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Simon Gratz papers

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Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
1571
Repository:
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Extent:
9.0 linear feet (; 19 boxes, 36 volumes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
Cite as: [Indicate cited item or series here], Simon Gratz papers (Collection 1571), The Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Date:
1838-1943 (inclusive)
Creator:
Gratz, Simon, 1840-1925.
Abstract:
Correspondence of Simon Gratz, Philadelphia lawyer, autograph collector, and member of the Philadelphia Board of Education, including letters from most of the politically prominent Philadelphians of the period. There is considerable material on the public schools of Philadelphia.

Simon Gratz (1840-1925) gave much to the civic life of Philadelphia, serving in many leadership capacities for a variety of institutions and organizations. Perhaps his most significant contribution is his service to Philadelphia’s Board of Public Education, and what he is most remembered for. Nelson Bond commented that he was “one of the most respected men of the city, the one who has probably done the most to promote Philadelphia schooling in the last half century.” Appointed by the Court of Common Pleas, he first served as a representative for the 8th Section of the Board of Education in 1869. Gratz held the position until required by ill health in 1921 to step down. His impact on public education as Bond noted was “the tremendous growth of public education: the number of public schools raised from 210 to 356; the number of high schools from 2 to 12; the number of pupils from 81,283 to 230,403; and that of the teachers from 1500 to nearly four times that number.” In 1869 he was also appointed to the Committee of the Philadelphia Normal School. Then, in 1876, he served as the chairman of that committee, pouring much attention and energy of “a singular focus” to the development and expansion of the Girl’s Normal School. Under his leadership the school then offered an expanded course program and school of practice. In 1884 he served as president pro tem, and then president for the 1897-1898 academic year. Honoring his legacy to Philadelphia’s public schools, the Simon Gratz High School was built in 1925.

This collection contains Simon Gratz’s personal correspondence with relatives, business and legal associates, fellow Board of Education members, among others. A variety of other documents are also included: journals, auction and sale catalogues, engravings, prints, and photographs. The collection primarily concerns Simon Gratz’s professional life between 1847 and 1923, including his work as a legislator, attorney, member of the Philadelphia Board of Education, and in other local civic engagement. The collection is arranged chronologically within each series and subseries.

Bond, Nelson., and Frankfort. Life of Simon Gratz. Philadelphia, 1925.

At the Historical Society of Pennsylvania:

Simon Gratz autograph collection (Collection 0250A)

Simon Gratz autograph collection (Collection 0250B)

People
Subject

Publisher
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Finding Aid Author
Finding aid prepared by Weckea D. Lilly.
Finding Aid Date
; 2015.

Collection Inventory

Series Description

There are some 5,284 letters comprising this series, dated from 1847 to 1923 (Boxes 1-12). The letters address a number of topics and issues. Included are "acquisition" letters concerning what would become the Gratz Collections (250A, 250B, etc.) for autographs, books, and manuscripts from a number of persons who were aware of Gratz's interest in collecting and trading. As the letters make known, he traded and acquired materials from a wide range of people from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. There are a few letters from scholars requesting the use of letters and papers from his collection. As Gratz was also influential in the legal profession, some of the letters concerned his consultations about a range of legal affairs including legal opinions and reviews, petitions, and related documents. From Gratz's lengthy tenure with the Philadelphia Board of Education there are letters addressing the school department, social events and activities, resignations, recommendation for positions, school buildings, curriculum, the history of the school system, and the Jefferson Medical College. There are also a few letters from relatives concerning deeds and estate management.

Correspondence, 1854-1858; and "Case for the Opinion of St. Binney Esq.", 1847, 1847-1858. (10 letters and 1 signed document).
Box 1 Folder 1
Physical Description

(10 letters and 1 signed document)

Correspondence, 1859. (60 letters).
Box 1 Folder 2
Physical Description

(60 letters)

Correspondence, 1860-1861. (60 letters).
Box 1 Folder 3
Physical Description

(60 letters)

Correspondence, 1862-1863. (52 letters).
Box 1 Folder 4
Physical Description

(52 letters)

Correspondence, 1864. (50 letters).
Box 1 Folder 5
Physical Description

(50 letters)

Correspondence, 1865. (54 letters).
Box 1 Folder 6
Physical Description

(54 letters)

Correspondence, 1866-1867. (39 letters).
Box 1 Folder 7
Physical Description

(39 letters)

Correspondence, 1868. (38 letters).
Box 2 Folder 1
Physical Description

(38 letters)

Correspondence, 1869. (51 letters).
Box 2 Folder 2
Physical Description

(51 letters)

Correspondence, 1870. (64 letters).
Box 2 Folder 3
Physical Description

(64 letters)

Correspondence, 1871. (50 letters).
Box 2 Folder 4
Physical Description

(50 letters)

Correspondence, 1872. (50 letters).
Box 2 Folder 5
Physical Description

(50 letters)

Correspondence, 1873. (65 letters).
Box 2 Folder 6
Physical Description

(65 letters)

Correspondence, 1874. (68 letters).
Box 2 Folder 7
Physical Description

(68 letters)

Correspondence, 1875. (79 letters).
Box 2 Folder 8
Physical Description

(79 letters)

Correspondence, 1876. (84 letters).
Box 3 Folder 1
Physical Description

(84 letters)

Correspondence, 1877. (90 letters).
Box 3 Folder 2
Physical Description

(90 letters)

Correspondence, 1878. (84 letters).
Box 3 Folder 3
Physical Description

(84 letters)

Correspondence, 1879. (111 letters).
Box 3 Folder 4
Physical Description

(111 letters)

Correspondence, 1879, December 1879. (59 letters).
Box 4 Folder 1
Physical Description

(59 letters)

Correspondence, 1880. (89 letters).
Box 4 Folder 2
Physical Description

(89 letters)

Correspondence, 1881. (77 letters).
Box 4 Folder 3
Physical Description

(77 letters)

Correspondence, 1882. (87 letters).
Box 4 Folder 4
Physical Description

(87 letters)

Correspondence, 1883. (114 letters).
Box 4 Folder 5
Physical Description

(114 letters)

Correspondence, 1884. (132 letters).
Box 4 Folder 6
Physical Description

(132 letters)

Correspondence, January-April 1885. (73 letters).
Box 5 Folder 1
Physical Description

(73 letters)

Correspondence, May-December 1885. (129 letters).
Box 5 Folder 2
Physical Description

(129 letters)

Correspondence, January-June 1886. (85 letters).
Box 5 Folder 3
Physical Description

(85 letters)

Correspondence, July-December 1886. (62 letters).
Box 5 Folder 4
Physical Description

(62 letters)

Correspondence, 1887. (119 letters).
Box 5 Folder 5
Physical Description

(119 letters)

Correspondence, 1888. (123 letters).
Box 6 Folder 1
Physical Description

(123 letters)

Correspondence, 1889. (97 letters).
Box 6 Folder 2
Physical Description

(97 letters)

Correspondence, 1890. (89 letters).
Box 6 Folder 3
Physical Description

(89 letters)

Correspondence, 1891. (78 letters).
Box 6 Folder 4
Physical Description

(78 letters)

Correspondence, 1892. (87 letters).
Box 6 Folder 5
Physical Description

(87 letters)

Correspondence, 1893. (138 letters).
Box 7 Folder 1
Physical Description

(138 letters)

Correspondence, 1894. (101 letters).
Box 7 Folder 2
Physical Description

(101 letters)

Correspondence, 1895. (126 letters).
Box 7 Folder 3
Physical Description

(126 letters)

Correspondence, January-May 1896. (73 letters).
Box 7 Folder 4
Physical Description

(73 letters)

Correspondence, June-December 1896. (70 letters).
Box 7 Folder 5
Physical Description

(70 letters)

Correspondence, January-May 1897. (78 letters).
Box 8 Folder 1
Physical Description

(78 letters)

