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Leon J. Perelman Papers

Notifications

Held at: Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center [Contact Us]

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center. 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:
SCRC 435
Repository:
Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center
Extent:
7.87 linear feet (8 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Leon J. Perelman Papers, SCRC 435, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Date:
1930-1998 (inclusive) and 1964-1979 (bulk)
Creator:
Perelman, Leon Joseph, 1911-2000
Form:
16mm (photographic film size), Administrative records, Bylaws (administrative records), Clippings, Correspondence, Financial records, Histories (literary works), Minutes (administrative records), Newsletters, Photocopies, Photographs, Press releases, Reports, Slides, Speeches (documents), and video recordings (physical artifacts)
Abstract:

Leon J. Perelman, born August 28, 1911, was a paper manufacturing executive and an active board member at numerous organizations in Philadelphia. Perelman graduated from Northeast High School and La Salle College. He served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army Air Force in Guyana during World War II. Perelman was a member of conservative congregation Temple Adath Israel of the Main Line and served as the synagogue's president. He was also president of Beth Jacob Schools of Philadelphia and West Park Hospital and interim president and president of Dropsie University from 1977 to 1979. He was founder and director of the Perelman Antique Toy Museum which housed his private collection of nineteenth and twentieth century mechanical penny banks, tin, and cast iron toys. Originally located in his Merion, Pa. home, the museum later occupied the Abercrombie House at 268-270 South 2nd Street in Society Hill from 1969 until it closed in 1988. Leon Perelman died September 22, 2000.

The collection contains correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, financial records, photographs, slides, and 16mm films related to organization boards on which Leon J. Perelman served or institutions with which he was associated. The collection provides detailed evidence of the financial difficulties experienced by Dropsie University in the decade prior to its transition to the Annenberg Research Institute for Judaic and Near Eastern Studies. The collection also includes records related to Perelman's World War II service and the family-owned business, American Paper Products, Inc.

The collection is arranged into 3 series as follows:

Series 1: Correspondence and organization files, 1953-1993, undated
Series 2: Dropsie University files, 1949-1981, undated
Series 3: Personal papers, 1930-1998, undated

Donated by Leon J. Perelman and Yvonne Perelman between 1981 and 2001. Collection previously administered by the Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center, acquired by Temple in June 2009.

A selection of photographs from Series 3 have been digitized and are available online on the Temple University Digital Collections website.

Original audiovisual materials, as well as preservation and duplicating masters, may not be played. Researchers must consult use copies, or if none exist must pay for a use copy. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.

A portion of the collection previously processed in May 1992 by Laura J. Iannacone. Finding aid revised and expanded to include additional records according to contemporary archival standards in January 2020 by Jessica M. Lydon, Associate Archivist.

Leo L. Honor Papers, SCRC 46, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bernard D. Weinryb Papers, SCRC 430, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning Records, ARC DC1-2, 5-10, Center for Advanced Judaic Studies Library, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

John F. Lloyd Architectural Records, 044, The Architectural Archives, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Organization
Subject
Place

Publisher
Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center
Finding Aid Author
Machine-readable finding aid created by: Rajkumar Natarajan, Sky Global Services India (P) Ltd.
Finding Aid Date
May 2024
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

The Leon J. Perelman Papers are the physical property of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. The creator has not assigned his rights to Temple University Libraries. Other creators' intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to them or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.

Collection Inventory

Scope and Contents

Series 1: Correspondence and organization files, contains correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, and other records generated while Perelman served on the boards and as president of various organizations including Temple Adath Israel of the Main Line, Beth Jacob Schools, Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia, and West Park Hospital. This series also includes correspondence, photographs, slides, 16mm film reels, publicity materials, and other records related to the operation of the Perelman Antique Toy Museum. This series is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

