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Thomas Carr Howe papers, 1932-1984

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Series 1: Biographical Materials, 1974, 1934-1955
6 Folders
Box 1

This series includes a short autobiographical sketch that Howe wrote when he was 30; obituaries and news clippings for Howe's father Thomas Carr Howe; a scholarship announcement with congratulations; the copyright certificate for Salt Mines and Castles; and an article about Addison F. Armstrong, Howe's maternal grandfather; and a resume.
Description Container Select
Autobiographical Sketch, 1934
1
1
Dr. Thomas Carr Howe, Sr., Obituaries and News Clippings, 1934-1938
1
2
Scholarship Announcement and Congratulations, 1938
1
3
Copyright Certificate, 1952, 1946
1
4
Addison F. Armstrong Article, 1955
1
5
Resume, 1974
1
6
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Series 2: Correspondence, 1932-1984
2.1 Linear feet
Box 1-3

This series contains personal and professional correspondence. Howe wrote brief descriptions identifying the correspondent, such as the person's job or relationship, on many of the letters. Correspondence with individuals who wrote infrequently is arranged chronologically. Correspondence with friends and colleagues, as well as letters written by prominent figures in the art world, such as artists and historians, are separated and arranged alphabetically. Also found here is correspondence from his post-war work as the Cultural Affairs Advisor to the U.S. High Commissioner of Germany.
The series is arranged as 3 subseries:
  • Subseries 2.1: Chronological Correspondence, 1932-1942, 1946-1953, 1957-1984
  • Subseries 2.2: Cultural Affairs Advisor, 1948-1952
  • Subseries 2.3: Alphabetical Correspondence, 1933-1983

2.1

Chronological Correspondence, 1932-1984
This subseries consists of personal and professional letters between Howe and his friends and colleagues. Correspondents include the Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Francis Henry Taylor, Baroness Phillippe de Rothschild, and Chairman of the Smithsonian Art Commission Charles H. Sawyer.
Description Container
A-Z, 1932-1942
1
7
A-Z, 1946-1950
1
8
A-Z, 1951-53
1
9
A-Z, 1957-1960
1
10
A-Z, 1961-1962
1
11
A-Z, 1963-1964
1
12
A-Z, 1965
1
13
A-Z, 1966
1
14
A-Z, 1967
1
15
A-Z, 1968
1
16
A-Z, 1969
1
17
A-Z, 1970
1
18
A-G, 1971
1
19
H-Z, 1971
1
20
A-Z, 1972-1973
1
21
A-Z, 1974
1
22
A-N, 1975
1
23
O-Z, 1975
1
24
A-Z, 1977
1
25
A-Z, 1978
1
26
A-Z, 1979
1
27
A-Z, 1983-1984, 1980
1
28

2.2

Cultural Affairs Advisor to the U.S. High Commissioner of Germany, 1948-1952
After World War II, the U.S. State Department requested Howe to take a leave of absence as art director of the California Palace of the Legion of Honor in order to continue the recovery and repatriation of looted artworks in Europe. These letters are from Howe's time as the Cultural Affairs Advisor to the U.S. High Commissioner of Germany which represented the U.S. Government in Germany with regards to economic affairs.
Howe and fellow Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives officer S. Lane Faison directed the closing of the Collecting Points for the recovered artworks. The letters in this subseries are professional letters dealing with Howe's responsibilities. The letters often include attachments of memorandums and reports.
Description Container
Cultural Affairs Advisor, 1949 June-1950 December
1
29
Cultural Affairs Advisor, 1951 January-March
1
30
Cultural Affairs Advisor, 1951 June-July
1
31
Cultural Affairs Advisor, 1951 April-May
1
32
Cultural Affairs Advisor, 1951 August-1952
1
33
Cultural Affairs Advisor Miscellaneous, circa 1948-1951
1
34

