SMU Libraries Digital Collections Update: July 2023

In July 2023, SMU Libraries uploaded and/or updated 716 items in SMU Libraries Digital Collections. Highlights include:

The Bridwell Library is pleased to announce the publication of a new digital collection, The Triple Crown at Bridwell Library. This collection showcases the works which bibliographer Colin Franklin deemed “the triple crown” of fine press printing: the five-volume Doves Press Bible, the Kelmscott Chaucer, and the Ashendene Press Tutte de opere di Dante, all of which are printed on vellum. Also among the items now available online are 377 manuscripts and documents from the Ashendene Press archives, which includes correspondence to and from Ashendene Press founder Charles St John Hornby, notes on the development of typefaces, printing proofs, and more.

54 postcards, ca. 1880s-1920s, from the John Miller Morris Real Photographic Postcards and Photographs of Texas collection. Most were created by Robert Runyon. Subjects include agriculture in the Lower Rio Grande Valley region, soldiers at the Texas-Mexico border, and scenes from the Raid on Norias Ranch.

45 photographs, ca. 1917-1920, from the Elmer and Diane Powell Collection on Mexico and the Mexican Revolution collection. These items show celebrations and other events in Mexico City upon the election of Venustiano Carranza to the Presidency after the end of his interim Presidency as First Chief of the Constitutional Army. Photographs include scenes of plays, parades, award ceremonies, banquets, and public appearances by Carranza. Locations shown include the Chamber of Deputies, Avendia Juarez, Carranza’s Presidential office, and the Condresa Hippodrome. Events include the swearing-in of Carranza’s cabinet members, Carranza’s signing of his last agreement with Obregon as First Chief, and the receptions of foreign envoys including Japanese Ambassador Ōtori Fujitarō and Argentine Ambassador Manuel Malbran.

7 photographs, ca. 1885-1895, by Gove & North from Ferrocarril Mexicano, showing scenic and railroad views in Mexico near Orizaba and Fortín de las Flores, Veracruz, on the route of the Ferrocarril Mexicano, as well as Queretaro on the route of Ferrocarril Central.

3 postcards, ca. 1910s, from [American border troops and the Mexican Revolution], depicting scenes from the Mexican Revolution and the U.S. occupation of Veracruz Llave, Veracruz, Mexico.

Circo Orrin, ca. 1907-1909, by Percy S. Cox, showing the Circo Orrin circus theater in Mexico City.

20 oral history transcript excerpts, 1970s, from the Ronald L. Davis Oral History Collection. The interviewees are from all branches of the performing arts, but the emphasis is on motion pictures and popular music. Many interviewees give detailed accounts of personal experience and reflections from their professional career. Highlights include excerpts from interviews with Paddy Chayefsky, Helen Hayes, Edward Dmytryk, Lucille Ball, and Cornel Wilde.

60 course catalogs and related pamphlets were added to the Southern Methodist University Course Catalogs digital collection, documenting SMU’s class offerings for various academic years from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1980s. These documents include a large number of summer coursework pamphlets and catalogs, as well as a several listings for extension courses often taught by the university in off-campus locations. Of particular note are a pamphlet advertising a course for football and basketball coaches held at SMU taught by legendary Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne, and a small pamphlet of images of the campus.

98 photographs by Richard Steinheimer, 1949-1959, from the Richard Steinheimer Photograph Collection. Subjects include trains in the Los Angeles County area, Steinheimer’s friends, and a trip on the Northwestern Pacific Redwood passenger train.

1 drawing, 1903, from the Collection of Baldwin Locomotive Works Records. This erecting card drawing was made for the Southern Railway.

5 photographs, 1870s-1950s, from the Collection of Texas People and Portraits, including a rare photograph of Methodist minister B. H. Greathouse and a photocopy of an Associated Press photograph depicting Governor Shivers addressing the Texas State Democratic Convention.

24 photographs, 1890s-1930s, from the [Collection of portraits, people]. Subjects include families, photographic portraits, cabinet card photographs, and an airplane called the “Flying Ginny”.

5 diaries, 1947-1951, from the Sir Ellice Victor Elias Sassoon Papers and Photographs collection.