News from the DeGolyer Library July 2020 Southern Methodist University

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Our Upcoming Virtual Exhibit

Women’s Voices, Women’s Votes: An Exhibition Marking the 100th Anniversary of the Passage of the 19th Amendment

“Women’s Voices, Women’s Votes: An Exhibition Marking the 100th Anniversary of the Passage of the 19th Amendment” features over 100 objects from the collections of Dr. Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner, Helen LaKelly Hunt, and the DeGolyer Library. The exhibit includes materials such as rare books, pamphlets, broadsides, photographs, sheet music, manuscripts, and ephemera documenting the history of the women’s rights movement, from the publication of Mary Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) through the 19th century and early 20th century, with emphasis on the roles women played first in the abolitionist movement and then in the suffrage movement. Represented are well known figures such as the Grimke sisters, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Sojourner Truth, as well as more local figures, such as the Eastland Debating Society (Eastland, Tex.). Coming Soon

In the News

John Holmes Jenkins in Texas Monthly Chris O'Connell investigated the mystery of legendary Texas bookseller John Holmes Jenkins in a recent issue of Texas Monthly . Jenkins's papers and photographs are at the DeGolyer Click here to read the article.

Melvin Shaffer in The Washington Post Columnist John Kelly interviewed Melvin Shaffer about his memoir, From Anderson's Holler... in the Washington Post this month. Shaffer's memoir was published by the DeGolyer Library this summer. Click here to read the story.

New Publications

Houston Displayed, or, Who Won the Battle of San Jacinto?  was first published in 1837. Written by “A Farmer in the Army,” Col. Robert Coleman, it cast grave doubts on the military exploits, political ambition, and personal character of Sam Houston, who had just become the president of the fledgling Republic of Texas. Edited with an introduction and scholarly annotation by Stephen L. Hardin,  Houston Displayed  is the thirteenth volume in our Library of Texas series, published in conjunction with the Clements Center for Southwest Studies.

From Anderson’s Holler … to Washington, New York, Newport News, Casablanca, Sicily, Salerno, Naples, Anzio, Rome, Florence, Poltava, Southern France, Dachau, Munich, Berlin , Paris, Washington, Nuremberg, and Tokyo  is a memoir by Melvin C. Shaffer, who served as a medical photographer in World War II. From the mountains of West Virginia to the far reaches of the globe, Shaffer recounts his experiences of the brutality, cruelty, and horror of the bloodiest war in history , laced with irony, touches of humor, and grace. For those interested in personal narratives of World War II,  From Anderson’s Holler  is a must-read!

Click the images above to order these titles

New Finding Aids  Kenda North Photographs and Papers Kenda North is a Dallas photographer, whose career has been marked by consistent experimentation and techniques of available color processes. North is professor of photography at the University of Texas, Arlington. Her collection includes various color processes, hand colored dye transfer prints, Polaroids, Cibachrome prints, notebooks, invitations for exhibitions in which she showed work, and announcements. David Rousar Collection of Railroad Prints and Photographs David Rousar was a railroad and locomotive historian who amassed an impressive collection of 19th and 20th century photographs, stereographs and lithographs. This collection consists of over 600 photographs and lithographs of railroads and locomotives from the 1850s to the 1940s.

News & Notes

Samantha Dodd digs into the history behind one of our latest exciting accession, Lucille’s Treasure Chest of Fine Foods recipe collection. Click here to read about this Texas entrepreneur, educator, and food icon.

In her latest post, Anne Peterson highlights the life and photographs of World War II medical photographer Melvin C. Shaffer. Click here to learn more about Shaffer, whose autobiography was recently published by the DeGolyer Library.

From the Stacks

Collections Highlight Friend of the DeGolyer, Shirley Dyess, donated this handwritten collection of home remedies, which we think were collected between 1890 and 1910. Included are instructions for fever aids, chicken feed, and shaving soap. A2019.0050c

Recent Accessions We recently accessioned an early 20th century bundle of letters written to Daisy and Sallie Orr. The handwriting isn't illegible, but it is starting to fade slightly, and takes some dedication and focus to read. If you're looking for a history project, we'd be happy to provide scans of the letters for transcription! Email [email protected] if you're interested. A2020.0009c

Newly Digitized Items 7 photographs from the John C. Cox, Jr. World War II Papers were added to the digital library by the Norwick Center for Digital Solutions. The images, ca. 1944, highlight Cox's time serving in the Philippines, and capture scenes from everyday life. Featured at right is a makeshift chapel erected on the Leyte island.

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