Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the William M. Rau Steamship Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.1306
Creators:
Rau, William M., 1929-2007
Dates:
1900 - 2007
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
100 Cubic feet
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Approximately 100 cubic feet of photographs, slides, postcards, scrapbooks, brochures, artwork, drawings, and other ephemera documenting engine-powered vessels of the international maritime industry.
Brochures: The brochures are from international passenger lines and cruise lines. They detail both individual ships and shipping lines; they also detail features and services offered by the ship and crew.
Photographs: The photographs, which are captioned, depict ships of all kinds and sizes and in various locales. Some are of specific elements and equipment in the ships, including design elements.
Scrapbooks: Contain photographs, postcards, menus, brochures and flyers, advertisements and clippings. The majority cover passenger and cargo lines, whlie others are on regions or specific topics.
Postcard: include both commercially printed images and photographic postcards sent to Rau by friends.
Drawings and oversized materials, include blueprints of ships, dock and harbor facilities; artwork; posters; maps and charts; maritime calendars, large photographs, and miscellany.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is divided into five series.
Series 1: Scrapbooks
Series 2: Brochures
Series 3: Photographs and slides
Series 4: Postcards
Series 5: Drawings and oversized materials.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Rau was a Navy veteran and later an officer of the court for New York State and New York City until he retired in 1989. From 1989-2006, he served as the editor of the maritime historical publication of the Steamship Historical Society of America.

Administration

Author
NMAH Staff
Custodial History
William M. Rau amassed this collection of memorabilia and ephemera throughout his adult life.
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
Collection donated by Katherine Ellis, daughter of William Rau, through his estate, 2013.
Processing Information
Collection unprocessed.

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
William M. Rau Steamship Collection, 1900-2007, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Drawings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Advertisements Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Brochures Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Slides (photographs) -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Postcards -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Calendars Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Menus -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Blueprints Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ocean liners Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ferries Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cruise ships Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Boats and boating Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Steamboats Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ships Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Shipping Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Scrapbooks -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Passenger ships Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Tourism Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Travel Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ellis, Katherine Personal 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
archivescenter@si.edu