2.3

Alphabetical Correspondence, 1933-1983
This subseries includes the letters of Howe's friends, colleagues, fellow Monuments Men, and two relatives (his sister and cousin). Among the Monuments Men correspondents are: S. Lane Faison, P.J. Kelleher, Lamont Moore, Andrew C. Ritchie, James Rorimer, Edith Standen, George Stout, and Rose Valland. There are also letters from prominent members of the art world such as museum directors, gallery owners, artists, curators and collectors including Bernard Berenson, Hume Cronyn, Christopher Forbes, Paul Mills, Agnes Mongan, Marcelle Minet, Margaret Mallory, William McGonagle, Paul Sachs and Whitney Warren. Howe often wrote comments on the letters identifying the correspondent.
There are also a few folders with professional correspondence related to Howe's job as the director of the Californian Palace of the Legion of Honor and his membership in various arts organizations and committees.
Description Container
Bartlett, Fred, 1975-1977, 1965-1969
1
35
Beaton, Cecil, 1969
One brief letter.
1
36
Berenson, Bernard, 1951
1
37
Bohemian Club, 1961-1977
1
38
California Palace of the Legion of Honor, 1958-1972
1
39
Cannon, Ernestine, 1961-1967
1
40
Cheek, Leslie, 1958-1975
1
41
Citation for the Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor, 1946-1947
1
42
Clary, Princess Lidi, 1959-1979
2
1
Cronyn, Hume, 1975 December
2
2
Cunningham, Charles C., 1979, 1971-1975, 1958-1962
2
3
Curtis, Charles and Margaret, 1958-1965
2
4
Dayton, Alan W., 1958, 1963-1969
2
5
de Vries, A. B., 1960-1979
2
6
Faison, S. Lane, 1949-1960
2
7
Faison, S. Lane, 1961-1979
2
8
Feray, Jean, 1973-1975
2
9
Fine Arts Committee for the White House, 1961-1962
2
10
Forbes, Christopher, 1975
2
11
Foster, James W., 1961-1973
2
12
Grier, Harry D. M., 1964-1966, 1946-1947
2
13
Heinrich, Theodore A., 1946-1952, 1962-1966, 1979
2
14
Hesse: Princess Margaret of Hesse, 1953-1979
Signs the letters as Peg.
2
15
Howe, Charlotte B., 1958-1959, 1951-1953
Thomas Carr Howe's sister.
2
16
Howe, Lucia, 1951, 1975
Thomas Carr Howe's cousin.
2
17
Imperial War Museum, 1947
Recognition and thanks for copy of Salt Mines and Castles give by Howe to the Imperial War Museum.
2
18
Kelleher, Patrick Joe, 1970-1977, 1946-1953
2
19
Kennedy, John F., 1961
One letter.
2
20
Kirstein, Lincoln, 1946-1948, 1975
2
21
Kovalyak, Stephen, 1949-1950, 1975, 1958-1961
2
22
LaFarge, Bancel, 1946
One letter.
2
23
Lazard, Esther, 1950-1975
2
24
Lesley, Everett Parker, 1946
2
25
Loudon, John and Mary, 1958-1971
2
26
Mallory, Margaret, 1960-1983
2
27
Malone, Lee, 1960, 1958
2
28
McBaine, Jane Neylan, 1958-1975
2
29
McGonagle, William A., 1966-1977
2
30
McIlhenny, Henry, 1951-1952, 1963-1979
2
31
Mifflin, John, 1958-1979
2
32
Mills, Paul C., 1975
2
33
Minet, Marcelle, 1947-1979
2
34
Minis, A., Jr., 1967, 1975, 1979
2
35
Mognan, Agnes, 1933-1939, 1951-1979
2
36
Moore, Lamont, 1979, 1975, 1965, 1946-1947
2
37
Morley, Grace, 1958-1971
2
38
Nipper, Clara, 1951
2
39
Pleydell-Bouverie, David, 1951-1970
2
40
Post, Jimmy J., 1971, 1958, 1975
2
41
Ranneft, J. E. Meijer, 1946
Letter referencing Howe's Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau award.
2
42
Rathbone, Perry T., 1961-1978
2
43
Reagan, Ronald, 1973, 1970
(2 letters)
2
44
Ritchie, Andrew and Jane, 1950-1979
2
45
Roberts, Isabel and Laurance, 1953-1979
2
46
Rorimer, James, 1945-1946
2
47
Sachs, Paul, 1934-1950, 1963-1971
2
48
Smith, Howard Ross, 1958-1975
2
49
Smyth, Craig Hugh, 1946-1977
2
50
Spreckels, Adolph B., 1963-1968, 1935, 1949-1953
2
51
Standen, Elizabeth, 1979, 1946-1952
2
52
Stout, George, 1946, 1961-1977
2
53
Sullivan, Mary, 1933-1935
2
54
Valland, Rose, 1960-1961
2
55
von Schimdt, J.E.G. ("Hans-Erich") and Gerda, 1951-1952
2
56
von Schimdt, J.E.G. ("Hans-Erich") and Gerda, 1953-1979
2
57
Warburg, Edward M. M. and Mary, 1949-1978, 1933-1937
3
1
Warren, Whitney, 1952-1978
3
2
White, Ian McKibben, 1966-1977
3
3
Witt, Sir John, 1958-1978, 1948, 1932-1934
3
4
Wittman, Otto, 1966-1978
3
5
Unidentified Correspondents, 1950-1975
3
6
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Series 3: Writings, circa 1946
2 Folders
Box 3

