Collections : [College of William and Mary]

College of William and Mary

Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Primary Collecting Areas:
Williamsburg and surrounding area Virginia; Southern United States; African American life and culture; Hip Hop History; Movies and film studies; Travel, exploration, and adventure; Veterans papers; Distinguished alumni papers; College of William & Mary; Dogs
Description:
The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) houses one of the largest and most significant collections of rare and unique materials of any educational institution of comparable size in the United States. Focused on Virginia history but with nationally and internationally important collections, the Manuscripts Collection includes letters, diaries, journals, scrapbooks, business records, organizational minutes, and other items that provide evidence of events great and small and the daily lives of Americans of all backgrounds. The Rare Books Collection, with volumes dating from the 15th century to the present, is strong in dogs, Virginia-related items, early Virginia family libraries, gardening and natural history, religion, book arts, printing history, travel, science, and medicine. The University Archives documents the history of William & Mary from 1693 to the present, including a wide range of materials from administrative records, student organization records, and alumni papers to photographs, audio-visual materials, and artifacts.
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Start Over Repository College of William and Mary Date range 1919
College of William and Mary

Julius J. Lankes Collection

6.50 Linear Feet

Papers and artifacts, 1917-1946, of Julius John Lankes, artist, who lived many years of his life in Newport News, Va. Includes biographical data, notes concerning a Lankes exhibition at the College of William and Mary; printed books by Lankes; correspondence and documents concerning the publication of Virginia Woodcuts by Lankes; photocopies of letters concerning a visit to Robert Frost; photocopies of prints from Lankes woodcuts; and woodcut blocks. Additions (Sm Coll Add 12, 1996.42, 1996.55, 1997.13 and 1997.14) include copies of twelve letters from Sherwood Anderson to Lankes (mostly concerning Lankes' woodcuts), photocopies of woodcut designs and correspondence, as well as a reproduction of a Lankes self-portrait. The additions also include two checklists: Burl N. Osborn, " A Descriptive Checklist of the Woodcut Bookplates of J. J. Lankes (Millersville, Pa., 1937) and "The Descriptive List of J. B. Lankes' Christmas Cards, 1959-1983 as well as four original signed woodcuts.

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College of William and Mary

Manuscripts Artifact Collection

25 Linear Feet

The Manuscripts Artifact Collection includes artifacts from a variety of personal papers and organizational records collections, as well as items acquired individually.

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10 Centime Coin

One French 10 Centime Coin, Cupro-Nickel. This 10 Centime piece dates to 1919, during a period of extreme French monetary depression. The coin features a hole through its center, which was a feature of the minting, not a later alteration. The face of the coin features the prominant letters "RF" signifying the Republique Francaise. The letters are surrounded by a laurel wreath. In tiny script beneath the RF is the name "Lindauer" which refers to the engraver of the coin. The reverse side features a flowering plant in the center, with the words, "Liberte Egalite Fraternite" as well as the number 10 and the letters "Cmes" referring to 10 Centimes. 21mm diameter. Worn condition.Recovered by Robert Nelson Howard in 1926 on his property Bay View on Fish Neck in Dare, Virginia. Donated along with 48 other coins and one brass button; only 15 coins could be located as of this entry. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5446171112/. Located in T&E S6 SS2, Box 1. Mss 1926.072.A14

