Call Number:

08

Repository:

The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute

Extent:

1.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

circa 1894-1902

Creator:

Pertuch, Walter A. R.

Abstract:

Walter A. R. Pertuch (1888-1976) worked in the library at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for fifty-five years, serving as the Institute's librarian from 1940 to 1959. He was an amateur photographer and photograph collector. Walter A. R. Pertuch lantern slides, circa 1894-1902, consist of approximately sixty-seven images depicting street and river scenes, buildings, and other images of Philadelphia, as well as images of the Pertuch family and others in Philadelphia and pictures of the family and scenery at Holly Beach, New Jersey (which was incorporated into Wildwood, NJ in 1912).

Walter Albert Richard Pertuch (1888-1976) was born in 1888 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Richard Pertuch (1855-1935) and Ella (Lohse) Pertuch (1855-1939). Walter's father was born in Germany and came to the United States in 1871. He worked in various states before settling in Evansville, Indiana, where he met Ella Lohse, the daughter of German immigrants. Richard and Ella married in 1879 and shortly after moved to Indianapolis. In 1887, Richard and Ella and their three daughters moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Walter and his two other siblings were born.

In 1904, Walter started working in the library at The Franklin Institute, under the Institute's librarian, Alfred Rigling. In 1940, Walter became the librarian at The Franklin Institute and served in that position until the end of 1959, when he became librarian emeritus. Walter was an amateur photographer and was also known to purchase the plates of other photographers. Walter was presented with a certificate of honorary membership by The Franklin Institute in 1954, and he wrote an address entitled "Reminiscences," which was later published in the Journal of The Franklin Institute. Walter, together with Emerson Hilker, compiled a work entitled Horological Books and Pamphlets in the Franklin Institute in 1968.

In 1922 Walter married Marie M. Hedwig Oppel (1895-1961), daughter of G. Albert and Hedwig Oppel. They had one daughter, Barbara Maria (1923-2004), who married Thure L. Reenstierna. Walter passed away in 1976.

Bibliography:

Beck, Andrew and Caity Tingo. "Biographical/Historical Note." In Finding Aid for Walter Pertuch Digital Images Collection. Fairmount Park Historic Resource Archives. October 1, 2012. Accessed August 31, 2016. http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017/d/pacscl/HSP_FP2011012.

Quigley, Barbara. "Biographical Sketch." In Finding Aid for Pertuch Family Photographs. Indiana Historical Society. May 18, 2015. Accessed August 31, 2016. http://www.indianahistory.org/our-collections/collection-guides/pertuch-family-photographs.pdf.

Walter A. R. Pertuch lantern slides, circa 1894-1902, consist of approximately sixty-seven images depicting street and river scenes, buildings, and other images of Philadelphia, as well as images of the Pertuch family and others in Philadelphia and pictures of the family and scenery at Holly Beach, New Jersey (which was incorporated into Wildwood, NJ in 1912). Each slide measures 3.25" x 4". A detailed inventory is available on-site. It is unclear which images were taken by Walter or other family members, or purchased from other photographers.