This series includes a short summary by Howe of Salt Mines and Castles: Postwar Recovery of Looted Masterpieces and a cassette tape of a question and answer session with Howe about the book.
Description Container Select
Salt Mines and Castles Summary, 1946
3
7
Sound Cassette of Salt Mines and Castles Lecture, circa 1946
3
8
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Series 4: Professional Files, circa 1945-1975
0.3 Linear feet
Box 3, 5

Scattered professional files document some of Howe's work as the Director of the California Palace of the Legion of Honor and a few international art tours he organized. A few trips were organized in conjunction with the California Palace of the Legion of Honor and others were sponsored by the Museum Society, presumably the De Young Museum Society of San Francisco. Most of the records are copies of itineraries.
This series also includes a survey of Los Angeles museum curator Salaries which Howe used to request a raise for his art director position at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor (CPLH); a membership list of Bohemian Club artists; and a Municipal Executive Employees Standardization Committee questionnaire about Howe's responsibilities as the CPLH director.
Description Container Select
Survey of Los Angeles Museum Curator Salaries, circa 1945
3
9
Municipal Executive Employees Association Standardization Committee Questionnaire, 1947
3
10
Baroque Tour, 1966
3
11
Zurich-Vienna Museum Trip, circa 1968
3
12
Bohemian Club Artists Membership List, 1968
3
13
Study for M.H. de Young Memorial Museum and California Palace of the Legion of Honor Merger, 1969
3
14
Museum Trip to Holland and Belgium, 1975, 1969
3
15
Austria and Munich Trip, circa 1970
3
16
Belgian-Dutch Museum Trip, 1970
3
17
Museum Trip to France, circa 1974
Oversized material housed in Box 5, Folder 1.
3
18
Germany and Austria Museum Trip, 1975
3
19
Oversized French Magazine from Box 3, Folder 18, circa 1974
5
1
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Series 5: Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Records and Looted Art Inventories, circa 1942-1950
0.3 Linear feet
Box 3, 5, OV 6

This series includes inventories of looted art, official and published reports, and printed materials such as maps, bulletins, and a book of government regulations all related to Howe's work in the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Section.
The series is arranged as 3 subseries:
  • Subseries 5.1: Looted Art Inventories, circa 1942-1950
  • Subseries 5.2: Reports, 1944-1949
  • Subseries 5.3: Printed Materials, 1944-1947