  1. Communication Artifacts
  2. Exchange Media
  3. Foreign and Domestic Coins

Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities Membership Medals

2 - membership medals from the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. The medals begin with a small pin at the top, which is engraved with the word VIRGINIA and framed by a pattern of circles. The pin is then attahed to a red ribbon, which then terminates in the medal proper. The medal's front is embossed with the initials of the organization "A.P.V.A" as well as the year the club was founded, 1888. The reverse of the medal reads "Dei Gratia Virginia Condita" (Founded by the Grace of God, Virginia). The reverse also includes images of three ships along with the year 1607. The ships and year are meant to commemorate the establishment of Jamestown. The APVA was a women's club, and one of their first actions as a club was to purchase 22.5 acres of historic Jamestown, pathing the way for the future establishment of the living history museum located there. Medals such as these were worn by members up through the early 20s. Medals belonged to Sallie Munford Talbott, a women well known for her involvement in Virginia history, including her manufacture of the flag that flew over the Virginia Capitol until it was seized by Union forces. Transferred from the William Booth Taliaferro Papers (Mss 65T15). Located in Dec Obj S2 SS2, Box 3. Mss 65T15.b6-b7

  1. Communication Artifacts
  2. Personal Symbols
  3. Status Symbol

Lark Coin Collection: Group J

28 - coins relating to George Washington. Some of the coins in this collection date back to the 1780s, while one is a 1960 restrike. One interesting specimen is a 1795 Washington grate Halfpenny, which was minted and used in Britain at the time. Grate halfpennies such as this one were minted as a part of a promotion for a fireplace grate manufacturing company. Another pair of interesting specimens are the North Wales Halfpennies. These halfpennies were minted in Birmingham as "evasion tokens", which were basically legal conterfeits. Because counterfeiting in Britain was only illegal for Regal Coinage, counterfeiters could legally produce facsimiles of other coinage as "tokens" which would then be used in place of actual currency. Gift of the Estate of Charles Lark Jr. Images are available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5446172942/ and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/5445573737/. Located in T&E S6 SS2, Box 1. Mss 1984.042.J1-J28

  1. Communication Artifacts
  2. Exchange Media
  3. Lark Coin Collection
College of William and Mary

Kelvin Ramsey collection of stereoviews

2.13 Linear Feet 3 stereoview boxes

Addition includes three boxes (359 sterviews) labeled "college life".

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College of William and Mary

Earl Gregg Swem Genealogy Collection

1.25 Linear Feet

Papers collected by Earl Gregg Swem concerning the genealogies of his family and the family of his wife Lilia Hansbrough Swem. Families on which there is data include Swem (Swaim), Luce, Gregg, Wright, Farish and Smith. Includes written histories, documents, genealogical charts, correspondence, and newspaper clippings.

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1834 marriage announcement of Edward Smith. Box 1, Folder 9

1834 marriage announcement of Edward Smith. 1936 letter to Earl Gregg Swem about researching the Smith family, relatives of Mrs. Earl Gregg Swem. "Smith of King George County, Virginia and Some Allied Families," a 1937 volume researching of Smith ancestry. undated notes and articles, including notes on the death of Austin Smith and a family tree. October 1, 1834. announcement of marriage between Edward Smith and Maragret S. Dade, as appeared in the Fredericksburg Virginia Herald. 1 p. TC. Including TC by G.H.S. King, October 10, 1957, adding that Edwrad Smith had been appointed Clerk of King George County Court. March 19, 1936. Susan Henderson Wright, Portsmouth, Virginia to Earl Gregg Swem, Agrees to research the ancestry of his wife's family. 6 pp. 1937. "Smith of King Gerorge County Virginia and Some Allied Families." Notes on the ancestors of Mrs. Earl Gregg Swem. 12 pp. TMs. undated. Excerpt from Debow's Review and Industrial Resources, Statistics, etc. Volume XXVI - January-June 1859. Article entitled "The Valleys of Virginia - The Rappahannock," by George Fitzhugh. 5 pp. TCy of PV. Including the poem "I'm Waiting For Ships That Never Come In," no author, undated. 1 p. undated. Information about the death of Austin Smith, the great grandfather of Mrs. Earl Gregg Swem. 1 p. C. undated. Notes about the death of Austin Smith and Sydney Smith, relatives of Mrs. Earl Gregg Swem. 1 p. AMs. undated. Notes on births, marriages, and deaths of Smith family. 1 p. AMs. undated. Family tree of the Smiths, ancestors of Mrs. Earl Gregg Swem. Erarl Gregg Swem noted errors on the tree and made corrections. (See oversize file). 1 p. XCy of d.

