Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Fleming Fraker Postcard Collection
Date(s)
Extent
9.00
Name of creator
Biographical history
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The Fraker collection of postcards consists of approximately 7,000 cards, depicting 501 Iowa cities and towns. The cancellation dates on the postcards range from the beginning of the 20th century to the 1960’s, although most cards date from circa 1910. The collection is arranged alphabetically. All towns with two or more cards are filed individually, while towns with only one card are filed at the beginning of their letter group. In box 17, there are several miscellaneous cards, including book cards, military cards, and unidentifiable cards. The book postcards of Iowa feature either towns or the state as a whole. There are also several postcards from military institutions across the United States. The unidentifiable cards are handmade, but were never sent through the mail and do not indicate their town. These cards depict a wide range of subjects, including people, homes, and businesses.
There are also approximately 1,200 postcards of Des Moines, as well as 1,000 views of Davenport. In addition, Ottumwa has three postcards of double length that portray panoramic views of the city. These are in box 14.
There are two scrapbooks in the manuscript collection; one is of the county courthouses of Iowa and the second is filled with postcards from Des Moines. These are both located at the end of the collection.
System of arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by town, with the exception of Des Moines and Davenport which are in the first five boxes
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
Open for research
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Languages of the material
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Purchase
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Images of many postcards are available in the Historic Iowa Postcards Collection, available through PDID (Pioneer Digital Image Database).
Information about related materials is available at http://pdid.grinnell.edu/
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
Other Information:
Also acquired were a collection of books about Iowa and are available by searching the library catalog at http://grinnell.edu/library