<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><ead xmlns="urn:isbn:1-931666-22-9" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="urn:isbn:1-931666-22-9 http://www.loc.gov/ead/ead.xsd"><eadheader countryencoding="iso3166-1" dateencoding="iso8601" findaidstatus="completed" langencoding="iso639-2b" repositoryencoding="iso15511"><eadid countrycode="US" mainagencycode="US-viblbv"/><filedesc><titlestmt><titleproper type="filing">Merchant, Robert P. Collection </titleproper><titleproper>Robert P. Merchant Collection, <date>1938-1944</date> <num>Ms.2023.091</num></titleproper><author>Sterling Bryant, Student Assistant </author></titlestmt><publicationstmt><publisher>Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech</publisher><p id="logostmt"><extref xlink:actuate="onLoad" xlink:href="https://static.lib.vt.edu/images/logo/lockup-color-347x75.png" xlink:show="embed" xlink:type="simple"/></p><p><date>2023 (<emph><a href="https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/" type="simple">CC0 1.0</a></emph>)</date></p><address><addressline>Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)</addressline><addressline>560 Drillfield Drive</addressline><addressline>Newman Library, Virginia Tech</addressline><addressline>Blacksburg, Virginia 24061</addressline><addressline>Business Number: 540-231-6308</addressline><addressline>specref@vt.edu</addressline><addressline>URL: <extptr xlink:href="http://spec.lib.vt.edu" xlink:show="new" xlink:title="http://spec.lib.vt.edu" xlink:type="simple"/></addressline></address></publicationstmt></filedesc><profiledesc><creation>This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on <date>2023-09-20 11:04:22 -0400</date>.</creation><langusage>Description is written in: <language langcode="eng" scriptcode="Latn">English, Latin script</language>.</langusage></profiledesc></eadheader><archdesc level="collection">
  <did>
    <repository>
      <corpname>Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech</corpname>
    </repository>
    <unittitle>Robert P. Merchant Collection</unittitle>
    <origination label="Creator">
      <persname source="local">Merchant, Robert P., Lt. Col. (USA Ret.)</persname>
    </origination>
    <unitid>Ms.2023.091</unitid>
    <physdesc altrender="whole">
      <extent altrender="materialtype spaceoccupied">0.8 Cubic Feet</extent>
      <extent altrender="carrier">1 box</extent>
    </physdesc>
    <unitdate datechar="creation" normal="1938/1944" type="inclusive">1938-1944</unitdate>
    <abstract id="aspace_9cd969f358e955b8f414bae4adcb73d3" label="Abstract">This collection contains Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) memorabilia and ephemera.</abstract>
    <langmaterial id="aspace_235ca66d6d7981da9917942bf8b998c0">The material in this collection is in English.</langmaterial>
  </did>
  <accessrestrict id="aspace_2d4042b84b597e7275d53c766d936e02">
    <head>Conditions Governing Access</head>
<p>The collection is open for research.</p>  </accessrestrict>
  <userestrict id="aspace_1b0eec619716486a9acfe8226371c751">
    <head>Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use</head>
<p>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. </p><p>Reproduction or
digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using
our reproduction/digitization form: <a href="http://bit.ly/scuareproduction">http://bit.ly/scuareproduction</a>.</p><p>Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can
be requested using our publication/exhibition form:
<a href="http://bit.ly/scuareproduction">http://bit.ly/scuapublication</a>. 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.</p>  </userestrict>
  <prefercite id="aspace_29141e769d175e8a5b5d9ede33b336e1">
    <head>Preferred Citation</head>
<p>Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Robert P. Merchant Collection, 1938-1944, Ms2023-091, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.</p>  </prefercite>
  <acqinfo id="aspace_cc4092921aa00d52351843e6201dcb87">
    <head>Source of Acquisition</head>
<p>The Robert P. Merchant Collection was donated to Special Collections and University Archives prior to 2015.</p>  </acqinfo>
  <processinfo id="aspace_4cd97014480976497fb0ae47a5310743">
    <head>Processing Information</head>
<p>The processing, arrangement, and description of the Robert P. Merchant Collection was completed in August 2023.</p>  </processinfo>
  <bioghist id="aspace_aa9a89c685ab541d6e6888e77fd20d16">
    <head>Biographical Note</head>
<p>Lt. Col. Robert Prescott (1919-2009), was an alumnus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) and served in Egypt, England, and France in World War II. After his twenty-two year military career, he used his mechanical engineering degree from VPI to teach automotive mechanics at the Community College of Northern Virginia. After moving to Lynchburg in 1974, He began teaching at Central Virginia Community College. He coordinated the curricula for automotive, engineering design, inustruial electricity, and electronic technology in Lynchburg in 1986 and 1987. </p><p>External source:</p><p>"LTC Robert Prescott "Peck" Merchant", findagrave.com, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39008784/robert-prescott-merchant">https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39008784/robert-prescott-merchant</a>, accessed on August 16, 2023. </p>  </bioghist>
