Collections

Photographs collected from various sources, depicting buildings, faculty, students, and other topics relating to the University of Michigan.

The University of Michigan Photographs Vertical File represents a miscellaneous assemblage of U of M-related photographs from many different sources, mainly prior to 1950. The vertical file is especially strong on the earliest photographic images of the campus, university buildings, and class activities. While the vertical file contains many images of individuals, researchers should first consult the library's on-line catalog for images of faculty, administrators, and other University personalities. Most photographs originally accumulated by a University department or other unit are kept with that unit's records.

The arrangement of the photographic images was intended to parallel the classification used with University of Michigan published materials and with manuscript materials. Both of these used a classification system using letters of the alphabet (A through N only) for groupings of published or manuscript material. This system was carried over for use with the library's photographic images though there are certain categories for which images are unlikely to be found (Category A, for example, which pertains to legislation affecting the University or Category I which is reserved for university publications of a scientific or literary nature). The classification is further broken down under each letter by a number code which refers to a more specific subdivision. The heaviest concentration of images will be found under C (for U-M schools and colleges, departments, and other units), D (for university buildings and views), and F (for class pictures, photos of student organizations, and images detailing aspects of student life and customs).

Each heading in this finding aid includes the letter classification plus a numbered subdivision. In addition, the individual envelopes are numbered sequentially. Headings for which there are oversized images (usually larger than 8x10) will be indicated by reference to medium or large size photographs. When requesting material, researchers must specify the heading and the classification and folder number.

This finding aid describes only a small portion of the Bentley Library's U-M visual images. The on-line catalog will direct the researcher to additional images.

The U.S. Army 15th Infantry Regiment photograph albums consist of a two-volume set containing approximately 197 photographs compiled by a United States Army soldier stationed in China.

The U.S. Army 15th Infantry Regiment photograph albums consist of a two-volume set containing approximately 197 photographs compiled by a United States Army soldier stationed in China.

Volume one (33.5 x 26.5 cm) contains approximately 150 snapshots that primarily consist of images of street scenes, Chinese laborers, construction projects, and American, Chinese, and British soldiers at work and posing in front of buildings. Of particular note are extremely graphic images of Chinese men being executed at large public events. Also present is a clipping from Popular Mechanics regarding a hotel in Honolulu being converted into an army Y.M.C.A., a program from Christmas 1919 including the dinner menu and roster of "Headquarters Company, 15th U.S. Infantry," and a series of family photographs of unidentified men, women, and children on a farm presumably back in the United States.

Volume two (27 x 34.5 cm) contains approximately 47 snapshots. Contents consist of images documenting daily life activities of Chinese people including parades and street scenes as well as views of flooding, American soldiers, and military facilities. Also present is a clipping dated to 1927 from the Attleboro Sun regarding executions in China.

Both volumes appear to have sustained fire damage and are accordion-style fold out albums composed of heavy cardstock encased in brown covers with "Album" stamped in gold on the front.

The USS New Jersey journal and postcard album collection consists of a log book kept by a crew member of the USS New Jersey battleship during its participation in the Great White Fleet from 1907 to 1909 as well as an album of postcards collected from locations visited during the voyage.

The USS New Jersey journal and postcard album collection consists of a logbook kept by a crew member of the USS New Jersey battleship during its participation in the Great White Fleet from 1907 to 1909 as well as an album of postcards collected from locations visited during the voyage.

Volume one (21.5 x 13.5 cm) is a sailor's personal logbook kept aboard the USS New Jersey from December 16th, 1907, to February 22nd, 1909. Joseph J. [Sulinski], one of 812 crew members, is listed as the author. Detailed entries describe speeches, daily life, notable events, and various aspects of the places visited over the course of the voyage. The logbook has line breaks whenever a new location is being discussed, and clippings and souvenirs associated with each location have been added in throughout. The entries made at locations where the USS New Jersey was anchored for extended periods of time are the most detailed, yet there are also thorough descriptions of day-long visits to places such as Valparaiso, Chile. Entries of note include a description of a “Crossing of the Equator” ceremony held on January 2nd 1908, remarks on the currency exchange process in Rio di Janeiro, a description of the return back across the equator, an account of a boxing match between crewmembers of rival ships in Los Angeles in April 1908, and a passage regarding an act of vengeance undertaken by crew members after they felt they were overcharged for supplies in Santa Barbara. Also of interest are entries regarding the death of Commander-In-Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Admiral Charles M. Thomas, the deaths of two crewmembers in Melbourne, and the deaths of one crewmember who was lost at sea in a storm near Manila and another who was lost near Singapore. Notes about the voyage end on page 62 and are followed by a series of clippings that range from images of battleships to Philadelphia history, news about the Great White Fleet, and cartoons.

