The papers of New York painter and muralist George Biddle (1885-1973), measure 0.76 linear feet and date from circa 1910-1970. The collection includes a certificate signed by President Harry Truman, transcripts of Biddle's diaries, a manuscript of a memoir about meeting President Franklin Roosevelt, three letters from William Hunt Diederich's daughter, transcripts of letters from Bernard Berenson, sketches and mural studies, and two glass plate negatives.
Scope and Contents:
The papers of New York painter and muralist George Biddle (1885-1973), measure 0.76 linear feet and date from circa 1910-1970. The collection includes a certificate signed by President Harry Truman, transcripts of Biddle's diaries, a manuscript of a memoir about meeting President Franklin Roosevelt, three letters from William Hunt Diederich's daughter, transcripts of letters from Bernard Berenson, sketches and mural studies, and two glass plate negatives.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged as one series.
Series 1: George Biddle Papers, circa 1910-1970 (0.7 linear feet; Box 1, OVs 2-4, MGP4)
Biographical / Historical:
New York painter and muralist George Biddle (1885-1973) proposed to President Franklin Roosevelt the establishment of a federal relief program for artists during the Depression, and subsequently painted a number of government murals under the auspices of the Federal Art Project, including murals for the Department of Justice in 1935.
Biddle was born to a prominent Philadelphia family and graduated from Harvard College. He studied at the Académie Julian and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and served in the United States Army in World War I, before returning to New York where he had his first series of one-man shows.
In 1933 Biddle wrote to long-time friend President Franklin Roosevelt, to suggest a work relief program that supported mural painters. Although the idea initially met with opposition, Biddle persisted and the resulting art projects of the Works Progress Administration went on to support the production of thousands of paintings in government buildings throughout the country during the Depression.
In 1940 Biddle was invited by the Mexican government to create a mural for the supreme court building in Mexico City. Biddle had visited Mexico in 1928 where he had traveled and sketched with Diego Rivera, and seen firsthand the value of government sponsored art programs.
In addition to his murals, Biddle was also known for his portraits, lithographs, and paintings. His work can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and others. His work has been shown throughout the United States, Europe, Mexico, Japan, and India in over a hundred one-man shows and group exhibitions.
Related Materials:
Originals of the edited diary transcripts in this collection are in the Library of Congress, Manuscript Division. The unedited diary has many more entries than the edited version and includes more details about Biddle's daily life and work, versions of articles by Biddle, and lists of his works of art through 1934.
Separated Materials:
The Archives of American Art also holds microfilm of material lent for microfilming, including one of Biddle's original diaries, 1933-1935 (reel D127), records from the Federal Art Project, personal correspondence, articles and talks relating to Artists Equity (reels P17-P18), and a photocopy of Biddle's inventory notebook listing artwork and exhibitions (reel 4909). While the inventory notebook was discarded after microfilming, all other loaned materials were returned to the lender and are not described in the collection container inventory.
Provenance:
The papers on reels P12-P18 were loaned for microfilming in 1954 by the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, PA. George Biddle lent the material on reel D127 in 1963 and donated the rest of the collection to the Archives of American Art between 1966-1970. In 1972, Michael Biddle, George Biddle's son, gifted a photocopy of an inventory notebook that was discarded after microfilming.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center.
Rights:
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
7.84 Cubic feet (Ten (10) letter size document boxes; two (2) flat boxes (17.5 x 11.5 x 3.25 in.); one (1) tall legal size document box; and fourteen (14) oversize folders)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
1897-1957, 1968, 1973, and 2007
Summary:
The Catherine L. Manning Collection consists of materials including correspondence and memoranda; exhibit pages; departmental reports; photographs of stamp sources and Manning; philatelic badges and name tags; floor plans; calendars; convention brochures and programs; clippings; and other related materials. Manning was a thirty-year curator of the National Philatelic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution. Her papers document the history of the Smithsonian's National Philatelic Collection for several decades as well as the philatelic history in the United States and for women stamp collectors.
Scope and Contents:
The Catherine L. Manning Collection consists of materials including correspondence and memoranda; exhibit pages; departmental reports; photographs of Manning; photographs of stamp sources; panoramic photographs of philatelic convention attendees; philatelic badges and name tags; floor plans; diaries and notebooks; convention brochures and programs; clippings; and other related materials. Manning was a thirty-year curator of the National Philatelic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution. Her materials document the history of the Smithsonian's National Philatelic Collection for several decades as well as philatelic history in the United States and the history of women stamp collectors.
Of note are the Manning materials related to her time at the Smithsonian and her interactions with colleagues such as Theodore T. Belote; Franklin R. Bruns, Jr., and Alexander Wetmore. Also of interest are the materials related to Manning's membership and involvement in the American Philatelic Congress, the American Philatelic Society, the Bureau Issues Association, the Washington Philatelic Society, the Philadelphia Women's Stamp Club, the Women's International Stamp Club, and the Women's Philatelic Society of New York. Manning's work as a charter member of the board of directors of the private non-profit National Philatelic Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is also documented.