  <scopecontent id="aspace_9a7ff8e55b70092eb5c73e9b7ea26ed2">
    <head>Scope and Content</head>
<p>This collection contains Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) memorabilia and ephemera. Some items included are a 1938 Cadet Corps belt with VPI buckle; VPI buttons, pins and spoon; programs for plays; Techgram memorabilia; and a photo album with identification notes.</p>  </scopecontent>
  <arrangement id="aspace_310b6518524b458d298e00b2a3f58a38">
    <head>Arrangement</head>
<p>This collection is arranged by material type.</p>  </arrangement>
  <odd id="aspace_e842844f2b1308bf84af46b580bc2614">
    <head>Rights Statement for Archival Description</head>
<p>The guide to the Robert P. Merchant Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (<extref xlink:href="https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/">https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/</extref>).</p>  </odd>
  <controlaccess>
    <subject source="local">University History</subject>
    <corpname authfilenumber="no99086600" source="naf">Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Corps of Cadets (1944-1970)</corpname>
    <corpname authfilenumber="n80125910" source="naf">Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1944-1970)</corpname>
  </controlaccess>
  <dsc><c id="aspace_b7140466dfd517bc06b3d3f2da65869d" level="series"><did><unittitle>Items </unittitle></did><c id="aspace_04848a431589d81a879b710506bf44a9" level="file"><did><unittitle>Robert P. Merchant Photo Album</unittitle><unitdate datechar="creation" normal="1938/1944" type="inclusive">1938-1944</unitdate><container id="aspace_868f3f58f294ab95fc469e8d07dc10b9" label="item" type="box">1</container><container id="aspace_af96288a93a782e6296443ca3ad0df97" parent="aspace_868f3f58f294ab95fc469e8d07dc10b9" type="item">1</container></did></c><c id="aspace_d8a171e0f33f352fc11523e111ae79e2" level="file"><did><unittitle>Robert P. Merchant VPI Belt</unittitle><unitdate datechar="creation" type="inclusive">c. 1938</unitdate><container id="aspace_0777dd4628f5dcb455ba6ddbf0ca6709" label="item" type="box">1</container><container id="aspace_66e73288108c093d3170588be3b44e5f" parent="aspace_0777dd4628f5dcb455ba6ddbf0ca6709" type="item">2</container></did></c><c id="aspace_9715c82b058f98badf7f01f8a0fcc759" level="file"><did><unittitle>Robert P. Merchant VPI Spoon </unittitle><unitdate datechar="creation" type="inclusive">c. 1938</unitdate><container id="aspace_003797596d22c3d42612a03aac1e5a4c" label="item" type="box">1</container><container id="aspace_9e318a17e7b525dd75ca5ffcde4c9c88" parent="aspace_003797596d22c3d42612a03aac1e5a4c" type="item">3</container></did></c><c id="aspace_4b1428dfb0b3d00f71eff0f02b197cdf" level="file"><did><unittitle>Robert P. Merchant VPI Buttons and Pins </unittitle><unitdate datechar="creation" type="inclusive">c. 1938</unitdate><container id="aspace_8096c86b7eb2310b4e9d70a6899042a3" label="item" type="box">1</container><container id="aspace_20132c5a64bca558f871adfd8167c1d3" parent="aspace_8096c86b7eb2310b4e9d70a6899042a3" type="item">4</container></did></c></c><c id="aspace_b746c539e7ecf83e77bf34911abfee78" level="series"><did><unittitle>Ephemera</unittitle></did><c id="aspace_cb440bd6d19a28933147da6469cfa43c" level="file"><did><unittitle>Robert P. Merchant Maroon Mask Playbills </unittitle><unitdate datechar="creation" type="inclusive">Undated</unitdate><container id="aspace_36349130924a5264a86047f3793238ba" label="box-folder" type="box">1</container><container id="aspace_fe963093e168d91e585b14597aa06efa" parent="aspace_36349130924a5264a86047f3793238ba" type="folder">1</container></did></c><c id="aspace_dcb0ebb4009d5f3d3a575634f1b32029" level="file"><did><unittitle>German Club Dance and Chisel Sharpeners' Bawl Programs </unittitle><unitdate datechar="creation" normal="1938/1941" type="inclusive">1938-1941</unitdate><container id="aspace_4017114d8895e4452c6e02ad3e4ae385" label="box-folder" type="box">1</container><container id="aspace_a2fcd7c96ef71d063cd807d763421242" parent="aspace_4017114d8895e4452c6e02ad3e4ae385" type="folder">2</container></did></c><c id="aspace_3d6c007b0bb684dcd05fa3c441105f4c" level="file"><did><unittitle>VPI Stamps</unittitle><unitdate datechar="creation" type="inclusive">Undated</unitdate><container id="aspace_fee1def1d80dd520117ec8de6adc7dd1" label="box-folder" type="box">1</container><container id="aspace_1c52abe4a1d672974759b4f60a688248" parent="aspace_fee1def1d80dd520117ec8de6adc7dd1" type="folder">3</container></did></c><c id="aspace_3da796a86d1bb25079c83a93e573ebb1" level="file"><did><unittitle>The Techgram</unittitle><unitdate datechar="creation" type="inclusive">c. 1944</unitdate><container id="aspace_bc7b66d9d88d4bea43ce31aa94107b8e" label="box-folder" type="box">1</container><container id="aspace_3eb9613856713830383336e65a43c92d" parent="aspace_bc7b66d9d88d4bea43ce31aa94107b8e" type="folder">4</container></did></c></c></dsc>
</archdesc>
</ead>