Guide to the Irving S. Olds Papers
1818-1963
MS 325
New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
New York, NY 10024
(212) 873-3400
New-York Historical Society
Collection processed by Alec Ferretti
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on June 03, 2021
Finding aid written in English using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Descriptive Summary
| Creator: | Olds, Irving S. (Irving Sands), 1887-1963 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Irving S. Olds papers |
| Dates [inclusive]: | 1818-1963 |
| Abstract: | This collection consists of the personal papers of Irving S. Olds, a former President of the New-York Historical Society. He led a notable life, as a clerk for Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, as a law partner at White & Case, as CEO of U.S. Steel, and as an avid supporter of the arts. The majority of this collection dates from later in his life, primarily from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. Although he was still involved with U.S. Steel and White and Case during those years, the majority of this collection consists of personal correspondence, personal records of his own finances and history, diaries outlining his daily activities during his retirement, and ephemeral items from his life. The earlier records consist of mostly personal matters as well, despite his abundant use of White & Case stationery. |
| Quantity: | 18.25 Linear feet in 11 record cartons, 2 flat boxes, and 1 oversize folder |
| Language: | The documents in the collection are in English. |
| Call Phrase: | MS 325 |
Biographical / Historical
Irving Sands Olds (1887-1963) was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, the only child of Clark and Livia Elizabeth Olds. Clark was an attorney, and Irving grew up in a wealthy household. Irving attended Yale University for his undergraduate degree, and graduated with a B.A. in 1907. He then continued on to receive a law degree from Harvard in 1910. Upon his graduation, Olds took a position as a law clerk for then Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Oliver Wendell Holmes. In 1911, he joined the law firm, White & Case, which today, is one of the largest law firms in the world. In 1917, Olds became a partner, and remained as such until his death. He married Evelyn Foster in that same year, and the two never had children.
Olds was an important player in building White & Case's banking and corporate clientele through the 1910s and into the 1920s, including Bankers Trust, J.P. Morgan & Co., and the Foundation Company. After a stint in France after the First World War opening White & Case's Paris Office, Olds returned to the U.S. and became involved in the relationship between his firm and the United States Steel Corporation. In 1936, Olds was elected to the corporation's Board of Directors, and in 1940, upon the departure of Edward Stettinius, he was made Chairman and C.E.O. He ran U.S. Steel for twelve years, through the rest of the Second World War, and into the Atomic Age.
Olds was a noted philanthropist and lover of the arts. He urged the foundation of, and eventually led, the "Council for Financial Aid to Education," an organization which directed corporate donations to universities. From 1962 until his death in 1963, he served as President of the New-York Historical Society, and was a benefactor and board member of both the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. He studied naval history and had published two works about the topic, "U.S. Naval History, 1776-1815" and "Bits and Pieces of American History." He collected Revolutionary War and Naval prints, and amassed a collection of over 1,000 items, many of which were donated upon his death to White & Case and the New-York Historical Society. In his limited free time, he took on a number of speaking engagements at universities, and he was honored with many accolades and honorary degrees.
After a period of declining health, Olds passed away in March 1963, and was interred at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of 11 record cartons, 2 oversize boxes, and 1 oversize folder, all containing the personal papers of Irving S. Olds, a former President of the New-York Historical Society. He led a notable life, as a clerk for Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, as a law partner at White & Case, as CEO of The United States Steel Corporation, and as an avid supporter of the arts. His papers do not contain many records from his legal and corporate careers, and instead, are largely personal in nature. Those files that do relate to his firms are mostly related to social matters. His correspondence files date primarily from his retirement years, and include pleasantries between him and colleagues, friends, and institutions. There is correspondence about his and his wife's art exhibitions: Olds was a collector of naval prints, and his wife, Evelyn, used those prints as inspiration to paint trays and a variety of other objects. His business records consist of the records of three corporations of which he was part owner. His personal diaries provide a detailed insight into his day to day affairs, although again, nearly all of these date from his retirement. His speeches and publications are mostly preserved in duplicate and triplicate, and were given to many corporate and collegiate audiences. Ephemeral records consist of photos, awards, and news clippings. Lastly, subject files consist of miscellaneous personal records divided by topic, mainly his and his family's financial and historical records.
