World War I Pamphlets, Bulletins and Miscellanea

Collection

Identifier: MS 027

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

This collection is organized into 5 series: 1. Red, White and Blue Series; 2. War Information Series; 3. Miscellaneous; 4. Lorenz Collection of World War I Autographs; 5. Official Bulletin

The "miscellaneous" series includes: Collier's New Photographic History of World's War which is comprised of sketches, drawings and paintings of personalities, regiments, and battlefields made by artists at the front (130pgs). Photographs by the official photographers accompanying each army collected and arranged by Francis J. Reynolds and C. W. Taylor. 1919. It also includes ongoing acquisitions that document propagandistic efforts during the War.

For the Official Bulletin, topical indexes exist for issues published from January 2, 1918, through October 31, 1918. Researchers should note there are several gaps exist within the chronology of this series.

Dates

Creation: 1917-1921 , (Bulk 1917-1918)
Creation: Majority of material found within 1917 - 1918

Creator

Western Connecticut State University. Archives and Special Collections Library (Organization)

Access Restrictions

Some of this material is brittle and may not be handled. Access to some material is subject to the judement of the archivist.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
Ruth A. Haas Library
Archives and Special Collections
181 White Street
Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-837-8992
E-mail: stevensb@wcsu.edu

Historical/Biographical Note

When America entered World War I on April 6, 1917, unwavering public support was considered to be crucial to the entire wartime effort. On April 13, 1917, President Wilson created the Committee on Public Information (CPI) to promote the war domestically while publicizing American war aims abroad. Under the leadership of George Creel the CPI began publishing the Red, White and Blue Series, which expanded speeches by Wilson into patriotic rhetoric while attacking Germany under titles such as German War Practices and Conquest and Kultur. The War Information Series contains messages with notes explaining in further detail the events that led up to World War I. The daily Official Bulletin, which was published from May 19, 1917 to August 16, 1918, contained government news.

Other items included in this collection are ephemera from the period and publications to commemorate the War.

Extent

7.75 Linear Feet (, 4 boxes 1 bound volume, and 1 OS Folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection includes material published by the Committee on Public Information (CPI) and a variety of propagandistic and commemorative materials published during and around the time of the First World War.

Arrangement

Folders are arranged alphabetically or chronologically within each series.

The files are grouped into 5 series:

Missing Title

1. Red, White and Blue Series
2. War Information Series
3. Miscellaneous
4. Lorenz Collection of WW I Autographs
5. Official Bulletin

Provenance

The provenance of much of this material is unknown. The Official Bulletin series was donated by the Pequot Library, Pequot, CT. This is an artificial collection and WWI materials are added to this collection as they are acquired. The WCSU Archives has another similar collection, World War I Era Propaganda and Publications, which was collected by an individual involved in fundraising for the Allies and advocacy for U.S. intervention.