Syracuse University Libraries Postcard Collection An inventory of the collection at Syracuse University

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Syracuse University Libraries Postcard Collection

An inventory of the collection at Syracuse University

Finding aid created by: MRC
Date: 16 Nov 2010

Revision history:

19 Jan 2019

processed, name corrected (MRC)

Overview of the Collection

Creator:

Syracuse University Libraries.

Title:

Syracuse University Libraries Postcard Collection

Dates:

circa 1910-1950

Quantity:

6 linear ft.

Abstract:

Architecture, museums, people, street scenes, World War I. Mostly Europe.

Language:

English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese

Repository:

Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries
222 Waverly Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center

Biographical History

Many of the postcards are stamped ART LIBRARY SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, so the assumption is that they were collected by the Libraries here at SU and at some point transferred to Special Collections Research Center.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Syracuse University Libraries Postcard Collection consists entirely of postcards depicting architecture, cathedrals, fountains, landscapes, sculpture, statuary, street scenes, and so on. The vast majority are from countries in western Europe, but there are a few from Czechoslovakia, Panama, Cuba, and other countries. There collection also contains a substantial number of World War I postcards, whose images include soldiers, battlefields, ruined towns and buildings, hospitals and wounded, and so on. Almost all of the cards are blank. Many are stamped ART LIBRARY SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY on the back. Most are unused/blank, but a few are written on and addressed to Syracuse University Art Library.

The geographical subdivisions of the collection were retained as originally defined, with the exception of the World War I postcards. Those subdivisions were created during the processing of the collection. The original packet labels are filed at the end of the last box.

Arrangement of the Collection

Alphabetical by topic and within that alphabetical by country, with the exception of World War I postcards which are subdivided again by topic.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

See also the Arents Postcard Collection.

Subject Headings

Subjects

Architecture -- Europe -- Pictorial works.
Cathedrals -- Europe -- Pictorial works.
Fountains -- Europe -- Pictorial works.
Landscapes -- Europe -- Pictorial works.
Postcards -- Europe.
Sculpture, European -- Pictorial works.
Soldiers -- Pictorial works.
World War, 1914-1918 -- Pictorial works.

Genres and Forms

Postcards.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Syracuse University Libraries Postcard Collection,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Transfer from Syracuse University Art Library, date unknown.

Postcards

Inventory

Postcards

Box 1

Angels

Box 1

Animals, demons and grotesques

Box 1

Arab - mostly people, some landscapes

Architecture

Box 1

Algeria

Box 1

Austria

Box 1

Belgium

Box 1

Costa Rica

Box 1

Cuba

Box 1

Czechoslovakia

Box 1

England

Box 1

France

Box 2

France (cont.)

Box 2

Germany

Box 2

Ireland

Box 2

Italy

Box 2

Japan

See also Oriental, below.

Box 2

Netherlands

Box 2

Portugal

Box 2

Puerto Rico

Box 2

Spain

Box 2

Sweden

Box 2

Switzerland

Archways

Box 2

Algeria

Box 2

Belgium

Box 2

England

Box 2

France

Box 2

Germany

Box 2

Italy

Box 2

Portugal

Box 2

Spain

Bas reliefs

Box 2

Religious

Box 2

Secular - most from Versailles

Box 3

Busts, secular

Cathedrals - most of these are from Musée de Sculpture Comparée (Museum of Comparative Sculpture); also includes churches, monasteries, chapels

Box 3

Abstract designs, columns, portals

Box 3

Column heads and arches

Box 3

Facades and columns

Box 3

Interiors - also includes some museum interiors

Box 3

Sculpted figures

Box 3

Miscellaneous - tombs, choir stalls, porticos, windows, etc.,

Box 3

Dolls

Box 3

Figurines, secular - mostly France

Box 4

Fountains and water features

Box 4

Furniture, clothing, household design - mostly France

Interiors - other than cathedrals

Box 4

Belgium

Box 4

England

Box 4

France

Box 4

Germany

Box 4

Portugal

Box 4

Spain

Landscapes

Box 4

Algeria

Box 4

Austria

Box 4

Belgium

Box 4

Cuba

Box 4

Czechoslovakia

Box 4

England

Box 4

France

Box 5

France (cont.)

Box 5

Germany

Box 5

Gibraltar

Box 5

Italy

Box 5

Portugal

Box 5

Scotland

Box 5

Spain

Box 5

Switzerland

Box 5

Wales

Box 5

Miscellaneous

Box 5

Oriental - people, landscapes, architecture

See also Architecture: Japan.

Box 5

Paintings, tapestries, etc. - includes secular frescoes, paintings from El Escorial in Spain

Box 6

People - some with livestock, including scenes of bullfighting

Religious sculpture

Box 6

Female figures

Box 6

Male figures

Sculpture

Box 6

Bas reliefs, medallions, columns, facades, etc. - from public buildings, estates, chateaux

Box 6

Gallo-Roman

Box 6

Miscellaneous - mostly France

Box 6

Statuary - miscellaneous secular, mostly neo-Classical

Street scenes

Box 6

Algeria

Box 6

Austria

Box 6

Belgium

Box 6

Cuba

Box 6

Czechoslovakia

Box 6

England

Box 6

France, Paris

Box 7

France, miscellaneous

Box 7

Germany

Box 7

Italy

Box 7

Netherlands

Box 7

Portugal

Box 7

Spain

Box 7

Switzerland

Box 7

Tunisia

Box 7

Wales

Box 7

Miscellaneous

Box 7

Tombs, monuments, statues - of famous people, e.g. Napoleon, Joan of Arc, Charles V, Voltaire

Box 7

Vessels, urns, etc. - including church artifacts

Box 7

Virgin and child figures

Water and boats

See also Fountains.

Box 7

Belgium

Box 7

Cuba

Box 7

England

Box 7

France

Box 8

France (cont.)

Box 8

Germany

Box 8

Gibraltar

Box 8

Netherlands

Box 8

Panama

Box 8

Portugal

Box 8

Spain

Box 8

Switzerland

Box 8

Wales

Box 8

Wooden sculpture - most from Musée des Arts Décoratifs

World War I

Box 8

Battlefield scenes - including trenches

Box 8

Damage and ruins - mostly France and Belgium; towns, cathedrals, houses, etc.

Box 9

Damage and ruins (cont.) - mostly France and Belgium; towns, cathedrals, houses, etc.

Box 9

Hospitals and wounded - includes one scene of man training dog to find wounded

Box 9

Monuments, tombs, graves

Box 9

Prisoners and spies - includes executions

Box 9

Ships and boats

Box 9

Soldiers - eating, talking, on the march, on parade, etc.; mostly French but also some British, Belgian, other nationalities

Box 9

Unusual or interesting - priests saying mass, Indian and Egyptian soldiers (the latter on camels), refugees, children, livestock, undamaged towns and homes, etc.

Box 9

Miscellany - birds, trains, the giant beer vat of Heidelberg, etc.

Box 9

Original packet labels

Collection inventory