Arrangement
Arranged into six series:
I. General Correspondence (1915-1963)
II. Business Records (1929-1948)
III. Diaries (1910-1962)
IV. Speeches & Publications (1940-1960)
V. Photographs & Ephemera (1907-1962)
VI. Subject Files (1818-1963)
Access Points
Subject Names
- Olds, Evelyn Foster, 1888-1957
- Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964 -- Letters (correspondence)
Document Type
- Letters (correspondence)
- Diaries.
- Speeches (documents).
- Business records.
- Photographs.
Subject Organizations
- White & Case
- United States Steel Corporation
Subject Topics
- Philanthropy.
- Courtesy.
- Manufacturing industries.
- Law firms.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
Open to qualified researchers.
Use Restrictions
This collection is owned by the New-York Historical Society. The copyright law of the United States governs the making of photocopies and protects unpublished materials as well as published materials. Unpublished materials created before January 1, 1978 cannot be quoted in publication without permission of the copyright holder. Photocopying undertaken by staff only. Limited to 20 exposures of stable, unbound material per day.
Preferred Citation
The collection should be cited as: Irving S. Olds Papers, MS 325, New-York Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials bequeathed by Olds, 1963
Processing Information
Processed by archives intern Alec Ferretti, Spring 2019
Container List
Series I. General Correspondence, 1915-1963. 5 Linear feet
Scope and ContentsThe series contains mostly pleasantries between Olds and his colleagues, friends, and the public. Letters are approximately split evenly between carbon copies of letters written by Olds, and original letters received by Olds. Although there are occasional references to U.S. Steel and White & Case, the correspondence is mostly personal in nature. There are a few letters to and from notable figures, such as former President Herbert Hoover. The bulk of the correspondence dates from the 1940s to his death in 1963, although there are letters of his that date back to approximately 1910. Most correspondents are not well-known, although any of note (either due to their historical prominence or substantial appearance within the collection) will be specified within the scope notes of each folder. At the end of the series, there are subject files which contain mostly correspondence with universities at which he was speaker or from whom he was receiving an honorary degree, and with museums regarding exhibitions he organized.
ArrangementThese materials remain largely in the order in which they were organized when they were received by N-YHS. They are arranged in primarily alphabetical order by correspondent or by subject. There are some exceptions to this, especially in the case of related letters from various correspondents that were filed together under a principal correspondent's name, as determined by either Olds or his assistant. Much of Olds's early correspondence exists in bound volumes organized by first letter of correspondent's surname or in some cases in bound volumes of materials pertaining to one correspondent. Although the alphabetized correspondence had maintained its rough original order, the folders in which they were originally stored have been lost, and upon the onset of processing, the correspondence was found in roughly sorted piles in various boxes. The folder arrangement here was created by the processing archivist but likely approximates the original organizational structure. The subject files are housed in the last box of the series. They were still in their original folders and, during processing, were rehoused into archival folders. |
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| Container 1 | Container 2 | Title | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offsite-Box: 1 | Folder : 1-2 | Correspondence, A (2 folders) |
1945-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 1 | Folder : 3-6 | Correspondence, B (4 folders)
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence concerning Edwin Beinecke, Ford Foundation, Crotched Mountain Foundation, Williams College, Grolier Club, U.S. Naval Academy, Aetna Life Insurance Corporation, Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation, Hammermill Paper Company, Mary Buchanan of Mesilla Park, New Mexico, Columbia University, and American Antiquarian Society |
1941-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 1 | Folder : 7 | Correspondence, Behrend
Scope and ContentsIncludes correspondence regarding Ernst R Behrend, the President of the Hammermill Paper Company, who was a close friend of Olds, and had ties to Olds's childhood hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania |
1922-1945 | |