Corrspondence, June-May 1897. (70 letters).
Box 8 Folder 2
Physical Description

(70 letters)

Correspondence, 1898. (124 letters).
Box 8 Folder 3
Physical Description

(124 letters)

Correspondence, January-July 1899. (98 letters).
Box 8 Folder 4
Physical Description

(98 letters)

Correspondence, September-December 1899. (69 letters).
Box 8 Folder 5
Physical Description

(69 letters)

Correspondence, 1900. (145 letters).
Box 9 Folder 1
Physical Description

(145 letters)

Correspondence, 1901. (66 letters).
Box 9 Folder 2
Physical Description

(66 letters)

Correspondence, 1902. (83 letters).
Box 9 Folder 3
Physical Description

(83 letters)

Correspondence, 1903. (68 letters).
Box 9 Folder 4
Physical Description

(68 letters)

Correspondence, 1904-1905. (69 letters).
Box 9 Folder 5
Physical Description

(69 letters)

Correspondence, 1906-1907. (101 letter).
Box 9 Folder 6
Physical Description

(101 letter)

Correspondence, 1908-1909. (95 letters).
Box 10 Folder 1
Physical Description

(95 letters)

Correspondence, 1910-1911. (99 letters).
Box 10 Folder 2
Physical Description

(99 letters)

Correspondence, 1912. (75 letters).
Box 10 Folder 3
Physical Description

(75 letters)

Correspondence, 1913. (73 letters).
Box 10 Folder 4
Physical Description

(73 letters)

Correspondence, January-November 1914. (71 letters).
Box 10 Folder 5
Physical Description

(71 letters)

Correspondence, 1915. (75 letters).
Box 10 Folder 6
Physical Description

(75 letters)

Correspondence, 1916-1918. (108 letters).
Box 10 Folder 7
Physical Description

(108 letters)

Correspondence, 1919. (104 letters).
Box 11 Folder 1
Physical Description

(104 letters)

Correspondence, 1920. (103 letters).
Box 11 Folder 2
Physical Description

(103 letters)

Correspondence, January-April 1921. (56 letters).
Box 11 Folder 3
Physical Description

(56 letters)

Correspondence, May-December 1921. (69 letters).
Box 11 Folder 4
Physical Description

(69 letters)

Correspondence, 1922-1923. (26 letters).
Box 11 Folder 5
Physical Description

(26 letters)

Correspondence, undated. (50 letters).
Box 12 Folder 1
Physical Description

(50 letters)

Correspondence, undated. (43 letters).
Box 12 Folder 2
Physical Description

(43 letters)

Correspondence, undated. (50 letters).
Box 12 Folder 3
Physical Description

(50 letters)

Correspondence, undated. (49 letters).
Box 12 Folder 4
Physical Description

(49 letters)

Series Description

The school papers contain a number of items including lectures delivered to Philadelphia public school students on a range of topics in grammar, rhetoric, history of language and narrative, and various incidents in history like the finding of the Rosetta Stone, the settlement of Plymouth, and Christopher Columbus' voyages. It is believed but uncertatin that Simon Gratz wrote and delivered the lectures. Other lecture in Folder Four are a compilation of lectures composed by a number of scholars in medicine and religion. The majority of the these lectures are undated; however, one was given in 1838 (Knight) and another in 1853 (Alembert/Freeman). Other items include reports and resolutions (1836-1846) from sections of the school board's committees, especially the High School Committee. The most prominent topics explored here are teachers, annual expenses, teacher salaries, curriculum developmetn and teaching, and the reorganization of various school divisions. The remaining items in this series are commencement programs from the Girls High School.