Manning's interest in stamp designs is exhibited in the collection through the photographs of stamp sources and the newspaper clippings she collected as well as through her correspondence with authors and philatelic scholars about the topic, including F. L. Ellis and George B. Sloane who wrote for Stamps.
Some of Manning's personal philatelic collections and personal philatelic objects have been accessioned into the National Postal Museum's permanent museum collection.
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged into fourteen series.
Series
Series 1: Biographical Materials and Documents, 1897-1957, 1968, 2007
Series 2: Diaries and Notebooks, 1944-1957
Series 3: Catherine L. Manning Employment: H. F. Colman and Smithsonian Institution (SI); Bureau of Engraving and Printing Material and Stamp Mailing Envelopes, 1902-1973
Series 4: Philatelic Organizations, 1926-1956
Series 5: Philatelic, Non-Philatelic, and First Day of Issue Events, 1926-1956
Series 6: Philately - General, 1901-1947
Series 7: Women in Philately and Women on Postage Stamps, 1936-1957
Series 8: Stamp Source Material: Documents, Lists, Correspondence; Stamp Catalogs and Stamp Dealers; 1897, 1920s-1949
Series 9: Stamp Source Material: Images, 1900s-1950
Series 10: Post Office Department Material, 1927-1954
Series 11: Correspondence - Individual and Organization (A-Z), 1921-1954
Series 12: Correspondence - General (A-Z); Holiday Cards; Panoramic Photographs, 1928-1956
Series 13: Manning's Little Women Stamp Exhibit; Scott Catalogue 1944
Series 14: Objects and Oversize Materials, 1930-1955, and undated
Biographical / Historical:
Catherine Lemmon Manning (1881-1957), the first woman outside the sciences to achieve the title "Assistant Curator" at the Smithsonian Institution, tended the National Philatelic Collection for nearly thirty years. During her tenure, she organized the collection, processed thousands of specimens received from the Universal Postal Union and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, published articles, exhibited, and participated widely in the philatelic community.
A native of Washington, D.C., Manning worked for the stamp dealer John Murray Bartels in 1898. When Bartels sold his business in 1901, Manning continued to work for the new owner, Hamilton F. Colman. While with Colman, Manning also worked as the philatelic secretary for former New Jersey Senator, Joseph Sherman Frelinghuysen and helped build his collection. As a result of her philatelic expertise, Manning was asked to assist the Smithsonian Institution in accessioning the Post Office Department collection which Postmaster General Frank Harris Hitchcock had transferred. Manning's philosophy that "it is better to generalize than specialize" determined the National Philatelic Collection's trajectory from the time she succeeded Joseph B. Leavy as Government Philatelist in 1922 until her retirement in 1951.
Throughout her life she received many honors, including being the first woman elected to office in the American Philatelic Society (vice president, 1935-1937). She was a charter member of the American Philatelic Congress and in 1936 received its award for service to philately. In 1938, Manning served on the committee that selected Elaine Rawlinson's design for the 1938 Presidential definitive series. According to her daughter-in-law Ruby Lee Robertson, Manning met numerous times at the White House with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a fellow philatelist. She was a charter member of the board of directors of the privately-run National Philatelic Museum in Philadelphia and received its 1949 silver trophy for achievement in philately. Manning retired from the Smithsonian on January 31, 1951. The American Philatelic Society inducted her into its Hall of Fame in 1990.
Also referred to as "Kate", Manning's personal collecting interests had a great range including mint and used stamps - U.S. and world, saved correspondence envelopes and postcards, greeting cards, poster labels (also known as Cinderellas), stamp exhibition souvenirs, special event covers for anniversaries and local events during her lifetime, first day covers, women on stamps, and especially the sources that inspired stamp designs.
Provenance:
Ruby Lee Robertson, Catherine L. Manning's granddaughter-in-law, donated Manning's philatelic estate to the National Postal Museum from 2006 to 2008. The materials in this collection were separated out from the museum collections in January 2009 and remained with the Curatorial Department until October 2023 with their release to the NPM Archives.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Access to original archival materials is by appointment only. Researchers must submit request for appointment in writing. Please direct reference inquiries to the National Postal Museum Archives: NPM_Archives@si.edu.
Rights:
The National Postal Museum Archives makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use and the NPM Rights and Reproductions for additional information. Please direct reference inquiries to the National Postal Museum Archives: NPM_Archives@si.edu.
