While this Valentine’s Day might result in many short love notes being traded via smartphones and Facebook walls, sweethearts sometimes used a different method in the early 20th century: the telegram. Ella Fountain Keesler Pratt, a Duke employee for almost thirty years (1956-1984), was the recipient of several sugar-coated missives delivered by Western Union in the 1930s. These are a few of the loveliest love letters, found while processing Ella’s papers.
Duke begged, "Please give me a few dates ... Don't leave town if you do I'm coming after you."
"Want date Sunday night No answer means Yes Love, Frank."
A secret admirer rhymed, "Than my skeeter none is sweeter if she'd only write."
"Incidentally I Love You," signs Lanny.
Ms. Pratt eventually married Lanier “Lanny” Pratt in 1938; he attended graduate classes and then taught at Duke University until his death in 1956. He must have said something right!
Post contributed by Rosemary K. J. Davis, Drill Intern, University Archives.
On April 17, 1909, Frederick Augustus Grant Cowper married Mary Octavine Thompson. Frederick became Professor of Romance Languages at Trinity College (now Duke University), while Mary (who earned a Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Chicago) became a suffragette, helping to organize the North Carolina League of Women Voters in 1920. Both Frederick’s and Mary’s papers reside in the Rubenstein Library.
The Cowpers' honeymoon scrapbook, with flowers picked by Mary
While on their honeymoon in New Hampshire, the Cowpers took many photographs they placed in an album they titled “Photographs of their Wedding Journey.” In honor of Valentine’s Day, here is my favorite photograph and caption:
The Cowpers' honeymoon scrapbook, asking "How'd you like to spoon with me on Mt. Gardner?"
Post contributed by Kim Sims, Technical Services Archivist for Duke University Archives.
The fighting spirit of Blue Devil competitiveness doesn’t apply to only basketball and other sports—we’re staging a little (Facebook) battle royale of our own:
vs.
The rules are very simple. Whichever institution gets the most NEW “Likes” for their Facebook page between today and tipoff (7:00 PM) for the March 3rd Duke vs. UNC basketball game wins! The winner will bask in electronic glory, while the loser will be required to change their Facebook profile to an image of their opponent’s choice. Big stakes, indeed.
So if you haven’t already, pop over to Facebook and “Like” the Duke University Archives page. Share the word with your friends so we can defeat our powder blue foes! Of course, you’ll also get the pleasure of learning more about Duke history while you’re at it—seems like a win/win all around.
Go Duke University Archives!
Historical Blue Devil vs. Historical Ramses, 1957. From the 1958 Chanticleer.
Post contributed by Rosemary K. J. Davis, Duke University Archives Drill Intern.
A suzani needlework textile.
Date: Wednesday, February 15
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Thomas Room, Lilly Library, East Campus
Contact Information: Mary Samouelian, 919-660-5912 or mary.samouelian(at)duke.edu
Please join us to learn more about the Lilly Library exhibit featuring suzani needlework dowry pieces, a custom interwoven within the social fabric of the women of central Asia. Learn about the textile tradition and techniques of the suzani, discover an enthusiast with an intriguing Duke connection, and enjoy the collection on display on the main floor of Lilly Library.
The gallery talk will feature Greta Boers, Librarian for Classical Studies at Lilly Library, and Mary Samouelian, Doris Duke Collection Archivist for the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Ms. Boers will introduce and discuss her private collection on display on the main floor of the Lilly Library and Ms. Samouelian will recount Doris Duke’s introduction to suzanis in her travels as well as her longstanding admiration of these handcrafted dowry cloths.
A reception with light refreshments will be held after the talk. This event is free and open to the public.
Hello!
Welcome to the blog of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Duke University.
Questions? E-mail us at special-collections(at)duke.edu.
New Rubenstein Library Materials Added to the Internet Archive- Monkeys' brains once more : Schaefer v. Ferrier February 13, 2012
- Vivisection February 13, 2012
- Views of men and women of note on the vivisection question February 13, 2012
- Annual report & accounts (Volume 1909/10) February 13, 2012
- Which shall live -- men or animals? February 13, 2012
RSS Feed
