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Archives Center, National Museum of American History
American Optical Company Photograph Album
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NMAH.AC.1635
- Dates:
-
1917-1918, 1923bulk 1917-1918
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
.5 Cubic feet1 box
- Repository:
Content Description
Content Description
Collection consists of one photograph album of black-and-white photographs documenting the manufacturing operations and offices of the American Optical Company. The album was disassembled and the photographs foldered. A typescript index provides caption information and a corresponding photograph identifier, e.g. L48 or 105, which is stamped in the lower right corner along with a date. The photographs were not assembled in numeric or alphanumeric order. See museum accession 328865.
Arrangement
Arrangement
Collection is arranged into one series.
Series 1: Photograph Album, 1917-1918, 1923
Historical
Historical
The American Optical Company was established in 1833 by William Beecher's a jeweler and watchmaker.
Source
Matuck, Diane. "A History of the American Optical Company," 2017. (last accessed January 13, 2025 https://www.opticalheritagemuseum.com/learn/va/aohistory)
Administration
Author
Alison Oswald
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection donated to the Smithsonian by John Wells, in memory of J. Cheney Wells, in March 1968.
Custodial History
Collection transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Work and Industry in November 2024.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Alison Oswald, archivist, 2025.
Custodial History
Collection transferred to the Archives from the Division of Work & Industry in November 2024.
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.
Preferred Citation
American Optical Company Photograph Album, Archives Center, National Museum of American Histoy.
Keywords
Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
---|---|---|---|
Eyeglasses | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Eye equipment and supplies | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Photographs | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Photograph albums -- 20th century | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Museum of History and Technology (U.S.) | Corporate Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Work and Industry | Corporate Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Wells, John M. | 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
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu