Summary
Abstract
This collection consists of glass stereographs featuring scenes from World War I (1914-1918), as well as the 1927 American Legion convention in Paris, France.
Dates
- Creation: 1914-1929
Extent
1 Linear Feet
Background
Biographical / Historical
World War I glass plate stereographs remained popular for more than a decade after the war ended. Many images were provided by French photographers. However, since most of these French stereographs lack manufacturer's markings, specifics remain largely unknown. Scant clues concerning the provenance of these glass plates are offered in the correspondence and memos accompanying this collection. While a very small number of these stereographs are widely published, the included memos seem to indicate the vast majority of the 368 images contained in this collection were not published by Keystone View Company in their sets illustrating the World War I.
Scope and Contents
Glass slides illustrate various aspects of trench warfare with images of graphic battle and routine military life and death. While some sterographs have formal title bars, handwritten titles are common. Coverage of both the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) and the 1927 American Legion convention (Paris, France) is extensive. Disabled veterans of the Great War are recognized at the Paris convention in a ceremony honoring the war blind.
The majority of the stereoscopic views were photographed in France and Belgium. A few images represent Germany, Italy, the Macedonian front and Thessaloniki, Greece. A wooden handheld stereo viewer labeled Unis France, with a matching wooden box is included in the collection. Approximately half of the glass slides are hand numbered, this chronological order has been physically maintained. For the finding aid, all slides have been grouped intellectually by topic.
A separate folder contains miscellaneous memos related to the glass stereographs and one French correspondence written to Keystone View Company (Meadville, Pa.). This correspondence relates to the "positive plates" representing the Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into the following series:
1. Aircraft, and anti-aircraft artillery defense
2. American Legion veterans' organization
3. Black history/African Americans
4. Monuments, cemeteries, burials and religious aspects
5. Corpses, skeletons and gruesome wounds
6. Leaders of the Allied and Central Powers
7. Locations
8. Medical personnel and the wounded
9. Prisoners of war
10. Refugees and civilians
11. Soldiers, scenes of battle and life in the trenches
12. Tanks, artillery, equipment and camoflage
13. Victory parades and commemoritive ceremonies
14. Provenance of Glass Plates
Location
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Penn State University Libraries catalog via the link above. Archival collections may be housed in offsite storage. For materials stored offsite, please allow 2-3 business days for retrieval.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital reproductions from this collection are available online at the World War I glass plate stereographs digital collection.
Processing Information
Processed by G. Johns, March, 2014.
Subjects
- Intrenchments Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Pictorial works Subject Source: Lcnaf
Using These Materials
Repository Details
Part of the Eberly Family Special Collections Library Repository
104 Paterno Library
Penn State University
University Park 16802 USA
(814) 865-1793
spcollections@psu.edu
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research. Original glass plate stereoviews are not available due to fragility, please use digital surrogates in their place. If access to originals is needed for research purposes please consult with the Special Collections staff.
Copyright Restrictions
Photocopies of original materials may be made available for research purposes at the discretion of the Eberly Family Special Collections Library. Photocopies or reproductions of original materials may be subject to fees as outlined by the Pennsylvania State University Libraries reproduction policies.
Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. Patrons seeking advice on the availability of unpublished materials for publication should consult relevant copyright law and laws of libel.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], World War glass plate stereographs, 09531, Eberly Family Special Collections Library, Pennsylvania State University.
- Title
- Guide to the World War I glass plate stereographs
- Status
- Published
- Author
- G. Johns
- Date
- 2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin