Fleming Fraker Postcard Collection

Identity elements

Reference code

US US-IaGG MS/MS 01.80

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

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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

Specialized notes

Alternative identifier(s)

Description control element

Rules or conventions

Sources used

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Accession area