National Philatelic Collection, Smithsonian Institution. Search this
Blenkle, Victor A., Dr., 1900-1978 (physician) Search this
Former owner:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Extractive Industries Search this
Extent:
10 Cubic feet (29 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Postcards
Picture postcards
Photographs
Photographic postcards
Place:
Europe -- Postcards
Date:
circa 1880-circa 1970
Summary:
This collection consists of postcards gathered by Dr. Victor A. Blenkle, a twentieth century physician. The postcards primarily concern geographical locations and landmarks in the United States and Western Europe, but also include materials from six other continents.
Scope and Contents:
The Blenkle Collection consists of 29 boxes of postcards, principally about geographical locations, landmarks, monuments and other buildings of interest around the world. The bulk of the cards are about the United States and Western Europe, but countries in 6 continents are represented. The earliest cards included date from the late 1880s and the latest card date from the mid-1970s. The cards are arranged in alphabetical order by state name, name of country, and then specific locations.
Arrangement:
The collection is divided into four series:
Series 1 includes 16 boxes of cards about geographical locations within the United States. These cards are organized first by state in alphabetical order, secondly by city or place name (for example, Grand Canyon). Cities or locations with fewer than three postcards are arranged into general categories such as "Cities". Cards with no clear location are grouped by illustrated subject, such as "Winter Scenes."
Series 2 consists of 9 boxes of cards about places outside the United States. These cards are in alphabetical order by name Of country, and then by city, location or geographical name,also in alphabetical order. The names of countries are used as listed on the card. For example, most of the German cards appear to date from before the division into East and West Germany, consequently, the name is listed as Germany, with no regard for the location of a place between 1945 and 1990.
Series 3 consists of 4 boxes of cards organized by subject. These are the only cards without specific geographical locations.
Series 4 consists of 1 box of cards and letters written by Dr. Blenkle or what appear to be members of his family.
Divided into 3 series: (1) U.S.A., (2) Foreign (mostly Europe), (3) Subjects. Arranged geographically and alphabetically.
Biographical / Historical:
The Blenkle Collection of Postcards was collected by Dr. Victor A. Blenkle, who lived in New Jersey. Little was known about Dr. Blenkle until Ms. Lorraine Clemente, his great-niece, supplied biographical information in 2006. All relevant curators involved in this acquisition are now deceased. Through processing, some conclusions were reached based on evidence contained within the collection itself.
Victor A. Blenkle (born December 15, 1900; died April 15, 1978) was one of six children; his siblings were Ferdinand, Herbert, Albert, Helene, and Julius. His parents, Ferdinand and Bertha, probably emigrated to the United States from Germany in the 1890s (his father was born in 1871). Victor Blenkle practiced medicine in Teaneck, N.J., where he was affiliated with Holy Name Hospital; his wife's name was Elsie. Blenkle was active in medical organizations and was a founder of Family Practice of New Jersey. He served in both World Wars, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. Many of the postcards in this collection were from Blenkle's patients, as well as family members. (Ms. Lorraine Clemente, great-niece of Victor Blenkle, supplied biographical information in 2006.)
We do not know when Dr. Blenkle began collecting postcards, but cards sent to him or with what appears to be his handwriting begin in the 1920s. It seems as if Blenkle also either purchased or traded for collections that were originally owned by others. For example, within the overall Blenkle collection, there are three smaller groups of cards of earlier origin. Some of these include the earliest materials in the collection, dating from the late 1880s and 1890s. These three smaller groups include a group of cards sent to (and some sent by) a Reverend Leach in Noroton, Connecticut who was a Lutheran minister. He also apparently ran some kind of a Bible study by mail program and so received a number of cards from those interested in the Bible. Another group of cards sent to addresses in Elgin, Illinois and other related Midwestern locations by members of an extended family and some of their friends between about 1895 and 1910. A third set of cards includes smaller group of cards sent by a group of family and friends in Wisconsin, apparently centering on Milwaukee. All of these include messages written on front or back and postmarks.