  1. Series 1: Mss. 82 Swem 4

A book, map, and several pamphlets (1896-1958). Box 1, Folder 4

A book, map, and several pamphlets (1896-1958) on Richmondton, New York, located in Staten Island, where a part of the Swem family settled. a 1947 booklet describing Mount Holly, New Jersey, the home of Mathias Swem and Ezra Brown Swem. 1896. "Staten Islands Names. Ye Olde Names and Nicknames." Booklet of names and descriptions of area; p. 62 marks "Swaim's or LaForge Lane." 76 pp. PV. Including map of region. 1 p. 1937. "The Historic Village of Richmond and Vicinity Staten Island, New York" History of Richmond and various sites, mentioning Swaim [Swem] Family as town citizens. 6 pp. PV. 1938. "Hagstrom's Map of Richmond (Staten Island), New York." Swaim [Swem] Avenue is shown on map. 1 map. 1 p. 1938. "The Work of the Staten Island Historical Society and the Historical Museum." Pamphlet of the history, operation, goals and accomplishments of the Staten Island Historical Society. 4 pp. PV. 1939. "The Story of the Voorlezer's House." Pamphlet of the history of Voorlezer House in Richmond, New York and of the area; appeals for donation to restore building. 8 pp. PV. 1947. "The Story of Mount Holly, New Jersey." Booklet about the town in which Mathias Swem, great-grandfather of Earl Gregg Swem, lived and where E[zra] B. swem, grandfather of Earl Gregg Swem, was born. 45 pp. PV. March 1953. "National Genealogical Society Quarterly: Dutch Systems in Family Naming: New York and New Jersey." Article of genealogical research methods; note by Earl Gregg Swem calls this "a very valuable contribution ." Part I: 12 pp. PV. Part II: 9 pp. PV. Cy of PV. 9 pp. February 15, 1956. "Richmondtown Restoration, Staten Island, City of New York." Information on the restoration of Richmondtown, Staten Island, New York; picture of Swaim [Swem] house. 1 p. PV. April-June 1956. "The Staten Island Historian." Information on the restoration of Richmondtown, Staten Island, New York; picture of Swaim [Swem] Barn. 16 pp. PV. April-June 1958. "The Staten Island Historian." Information about "Oude Dorp" (Old Town), the village where Anthony Swaim's [Swem's] father, Tys Barentsen, settled. 8 pp. PV.

  1. Series 1: Mss. 82 Swem 4

Cartes de visite, photographic prints. Box 2, Folder 12

Cartes de visite, photographic prints of Leota Swem, Theodor Swem and family. 1884. Carte de visite, 4 1/4 x6 1/2, black and white, three quarters length, front view of Leota Swem, 18 years old, in her graduating dress, High School, Cedar Rapids, [Iowa]. 1 item Ph. (P35) 1914. Photographic print, 5 1/4 x3 1/2, black and white, head and shoulders view of Leota Swem. 1 item Ph. (P36) 1914. Photographic print, 2x3, black and white, head and shoulders view of Leota Swem. 1 item Ph. (P37) 1946. Photographic print, 2x3, color, full length, front view of Susie Swem and her Aunt Leota. 1 item Ph. (P38) undated. Photographic print, 4 1/4 x3 1/4, black and white, full length, front view of Leota Swem with Emeline Swem, sitting on a porch swing, wearing fur coats. 1 item Ph. (P39) undated. Photographic print, 2 3/4 x 4 3/4, black and white, Leota Swem, in a light colored dress, sitting on a porch step, with Emeline Swem, in middle, and an unidentified woman. 1 item Ph. (P40) 21 December 1947. Photographic print, 4x5, black and white, full length, front view of Mr. and Mrs. Theodor Swem on their wedding day. Theodor Swem was the nephew of Earl Gregg Swem. 1 item Ph. (P41) 23 August 1958. Photographic print, 3 1/2x5, black and white, waist length, front view of Barbara rae Swem (daughter of Theodor Swem), seated at a table with birthday cake. 1 item Ph. (P42) August 1958. Photographic print, 3 1/2x5, black and white, full length, front view of Ginny Swem (Theodor Swem's daughter), standing outside in a poodle skirt and white blouse, holding a purse with both hands. 1 item Ph. (P43) August 1958. Photographic print, 3 1/2x5, black and white, three quarters length, front view of Barbara Rae Swem, Dora Swem, and Ginny Swem, sitting on a coach together. 1 item Ph. (P44) Sept[ember] 1958/ Photographic print, 2 1/2x 5, black and white, head and shoulders, front view of Susannah Lea Swem (daughter of Edward R. Swem) sitting outside. 1 item Ph. (P45) 10 October 1958. Photographic, 3 1/2x5, black and white, head and shoulders, side view of Teddy (son of Theodor Swem), looking at his birthday cak. 1 item Ph. (P46) Nov[ember] 1958. Photographic print, 3 1/2x5, black and white, full length, front view of Teddy Swem, standing against a wall. 1 item Ph. (P47) Nov[ember] 1958. Photographic print, 3 1/2x5, black and white, full length, front view of Teddy Swem, standing against a wall, wearing an overcoat and hat. 1 item Ph. (P48) 10 Dec[ember] 1961. Photographic print, 3 1/2x5, black and white, three quarters length, front view of Ted's Swem's children, Teddy, Ginny, and Barbara Rae, seated on chair, looking at book. 1 item Ph. (P49) undated. Photographic print, 3 7/8x5, black and white, three quarters length, front view of Mr. and Mrs. Theodor Swem and infant daughter Barbara Rae, seated on couch. 1 item Ph. (P50) undated. Photographic print, 3x4, black and white, head and shoulders, front view of Theodor Swem; composite picture of him, wearing a dark suit. 1 item Ph. (P51) undated. Photographic print, 2 5/8x3 1/2, black and white, head and shoulders, front view, Theodor Swem; composite picture of him, wearing a polka dot tie. 1 item Ph. (P52)

  1. Series 1: Mss. 82 Swem 4
College of William and Mary

Richard Wright Collection of Graphic Images of African Americans

21.68 Linear Feet 52 boxes

This collection, compiled by Richard Wright, focuses on the evolution of the Black American image in print media, cartoons and comics. Wright organized his own historical timeline titled "Good Clean Fun: Blacks in Comics," also referred to as "Clean Fun: Blacks in Comics," in a series of binders with artist biographies and time period summaries. Item titles have been retained from the original labels.

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College of William and Mary

Morecock Collection

0.50 Linear Feet

Papers, 1881-1937 and n.d., relating to the history of Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown, Va. collected by members of the Morecock family of Williamsburg, Va. Includes photographs, pamphlets, Christmas cards, postcards, and wood-cut prints depicting the Powder Magazine, Bruton Parish Church, the Courthouse of 1770, the Yorktown Monument, the church tower at Jamestown as well as souvenirs of the Yorktown Centennial, 1881 and the Jamestown Exposition, 1907.

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College of William and Mary

Anatole and Vladimir Kalichevsky Papers

0.5 Linear Feet

This small collection, 1871-1955, primarily in Russian, documents the military career of Russian Major General Anatole Kalichevsky (1870-1937) and the travel diaries of his son, Vladimir Kalichevsky (1895-1958), a petroleum engineer who spent most of his career in Texas and northern New Jersey. Examples of items relating to Anatole are his service record, military orders, his diplomatic passport, and his "New York Times" obituary. Vladimir, a graduate of the California Institute of Technology, wrote several books on petroleum engineering, three of which are in the collection. The diaries cover the years 1902-1955 and refer to tourist attractions throughout the United States and Europe as well as academic lectures attended while traveling. Also included are family photographs and Russian orders and badges awarded to Anatole. All documents are in Russian unless otherwise indicated.

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Abbreviated service record Box 1, Folder 11

Scope and Contents Issued in Copenhagen. TDS.

  1. Papers

Anatole and Vladimir Kalichevsky Papers 0.5 Linear Feet

Kalichevsky, Anatole, 1870-1937

This small collection, 1871-1955, primarily in Russian, documents the military career of Russian Major General Anatole Kalichevsky (1870-1937) and the travel diaries of his son, Vladimir Kalichevsky (1895-1958), a petroleum engineer who spent most of his career in Texas and northern New Jersey. Examples of items relating to Anatole are his service record, military orders, his diplomatic passport, and his "New York Times" obituary. Vladimir, a graduate of the California Institute of Technology, wrote several books on petroleum engineering, three of which are in the collection. The diaries cover the years 1902-1955 and refer to tourist attractions throughout the United States and Europe as well as academic lectures attended while traveling. Also included are family photographs and Russian orders and badges awarded to Anatole. All documents are in Russian unless otherwise indicated.

College of William and Mary

Richard Lee Morton papers

15.00 Linear Feet

Papers, chiefly 1930-1969, of Richard Lee Morton, professor of history at the College of William and Mary from 1919 to 1959. Series 1 includes personal and professional correspondence, lectures and notes relating to his research on Virginia history, and material relating to his community activities in Williamsburg, Va. Includes correspondence of his wife Estelle (Dinwiddie) Morton, land grants, 1756 and 1774, signed by Robert Dinwiddie and Lord Dunmore, Confederate currency and bonds, genealogical materials on the Watkins and Morton families and photographs.

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College of William and Mary

Abraham Lincoln Ephemera from England

0.1 Linear Feet

Newspaper articles, pamphlets, and other ephemera from England about Abraham Lincoln. Some items relate to the relationship between Manchester, England and Abraham Lincoln, and the Barnard Statue dedicated there in 1919. Manchester supported Lincoln during the American Civil War, and suffered greatly because much of their community depended on the cotton industry. Some clippings are about the Lincoln Collection of Osborn H. Oldroyd which was sold to the U.S. Government in 1925. Many clippings and publications are about Lincoln's view on alcohol and as a role model for Temperance Societies. Includes a photograph of Black Soldiers in World War I looking at a statue of Lincoln.

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Abraham Lincoln Ephemera from England 0.1 Linear Feet

Newspaper articles, pamphlets, and other ephemera from England about Abraham Lincoln. Some items relate to the relationship between Manchester, England and Abraham Lincoln, and the Barnard Statue dedicated there in 1919. Manchester supported Lincoln during the American Civil War, and suffered greatly because much of their community depended on the cotton industry. Some clippings are about the Lincoln Collection of Osborn H. Oldroyd which was sold to the U.S. Government in 1925. Many clippings and publications are about Lincoln's view on alcohol and as a role model for Temperance Societies. Includes a photograph of Black Soldiers in World War I looking at a statue of Lincoln.

College of William and Mary

Sheet Music Collection

55.80 Linear Feet

The Sheet Music Collection includes sheet music collected by the Special Collections Research Center.

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Acc. 2008.87 Addition

Includes sheet music relating to wars, such as the Spanish-American War and World War I; nationalism; and depictions of life in the United States. Some of the pieces include racial caricatures of African-Americans.

  1. Series 2: Sheet Music Acquired 2007-[ongoing]

Acc. 2008.87 Addition

Includes sheet music relating to wars, such as the Spanish-American War and World War I; nationalism; and depictions of life in the United States. Some of the pieces include racial caricatures of African-Americans.

  1. Series 2: Sheet Music Acquired 2007-[ongoing]

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