| Offsite-Box: 1 | Folder : 8 | Correspondence, Boykin
Scope and ContentsIncludes correspondence concerning Carolyn and Ancrim Boykin, and their daughter, Lynn. They appear to be friends of Irving. |
1938-1942 | |
| Offsite-Box: 1 | Folder : 9 | Correspondence, C
Scope and ContentsBound file of early correspondence |
1921-1935 | |
| Offsite-Box: 1 | Folder : 10 | Correspondence, C
Scope and ContentsBound file of early correspondence |
1936-1948 | |
| Offsite-Box: 1 | Folder : 11-15 | Correspondence, C (5 folders)
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding Chase Bank, Office of Mayor Robert F Wagner, J.P. Morgan, Columbia University, Albany Institute of History and Art, Norman P Clement, Antiques Magazine, American Telephone and Telegraph Company, Association of A. Crawford Greene |
1941-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 2 | Folder : 1 | Correspondence, D
Scope and ContentsBound file of early correspondence. |
1921-1947 | |
| Offsite-Box: 2 | Folder : 2-3 | Correspondence, D (2 folders)
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding Carrier Corporation, Dartmouth College, War Production Board, Union College, U.S. Naval Academy, Alexander Davidson, Jr. Books, American Hospital of Paris, and American Steel & Wire Company |
1940-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 2 | Folder : 4-5 | Correspondence, E (2 folders)
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding Charles Edison, J.P. Morgan, Encyclopedia Britannica, Elihu Club, and U.S. Treasury Department |
1921-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 2 | Folder : 6 | Correspondence, F
Scope and ContentsBound file of early correspondence |
1920-1935 | |
| Offsite-Box: 2 | Folder : 7 | Correspondence, F
Scope and ContentsBound file of early correspondence |
1936-1946 | |
| Offsite-Box: 2 | Folder : 8 | Correspondence, Foster
Scope and ContentsContains correspondence relating to Belle W. Foster and the El Sabino Ranch |
1953-1960 | |
| Offsite-Box: 2 | Folder : 9-11 | Correspondence, F (3 Folders)
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding California Institute of Technology, J.C Fox (one letter from 1904 about taxes), Hunter College, Sons of the American Revolution, Jackson Hole Preserve, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harold Fabian, First National Bank of the City of New York, and American Red Cross |
1904-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 2 | Folder : 12-14 | Correspondence, G (3 folders)
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding Philip Goodwin, Bradley Goodyear, Antoni Gronowicz, Yale University's Office of the President, St. Luke's Hospital, American Express, University of Kansas |
1945-1960 | |
| Offsite-Box: 2 | Folder : 15-17 | Correspondence, H (3 folders)
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding University Club, American Red Cross, Joseph A Heckel of Americana Prints / Paintings, City National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago, Yale University, Consolidated Western Steel, and Museum of Fine Arts. Also includes a signed 1960 letter from former President Herbert Hoover, to his "old friend", Irving Olds. |
1942-1963 | |
| Offsite-Box: 3 | Folder : 1 | Correspondence, H
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding Frances Hereford, Minnesota Historical Society, NATO, Secretary of the Treasury George M Humphrey. Also includes correspondence to and from former President Herbert Hoover about his birthday. |
1928-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 3 | Folder : 2 | Correspondence, Holmes
Scope and ContentsBound volume containing correspondence regarding Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, for whom Olds clerked in the 1910s. There are only a handful of letters that predate 1930, and none of the correspondence is addressed to or from Holmes himself. Nearly all letters are pleasantries to and from law colleagues, with the overarching theme of the letters having to do with Justice Holmes in one way or another. |
1915-1938 | |
| Offsite-Box: 3 | Folder : 3 | Correspondence, I |
1930-1960 | |
| Offsite-Box: 3 | Folder : 4 | Correspondence, J
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding IBM, Trinity College of Hartford, Senator Robert A Taft, Architect Louis Jaeger, Senator Kenneth Keating, and Representative John V Lindsay |
1946-1961 | |
| Offsite-Box: 3 | Folder : 5 | Correspondence, K
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding New-York Historical Society and John Deere company |
1940-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 3 | Folder : 6 | Correspondence, Knight
Scope and ContentsIncludes newsclippings, correspondence, and court documents related to Richard A Knight,
a former lawyer convicted of libel. |
