Dr. Richard A Korb was a professor in the Department of Germanic Languages at Columbia University; he directed the department from 1994-2016. A collector of postcards, Korb acquired dozens of postcards from produced in Germany shortly before and during WWI for teaching purposes.
Notable to this set are a few dozen postcards from an Alfred Kampf to German friends or family member named Olga who had immigrated to Galveston, Texas. The cards were found and given to Korb in the remains of a discarded Galveston estate in the 1980s. Many of these are not stamped, and were likely sent inside of packages.
The postcards are photographs or illustrations, with a wide range of subjects. Many are sentimental depictions of German national character and supportive of the war effort; others address the same topics satirically. A small set of the cards depict circus and vaudeville performers.
Material is unprocessed. Please contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Single reproductions may be made for research purposes. It is the responsibility of the user to secure permission for publication or use from the appropriate copyright holder.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Richard A. Korb WWI postcard Collection; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.