School Papers, Grammar.
Box 13 Folder 1
School Papers, Rhetoric.
Box 13 Folder 2
School Papers.
Box 13 Folder 3
Miscellaneous Lectures: Professor Tully of Yale University; Professor Olmsted of Yale University; Jonathan Knight of Yale University 1838 – Professor of Surgery; Samuel Sewall, pastor of the Church of Burlington, MS; D. Alembert translated by Rev. Charles Freeman, 1838.
Box 13 Folder 4
Philadelphia Public Schools - Reports and Resolutions.
Box 13 Folder 5
Girls' Normal School - Events Programs, 1870-1893.
Box 13 Folder 6

Series Description

Boxes 14-16 contain photographs, engravings, prints, and portraits with a variety of scenes and people, including portraits of Simon Gratz (Box 15, Folder 4). Other miscellaneous material removed from its original housing includes Johann Friedrich Cristoph Schiller and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (photocopied) typed and translated correspondence, a receipt signed by Frances Budden and one by David Rittenhouse. Some bindings were not complete or stable, thus box sixteen houses two (former) volumes of lectures: Folder 1 contains lectures to the Central High School faculty and students, on a number of topics at the opening of the school year between 1846 and 1858; folders 2-4 contain a series of ten lectures entitled the "History of the Public Schools," which tell the story of the public school system in Philadelphia from 1809 to 1846; and the remaining two folders includes "Items Removed From" volumes 1 and 3. The volumes in this series include a few personal sets of class notes and two volumes of Perrot's and Wilhem's musical instructional manuals, as well as sales catalogues divided between foreign (volumes 6-16, 1880-1942) and domestic (volumes 17-33, 1881-1943) sales. The sales catalogues reveal the other means by which Simon Gratz acquired items for his collections.

Photography - Capitol Prison & Print, undated.
Box 14 Folder 1
Engravings, undated. (33 images).
Box 14 Folder 2
Physical Description

(33 images)

Engravings, undated. (35 images).
Box 14 Folder 3
Physical Description

(35 images)

Portraits, miniture engravings, undated. (30 images).
Box 14 Folder 4
Physical Description

(30 images)

Portraits, miniture engravings, undated. (31 images).
Box 14 Folder 5
Physical Description

(31 images)

Items removed from Gratz Box (Engravings & Prints), undated. (14 images).
Box 14 Folder 6
Physical Description

(14 images)

Engravings: Isaac Norris, Hugh Henry Brackenridge, Edward Nung, St. Francis Bacon Knight, Dion Boucicault, Sir William Don, Charles 1st, Tronchet, Andre Moreliet, M. De Sismondi, Aaron Burr, Michael Faraday, Sir Isaac Newton, W. C. Bryant, Henry Rawle, William H. Prescott, Joseph Addison, William Bradford, William Shakspeare, George Ross, Philip II - King of Spain, Benjamin Rush, John Syng Dorsey, Robert Southey, Alexander von Humboldt, Independence Hall, Guys Hospital, George Washington, Central High School, (1833-1898, n.d.). [31 images].
Box 15 Folder 1
Physical Description

[31 images]

Thomas F. Madigan, (1918).
Box 15 Folder 2
Engravings: Carpenter's Hall, Dickenson College, Suspension Bridge at Fairmount, The Woodlands, Mansion House Hotel, Chew's House, Philadelphia, Penn's Treaty with the Indians, State House, Old State House - Philadelphia, Moravian Church, Penitentiary - Philadelphia. [15 images].
Box 15 Folder 3
Physical Description

[15 images]

Simon Gratz, portraits. [71 images].
Box 15 Folder 4
Physical Description

[71 images]

Miscellaneous.
Box 15 Folder 5
High School - Miscellaneous Addresses and Lectures, 1846-1858, n.d. (9 Lectures).
Box 16 Folder 1
Physical Description

(9 Lectures)

History of the Public Schools - Lectures (Part I). (3 Lectures).
Box 16 Folder 2
Physical Description

(3 Lectures)

History of the Public Schools - Lectures (Part II). (3 Lectures).
Box 16 Folder 3
Physical Description

(3 Lectures)

History of the Public Schools - Lectures (Part III). (4 Lectures).
Box 16 Folder 4
Physical Description

(4 Lectures)

Items Removed From Volume 1. (Loose Notes).
Box 16 Folder 5
Physical Description

(Loose Notes)