Volume two (26 x 20.25 cm) contains approximately 300 color postcards collected over the course of the Great White Fleet’s voyage around the world. The postcards begin with Trinidad and progress through various locations such as Rio de Janeiro, Marseille, Lima, Mexico City, California, Hawaii, Sydney, Melbourne, Manila, Yokohama, Tokyo, Badulla, Egypt, Sheffield, Cherbourg, and Messina. Also present are postcards depicting the USS Kansas, the overall course of the entire voyage up until July 1908, views of the Great White Fleet on Japanese postcards, and commemorative postcards involving the crew. While most of the postcards are blank, there are a few sentimental ones addressed to a Joseph Schlegel who seems to have resided in a number of U.S. military bases as well as Almont, Pennsylvania.

Michigan Republican State Senator; the collection relates primarily to proposed legislation, other files document issues of concern to the Hispanic community of Michigan; also issues relating to Michigan veterans.

The Papers of Valde Garcia contains documents that span his entire career as a Michigan State Senator from 2001 to 2010. A small number of records date from Garcia's time as a Michigan State Representative before entering the senate. The collection is arranged into three series: Bills and Legislation, Hispanic Issues, and Personal Records.

The Victor Perera Papers document the life and work of Victor Perera (1934-2003), a Guatemalan born Sephardic-American writer, journalist, and political activist. Papers include correspondence, book and article drafts, Sephardic genealogy research, professional and teaching papers, research subject files, personal materials, audiovisual materials, and thousands of travel photographs and slides.

The Victor Perera Papers include correspondence, book and article drafts, Sephardic genealogy research, professional and teaching papers, research subject files, notebooks, personal materials, audiovisual materials, and thousands of travel photographs and slides. The collection is divided into 6 series:

Series 1: Correspondence, 1949-2002 includes combined incoming and outgoing correspondence arranged first by date and then by correspondent's name. Materials have been kept in original order with loose correspondence interfiled.

Series 2: Publications and Works, 1960-2000 is arranged into 3 subseries: Subseries 1: Books and Drafts, 1960-1995: includes Perera's edited drafts and galley proofs of his published books. Subseries 2: Articles, Drafts, and Other Works, 1960-2000: includes published articles and drafts, translations, book reviews, plays, and other works. Subseries 3: Reviews, Agreements, and Promotional Materials, 1966-1997: includes reviews on Perera's works, news clippings and interviews, catalogs, royalties, publisher agreements, event fliers, and other promotional materials.

Series 3: Professional Activities, Research Files, and Notebooks, 1970-1998 is arranged into 3 subseries: Subseries 1: Professional Activities Materials, 1972-1998 includes Perera's fellowships and awards, teaching materials, conference and panel presentations, travel materials, editorial comments, and involvement in organizations including the New Association of Sephardic/Mizrahi Artists and Writers International (IVRI-NASWI). Subseries 2: Research Files, 1970-1998 contains newspaper clippings, scholarly articles, brochures, and various other materials; arranged by subject or by country of origin and date. Subseries 3: Notebooks, 1970s-1990s, undated: includes handwritten notebooks of Perera's drafts and research; mostly undated.

Series 4: Personal Materials, 1921-1997: includes Perera's baby book, Brooklyn College and University of Michigan class materials, appointment books, legal documents, Earthways Wilderness Journey court case, and travel ephemera. Significant materials include Perera/Periera family genealogy and a photocopy of the Perera family curse.

Series 5: Photographs and Audiovisual Materials, 1934-1998 Subseries 1: Photographs and Slides, 1934-1997 contains childhood and family photographs, portraits of Perera, speaking events, Lancondon Maya in Mexico, and other photographs that documents Perera's travels to India, Nepal, Guatemala, Mexico, and Central America. Subseries 2: Audiovisual Materials, 1962-1998 includes floppy disks containing publication drafts, audio film, audiocassettes, and VHS. Subjects include interviews, TV and radio appearances, conference proceedings, and research.

