Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Sproul Observatory Astronomers Photoprints

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0251
Creators:
Swarthmore College. Sproul Observatory (Swarthmore, Pennsylvania: 1916)
Gaustad, John E. (Director, Sproul Observatory)
Dates:
1916-1975
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
1 Boxe
Repository:
Collection of group portraits donated by Sproul Observatory. Group portraits include participants at American Astronomical Society and I.A.U. [International Astronomical Union] meetings, as well as several other taken at Johns Hopkins University, Swarthmore College, and an autographed photo of Roy W. Delaplaine at a 24-inch refractor telescope.The photographs were accumulated in the files of the Sproul Observatory, Swarthmore College, over a period of years. They form a visual record of astronomers and attendees at astronomical meetings from 1916 to 1975.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection contains seventeen silver gelatin photoprints and one key diagram identifying most of the persons shown in a group photograph. Most of the pictures are group portraits of participants at American Astronomical Society and I.A.U. (International Astronomical Union?); also, group photographs taken at the Johns Hopkins University and Swarthmore College, and an autographed photoprint of "Roy M. Delaplaine at 24 inch refractor [telescope]..." Most of the group portraits were probably intended as records of the astronomical association meetings for the use of the organizations and participants.

Arrangement

Arrangement
This collection is arranged in one series chronologically.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
The donor did not supply background information with this collection, but apparently these photographs were accumulated and housed in the files of the Sproul Observatory at Swarthmore College over a period of years. They constitute a visual record of astronomers and attendees at astronomical association meetings from 1916 to 1975.

Administration

Author
David E. Haberstich
Custodial History
Collection transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Physical Sciences (now Division of Medicine and Science) to the Archives Center.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by John E. Gaustad, Director of Sproul Observator at Swarthmore College, in 1987.
Processing Information
Collection processed by David Haberstich, 1987

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Preferred Citation
Sproul Observatory Astronomers Photoprints, 1917-1975, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
New York (N.Y.) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Astronomy -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Telescope -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Portraits, Group -- African Americans Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Astronomers Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Panoramas Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Oaxtepec (Mex.) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Berkeley (Calif.) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cincinnati (Ohio) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pasadena (Calif.) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Evanston (Ill.) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Williams Bay (Wis.) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Hanover (N.H.) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Observatories Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Columbia University Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Yerkes Observatory (Williams Bay, Wisconsin) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Swarthmore College. Sproul Observatory (Swarthmore, Pennsylvania: 1916) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Northwestern University. Dearborn Observatory (Evanston, Illinois) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Delaplaine, Roy W. (astronomer) Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Dartmouth College (Hanover, New Hampshire) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cincinnati Observatory (Cincinnati, Ohio) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
American Astronomical Society (1916-1975) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Physical Sciences Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu