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Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Guide to the Meyer Later World War I Collection
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NMAH.AC.1140
- Creators:
-
Later, Meyer, 1895-1984
- Dates:
-
1917-1919
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
1 Cubic foot3 boxes
- Repository:
Collection consists of correspondence, photographs, and artifacts documenting Meyer Later, a World War I veteran who served with the United States Army in France between September, 1918 and April, 1919.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
Series 1, Personal Correspondence, 1917-1919, consists of Later's personal letters to his family, his brother Abe, and his brother-in-law Bob North dating from January, 1917 to April, 1919. Most of the letters detail his endeavors in areas of eastern France, including Dijon, Paris, and Buzancy. Also included is Later's discharge letter addressed from Commander-in-Chief John J. Pershing.
Series 2, Photographs, 1919, contains six photographs taken in various areas of France of Later and other soldiers. One photograph documents Later with other soldiers in Fromereville, France dated January 31, 1919. Another is a group photograph taken in Dijon, France dated May 8, 1919.
Series 3, United States Army Materials, 1918-1919, consists of the pay record bBook and an Army leave permit related to Later's service in the United States Army.
Series 4, Memorabilia, 1919, contains one silver dog tag with Later's first and last name and a seven digit serial number. Also included are four silk-embroidered handkerchiefs from Paris in 1919.
Arrangement
Arrangement
The collection is organized into four series.
Series 1, Personal Correspondence, 1918-1919
Series 2, Photographs, 1919
Series 3, United States Army Materials, 1918
Series 4, Memorabilia, 1917-1919
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Meyer Later was born on August 12, 1895, in Hartford, Connecticut. He grew up in a family of six brothers and three sisters and was known by family and friends as a charming and comical individual. He was educated in Hartford, Connecticut and was drafted into the United States Army in 1918 during World War I. He served between the fall of 1918 and the spring of 1919. During the war, Later was stationed in northern and eastern France including Dijon, Fromereville, and Buzancy. After the war, Later worked with his father and six brothers at the Morris Packing Company, the family's meat packing business in Hartford. Later died in New York, New York in 1984.
Administration
Author
Eric Behm
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection donated by Stephanie Later, November, 2008.
Processing Information
Processed by Eric Behm, intern, March 2011; supervised by Vanessa Broussard-Simmons, archivist, 2011.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. 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.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Gloves must be worn when handling unprotected photographs and negatives.
Preferred Citation
Meyer Later World War I Collection, 1917-1919, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Keywords
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