A correspondence, 1966-1972.
Box 1 Folder 1
Adath Israel of the Main Line: anniversary book, 1962-1963.
Box 1 Folder 2
Adath Israel of the Main Line: board correspondence and reports, 1953-1965.
Box 1 Folder 3
Adath Israel of the Main Line: board correspondence and reports (1 of 2), 1966.
Box 1 Folder 4
Adath Israel of the Main Line: board correspondence and reports (2 of 2), 1966.
Box 1 Folder 5
Adath Israel of the Main Line: board correspondence and reports, 1967-1969.
Box 1 Folder 6
Adath Israel of the Main Line: board meeting minutes, 1957-1966.
Box 1 Folder 7
Adath Israel of the Main Line: budget reports and miscellaneous financial records, 1966-1967.
Box 1 Folder 8
Adath Israel of the Main Line: building dedication, 1959.
Box 1 Folder 9
Adath Israel of the Main Line: bylaws and amendments, 1965, undated.
Box 1 Folder 10
Adath Israel of the Main Line: Education Committee and religious school, 1956-1965.
Box 1 Folder 11
Adath Israel of the Main Line: event programs, 1959-1966, undated.
Box 1 Folder 12
Adath Israel of the Main Line: General Fund financial reports, 1966-1967.
Box 1 Folder 13
Adath Israel of the Main Line: Leon J. Perelman Adult Study Center, 1976-1980.
Box 1 Folder 14
Adath Israel of the Main Line: membership list, 1964.
Box 1 Folder 15
Adath Israel of the Main Line: membership list, 1965.
Box 1 Folder 16
Adath Israel of the Main Line: membership list, 1966-1967.
Box 1 Folder 17
Adath Israel of the Main Line: Men's Club, 1958-1968.
Box 1 Folder 18
Adath Israel of the Main Line: photographs, 1965-1967, undated.
Box 1 Folder 19
Adath Israel of the Main Line: Youth Commission, 1963-1964.
Box 1 Folder 20
Allied Jewish Appeal, 1965-1969.
Box 1 Folder 21
Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, Society of Fellows, 1969.
Box 1 Folder 22
B correspondence, 1960-1972.
Box 1 Folder 23
Baruchin, Sarah correspondence, 1967.
Box 1 Folder 24
Beth Jacob Schools: correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports, 1963-1968.
Box 1 Folder 25
Beth Jacob Schools: correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports, 1967-1968.
Box 1 Folder 26
Boys Scouts of America, Valley Forge Council, 1970-1974.
Box 1 Folder 27
Buckthorn Plant Joint Venture: correspondence, 1962-1966.
Box 2 Folder 1
C correspondence, 1965-1972.
Box 2 Folder 2
D correspondence, 1964-1990.
Box 2 Folder 3
E correspondence, 1967-1971.
Box 2 Folder 4
Esslinger's Industries of Philadelphia, 1961-1964.
Box 2 Folder 5
F correspondence, 1964-1969.
Box 2 Folder 6
Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia: Allocations Committee, 1968-1970.
Box 2 Folder 7
Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia: Allocations Committee, 1971-1972.
Box 2 Folder 8
Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia: Allocations Committee, 1973.
Box 2 Folder 9
Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia: Allocations Committee, 1974.
Box 2 Folder 10
Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia: Allocations Committee appropriations for Federation agencies (1 of 2), 1974.
Box 2 Folder 11
Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia: Allocations Committee appropriations for Federation agencies (2 of 2), 1974.
Box 2 Folder 12
Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia: Board of Trustees, 1964-1968.
Box 2 Folder 13
Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia: Board of Trustees, 1968-1972.
Box 2 Folder 14
Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia: Committee on Jewish Education, 1967-1968.
Box 2 Folder 15
Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia: "Study Committee Report On All Day Schools", 1967-1968.
Box 2 Folder 16
G correspondence, 1964-1972.
Box 2 Folder 17
H correspondence, 1965-1972.
Box 2 Folder 18
I correspondence, 1965-1972.
Box 2 Folder 19
J correspondence, 1965-1972.
Box 2 Folder 20
Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Philadelphia correspondence, 1965-1970.
Box 2 Folder 21
Jewish Employment and Vocational Service, 1962-1973.
Box 2 Folder 22
K correspondence, 1967-1972.
Box 2 Folder 23
L correspondence, 1965-1972.
Box 2 Folder 24
Large City Budgeting Conference, 1968-1969.
Box 2 Folder 25
M correspondence, 1964-1972.
Box 2 Folder 26
Meir, Golda letter, 1969.
Box 2 Folder 27
N correspondence, 1965-1972.
Box 2 Folder 28
O correspondence, 1964-1967.
Box 2 Folder 29
P & C Holding Corp. Inc., 1965-1967.
Box 3 Folder 1
P correspondence, 1964-1973.
Box 3 Folder 2
Perelman Antique Toy Museum: bank branch exhibits, 1958-1964.
Box 3 Folder 3
Perelman Antique Toy Museum: brochure and coloring book, undated.
Box 3 Folder 4
Perelman Antique Toy Museum: collection guide, 1972.
Box 3 Folder 5
Perelman Antique Toy Museum: correspondence and loan agreements, 1969-1989.
Box 3 Folder 6
Perelman Antique Toy Museum: Mechanical Bank Collectors of America, 1960-1968.
Box 3 Folder 7
Perelman Antique Toy Museum: "Modern Philadelphia" View-master reels, 1975.
Box 3 Folder 8
Perelman Antique Toy Museum: museum, apartment, and toy slides, 1971, undated.
Box 7 Folder slide box
Perelman Antique Toy Museum: newspaper clippings, 1957-1993.
Box 3 Folder 9
Perelman Antique Toy Museum: photographs and negatives, 1964-1969, undated.
Box 3 Folder 10
Perelman Antique Toy Museum: tax return, 1988.
Box 3 Folder 11
Perelman Antique Toy Museum: "Toys" WFIL 16mm film, 1969.
Box 7 Folder reel
Perelman Antique Toy Museum: The Victorian article by Ina H. Steinberg, 1985.
Box 3 Folder 12
Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center, 1981-1987.
Box 3 Folder 13
Pop Warner Littler Scholars, 1969-1978.
Box 3 Folder 14
R correspondence, 1963-1972.
Box 3 Folder 15
S correspondence, 1964-1972.
Box 3 Folder 16
Solomon Schechter Day School concert, 1975.
Box 3 Folder 17
State of Israel Bonds Greater Philadelphia Committee, 1963-1972.
Box 3 Folder 18
T correspondence, 1967-1972.
Box 3 Folder 19
U correspondence, 1965-1970.
Box 3 Folder 20
V correspondence, 1969.
Box 3 Folder 21
W correspondence, 1965-1972.
Box 3 Folder 22
West Park Hospital: annual ball programs, 1968-1978.
Box 3 Folder 23
West Park Hospital: articles of incorporation, bylaws and amendments, 1962-1973.
Box 3 Folder 24
West Park Hospital: Board of Trustees correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports, 1964-1972.
Box 3 Folder 25
West Park Hospital: Board of Trustees correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports, 1973.
Box 3 Folder 26
West Park Hospital: Board of Trustees correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports, 1974.
Box 3 Folder 27
West Park Hospital: Board of Trustees correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports, 1976-1979.
Box 3 Folder 28
West Park Hospital: financial statements, 1964-1974.
Box 3 Folder 29
West Park Hospital: newsletters and publications, 1977-1981.
Box 3 Folder 30
West Park Hospital: photographs, 1976-1987.
Box 3 Folder 31