103 Footprints in the Snow / Bill Monroe. Mandolin.
104 Prisoner's Song / Bill Monroe. Mandolin.
105 Muleskinner Blues / Bill Monroe. Mandolin.
106 Black Mountain Blues / New Lost City Ramblers. Guitar,Fiddle,Banjo.
107 Franklin D. Roosevelt's Back Again / New Lost City Ramblers. Guitar,Fiddle,Banjo.
108 New River Train / New Lost City Ramblers. Guitar,Fiddle,Banjo.
109 Instrumental / New Lost City Ramblers. Guitar,Fiddle,Banjo.
110 Cluck Old Hen / Dock Boggs. Banjo.
111 Ground Hog / Dock Boggs. Banjo.
112 Little Maggie / Dock Boggs. Banjo.
113 Moonshine Recipe / Dock Boggs. Banjo.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-1103
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Ashville, NC, United States.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Special narration by Quentin Reynolds; written foreward by Robert Sherwood; written and produced by Arthur Lane; music composed, chorus & orchestra conducted by Victor Young.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Thomas E. Dewey --Herbert C. Hoover --H. V. Kaltenborn -- Alfred M. Landon --Sinclair Lewis --Franklin D. Roosevelt -- Dwight D. Eisenhower --Harry L. Hopkins --Estes Kefauver -- John L. Lewis --Huey Long --Alfred E. Smith --Douglas MacArthur --Adlai E. Stevenson --Richard M. Nixon -- Robert A. Taft --Marcelino Romani of Puerto Rico -- Harry S. Truman --Eleanor Roosevelt --Wendell L. Wilkie.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-1305
RCA Victor.1753
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
New York RCA Victor 1953
General:
"The actual voices of the men who have made our history from 1933 to 1953"--Container. Program notes by Fleming on container. Performer(s): James Fleming, narrator ; featuring the voices of Thomas E. Dewey, Herbert C. Hoover, H. V. Kaltenborn, Alfred M. Landon, Sinclair Lewis, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Harry L. Hopkins, Estes Kefauver, John L. Lewis, Huey Long, Alfred E. Smith, Douglas MacArthur, Adlai E. Stevenson, Richard M. Nixon, Robert A. Taft, Marcelino Romani of Puerto Rico, Harry S. Truman, Eleanor Roosevelt, Wendell L. Wilkie.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Side 1. Kennedy's complete inaugural address (Jan. 20, 1961) --Side 2. Excerpts from F.D.R. speeches. 1st inaugural address (March 4, 1933) ; Fireside chat (April 29, 1935) ; 2nd acceptance (June 27, 1936) ; 2nd inaugural address (March 4, 1937) ; "Quarantine" speech (Oct. 5, 1937) ; State of the Union (Jan. 6, 1941) ; Declaration of war (Dec. 8, 1941) ; "Day of infamy" (Dec. 24, 1941) ; "D" Day prayer (June 6, 1944) ; Last speech to Congress on Yalta conference (March 1, 1945).
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-1308
Somerset.16100
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
Somerset 1961
General:
Collective title from container.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Side 1. Kennedy's complete inaugural address (Jan. 20, 1961) -- Side 2. Excerpts from F.D.R. speeches. 1st inaugural address (March 4, 1933) ; Fireside chat (April 29, 1935) ; 2nd acceptance (June 27, 1936) ; 2nd inaugural address (March 4, 1937) ; "Quarantine" speech (Oct. 5, 1937) ; State of the Union (Jan. 6, 1941) ; Declaration of war (Dec. 8, 1941) ; "Day of infamy" (Dec. 24, 1941) ; "D" Day prayer (June 6, 1944) ; Last speech to Congress on Yalta conference (March 1, 1945).
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-4519
Library in Sound.16100
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
Library in Sound
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
111 Oh Lawdy Me, Oh Lawdy My / Reid State Farm Convicts.
112 I Sho' Can't Stand It Long / Reid State Farm Convicts.
113 Power / Convicts, Julia Griffin.
114 Reading That Letter / Convicts, Mary Sneed.
115 Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child / Annie May Jefferson, Ozella Jones.
116 Gonna Lay My Head Down on Some Railroad Line / Will Wright.
117 Mr. Roosevelt / Will Wright.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-0804
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Clinton (Ark.), Raiford (Fla.), Florida, Boykin (S.C.), South Carolina, Central Valley (Calif. : Valley), California, Crandon (Wis.), Wisconsin, Mena (Ark.), United States, Arkansas.
General:
CDR copy
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Political speeches--Fioella La Guardia--FDR--Truman--Henry Wallace-Edward Smith--Adlai Stevenson--Herbert Hoover--Claire Booth Luce--Harold Ickes--Dwight Eisenhower--Nixon--Adlai Stevenson--Herbert Hoover--Robert Taft--Music in politics--Campaigns Introduction. 1928, F.D.R. ; 1933, Huey Long ; Henry Wallace ; La Guardia ; Al Smith --Franklin D. Roosevelt -- F.D.R. ; Robert A. Taft ; Frank Knox --Post World War II. Thomas E. Dewey ; Henry S. Truman ; Harold Stassen -- The Southern faction --Nominations --Humor in politics -- Animals in politics --Music and politics --Campaigns. Wendell Wilkie ; F.D.R. ; Thomas E. Dewey ; Harry S. Truman ; General Eisenhower ; Adlai E. Stevenson : 1952.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-3161
General:
Folkways 5501
CDR copy--Presents a documentary about American politicians and their election campaigns. Includes excerpts from the speeches of various political figures.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
101 Roosevelt, Franklin D.: Acceptance Speech, June 27, 1936, part 5.
201 Roosevelt, Franklin D.: Acceptance Speech, June 27, 1936, part 6.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-78-2482
Union.206
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
New York Union 1936
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection Citation:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
