revolutionaries during the Revolutionary War era and served as the temporary capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800. In the 19th century, Philadelphia became a major hub for railroad transportation and home to a variety of industries. As of 2014, Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, known for its arts, culture, and parks. The Philadelphia History Museum local history collection, circa 1682-2014, consists of a wide variety of paper materials from, or relating to, the Philadelphia region from the late 17th century to the 21st century. The collection is particularly strong in visual documentation and in printed materials, although there are also a large quantity of manuscript and other written documents. An extensive number of individuals, families, businesses,...(see more)

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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Neil Benson photographic collection, 1970-1992 (bulk) 1965-2005 (inclusive)

Extent:
50.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Neil Benson is a Philadelphia-based photo journalist whose photographs were featured in local and national publications, both alternative and mainstream, such as The Drummer, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Time, and many more from the 1970s to the 1990s. Born in the Logan neighborhood of Philadelphia in 1953, in 2000 Benson shifted his focus to creating works of art from found objects and recycled materials. The Neil Benson photographic collection, 1965-2005 (bulk 1970-1992), largely consists of photographs in various formats taken by Benson during his career as a photo journalist from the 1970s through the 1990s. Tear sheets from and issues of publications in which Benson's work was featured, as well as some ephemera and office files are also present in the collection. The collection is organized into seven series: Series I. Negatives; Series II. Contact sheets; Series III. Slides; Series IV. Prints; Series V. Publications; Series VI....(see more)

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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William H. Green glass plate negatives, circa 1908-1910, 1990-1991

Extent:
1.0 linear feet
Abstract:
William H. Green (1875-1959) was a clerk for the Philadelphia Water Department in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a strong interest in photography. The William H. Green glass plate negatives, circa 1908-1910, 1990-1991, consist of approximately 110 glass plate negatives, half plates and quarter plates, taken by William Green that mostly depict images of Northeast Philadelphia such as Frankford and Bustleton but also include images from other areas of Philadelphia and nearby locations including Olney, Valley Forge, and elsewhere.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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John Wagner and Sons, Inc. records, 1847-1980 (bulk) 1772-1990 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.75 linear feet
Abstract:
John Wagner and Sons, Inc. began in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1847 as a cigar importing business, but soon added wines, teas, and spices to its list of imports. Later on, the company expanded into the specialty food market. The Wagner family sold the business in 1950 and it changed hands a few more times until 2000, when it was purchased by Williams Foods, Inc., which as of 2014, still sells Wagner's brand products. The John Wagner and Sons, Inc. records, 1772-1990 (bulk 1847-1980), consist primarily of documents relating to John Wagner and Sons, including financial ledgers and receipts, photographs, letters, delivery records, property documents, price lists, product labels, publicity materials, employee records, and other materials. Also present in the collection is a small amount of materials that pre-date the business.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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Stan Lee and Esther Broza papers, 1940-1970 (bulk) 1922-1990 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.25 linear feet
Abstract:
Stanley A. Broza (1897-1970), better known as Stan Lee Broza, was a pioneer in radio and television broadcasting and programming. He is best known for creating and hosting the popular radio show "The Children's Hour," which aired on WCAU-AM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1927 to 1958. Several well-known celebrities worked on "The Children's Hour" before they became famous including Frankie Avalon, Rosemary Clooney, Eddie Fisher, and others. Broza's wife, Esther Malis Broza (1898-1990) worked as a producer, writer, and director on the show. The Stan Lee and Esther Broza papers, 1922-1990 (bulk 1940-1970), primarily consist of photographs, correspondence, scrapbooks, and newspaper clippings documenting the careers of Stan Lee and Esther Broza, particularly their work on "The Children's Hour" radio and television program. Other materials in the collection relate to the Brozas' children, Elliot Lawrence and Stanley Broza Jr., and various members of Esther's family.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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Reeves Wetherill scrapbooks, circa 1800-1989 (bulk 1935-1985)

Extent:
3.75 linear feet
Abstract:
Reeves Wetherill (1912-1992) was a Philadelphia socialite who served as the Vice President for Public Relations at Wanamaker's department store from 1960-1987. He descended from Samuel Wetherill, a textile manufacturer involved in founding the Free Quakers during the American Revolution, and Christopher Wetherill, an early settler in Burlington County, New Jersey. The Reeves Wetherill scrapbooks, circa 1800-1989 (bulk 1935-1985), consist of about a dozen scrapbooks that document the activities of members of Philadelphia's upper class, including the lives of Reeves Wetherill and his wife, Sally Ann, as well as a small amount of 19th century documents relating to Reeves Wetherill's ancestors.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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Helen M. Beitler ephemera collection, 1728-1987 (inclusive)

Extent:
40.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Helen Morris Beitler (1915-2002) was a collector of books and 18th, 19th and early 20th century ephemera. She collected trade cards, bill heads, catalogs, and other ephemera, focusing on trades and tools, children's literature, boating, advertising, Philadelphia and Pennsylvania history, and the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team. The Helen M. Beitler ephemera collection, 1728-1987, focuses on Philadelphia, sports, civic matters, and business and industry, although many other subjects are represented.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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Aachen Printing Company sample books, circa 1945-1985

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Aachen Printing Company was a commercial printing service owned by William R. Turner and located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, active from about 1946 to 1986. The Aachen Printing Company sample books, circa 1945-1985, consist of 16 scrapbooks that seem to include a copy of every item printed by Aachen Printing Company such as wedding invitations, company letterhead and memos, and other printed materials. Many items in the sample books are for prominent client Columbia Records.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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"Saturday Evening Post" covers by Norman Rockwell, 1918-1975 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Saturday Evening Post was first published on August 4, 1821 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a weekly magazine. In 1897, the magazine was purchased by the Curtis Publishing Company. From 1916 to the 1960s, Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) created over 300 paintings for use as Post covers, contributing to his reputation as one of America's favorite native-born artists. The "Saturday Evening Post" covers by Norman Rockwell, 1918-1975, consist of over 300 covers of the Saturday Evening Post featuring Rockwell's illustrations.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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Karl F. Lutz photographs and papers, circa 1920-1973

Extent:
5.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Karl F. Lutz (1896-1976) was born in Germany and came to the United States, settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, around 1927. During the 1930s, Lutz began working as a professional photographer. His photographic subjects were mainly Philadelphia buildings and scenery; many of his images were used for postcards. The Karl F. Lutz photographs and papers, circa 1920-1973, consist primarily of photographs in a variety of media (paper prints, postcards, film negatives, glass plate negatives and others), but also include a small number of pamphlets, booklets, maps, scrapbooks, and other materials. Most of the materials in the collection relate to historic sites, buildings, and landmarks in Philadelphia and other nearby areas.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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