August Dietz Civil War Collection,

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], August Dietz Civil War Collection, Ms2010-069, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.7 Cubic Feet 2 boxes; 1 folder
Creator:
Dietz, August, 1869-1963
Abstract:
The August Dietz Civil War Collection contains materials originally collected by August Dietz, Richmond, VA, philatelist and printer. The collection contains single editions of Civil War-era newspapers, photographs, a woodcut and prints, quartermaster records, playing cards, a handwritten memoir, correspondence, and reproductions of stamps from the Civil War.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], August Dietz Civil War Collection, Ms2010-069, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The August Dietz Civil War Collection contains materials originally collected by August Dietz, Richmond, VA, philatelist and printer. The collection contains single editions of Civil War-era newspapers, photographs, a woodcut and prints, quartermaster records, playing cards, a handwritten memoir, correspondence, and reproductions of stamps from the Civil War.

The newspapers, largely from Richmond, date from the 1860s. The handwritten memoir of Colonel William McComb details the Civil War record of the 14th Tennessee Infantry. It describes the formation of the Regiment and battle descriptions through the Civil War. Along with the memoir, the collection contains two letters in regards to helping Jefferson Davis re-establish himself after the Civil War, one written by General Robert E. Lee; Confederate War Bonds; the 1862 Muster Roll of the 21st Regiment of Illinois Volunteers; and the Quartermaster Reports from Fort Wood, NY, in March 1866.

Artifacts include an woodcut, playing cards, a souvenir bookmark from the 1896 Confederate Reunion, and a commemorative medal of Lincoln's centenary. The photographs were taken at post-war Confederate Veteran reunions and other images portray Lincoln, Davis, Booth and others.

Biographical / historical:

August Dietz, born in Germany in 1867, came to the United States in 1871 with his family and settled in Richmond, Virginia. In 1883, he took his first printing job and eventually took an apprenticeship at Andrews and Baptist of Richmond, considered "the art printers of the South." It was here that Dietz learned about printing and Confederate philtely, which Frank Baptist had been involved with during the Civil War. Dietz founded the Dietz Printing Company in 1900. He was a lifelong master printer and leading philatelist.

Dietz authored mnay publications, including The Postal Service of the Confederate states of America (1929), The Dietz Confederate States Catalog and Handbook (1931), and The Confederate States Post-Office Department: Its Stamps and Stationary; A record of Achievement (1950).

Dietz died in 1963 in Richmond. He is known as the "father of Confederate philately."

Acquisition information:
The August Dietz Civil War Collection was donated to Special Collections in 2010.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the August Dietz Civil War Collection was completed in October 2010.

Arrangement:

The collection is divided into 4 series based on material type. Series I: Newspapers, contains single editions of several southern newspapers, as well as clippings relating to JEB Stuart. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series II: Manuscripts, contains several original Confederate documents, including the handwritten memoir of General William McComb, a war bond, and quartermaster records. This series is arranged in chronological order, with undated materials at the end.

Series III: Images, contains photographs from Conferedate reunions, prints of various war-era figures, and prints created from a woodblock (located in Series IV). This series is arranged by material type.

Series IV: Artifacts, includes several items of Civil War memorabilia, including reproductions of stamps, playing cards with Confederate figures on them, and a commemorative medal of Lincoln's Centenary. This series is arranged chronologically, with undated materials at the end.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard