James Austin Smith papers, 1903–1929, 1980s

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Summary

Creator:
Smith, James Austin
Abstract:
James Austin Smith (1880-1944) was a commercial artist largely based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The collection span the years 1903 to 1929 and undated and include hand-drawn advertisements, tracings, scrapbooks, bibliographic information, and correspondence. The collection includes advertisements for steam ship companies; spark plugs and other automotive parts; and clothing and accessories. Companies represented in the collection include the Clyde Steamship Company, the Mallory Steamship Company, Bosch (Robert Bosch Gmblt), Mosler (Spit Fire Plugs), Red Head, Mezger, Black Eagle, and Herz, and the MOTOR advertising magazine. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Extent:
2.0 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.11923

Background

Scope and content:

The collection span the years 1903 to 1929 and undated and include hand-drawn advertisements, tracings, scrapbooks, bibliographic information, and correspondence. The collection includes advertisements for steam ship companies; spark plugs and other automotive parts; and clothing and accessories. Companies represented in the collection include the Clyde Steamship Company, the Mallory Steamship Company, Bosch (Robert Bosch Gmblt), Mosler (Spit Fire Plugs), Red Head, Mezger, Black Eagle, and Herz, and the MOTOR advertising magazine.

Biographical / historical:

James Austin Smith (1880-1944) was a commercial artist largely based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Raised in New York City, he began his career in the advertising department at Wanamaker's Department Store. After moving from New York to Maine to New Jersey, he resided primarily between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Somerset County, New Jersey, from about 1920 onward. He worked for the Clyde Steamship Company, making posters and a newsletter for passengers, while also freelancing. He died in 1944 in Fort Lauderdale.

Acquisition information:
The James Austin Smith papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2021.
Processing information:

Processed by Emma Davenport, October, 2021.

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2021-0028.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

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Subjects:
Commercial art
Steamboats
Spark plugs
Advertising -- United States -- History
Format:
Graphic design
Names:
John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History
Clyde Steamship Company
Mallory Steamship Company
Robert Bosch Gmblt
Places:
Fort Lauderdale (Fla.)

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], James Austin Smith Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.