1946-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 3 | Folder : 7-8 | Correspondence, L (2 folders)
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding Yale Club, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Harvard Club, Smyth Manufacturing Company, and Harvard University |
1941-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 3 | Folder : 9-12 | Correspondence, M (4 folders)
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding Secretary of State Edward R Stettinius Jr, Smyth Manufacturing Company, John C Mitchell Naval & Maritime Books / Prints / Models, Attorney Gilbert H Montague, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Justice George W. Maxey, Grolier Club, Library of Congress, Yale University, Professor Clarence W Mendell, Metropolitan Opera, and Professor Thomas Mendenhall |
1946-1963 | |
| Offsite-Box: 3 | Folder : 13 | Correspondence, N
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding the Central National Bank of Cleveland, New York University President Carroll V. Newsom, Newberry Library, Old Print Shop, Ford Foundation, Attorney General Herbert Brownell, and Senator Edward Martin |
1941-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 4 | Folder : 1 | Correspondence, O
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence concerning Yale University and University of Colorado Denver. |
1942-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 4 | Folder : 2 | Correspondence, P
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding Alfred Paine, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and Parker Gallery of London |
1942-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 4 | Folder : 3 | Correspondence, R
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding Madame Romaine Robert and Richard Robbins. |
1941-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 4 | Folder : 4-8 | Correspondence, S (5 Folders)
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence concerning Wabash College, Sweet-Orr Co., Anne & Marion Smith, British Hungarian Bank, Sheffield Farms Co., and Embassy of the United States in London. Also includes the American Bar Association Journal from February 1938, and The Harvard Graduates Magazine from March 1931. |
1933-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 4 | Folder : 9 | Correspondence, T
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence concerning Pan American Airways, and the United States Flag Association |
1948-1952 | |
| Offsite-Box: 4 | Folder : 10 | Correspondence, V
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence concerning the National Council of Women of the United States, Colonial Williamsburg, Irving Trust Company, and Hammermill Paper Company |
1947-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 4 | Folder : 11-12 | Correspondence, W (2 folders) |
1941-1961 | |
| Offsite-Box: 4 | Folder : 13 | Correspondence, Y |
1958-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 4 | Folder : 14 | Correspondence, Z |
1941-1961 | |
| Offsite-Box: 4 | Folder : 15 | Correspondence, Unalphabetized |
1940-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 1-2 | Correspondence, Unalphabetized (2 folders)
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence regarding Legal Aid Society, Metropolitan Opera National Council, Sons of the Revolution, American Antiquarian Society, Morgan Library, Columbia University, and Cooper Union |
1940-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 3 | Correspondence, Antiques |
1959 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 4 | Correspondence, Books - Review |
1952-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 5 | Correspondence, Brigham Young University |
1955-1961 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 6 | Correspondence, Bryant College |
1946-1961 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 7 | Correspondence, Franklin and Marshall College |
1959 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 8 | Correspondence, Hofstra University |
1954 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 9 | Correspondence, Long Island University |
1954-1961 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 10 | Correspondence, Oberlin College |
1958-1959 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 11 | Correspondence, Swarthmore College |
1956 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 12 | Correspondence, Syracuse University |
1955 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 13 | Correspondence, Union College |
1954-1955 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 14 | Correspondence, University of Akron |
1959-1960 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 15 | Correspondence, Wabash College |
1957-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 16 | Correspondence, Williams College |