Scope and Contents

Series 2: Dropsie University files, contains board of governors correspondence, reports, and meeting minutes; financial records including budget proposals and reports; correspondence with faculty; and other administrative files generated during Perelman's tenure on the board of governors and as interim president and president of Dropsie University. This series is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Organization history and copy of charter, 1976-1977, undated.
Box 4 Folder 1
Bylaws, 1969.
Box 4 Folder 2
Anniversaries, 1967-1977.
Box 4 Folder 3
Board of Governors: Advisory Council meeting minutes and memoranda, 1972.
Box 4 Folder 4
Board of Governors: correspondence, 1971-1976.
Box 4 Folder 5
Board of Governors: correspondence, 1977-1979.
Box 4 Folder 6
Board of Governors: dinner, 1970-1971.
Box 4 Folder 7
Board of Governors: dinner, 1971-1972.
Box 4 Folder 8
Board of Governors: dinner, 1973.
Box 4 Folder 9
Board of Governors: dinner, 1974-1979.
Box 4 Folder 10
Board of Governors: Education Committee, 1974.
Box 4 Folder 11
Board of Governors: Executive Committee meeting agenda and correspondence, 1968-1974.
Box 4 Folder 12
Board of Governors: Executive Committee meeting agenda and correspondence, 1975-1980.
Box 4 Folder 13
Board of Governors: Executive Committee meeting minutes, 1970-1972.
Box 4 Folder 14
Board of Governors: Executive Committee meeting minutes, 1972-1975.
Box 4 Folder 15
Board of Governors: Executive Committee meeting minutes, 1975-1979.
Box 4 Folder 16
Board of Governors: Executive Committee meeting minutes, 1980.
Box 4 Folder 17
Board of Governors: Max L. Margolis Society correspondence, 1972-1973.
Box 4 Folder 18
Board of Governors: meeting agendas and memoranda, 1971-1976.
Box 4 Folder 19
Board of Governors: meeting agendas and memoranda, 1977-1978.
Box 4 Folder 20
Board of Governors: meeting agendas and memoranda, 1979.
Box 4 Folder 21
Board of Governors: meeting minutes, 1970-1971.
Box 4 Folder 22
Board of Governors: meeting minutes, 1972-1974.
Box 4 Folder 23
Board of Governors: meeting minutes, 1974-1976.
Box 4 Folder 24
Board of Governors: meeting minutes, 1976-1980.
Box 4 Folder 25
Board of Governors: Presidential Convocation Committee, 1970.
Box 4 Folder 26
Board of Governors: Presidential Search Committee, 1977.
Box 4 Folder 27
Board of Governors: Scholarship Committee, 1971-1977.
Box 4 Folder 28
Commencement exercises, 1969-1981.
Box 4 Folder 29
Correspondence: general, 1968-1978.
Box 4 Folder 30
Correspondence: personal, 1970-1979.
Box 5 Folder 1
Correspondence: Rappaport, Joseph, 5th Dropsie president, 1979.
Box 5 Folder 2
Course bulletins, 1968-1980.
Box 5 Folder 3
Course enrollment, 1975-1978.
Box 5 Folder 4
Course schedules, 1969-1981.
Box 5 Folder 5
Doctoral degrees conferred, 1968-1978.
Box 5 Folder 6
Doctoral dissertation proposals, 1976-1979.
Box 5 Folder 7
Faculty applicants, 1974-1977.
Box 5 Folder 8
Faculty correspondence: Almong, Zvi, 1971.
Box 5 Folder 9
Faculty correspondence: Ben-Horin, Meir, 1975-1976.
Box 5 Folder 10
Faculty correspondence: Freidman, Isaiah, 1970-1977.
Box 5 Folder 11
Faculty correspondence: Funderburke, Eugene B., 1971.
Box 5 Folder 12
Faculty meeting minutes, agenda, and memoranda, 1976-1979.
Box 5 Folder 13
Faculty rules and regulations, 1969-1970.
Box 5 Folder 14
Faculty salaries, 1976-1979.
Box 5 Folder 15
Financial consultant: appointments, presentation data, and sample proposals, 1979, undated.
Box 5 Folder 16
Financial consultant: j.c. geever inc., 1976.
Box 5 Folder 17
Financial consultant: j.c. geever inc., 1977-1978.
Box 5 Folder 18
Financial consultant: j.c. geever inc., 1979.
Box 5 Folder 19
Financial statements, 1970-1978.
Box 5 Folder 20
Financial: budget analysis, 1970-1977.
Box 5 Folder 21
Financial: operating budgets, income and expenses, and miscellaneous financial reports, 1970-1980.
Box 5 Folder 22
Financial: proposed budgets, 1969-1979.
Box 5 Folder 23
Friends of Dropsie, 1974-1981.
Box 5 Folder 24
Fundraising: appointments with foundations and corporations, 1976-1977.
Box 5 Folder 25
Fundraising: correspondence, 1970-1979.
Box 5 Folder 26
Fundraising: monthly reports of gifts and grants received, 1970-1975.
Box 5 Folder 27
Grants: private foundations, 1977.
Box 5 Folder 28
Grants: public, 1971-1979.
Box 5 Folder 29
Lectures, event programs, and off prints of Abraham I. Katsh articles, 1954-1979.
Box 6 Folder 1
Library, 1969-1977.
Box 6 Folder 2
Ministerial Study Program, 1977-1979.
Box 6 Folder 3
"The News in Brief", 1976-1979.
Box 6 Folder 4
Newspaper clippings, 1949-1979.
Box 6 Folder 5
Photographs: commencement and other events, 1970-1972, undated.
Box 6 Folder 6
Proposed mergers: Gratz College and Bryn Mawr College, 1975-1978.
Box 6 Folder 7
Public relations, 1971-1978.
Box 6 Folder 8
Student Association, 1970-1975.
Box 6 Folder 9
Women's Division: "The In Look" newsletter, 1976.
Box 6 Folder 10

Scope and Contents

Series 3: Personal papers, contains Perelman's United States Army Air Force service records, family photographs and home movies, photographs and audiovisual materials related to the family business American Paper Products, and awards and certificates presented to Perelman for his service to the community. This series is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

"American Tube & Paper Company" 16mm film, undated.
Box 7 Folder reel
Army Air Force service records, 1942-1945.
Box 6 Folder 11
Army Air Force service records, 1952-1957.
Box 6 Folder 12
Awards and certificates, 1936-1991.
Box 8 Folder 1
"Cindy graduation day and David playing ball" 16mm film, 1965.
Box 7 Folder reel
"Convolute Tube Winder" 16mm film, undated.
Box 7 Folder reel
La Salle College, 1930-1984.
Box 6 Folder 13
Morris Perelman estate, 1970.
Box 6 Folder 14
Newspaper clippings, 1969-1984.
Box 6 Folder 15
Photographs: American Paper Products Inc., circa 1945.
Box 6 Folder 16
Photographs: portraits and family photographs, 1939-1998.
Box 6 Folder 17

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