5.1

Looted Art Inventories, circa 1942-1950
The subseries contains inventories of artwork from various sources: photostatic copies of German inventories of artwork; inventories of Hermann Göring's Art Collection which includes lists of paintings, sculptures, tapestries, furniture and other valuables found in a building in Unterstein, Germany; inventories and transportation of artwork recovered from Berchtesgaden, Germany and Altaussee, Austria, and other locations; inventories of recovered artwork at Weisbaden (bulk) and Munich Central Collecting Points; and an inventory of artwork lost in the Flak Towers fires in Berlin, Germany.
Description Container
German Inventories of Art, circa 1942-1950
3
20
Hermann Göring Art Collection at Unterstein, Germany, circa 1945
3
21
Inventory and Transportation of Looted Art from Berchtesgaden, Altausee and Other Repositories, circa 1945
3
22
Inventories at Weisbaden and Munich Central Collecting Points, circa 1945-1949
3
23
Inventory of Art Lost in Flak Tires Fires, Berlin, 1947
3
24

5.2

Reports, 1944-1949
These are official reports related to the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives (MFAA) Section and its responsibilities and findings. There are some official MFAA status reports concerning issues at the Weisbaden Central Collecting Point, but the bulk of the reports are about the MFAA investigation of looted artwork and repatriation efforts after the war.
Description Container
Official Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Status Reports, circa 1944-1946
3
25
Art Looting Investigation Unit Final Report, 1946
3
26
International Protection of Works of Art and Historic Monuments, 1949
3
27
Report on 202 Paintings Belonging to the Berlin Museums in the United States of America, 1949
3
28
Constable Report on Military Government and Visual Arts, 1949
3
29

5.3

Printed Materials, 1944-1947
These records consist of a photocopy of a map of the Altaussee salt mines; a manual of maps showing the locations of various cultural monuments in Germany; a military government information bulletin; and a book of military government regulations applying to the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives section.
Description Container
Civil Affairs Handbook: Germany, 1944
Oversized manual of maps housed in OV 6.
3
30
Map of Altaussee Salt Mines, circa 1945
Oversized map housed in Box 5, Folder 2.
3
31
Military Government Weekly Information Bulletin, 1945
3
32
Military Government Regulations: Title 18: Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives, 1947
3
33
Oversized Map of Altaussee Salt Mines from Box 3, Folder 31, circa 1945
5
2
Oversized Civil Affairs Handbook: Germany from Box 3, Folder 30, 1944
OV 6
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Series 6: Photographs, 1938-1970
1.2 Linear feet
Box 3-5

Found here are photographs documenting Howe's work in the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Section and personal photographs. Many of the photographs have hand-written or typed annotations on the verso.
The series is arranged as 2 subseries:
  • Subseries 6.1: Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section Photographs, 1940-1949
  • Subseries 6.2: Personal Photographs, 1938-1970