Provenance:
Bequeathed to the Smithsonian Institution by Victor A. Blankle in 1977.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for research use.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Library of Congress -- 1900-1910 -- Washington (D.C.) Search this
Lincoln Memorial (Washington, D.C.) -- 1900-1910 Search this
Parrot, The (restaurant) -- ca. 1906 -- Washington (D.C.) Search this
Extent:
1 Folder
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Postcards
Picture postcards
Photolithographs
Photomechanical prints
Reproductions
Date:
circa 1906
Scope and Contents:
Three picture postcards of Washington, D.C., one postmarked 1906; all are photomechanical reproductions of photographs: two color photolithographs of: (1) the Library of Congress (printed in Germany, addressed, with Christmas greeting, postmarked 1906); (2) the Lincoln Memorial (publ. Washington News Co., copyright C.O. Buckingham, no message, unmailed); and (3) a black-and-white advertising postcard of a restaurant interior ("The Parrot", no message, unmailed).
Arrangement:
Collection is unarranged.
HIstorical Note:
"Picture postcards became the medium of choice for informal correspondence shortly after their introduction in the first decade of the twentieth century. Many postcards were engraved, lithographed, or otherwise mass produced.... Taken as a whole, postcards provide us with the most complete pictorial record of life in early twentieth century America...."*
The history of commercial photomechanical postcard publishing is treated in references such as: Range, Thomas E. The Book of Postcard Collecting. New York: Dutton, 1980.
Provenance:
Collection donated by North Carolina Museum of History, through Allen R. Hoilman, Collections Assistant in 1988 and 1989.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Probably public domain due to copyright expiration. Fees for commercial use.
Topic:
Buildings -- 1900-1910 -- Washington (D.C.) Search this
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Unrestricted research use on site. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Collection Rights:
Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Hazen Collection of Band Photographs and Ephemera, ca. 1818-1931, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Unrestricted research use on site. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Collection Rights:
Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Hazen Collection of Band Photographs and Ephemera, ca. 1818-1931, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
1 Item (Lithoprint photomechanical reproduction on paper., 5.5" x 3.5")
Container:
Box 10, Item 615
Type:
Archival materials
Picture postcards
Photographs
Lithoprints
Postcards
Place:
Lindenville (Vt.)
Vermont -- 1900-1910
Date:
Circa 1900
Scope and Contents:
Image of a band posed on and around the band stand.
Local Numbers:
AC0253-0000006 (AC scan)
91-15584 (SI neg number)
87-14248 (SI neg number)
Collection Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Collection Rights:
Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Bandstands -- 1900-1920 -- Vermont -- Photographs Search this
Photomechanical reproduction of a photograph on picture postcard.
Local Numbers:
AC0253-0000012.tif (AC scan no.)
91-2450 (OPPS Neg.)
Collection Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Rights:
OPPS Neg. 91.2450. Copyright apparently expired, image in public domain, but the Smithsonian Institution makes no warranty or representation regarding the fitness for publication of information derived from or copies from its collections. Permission to reproduce available through Archives Center.
Topic:
Bandstands -- 1890-1910 -- Photographs Search this
Postcard with reproduction of group photograph of children in Orphan's Home, Seattle, Wash., with instruments. Caption includes children's names and nationalities. Postmarked 1906, with message on verso addressed to Clara Eckert, Peshtigo, Wis. Nationalities are: French, Norwegian, Finnish, Irish, Italian, Canadian, and U.S.
Local Numbers:
AC0253-0000011 (AC scan no.)
Collection Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Collection Rights:
Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Brass bands -- 1900-1910 -- Washington Search this
Reproduction of photograph of band riding in motorized bandwagon with instruments. Vehicle has "The Overland" name on front. Postmarked 1909, with message, addressed to Arthur Rice, Forest City, Iowa.
Local Numbers:
AC0253-0000008 (AC scan no.)
Collection Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Collection Rights:
Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
1 Item (Ink on paper, color photomechanical., 3.6" x 5.5")
Container:
Box 9, Item 191
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Photomechanical prints
Postcards
Picture postcards
Place:
Attleboro (Mass.) -- 1900-1910
Date:
Circa 1907
Scope and Contents:
Colored reproduction of photograph of bandstand in common (publisher's number G 21786), with message from "Olga" (?) written in ink below image. Addressed to Miss E. Jessie Dawley, Prov., R.I., postmarked 1907, with one-cent stamp.
Local Numbers:
AC0253-0000009 (AC scan no.)
General:
Exact publisher's imprint: "The Rotograph Co., N.Y., City [sic], (Germany.)"
Collection Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Collection Rights:
Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Cavalry mounted on horseback with musical instruments.
