Research Catalog

Rudolph J. Thomas photograph collection

Title
Rudolph J. Thomas photograph collection [graphic].
Author
Thomas, Rudolph J., 1904-1990
Publication
[193-?]-[194-?]

Items in the Library & Off-site

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3 Items

StatusVol/DateFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
Box 1Still imageUse in library Sc Photo Rudolph J. Thomas Collection Box 1Schomburg Center - Photographs & Prints
Box 2Still imageUse in library Sc Photo Rudolph J. Thomas Collection Box 2Schomburg Center - Photographs & Prints
Box 3Still imageUse in library Sc Photo Rudolph J. Thomas Collection Box 3Schomburg Center - Photographs & Prints

Details

Additional Authors
  • Baker, Walter B.
  • A. Hansen Studio (New York, N.Y.)
  • Layne's Studio (New York, N.Y.)
  • M. Smith (New York, N.Y.)
Found In
p1tc Thomas, Rudolph J. Rudolph J. Thomas collection, 1895-1986 (1941-1971) (OCoLC)122533830
Description
  • 586 items (.9 cu. ft., 3 boxes); 28 x 36 cm or smaller.
  • 3 photographic prints : gelatin silver, b&w ;
  • 54 photographic prints : gelatin silver, b&w ;
  • 529 photographic prints : gelatin silver, b&w ;
  • 2 photographic albums : 32 x 26 cm or smaller
  • 1 photographic print : col. ;
  • 1 clipping
Summary
  • The Rudolph J. Thomas Photograph Collection reflects aspects of Thomas's career at the New York City Harlem Branch of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) and of his personal life from the 1930s to the 1940s. The collection consists of individual and group portraits and views mainly relating to Thomas's role at the Harlem Branch as well as two albums of snapshots predominantly photographed by Thomas during vacations and outings with family and friends. The collection has no documentation of Thomas's childhood and has limited documentation of his career prior to his tenure as the Branch's executive director.
  • The career series documents Thomas's executive position at the Harlem Branch YMCA and includes various group portraits depicting Thomas with New York City Mayor Vincent Impellitteri, President of New York City Council Rudolph Halley, Rev. Marshall Shepard, Channing H. Tobias, Samuel J. Battle, Archibald J. Carey, Jane Froman, New York State Governor Averell Harriman, and baseball players Joe Black, Ralph Branca, Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson, among others. Other photos document the Branch's Golden Jubilee Celebration and depict Thomas with Samuel J. Battle, Alan L. Dingle, Hubert T. Delany, Frank S. Hogan, Emanuel Kline, Hawthorne E. Lee, Walter Scott, and Maceo A. Thomas. Also included is a group portrait from the People's Civic and Welfare Association award luncheon picturing Thomas with Charles Buchanan, Glester Hinds, V. Simpson Turner, and Clarence Weeks, among others. Other images from various gatherings, including fundraising campaigns and benefits, show Thomas with Althea Gibson, Perry Como, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Fred Waring, Hubert H. Humphrey, Monte Irvin, as well as with Robert Lowery after Thomas received an award from the Vulcan Society. The Century Club, an organization formed by the Branch's benefactors, is documented (1940s-1950s). Other group portraits depict Thomas with his staff and at various YMCA conferences. Depicted in studio portraits are Gardner C. Taylor, Martin Luther King, and dance team Maceo Thomas and Carol Chilton.
  • The photograph albums series mainly consists of two unbound albums of snapshots taken by Thomas in the 1930s using a Zeiss-Ikon Ikoflex camera. The albums include individual and group portraits of Thomas; his wife, Sugar; other family members, and friends/acquaintances; as well as views of leisure activities. The albums document Thomas family trips to the New England, Middle Atlantic and Midwestern states including Idlewild, Michigan, where Maceo Thomas and his wife were building a home. Thomas also photographed various YMCA/YWCA camps and facilities. In New York City, Thomas photographed his Harlem neighborhood; employees of the Harlem Branch YMCA; and entertainer Fats Waller in front of the Apollo Theater. Othersnapshots include views of Fort Tryon Park, Yankee Stadium, the Macy's Parade (1936) and the 1939 World's Fair. Thomas photographed Joe Louis's pre-fight training preparation for his match with Max Schmeling In Lakewood and Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. (1936). That year, he also photographed athletes David Albritton, Cornelius Johnson, Ralph Metcalfe, Jesse Owens and Archie Williams at the Final Olympic Track and Field Tryouts in Randall's Island Stadium, New York City.
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Portrait photographs – 1920-1949.
  • Group portraits – 1920-1949.
  • Snapshots – 1920-1949.
  • Photograph allbums – 1920-1949.
  • Gelatin silver prints – 1920-1949.
  • Inscriptions – 1920-1949.
Note
  • Title devised by cataloger.
  • Some photographs bear photographer's or photography studio's handstamp on verso; some items bear photographer's name on recto. Some items bear handwritten, typewritten or printed captions on recto and/or verso. Album pages have separated from spine. Snapshots are mounted on album pages and bear handwritten captions. Some items are inscribed. Some items are damaged.
  • Collection contains work by Walter B. Baker, M. Smith, A. Hansen Studio and Layne's Studio, among others.
Terms of Use (note)
  • Some items are restricted, permission of the copyright holder is required for duplication.
Biography (note)
  • Born in 1904, Rudolph J. Thomas moved to New York City from Orlando, Florida where he started out as the Harlem Branch YMCA's elevator operator. He held various positions until he left in 1926 to attend Wilberforce University. After graduation, Thomas returned to the Harlem Branch and was eventually promoted to Executive Director in 1947. He retired in 1964 and died in 1990.
Linking Entry (note)
  • Forms part of the Rudolph James Thomas collection, 1895-1986 (1941-1971)
Call Number
Sc Photo Rudolph J. Thomas Collection
OCLC
753705789
Author
Thomas, Rudolph J., 1904-1990, collector.
Title
Rudolph J. Thomas photograph collection [graphic].
Imprint
[193-?]-[194-?]
Terms Of Use
Some items are restricted, permission of the copyright holder is required for duplication.
Biography
Born in 1904, Rudolph J. Thomas moved to New York City from Orlando, Florida where he started out as the Harlem Branch YMCA's elevator operator. He held various positions until he left in 1926 to attend Wilberforce University. After graduation, Thomas returned to the Harlem Branch and was eventually promoted to Executive Director in 1947. He retired in 1964 and died in 1990.
Linking Entry
Forms part of the Rudolph James Thomas collection, 1895-1986 (1941-1971)
Local Note
Sc MG 425
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Added Author
Baker, Walter B. Photographer
A. Hansen Studio (New York, N.Y.)
Layne's Studio (New York, N.Y.)
M. Smith (New York, N.Y.)
Holdings
African Americans -- New York (State) -- Harlem (New York)
Found In:
p1tc Thomas, Rudolph J. Rudolph J. Thomas collection, 1895-1986 (1941-1971) (OCoLC)122533830
Research Call Number
Sc Photo Rudolph J. Thomas Collection
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