1959 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 17 | Correspondence, Wilson College |
1953 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 18 | Correspondence, Exhibit - Hawley
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to correspondence concerning an exhibition of Evelyn Foster Olds's painted trays in Hawley, Pennsylvania |
1958 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 19 | Correspondence, Exhibit - Mariners Museum |
1957-1960 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 20 | Correspondence, Exhibit - Miniatures |
1933 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 21 | Correspondence, Exhibit - Naval Museum |
1959 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 22 | Correspondence, Exhibit - N-YHS |
1955-1959 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 23 | Correspondence, Exhibit - Old Print Shop |
1957-1959 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 24 | Correspondence, Exhibit - Peabody Museum |
1957-1958 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 25 | Correspondence, Exhibit - Smithsonian |
1958-1960 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 26 | Correspondence, Kai-Shek, Chiang, Madame
Scope and ContentsContains a letter from Mayor LaGuardia to Olds, setting plans for a visit from Soong Mei-ling, also known as Madame Chiang Kai-shek. |
1943 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 27 | Correspondence, National Fund for Medical Education |
1960-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 28 | Correspondence, New Jersey Historical Society |
1958-1963 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 29 | Correspondence, Stamps
Scope and ContentsContains photo reproduction of a letter in German, dating from the Nazi era, about special stamps. |
1938-1948 | |
| Offsite-Box: 5 | Folder : 30 | Correspondence, World War I
Scope and ContentsContains materials such as a letter written to Olds's father discussing his mobilization to Camp Beekman, and letters from J.P. Morgan & Co. a few weeks later discussing his discharge, which they appear to have prompted, based upon their need for his legal expertise during the war |
1916 | |
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Series II. Business Records, 1929-1948. 3.16 Linear feet
Scope and ContentsThis series contains record books from three corporations in which Olds had a financial stake during the early to mid 1900s. The businesses were incorporated in Delaware, although the full scope of their enterprise is somewhat unclear based upon the surviving documents.
ArrangementThe series is arranged into folders which are ordered by the name of the corporation. The last two folders contain oversized books pertaining to two of the corporations and are stored in a separate box. |
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| Container 1 | Container 2 | Title | Date | |
| Offsite-Box: 6 | Folder : 1 | Emerald Isle Corporation, Minute Book |
1930 | |
| Offsite-Box: 6 | Folder : 2 | Emerald Isle Corporation, Checkbook |
1936 | |
| Offsite-Box: 6 | Folder : 3 | Emerald Isle Corporation, Account Book |
1930 | |
| Offsite-Box: 6 | Folder : 4 | Black Diamond Corporation, Tax Records |
1930-1941 | |
| Offsite-Box: 6 | Folder : 5 | Black Diamond Corporation, Tax Records |
1942-1947 | |
| Offsite-Box: 6 | Folder : 6 | Black Diamond Corporation, Miscellaneous Records |
1931-1947 | |
| Offsite-Box: 6 | Folder : 7 | Black Diamond Corporation, Checkbook |
1938-1947 | |
| Offsite-Box: 6 | Folder : 8 | Black Diamond Corporation, Account Book |
1930-1947 | |
| Offsite-Box: 6 | Folder : 9 | Black Diamond Corporation, Account Book |
1930 | |
| Offsite-Box: 6 | Folder : 10 | Resolute Corporation, Tax Records |
1930-1939 | |
| Offsite-Box: 6 | Folder : 11 | Resolute Corporation, Tax Records |
1940-1947 | |
| Offsite-Box: 7 | Folder : 1 | Resolute Corporation, Checkbook |
1944 | |
| Offsite-Box: 7 | Folder : 2 | Resolute Corporation, Minute Book |
1930-1947 | |
| Offsite-Box: 7 | Folder : 3 | Resolute Corporation, Account Book |
1929-1940 | |
| Offsite-Box: 7 | Folder : 4-5 | Resolute Corporation, Miscellaneous Records (2 folders) |
1936-1948 | |
| Offsite-Box: 7 | Folder : 6 | Unknown Corporation, Checkbook |
1943 | |
| Box: 13 | Folder : 1 | Emerald Isle Corporation, Stockholders Register |
1930 | |
| Box: 13 | Folder : 2 | Black Diamond Corporation, Stockholders Register |
1930 | |
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Series III. Diaries, 1904-1962. 1.33 Linear feet
Scope and ContentsThis series contains personal diaries from throughout Olds's life. Most date from his retirement and those are very detailed. However, they are more of a schedule of his daily life than an insight into his inner mind.