Somewhat coarsely printed photomechanical postcard. No message, no stamp. Caption at bottom of card includes "Photo by E. Bachmann" credit.
Local Numbers:
AC0253-0000019 (AC Scan No.)
Collection Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Rights:
OPPS. Neg. No., from 99-382 to 99-385 [needs to be checked]. Copyright probably expired and image is in public domain; however, the Smithsonian Institution makes no warranty or representation regarding the fitness for publication of information derived from or copies from its collections. Reproduction permission available through Archives Center.
Cavalry mounted on horseback with musical instruments, shown in line from front, with another mounted figure, probably the conductor, in the foreground. Extensive text on card.
Somewhat coarsely printed photomechanical postcard. No message, no stamp. Card includes note about "Annual Canadian Concert Tours 1936 -- 1937 -- 1938" and endorsement for Buescher Band Instruments manufactured by Carl Fischer, Boston.
General:
Item No. 855, Series 1, Subseries 7, box 10 (1.7.855).
Collection Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Rights:
OPPS. Neg. No., from 99-382 to 99-385 [needs to be checked]. Probably copyrighted.
1 Item (mounted on black paper, Silver gelatin on paper., 10.9" x 11.6")
Container:
Box 7, Item 121
Type:
Archival materials
Photomechanical prints
Photographs
Postcards
Picture postcards
Date:
1905
Scope and Contents:
Band posed outside white clapboard building.
Local Numbers:
AC0253-0000001 (AC scan no.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Unrestricted research use by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
"Rotary Photo E.C." at bottom. Sousa wears uniform with three medals.
Local Numbers:
AC0253-0000020 (AC scan no.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Two images on one card. Ink message at bottom: "Frankfurt. Aug. 10th / 90 [?] / My Dear Wife / I shall send you some money..." Publisher's note on side: Zimmermann & Co., Berlin S.W., Besselstr. 5.
Local Numbers:
AC0253-0000021 (AC scan no.)
Collection Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Collection Rights:
Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Unrestricted research use on site. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Collection Rights:
Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Five children holding a variety of instruments and pretending to be a band.
Local Numbers:
AC0253-0000023 (AC scan no.)
87-14018 (SI neg no.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Includes 7 VHS videotapes and 1 audio tape produced by Florice Whyte Kovan, containing interviews and recollections by some band members. Studio portraits and snapshot photographs in 3 scrapbooks, which also contain display advertisements and newspaper clippings from about the band, 1940s. Snapshots include documentation of the band's travels and leisure activities while on the road, including swimming, horseback riding, etc. Packaged hotel soap bars collected by Betty Hansen during the bands' touring documents their itinerary, as do picture postcards written by Alice Smaus Jacoby.
Arrangement:
The collection is divided into seven series.
Series 1: Unmounted snapshots
Series 2: Scrapbooks
Series 3: Alice Smaus Jacoby's postcards
Series 4: Packaged soap samples
Series 5: Audiovisual Materials
Series 6: Framed Portrait Photoprints
Series 7: Oversized Photoprints
The scrapbook pages are arranged in original order, apparently partly chronological, but series 1 snapshots are in topical order.
Biographical / Historical:
Founded 1942 in Racine, Wis., by Virgil Whyte, his "all-girl" band was composed of young Racine women. Whyte was instructor, manager, and the initial leader on drums; later his sister Alice took over as drummer. After initial success in Racine and elsewhere in Wisconsin, the band began to accept engagements in other parts of the country, eventually touring the U.S. The band's success drew other acts and performers, including Jill Fontaine and the Wilford Mae Trio, Sam Hearn (known as "Schlepperman"), the Woodson Sisters, and Paul La Verre and Bro. They did U.S.O. tours, entertaining servicemen.
The principal donor, a free-lance researcher and writer, is the daughter of Virgil Whyte.
Provenance:
Collection donated by Florice Kovan, 1993.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Franz Huld, New York; publisher. Color photomechanical image, apparently derived from a photograph.
Arrangement:
In Box 1, Folder Cake Walk.
Local Numbers:
AC0281-0000001-01 (AC Scan, recto)
AC0281-0000001-02 (AC Scan, verso)
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research use.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Hoffman/Boaz Postcard Collection, 1898-1920, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, box X, folder XX, digital image file XXXXXXX.
