Columbia University Matriculant Photographs, 1937-1947

Summary Information

Abstract

This collection contains student identification photographs, indicating the college or school of enrollment, date, signature, and portrait of individual.

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

The photos are arranged in nine series.

• Series I: School of Architecture, 1939
• Series II: School of Business, 1939-1947
• Series III: Columbia College, 1939-1947
• Series IV: School of Engineering, 1941-1947
• Series V: Graduate Faculties, 1943-1947
• Series VI: School of Journalism, 1939-1943
• Series VII: School of Law, 1937-1947
• Series VIII: School of Optometry, 1939
• Series IX: University Extension, 1941-1946

Description

Summary

This collection of black-and-white silver gelatin photographs consists of Columbia University student portraits, the bulk measuring approximately 1.5" x 2.5". Individual students appear with their signature, an initial designating College or School, and the year. There are some duplicates. The initials for colleges and schools represented in the collection are: Architecture (A), Business (B), Columbia College (C), Columbia College, Navy Midshipmen's School (C(N)), Engineering (E), Engineering, Navy Midshipmen's School (E(N)), Graduate Faculties (G), Journalism (J), Law (L), Optometry (O), and University Extension (U).

• Series I: School of Architecture, 1939

• Series II: School of Business, 1939-1947

• Series III: Columbia College, 1939-1947

  Photographs labeled Columbia College (C) were separated from those labeled Columbia College, Navy Midshipmen's School (C(N)), chronologically or by year.

• Series IV: School of Engineering, 1941-1947

  Photographs labeled Engineering (E) were separated from those labeled Engineering, Navy Midshipmen's School (E(N)), chronologically or by year.

• Series V: Graduate Faculties, 1943-1947

• Series VI: School of Journalism, 1939-1943

• Series VII: School of Law, 1937-1947

  Some prints are uncut doubles. Those dated 1943 were labeled, "student clerkship payroll."

• Series VIII: School of Optometry, 1939

  This series contains only one photograph, student Irving Moses Weinberg, enrolled in courses in Optometry.

• Series IX: University Extension, 1941-1946

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located onsite.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Columbia University matriculant photographs; Box number; University Archives, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries.

Accrual

No additions are expected.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

2002.029: Date of acquisition--June 2002.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Brooke Clement, GSAS 2002 and Brendan Ballou, CC 2009. Finding aid written by Jennifer Ulrich in September 2007.

Revision Description

2023-01-24 Finding aid published (JR)

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Historical Note

The origin of this selection of photographs is not clear, but this sort of portrait is usually found attached to student records and/or used as student identification photographs. Notes within the collection indicate that some photographs were taken for student employee identification (see School of Law). The photos feature the same background and have a consistent labeling style throughout the ten-year date range of the collection. It is unknown when these photographs were first used.