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Series 26: Scrapbooks, 1925-1975, bulk: 1929-1965

 Series — Boxes: 18, 22 - 33
Identifier: 26

series 26 Scope and Contents

This series contains bound scrapbooks and unbound pages from scrapbooks that contain photographic prints, letters, and newspaper clippings detailing Karpovich’s personal and professional life.

Book I: 1925-1941 – This scrapbook in box 23 documents Karpovich’s early research activities through newspaper clippings, photographs and correspondence. Topics of research represented in this series include Physiology of golf, Athlete diet and nutrition, Swimming, and Artificial respiration. Some glimpses of student life at Springfield College are scattered throughout along with Karpovich’s heavy involvement with Springfield College students in extracurricular instruction and lectures. The end of the scrapbook documents the appointment of Karpovich to post as chief of the physiology laboratory for the Army Air Force. Notable in this scrapbook is a photo of Ivan Pavlov, a letter from Pavlov to Karpovich, and Pavlov obituaries.

Book II: 1947-1956 – This scrapbook in box 24 documents Karpovich’s appointment back after the war to Springfield College. Much of the newspaper clippings in the first half deal with the personal life of Karpovich and show his interests in Russian politics and the Russian Orthodox Church. Also represented in this scrapbook is Karpovich’s continued interest in artificial respiration.

Book III: 1956-1965 – This scrapbook in box 25 documents Karpovich’s research through newspaper clippings and photographs. It covers topics of his research, including footgear, running faster miles, sanitation, use of the electrogoniometer, reflex, and walking in high heels.

Book V 1966- – This scrapbook in box 26 documents Karpovich’s research in swimming, and isometric studies through newspaper clippings and magazine articles. Notable is a letter, from Karpovich’s son, George, and correspondence congratulating Karpovich on the naming of the physiology laboratory after him.

Men 1929-1933 – This scrapbook in box 27 contains small photographic prints known as contact prints depicting events in Karpovich’s personal life. The majority of these contact prints are represented by original negatives located in Series 27, box 19, folders 9-28. Of particular importance are photos of a physiological conference at Harvard in 1929 attended by Ivan Pavlov.

“Scrap Book” (Newspaper clippings: 1941 to 1942) – This scrapbook in box 28 contains newspaper clippings divided into four categories delineated by tabs which read food, age longevity, alcohol, and drugs.

Unbound Scrapbook 1, 1920-1930 – This scrapbook in box 29 contains unbound pages containing personal photographs as well as photographs showing research on black scrapbook paper. Scenes from a graduation feature prominently in the second half of the scrapbook.

Unbound Scrapbook 2, 1920-1930 – This scrapbook in box 30 contains unbound pages containing personal photographs (perhaps of young George and his first wife Alice) as well as photographs showing research on the physiology of golf on black scrapbook paper. Of note is a group portrait from Latvian school children with a message of gratitude for Karpovich’s efforts on the reverse, and a scrapbook with smaller pages documents the 1929 physiology conference at Harvard University showing Ivan Pavlov and others.

Unbound Scrapbook 3, 1920-1960 – This scrapbook in box 31 is sparse and contains only small photographs of strange medical conditions such as microcephaly back on tan construction paper.

Scrapbook of Beer Bottle Labels – This scrapbook in box 32 contains beer bottle labels from the 1930s. There are many loose beer bottle labels in the front, all pages are full.

Scrapbook of Russian Postcards – This unbound scrapbook in box 33 contains postcards from Russia and Sweden depicting village life with scenes of religious and agricultural themes. These postcards are backed on black scrapbook paper. Some pages appear to have had postcards but are missing; some captions written in Russian remain on the pages.

Dates

  • Creation: 1925-1975
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1929-1965

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted

Extent

11 Linear Feet (12 boxes)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

General Condition Note

Material in each scrapbook is maintained in the original page order even if the material has become and detached from the pages. Unbound scrapbooks in boxes 29, 30, and 31 are in a state of disintegration with edges in poor condition. Newspaper clippings in some of the scrapbooks are folded within the pages.

Processing Note

During the first processing, newspaper clippings and other material from some of the scrapbooks were photocopied for preservation and the originals were discarded. Titles are taken from the titles on the scrapbooks and in parentheses denoting the general contents of the scrapbook. It is possible that unbound scrapbook 1 and 2 located in boxes 29 and 30 respectively are part of one original book that has been separated by a previous processer. All scrapbooks were re-housed into custom archival boxes. The Russian postcard scrapbook and Beer label scrapbook were moved from Series 1 to this series.

Repository Details

Part of the Springfield College Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Springfield College
Judd Gymnasia
263 Alden Street
Springfield Massachusetts 01109 U.S.A. US
413-748-3309