Finding Aid: Ms 524 - Cliff Smith YMCA Postcard Collection

Item Information

Title:
Finding Aid: Ms 524 - Cliff Smith YMCA Postcard Collection
Description:
This is the link to the finding aid for the MS 524 - Cliff Smith YMCA Postcard Collection in the Springfield College Archives and Special Collections. Most of the Cliff Smith YMCA Postcard Collection is comprised of nearly 10,000 unique, rare postcards and almost 3,000 duplicate postcards dating from the 1890s all the way through the 20th century. They depict YMCA buildings, events and activities in the United States and abroad. The collection provides a unique and valuable understanding of the significance of the YMCA around the world. Within the collection are postcards that represent some of the few remaining images of many YMCA buildings. In addition to architectural history, the collection also addresses such other topics as camping, aquatics, youth work, armed services, fitness and athletics, World War I, African American YMCAs, the City of Springfield Massachusetts, and Springfield College (formerly the International YMCA Training School). Most of the postcards are blank on one side and have not been mailed or used. There are, though, a number of postcards that have writing or correspondence on the non-image side. In addition, there are several postcards that are larger than a standard postcard and/or are made up of several postcards either attached together or bundled into a set. Some sets or cards include photographs hidden within the postcard. Of particular importance are World War I postcards that were used by US troops to correspond with friends and family. Many of these are larger than normal postcards. The duplicate postcards have been separated out and put into their own series. Duplicates were determined by being an exact copy of an original card in the collection (including placement of title and any typed information) and by not having any correspondence or distinguishing mark (not including sellers’ marks or prices) anywhere on the postcard. In addition to the postcards, there are CDs, correspondence, printed materials, memos, and some photographs of events tied to the collections. The original digital scans of The Cliff Smith YMCA Postcard Collection that were completed in 1997 are on a set of 23 Compact Discs within the collection and two CDs that contain databases with historical information created when the original scans were made. The correspondence/memos and other misc. information contained within the collection, mostly deal with the appraisals and donation of the postcards. There are also a small number of photographs showing Cliff Smith and Springfield College Library staff members at the time of donation. For more information on Cliff Smith, see: https://springfield.as.atlas-sys.com/agents/people/871
Creator:
Springfield College
Creator:
Abel, Charles
Date:
May 2017
Format:
Documents
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Subjects:
Springfield College
Springfield College--Buildings
Springfield College--Campus
Young Men's Christian Association of North America
International Young Men's Christian Association
International Young Men's Christian Association College
International Young Men's Christian Association Training School (Springfield, Mass.)
World War, 1914-1918
Finding aids
Smith, Clifford A.
YMCA
Springfield (Mass.)
Postcards
Architectural photographs
Camping
Swimming
Swimming Pools
Young Men's Christian associations
Youth
Physical fitness
Gymnasiums
Youth organizations
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/28539
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Language:
English
Identifier:
246_157_105_167_2023-4-4_115512550-1292056600