Collection IDMG 6

Size3 file drawers and one oversize box

Collection Description This open collection consists of signed letters, postcards, and documents, as well as autograph cards and autographed photographs of artists, authors, businessmen, clergy, educators, lawyers, librarians, musicians, politicians, etc. from across the United States, and in a few cases from other countries. The people represented include both major celebrities and individuals who are less well known or of local significance. The earliest item in the collection (as of 2023) is a commission signed by John Hancock on February 1, 1776.

The collection was established in the early twentieth century when hundreds of signed letters and documents by individuals were donated to the Newark Public Library. Since then, hundreds more have been saved and added by library staff from donations, purchases or work-related correspondence. Each autograph folder contains information about the author, date, place, recipient, subject and source of the autograph.

Collection Contents The collection includes autographs of more than 1,000 individuals. Many items are brief letters, often regarding Library exhibits, invitations, donations, purchases, etc. Correspondence from the early to mid-1900s is often addressed to either John Cotton Dana or Beatrice Winser of the Newark Public Library; much of the later correspondence is also addressed to NPL staff, including William J. Dane of the Special Collections Department. The collection is arranged alphabetically by name.

Newark-related material includes, but is not limited to:

Artists: Bernard Gussow, Louis Lozowick (to William J. Dane, regarding an exhibit at NPL,1969-1972); Henry Rankin Poore (Newark-born artist, several letters, 1905); Henry August Schwabe (Newark painter, includes a brief description of his work,1905); Adriana Tuttle (Newark artist, regarding an exhibit of her miniatures at NPL); and George Alfred Williams (regarding an exhibit, 1905-1911)

Authors: Augustus Watters, poet

Businessmen and Lawyers: Frederick Frelinghuysen, lawyer (1901); Franklin Fort, lawyer (1908); Schuyler B. Jackson, lawyer (1911); Richard C. Jenkinson, manufacturer of metal goods, Library Trustee (1910); Robert McCarter, lawyer, to Dana (1912); Thomas McCarter, president of PSE&G (1916); Uzal McCarter, in his capacity as a member of the Committee of One Hundred for Newark's 250th Anniversary celebration (1915); and Carrol Meteer Shanks, president of the Prudential Insurance Co.

Cartoonists, Newark Evening News: Peter B. McCord (letter, 1908, and brief biography); and Lute Pease (a note regarding the exhibit of his prize-winning cartoon, 1949)

Educators: Charles Colton, Newark Technical School (1905); and Samuel A. Farrand, headmaster of Newark Academy (1907)

Mayors: Cory Booker, Jerome T. Congleton, Henry M. Doremus, Jacob Haussling, <span class="highlight_word">Kennethspan> Gibson, and Thomas Raymond

Bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark: Theodore R. Ludlow (1937); and Edwin Stevens Lines

Musicians: Gwendolyn Brooks (an invoice for books sent to NPL, 1981); Geraldine Farrar (autographed photograph dedicated to Henry Mutschler, proprietor of DeLemos Music, 1940); Connie Francis (a signed photo-publicity card); and Sarah Vaughn (signed photograph dedicated to NPL, 1980s)

Other items of note include:

Edward Bierstadt, in a letter to Dana notes that he would "cheerfully donate anything to illustrate our process if the materials would keep," and then describes a printing process using glass plate negatives (1906)

Gutzon Borglum in a letter to Winser promises a drawing "at once" (1912), and a copy of a letter from Dana to Borglum comments on Dana's problems with the "rich crowd that dominates [Newark]" (1916)

Timothy Cole, American wood engraver (13 folders of correspondence to George Whittle, editor of the Century Magazine, 1898-1918; includes several letters from Cole to John Cotton Dana)

Newark, New Jersey (petition signed by ca. 30 prominent citizens of Newark requesting that the legislature revise the constitution of New Jersey, 1843)

Lillian Moller Gilbreth (letter to the editor of the Newark Evening News expressing her support for librarians, 1934)

Wilbur Macey Stone, lawyer and a member of the Carteret Book Club (8 letters to Dana and Winser regarding books, book plates, etc., 1908-1941)

Susan Hayes Ward of Newark responds to Christmas greetings, with news of family, and difficulties with finances and servants (1910)

Oversize Box: includes an autograph book with signatures of friends of Sara Winston, a Newark artist, teacher, and lecturer (1945-1950)

Small Box: contains ca. 150 autograph "signature cards," which include a brief typed description, with birth and death dates, for each signature. A number of items are notes or postcards addressed to John Cotton Dana by artists and authors.

FormatsPhotographic materials; Textual materials

SubjectsFine Arts; Leisure Activities / Clubs / Societies; Libraries; Literature / Authors; Museums / Exhibits; Women's History

Time Periods18th Century; 19th Century; 20th Century; 21st Century

LanguageEnglish

Access policyOpen for research

ProcessedYes

Finding AidYes