ArrangementAfter the first folder, which contains an autobiography written about his past, the diaries are arranged chronologicially. The last folder contains two daily calendar booklets inscribed by Olds. |
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| Container 1 | Container 2 | Title | Date | |
| Offsite-Box: 7 | Folder : 7 | Memoir
Scope and ContentsContains an autobiography of Olds's life for "White and Case Records", written shortly before Olds's death |
1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 7 | Folder : 8 | Diaries
Scope and ContentsContains two seemingly identical transcripts of Olds's diaries from the time in which he clerked for Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes |
1910-1911 | |
| Offsite-Box: 7 | Folder : 9-10 | Diaries (2 folders)
Scope and ContentsContains a diary from Olds's trip to Europe in 1951, and a detailed diary of his daily schedule during 1952 |
1951-1952 | |
| Offsite-Box: 8 | Folder : 1-10 | Diaries (10 folders)
Scope and ContentsContains very detailed diaries, outlining Olds's schedule of every day's events from 1953-1962 |
1953-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 12 | Date Books
Scope and ContentsContains one date book from 1904 and one from 1961 |
1904-1961 | |
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Series IV. Speeches & Publications, 1940-1960. 1.08 Linear feet
Scope and ContentsThis series consists of booklets of speechs given by Olds at educational institutions and corporate functions along with published booklets written by Olds about various political and economic matters.
ArrangementThe majority of the items in this series were saved in duplicate or triplicate. All redundant booklets were separated into box 10 and are not intended for reading room use. The three folders in box 9 are organized by subject, and chronologically within each folder. |
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| Container 1 | Container 2 | Title | Date | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 1 | U.S. Steel, Remarks |
1940-1952 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 2 | Political Remarks |
1944-1952 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 3 | Miscellaneous Remarks |
1946-1960 | |
| Offsite-Box: 10 | Folder : 1-3 | Excess copies of speeches and publications
Scope and ContentsContains extra copies of a majority of the items contained in this series |
1940-1960 | |
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Series V. Photographs & Ephemera, 1907-1962. 1.38 Linear feet
Scope and ContentsThis series contains ephemeral material. This includes documents from throughout his life, such as passports. It also includes photographs that were found within the collection, various news clippings, certificates, and awards.
ArrangementThe first part of this series contains photographs of Olds that are organized by subject. Immediately following, are various awards and ephemeral booklets. Ending the series are newsclippings that were amalgamated from throughout the accessioned material when no original order or context could be determined. There are five folders of oversize material in box 12. |
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| Container 1 | Container 2 | Title | Date | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 4 | Photos - Portraits of Olds |
1940-1953 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 5 | Photos - Cooper Union
Scope and ContentsContains photos from events at Cooper Union, a university in which Olds was heavily involved, such as groundbreaking ceremonies, official dinners, commencements, and installations of new administrators |
1956-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 6 | Photos - Waldorf Astoria
Scope and ContentsContains photos from the Dinner of the National Fund for Medical Education at the Waldorf Astoria |
1960 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 7 | Photos - 55th Reunion of Olds's Graduation from Yale |
1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 8 | Photo - Wagner, Robert F.