6.1

Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Section Photographs, 1940-1949
There are many photographs documenting bomb damage to cultural monuments during World War II, mostly in Germany though there are a few in Austria and France; art recovery at the Altaussee salt mines in Austria, as well as the Berchtesgaden and the Neuschwanstein castle in Germany; transportation of famous artwork such as Michelangelo's The Madonna and Child, also known as the Bruges Madonna, and Hubert and Jan van Eyck's Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, also known as the Ghent Altarpiece; restitution activities at Wiesbaden and Munich Central Collecting Points, mostly storing and packing crates of recovered art; and photographs of artwork.
Howe and fellow Monuments Man James Rorimer exchanged photographs of bomb damage to cultural monuments for research purposes, since they both wrote books about their MFAA experiences after the war. Consequently, some of the photographs are labelled "James J. Rorimer" on the verso.
There are many photographs of the Monuments Men, including Thomas Carr Howe, George Stout, Stephen Kovalyak, Bancel LaFarge, Lamont Moore, Patrick J. Kelleher, Edith Standen, and Rose Valland.
Description Container
Nazi Art Looting in Process, circa 1944
2 Photographs
3
34
Bomb Damage and Cultural Monuments in Belgium, 1945
Includes photographs of bomb damage to the interior of La Glieze Church.
3
35
Cultural Monuments in Paris, France, 1945
Includes photographs of Place Stanislas, St. Joan of Arc Basilica, and the Arc de Triomphe.
3
36
Bomb Damage and Cultural Monuments in German Cities
Aachen, Ahrweiler, Ansbach, 1945
3
37
Bad Wildungen, Bonn, Bruhl, 1945
3
38
Cologne and Crottorf, 1945
3
39
Fritzler, Furstenberg, Hildesheim, Julich, Kassel, 1945
3
40
Langenau, Limburg, Marburg, 1945
3
41
Maria Laach, Merode, Monschau, 1945
3
42
Before and After Photographs of Buildings Damaged in Nuremberg, circa 1945
3
43
Satzvey, Weimar, Wilhelmstal, 1945
3
44
Unidentified Locations, circa 1945
3
45
Bomb Damage Photographs Taken by James Rorimer, circa 1945
Innsbruck Church, Austria, circa 1945
3
46
Berchtesgaden, Germany, circa 1945
3
47
Darmstadt, Germany, circa 1945
3
48
Frankfurt Cathedral, Germany, circa 1945
3
49
Munich, Germany, circa 1945
3
50
Rothenburg Town Hall, Germany, circa 1945
3
51
Ulm Cathedral, Germany, circa 1945
3
52
"German Vandalism" at Chateaus in France, Photographs Taken by James Rorimer, circa 1945
Photographs of the interior and exterior of 2 chateaus left in disorder after being occupied by Nazi soldiers, labeled "German Vandalism" on the verso.
3
53
Altaussee, Austria, 1945
Altaussee Environs, 1945
Photographs of the mountains, valleys, and lakes in the area.
3
54
Altaussee Village, 1945
3
55
Salt Mine Buildings, 1945
3
56
George Stout at the Entrance to the Salt Mine, 1945
3
57
Thomas Carr Howe, George Stout, and Karl Sieber Inside the Mines, 1945
3
58
Mine Workers and Soldiers with Recovered Paintings, 1945
3
59
Mine Workers and Art Restorer Karl Sieber, 1945
3
60
Ghent Altarpiece Inspected by Daniel Kern and Karl Sieber, 1945
3
61
Packing and Tranporting the Bruges Madonna, 1945
Includes photographs of Monuments Men Thomas Carr Howe, George Stout, and Stephen Kovalyak.
3
62
Soldiers Loading Art onto Trucks, 1945
3
63
Photographs of Artwork, 1945
3
64
Berchtesgaden, Germany
Thomas Carr Howe, Lamont Moore, and Stephen Kovalyak at the Göring Collection Repository, 1945
3
65
Soldiers Loading Statues onto Truck, 1945
Includes a photograph of Stephen Kovalyak.
3
66
Photographs of Paintings from Göring Collection, 1945
3
67
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Views of the Castle from Up Close and Far Away, circa 1945
4
1
Storage Room and Throne Room, 1945
4
2
Soldiers Loading Crates of Art During Autumn and Winter Art Recovery, 1945
4
3
Loading Art from Neuschwanstein onto Trains at Fussen, 1945
4
4
Trucks Transporting Art from Hohenfurth to Munich, 1945
4
5
Monuments Men Group Photograph, circa 1945
Photograph include Walker Hancock, Lamont Moore, George Stout, and 2 others.
4
6
John Walker and Bancel LaFarge at Unterstein, Germany, 1945
4
7
Photographer in Studio with Art from the Göring Collection at Unterstein, Germany, 1945
4
8
Eagle's Nest or Kehlsteinhaus, Germany, 1945
Includes photographs of John Walker, Thomas Carr Howe, Bancel LaFarge, and Harry Anderson.
4
9
Art Recovery at Graslaben Salt Mine, Germany, 1945
4
10
Art Conservator at Unidentified Location, circa 1945
4
11
Munich Collecting Point
Plane Loaded with Shipment of Art to Holland, 1945
4
12
Ghent Altarpiece Loaded onto a Truck and Plane, 1945
Includes photographs of Thomas Carr Howe, Stephen Kovalyak, Lamont Moore, Robert Posey, and Craig Smyth.
4
13
Packing and Loading Art Shipment to France, 1945
4
14
Storage Rooms and Packing Art, 1945
4
15
Thomas Carr Howe, Lamont Moore, and Guard at the Amalienburg, Munich, 1945
4
16
Wiesbaden Collecting Point
Storage Rooms for Art, 1946
4
17
Packing and Loading Art Restitution Shipment to France, 1946
Includes photographs of Edith Standen and Rose Valland, as well as Aristide Maillol sculptures.
4
18
Art Restitution Shipment to Belgium, 1946
Includes photographs of Edith Standen and Raymond Lemaire.
4
19
MFAA Officials Inspecting Art, 1946
Includes photographs of Edith Standen, Rose Valland and one photograph of Patrick "Joe" Kelleher.
4
20
Hungarian Crown Jewels, 1946
Includes photograph of Edith Standen and Patrick "Joe" Kelleher.
4
21
Edith Standen Conducting Tour of Guards, 1946
4
22
Exhibitions of Recovered Art, 1946-1949
4
23
Photographs of the Bust of Nefertiti, 1946
4
24
Photographs of Artwork and Cultural Artifacts, circa 1946
4
25
Photographs of Art and Cultural Artifacts, circa 1945
4
26
Frankfurt and Environs, Germany, 1945
4
27
Wies Church, Germany, 1945
4
28
Linderhof Palace, Germany, circa 1945
4
29
Schloss Wilhelmshohe and Schloss Wilhelmsthal, Germany, 1946
4 small snapshots, includes Thomas Carr Howe, Patrick "Joe" Kelleher, and Edith Standen.
4
30
Miscellaneous Locations, circa 1945
4
31
Photographs of Han van Meegeren Paintings, 1947
4
32
Photograph of Hermann Göring and Relative, circa 1945
4
33

6.2

Personal Photographs, 1938-1970
This series contains portraits of Howe as well as events and parties he attended. Howe appears in the majority of the photographs along with his wife Francesca. Many photographs have annotations on the verso but frequently do not identify the event.
Description Container
Thomas Carr Howe Portraits, circa 1950
Oversized material housed in Box 5, Folder 3.
4
34
10th Anniversary of the United Nations, 1955
4
35
Events and Parties, 1938-1958
Oversized material housed in box 5, folder 4.
4
36
Events and Parties, 1959
4
37
Events and Parties, 1960-1970
4
38
Inaugural Exhibition, "Art Treasures in California," 1969 November 30-1970 January 1, 1969-1970
4
39
Miscellaneous Undated Events, circa 1946-1970
4
40
Oversized Portraits from Box 4, Folder 34, circa 1950
5
3
Oversized Photograph from Box 4, Folder 36, circa 1950
5
4
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Series 7: Scrapbook, 1936-1948
0.1 Linear feet
Box 4

This scrapbook is filled with news clippings on celebrities, such as Joe Di Maggio, socialites, and various events. The bulk of the clippings appear to be about entertainment and contain jokes, advice columns, and movie advertisements. Only a few articles, largely anecdotal, reference World War II. There is one news clipping with a photo of Howe's wife Francesca.
The scrapbook was dismantled and separated into three folders for preservation purposes.
Description Container Select
Dismantled Scrapbook, 1936-1948
3 Folders
4
41-43
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Series 8: Printed Materials, 1934-1980
0.4 Linear feet
Box 4

Printed materials includes news clippings and miscellaneous records such as postcards, benefit and fundraising papers, memorial tributes, etc. The news clippings cover topics such as Monuments Men activities and discoveries, art exhibitions, reviews for Salt Mines and Castles, and information about various art dealers and collectors. This series also contains essays, postcards, memorial tributes for colleagues, fundraising information packets, and a file of information on the provenance of a painting.
The news clippings are grouped together chronologically, followed by miscellaneous printed materials.
Description Container Select
News Clippings, 1934-1941
4
44
News Clippings, 1946-1948
4
45
News Clippings, 1950-1965
4
46
News Clippings, 1966
4
47
News Clippings, 1967-1978
4
48
Undated News Clippings, circa 1934-1978
4
49
Booklets, 1948-1949
4
50
Postcards, circa 1949
4
51
Art Benefit and Fundraiser Announcements and Programs, circa 1970-1975
4
52
Memorial Tributes, circa 1973
4
53
Information about Portrait of a Man by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1980
4
54

Make a Request

  • To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
  • To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.