Items Removed From Volume 3. (Loose Notes).
Box 16 Folder 6
Physical Description

(Loose Notes)

Notes taken during the sophomore year., 1852.
Volume Volume 1
Notes taken during the sophomore year.
Volume Volume 2
Note Book - No. 3, n.d.
Volume Volume 3
Perrot's Wilhem's Musical Manual: A New Method for Vocal Classes; Designed Particularly for Colleges, Public and Private Schools, Private Classes. Translated from the French, with additions by Guillaume Louis Bocquillon Wilhem and Auguste Perrot, 1853.
Volume Volume 4
Key to Perrot's Wilhem's Musical Manual: Embracing a Full Description and Clear Demonstration of the Different Studies Contained in the Manual. by A. Perrot, 1855.
Volume Volume 5
A Catalogue of One Thousand Fine & Valuable Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Prints and Drawings (No. 750). Joseph Baer & Co. / Frankfurt O. M., Hochstrasse 6 - Gutenberg Frankfurtmain (Text).
Volume Volume 6
A Catalogue of One Thousand Fine & Valuable Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Prints and Drawings (No. 750). Joseph Baer & Co. / Frankfurt O. M., Hochstrasse 6 - Gutenberg Frankfurtmain (Plates).
Volume Volume 6A
Sammlung Des Verstorbenen Herrn, Heinrich Stiebel, Frankfurt A. M., Dritter Teil Autographen, Versteigerung, Joseph Baer & Co. Frankfurt A. M., Hochstrasse 6 Mittwoch, Den 27. November 1929, 1929.
Volume Volume 7
Fine and Good Books From the XVth-XXth Century Including Some Manuscripts. International Antiquariaat (Menno Hertzberger) Amsterdam C., 364 Singel. (Catalogue No. 49).
Volume Volume 8
A Catalogue of Old and Modern Books with sections under the headings American, Art, Bibliography, Biography, Botany, Chap Books, Libraries, Limited Editions, Music, Natural History, Old Novels and Tales, Topography, followed by Engraved Portraits together with a copy of Thackeray's "Vanity Fair" in the Original Parts, and an Extensive and Interesting Collection of Bookplates (Ex-Libris). Offered for sale by B. F. Stevens & Brown Limited New Ruskin House, 28-30 Little Russell Street, London, W. C. 1 England (Winter 1942/3, No. 3).
Volume Volume 9
Catalogue of Autograph Letters and Historical Documents, On Sale by F. Naylor, 4, Millman Street, Bedord Row, London. (No. 66.-April, 1880)., 1880.
Volume Volume 10
Autograph Letters of Celebrated Authors and others. New Series, No. 4. Francis Edwards Limited, 83 High Street, Marylebone, London.
Volume Volume 11
The Painting of John Singleton Copley, A Special Exhibition., December 1936.
Volume Volume 12
William Penn: A Bibliography, A Tentative List of Publications About Him and His Work. Pennsylvania Historical Commission (Bulletin No. 1), by Mary Kirk Spence, 1932.
Volume Volume 13
The Washington-Reed Autographs.
Volume Volume 14
The Collector: A Magazine for Autograph and Historical Collectors. New York, Vol. XLIII, No. 3 (No. 465),, January 1929.
Volume Volume 15
English Literature of the 19th and 20th Centuries, Being a selection of First and Early Editions of the works of Esteemed authors and Book Illustrators together with Books on Sports and Pastimes. Maggs Bros. Booksellers by Appointment to His Majesty King George V, H. M. Alfonso XIII, King of Spain, and H. M. King Manuel of Portugal. 34 & 35, Conduit Street, New Bond Street, London, W. and 130, Boulevard Haussmann, Paris. (No. 531), 1930.
Volume Volume 16
Catalogue of the Autograph Letters and Manuscripts of Morven M. Jones, Esq. of Utica, N. Y./Boston: W. F. Brown & Co., Printers, 1881.
Volume Volume 17
Catalogue of the Autograph Letters and Manuscripts of Morven M. Jones, Esq. of Utica, N. Y./Boston: W. F. Brown & Co., Printers, 1881.
Volume Volume 17A
The Notable Percy R. Pyne 2d Collection. American Art Galleries, New York., 1917.