Scope and ContentsPhotograph of Olds with Mayor Wagner, featuring an autograph by Wagner |
c. 1950s | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 9 | Photos - Miscellaneous
Scope and ContentsIncludes but is not limited to photos of Olds taken at universities such as Cooper Union, Syracuse, Drexel, and Yale, a photo from the dinner celebrating the 150th anniversary of the formation of N-YHS, photos of Olds participating in a New York Public Library fundraiser, photos of people possibly connected to the Blooming Grove Park Association, and photos of the SS Irving S Olds. Also includes one photograph taken in 1960 in Moscow of the World's Fair 1964-65 Delegation, which includes Olds, USSR Foreign Minister Gromyko, and the other members of the committee. |
1952-1960 | |
| Box: 12 | Folder : 6 | Photos - Reunions
Scope and ContentsContains 1960 reunion photos from Harvard Law School, Class of 1910, a 1957 photo of Yale Class of 1907, and a photo from each of the annual dinners of the U.S. Steel corporation from 1958-1961 |
1958-1961 | |
| Box: 12 | Folder : 7 | Photo - White and Case Group |
c. 1950s | |
| Box: 12 | Folder : 8 | Photos - White and Case Portraits
Scope and ContentsIncludes individual photos of Franklin Remington, Charles Fay, and Justin White, all inscribed by the subjects. Also includes a photo of Perley Noyes along with his memorial booklet |
1929-1942 | |
| Box: 12 | Folder : 9 | Photo - Opening Night at Lincoln Center |
1962 | |
| Box: 12 | Folder : 3 | Dinner Menu from White and Case Anniversary Celebration |
1926 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 10-11 | Awards (2 folders)
Scope and ContentsContains a booklet commemorating Olds, presented to him upon his retirement from U.S. Steel, and certificates from American Judicature Society, Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Public Library Citizens Advisory Committee, Board of Governors of the American Red Cross, American Bar Association, Academy of Political Science in the City of New York, United States Department of the Navy, Trans World Airlines Ambassadors Club, and National Wildlife Federation |
1941-1963 | |
| Box: 12 | Folder : 5 | Awards
Scope and ContentsContains certificates from the Pinnacle Club, Yale University, Sons of the Revolution, 1964-65 New York World's Fair, Society of the New York Hospital, and New-York Historical Society |
1907-1948 | |
| Folder: Oversize-Large | Erie (Pennsylvania) High School diploma |
1903 | ||
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 13 | Passports |
1920 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 14 | Yale Ephemera |
1859-1960 | |
| Box: 12 | Folder : 4 | Elihu Yale Poster |
1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 15 | Miscellaneous Ephemera |
1941-1960 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 16 | News Clippings |
1940-1961 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 17 | U.S. Steel Clippings |
1947-1952 | |
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Series VI. Subject Files, 1818-1963. 6.3 Linear feet
Scope and ContentsThe final series contains subject files which pertain to various topics such as Olds's family history or personal and real property.
ArrangementThe first half or so of the series are alphabetized subject files, while the remaining subject files are grouped by category. They primarily fall into the categories of family history and personal financial records. There are four folders of oversized material in box 12, in addtion to one large oversize folder. |
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| Container 1 | Container 2 | Title | Date | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 18 | Biographies
Scope and ContentsContains biographical sketches about Olds |
1955-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 19 | Booklet of Speeches
Scope and ContentsContains reproductions of published speeches given by Usher Parsons, William Sprague, and Jesse Duncan Elliott |
1823-1860 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 20 | Manuscripts of Remarks
Scope and ContentsContains manuscripts of Olds's remarks: "The Steel Industry Progresses" from 1955, "The Steel Strike of 1952", "Early American Naval Prints" from 1960 |
1952-1960 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 21 | Exhibits
Scope and ContentsContains materials about Naval Print Exhibits that Olds had planned |
1957-1959 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 22 | Ex-Monarch's Club
Scope and ContentsContains certificates of membership, and materials regarding the annual dinners in 1929, 1930, and 1931. There is some connection between this club and the Foundation Company, which was a client of Olds's at White & Case. |
1929-1931 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 23 | Gettysburg Address
Scope and ContentsContains a reproduction of the Gettysburg Address, with edits written over it. There is a note that this version is "As Mr. Fay would have written." This is presumably a reference to Olds's colleague at White & Case, Charles Faye. There is also a page from the January 30, 1962 issue of the New York Times about President Kennedy's attempts to allegedly micromanage remarks that come out of the Government. The article makes reference to a Bob Newhart comedy sketch discussing how "Madison Ave" would have altered the Gettysburg Address. |
1944-1963 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 24 | Hartfeld, Joseph
Scope and ContentsContains materials relating to the 50th anniversary dinner of Joseph Hartfield and Leonard Hull Smith |
1955 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 25 | Holmes, Oliver Wendell
Scope and ContentsContains full issues of the New York Times Magazine Section from March 7, 1926, the New York Herald Tribune Magazine from February 7, 1932, Harper's Weekly from June 5, 1886, and the Yale Law Journal from March 1931. These publications all feature articles about Justice Holmes. There is also a large stack of news clippings from various papers about Holmes. |
1886-1935 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 26 | Nassau Community College
Scope and ContentsContains the NCC First Annual Report, from the 1959-1960 academic year |
1960 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 27 | Obituaries, Olds
Scope and ContentsContains obituaries for Irving Olds and his father, Clark Olds |
1922-1963 | |
| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 28 | Patriotic Education, Inc.
Scope and ContentsContains a booklet explaining the purpose of the organization |
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| Offsite-Box: 9 | Folder : 29 | Theodore Roosevelt Award
Scope and ContentsContains materials, remarks, and photographs regarding Olds having been given the Roosevelt Award |
1960 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 1 | Historic Deeds
Scope and ContentsContains Olds family property records from Erie County, Pennsylvania |
1890-1922 | |
| Box: 12 | Folder : 2 | Land Records
Scope and ContentsContains Pennsylvania land patents from 1832 and 1906 and conveyances from 1818 and 1827 |
1818-1906 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 2 | Genealogy, Keator Family
Scope and ContentsContains documents pertaining to and narratives describing the history of Irving Olds's mother's family |
1943-1961 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 3 | Family Letters |
1862-1906 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 4 | Foster (Cornell) Family History
Scope and ContentsContains materials related to the genealogy of Evelyn Foster Olds's family |
1906-1922 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 5 | Clark Olds
Scope and ContentsContains letters between Irving Olds and his father, Clark Olds, written while Irving was living in France to expand White & Case's business abroad. Also contains a poem written by Clark, and photos of Clark's dog from the 1920s. |
1921-1946 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 6-7 | Securities (2 folders)
Scope and ContentsContains a variety of stock certificates for now defunct corporations |
1867-1910 | |
| Box: 12 | Folder : 1 | Bonds
Scope and ContentsCoupon bonds of the Lebanon Springs Railroad Company |
1867-1878 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 8 | 216 W 7th St
Scope and ContentsContains records of a parcel the Oldses owned in Erie, Pennsylvania |
1888-1947 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 9 | Peter M Cauley Trust
Scope and ContentsFinancial records of a reverend from Erie, Pennsylvania, who may have been a friend or associate of the Olds family |
1915-1930 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 10 | Wayne St
Scope and ContentsContains records of a parcel the Oldses owned in Erie, Pennsylvania |
1922-1953 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 11 | 24 E 42nd St
Scope and ContentsContains records about a property owned by N-YHS for much of the mid 20th century |
1961-1962 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 12 | Woodbury Subdivision (1 of 2)
Scope and ContentsContains records about property Olds owned in Nassau County, New York. |
1928-1955 | |
| Folder: Oversize-Large | Woodbury Subdivision (2 of 2), Oversize
Scope and ContentsContains oversize maps and blueprints about property Olds owned in Nassau County, New York. There are references to his property being involved in the construction of the Northern State Parkway. |
1930-1940 | ||
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 13 | Misc. Property Records
Scope and ContentsContains records of two property transactions from Erie, Pennsylvania, one involving Irving, and one involving his father, Clark |
1918-1947 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 14-15 | Real Estate Taxes (2 folders) |
1940-1955 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 16 | Medical Receipts |
1956-1957 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 17 | Life Insurance Receipts |
1949-1963 | |
| Offsite-Box: 11 | Folder : 18 | Paper about Alabama Claims
Scope and ContentsA handwritten paper by Olds about Reconstruction-era Alabama |
1910 | |
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