Series 6: Artifacts, 1970-1990s: contains Perera's leather messenger bag, wallets, Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Writers Award plate, Hummingbird tie pin, and cloth satchel bag and sash.

This collection includes material regarding the activities of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., Chapter 9 (Detroit, Mich.). Some members of this group have also been involved in the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) State of Michigan Council, as well as the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund and Vietnam Monument Commission so materials from these groups have also been included in this collection.

This collection has five series: Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. Chapter 9 (Detroit), Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., Michigan Veterans Trust Fund, Vietnam Monument Commission, and Audio and visual material. Records in this collection include administrative documents, Vietnam Veterans of American national convention materials, and VVA chapter newsletters and publications.

The Views of Santiago photograph album contains 59 views of Santiago de Cuba taken by professional photographer C. A. Smith including images of hospitals, landmarks, and streets as well as United States military encampments.

The Views of Santiago photograph album contains 59 views of Santiago de Cuba taken by professional photographer C. A. Smith including images of hospitals, landmarks, and streets as well as United States military encampments.

The album (27 x 35 cm) has lost its original cover. The first several pages of the album primarily contain images of the General Hospital and its staff while many subsequent images are of Morro Castle and other battlements, the Palace, the main marketplace, and La Alameda. Also present are images of United States military camps and headquarters as well as a photograph of the Peace Tree/Santiago Surrender Tree.

Dr. Vine Utley compiled his Observations on Old People 80 Years of Age while interviewing octogenarians and older individuals in New London County, Connecticut, from 1809-1818. He reported on their ages, families, dietary habits, and physical and mental health.

Dr. Vine Utley compiled most of his Observations on Old People 80 Years of Age (87 pages) while interviewing octogenarians and older individuals in New London County, Connecticut, from September 9, 1809-June 17, 1818; one entry is dated April 15, 1827. Utley recorded biographical information about each person he interviewed, including their name, age, hometown or place of residence, marital status, occupation, previous illnesses and medical treatments, number of children, and sometimes their date of death. He commented on interviewees' habits and diets, particularly with regard to alcohol and tobacco, and on their parents' longevity.

Utley wrote about physical health and mental acuity, and noted some trends amongst his subjects, such as octogenarians' tendency to have few, if any, remaining teeth (p. 25). He interviewed men and women from Waterford, Lyme, and New London, Connecticut, including David Harris, a native of Paris who had been held captive by Native Americans (pp. 22-25); E. Jeffry, a Native American woman (pp. 30-33); Celia, an enslaved woman who had been born in Africa (pp. 60-62); and John Utley, his father (pp. 81-84). The volume's cover is a repurposed section of The Witness (June 25, 1806), a newspaper published in Litchfield, Connecticut.

This visiting card specimen book contains 48 printer's sample cards pasted into the volume, including "hidden name" examples with movable die-cut flaps and other devices.

This visiting card specimen book contains 48 printer's sample cards pasted into the volume, including "hidden name" examples with movable die-cut flaps and other devices. Predominant visual themes are flowers, birds, hands, children, and cherubs. Others include a dog holding a guitar, a quill pen, a G.A.R card, and an "Imp Card" showing a devil holding a sign to read "I AM ___ WHO THE [DEVIL] ARE YOU."

A "Gold Escort" card has the text "I beg the blissful felicity of being honored with your gracious condescension to the extent of allowing your humble servant to escort you to your leafy bower this balmy eve. Say yes, fair lady!"

Voters Not Politicians is a Michigan-based nonpartisan political organization whose focus is to support and promote policy that strengthens Michigan's democracy. Records primarily consist of meeting minutes, reports, newsletters, photographs, posters, videos, and clippings.

The Voters Not Politicians records primarily consist of campaign materials and organizational records. Within the campaign materials are field materials (handouts, buttons, stickers, hang tags), posters, photographs, reports, songs, videos, webinars, and other records volunteers used when on the ground campaigning. The organizational records include meeting minutes, newsletters, office manuals, training materials, an interview with the founders of Voters Not Politicians, and short biographies of the members that compiled the records for this collection, as well as the archived website materials (starting 2017). Duplication may occur between physical and digital material, but unique items are present in both formats.