Volume Volume 18
Catalogue of Negatives in the Essex Institute Collections. Salem, Massachusetts., 1925.
Volume Volume 19
Americana from the library of the late Edward Wheelock, Rochester, NY, sold by order of Mrs. Edward Wheelock with additions, together with American Autographs & the Emancipation Proclamation Pen Used by Abraham Lincoln, formerly the property of Louis Burgdorf White House messenger during the Lincoln administration, sold by order of his grandson W. B. Tucker . . . The Anderson Galleries, Philadelphia., 1929.
Volume Volume 20
Autograph Letters and Documents from a known Philadelphia collector and other private sources. Stan V. Henkels, Catalogue No. 1425, Philadelphia., 1929.
Volume Volume 21
First Editions of Modern Authors, Selection from the Library of Charles D. Miller, New York City, sold by his order with additions from other private libraries including the excessively rare "Pan in Vermont" by Kipling . . . The Anderson Galleries, New York., 1929.
Volume Volume 22
The Library of the Late Raymond J. Schweizer. The Anderson Galleries, New York., 1929.
Volume Volume 23
Part II: Of the rare & Desirable Americana Collection, from the library of George W. Paullin. New York: American Art Association, Inc., 1929.
Volume Volume 24
Rare Americana: Lincolniana, Western Items, Railroad Reports, Quakeriana, Genealogy, Histories. Stan. V. Henkels, Catalogue No. 1433, Philadelphia., 1929.
Volume Volume 25
Rare and Valuable Books Covering practically the Entire field of Collecting: First editions, Fine Bindings association and autograph copies with a selected list of autograph letters, documents and manuscripts, also fine examples from private presses. Cincinnati, Stewart Kidd, booksellers., 1929.
Volume Volume 26
Selections from the Library of Edward Goldman, New York City, Document Signed by Thomas Lynch, Jr., consigned by the Historical Commission of South Carolina; Rare & Beautiful Manuscripts, Incunabula & Extra-Illustrated Books from the Library of the Late George E. Leighton, St. Louis, MO. The Anderson Galleries, New York., 1929.
Volume Volume 27
Valuable Autographs of Presidents of the United States, Signers of the Declaration, American & Foreign Generals and Literary, to be sold . . . Stan V. Henkels, Auctioneer of Books, Autographs, Paintings and Engravings, Philadelphia., 1929.
Volume Volume 28
Valuable Autographs of Presidents of the United States, Signers of the Declaration, American & Foreign Generals and Literary to be sold . . . Stan V. Henkels, Auctioneer of Books, Autographs, Paintings and Engravings, Philadelphia., 1929.
Volume Volume 28A
Valuable Library of the late Henry Morris, M. D. of Philadelphia: Americana First Editions, Standard Sets, Marine Books, Genealogy, Early Printing. Stan V. Henkels, Catalogue 1441, Philadelphia., 1930.
Volume Volume 29
Catalogue: The S. Weir Mitchell Collection of Books, Autographs, Prints, and Historical Relics . . . Wm. D. Morley, Inc., Philadelphia, 1941.
Volume Volume 30
This remarkable collection of Original Letters and Documents of Robert Livingston to William Penn, Relating to the Indians, with other Literary Property of Mrs. Augusta Smith of Hollidaysburg, PA, with additions of Autographs, Americana, First Editions and Children's Books . . . Wm. D. Morley, Inc., Philadelphia., 1942.
Volume Volume 31
Catalogue 484, Parke-Bernet Galleries Inc., Biddle Autographs, Part Two., 1943.
Volume Volume 32
Catalogue of the Renowned Lincolniana Collection of the late Hon. William A. Carr. To be held at the galleries of Wm. D. Morley, Inc.: Philadelphia, PA., 1943.
Volume Volume 33

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