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James B. Seligman '1912 letters to his parents, 1908-1912

1 box
Creator:
Seligman, James B. '1912
Collection Creator:
Princeton University. Library. Department of Rare Books and Special Collections and Princeton University. Library. Special Collections
Dates:
1908-1912
Located In:
Box 14
Extent:
1 box
Languages:
English
Scope and Contents

This file contains letters and telegrams written and sent home by Seligman, a Princeton undergraduate, to his parents. Arranged chronologically, the letters date from the beginning of his freshman year in September of 1908 to the beginning of his senior year in October of 1911; however there is one letter from March of 1908 and another from December of 1912.

The letters have a lightheartedly humorous and sarcastic tone and are filled with Seligman's requests for money from his parents. Notable people mentioned are Professor John Grier Hibben (November 10, 1908, and February 17, 1910), Reverend A. W. Verman (October 28, 1908), Woodrow Wilson (November 4 and 12, 1908; March 11, 1910; throughout the September to December of 1910 letters), and Moses Taylor Pyne (February 1909 unmarked letter and May 6, 1909). A prominent topic is that of "horsing," or hazing of the freshmen by sophomores. Seligman also discusses the outbreak of Scarlet fever, P-rading, attending sports matches, the Boston Symphony, the new "School of Science" Building, bond buying, and the Elberon Masquerade Dance.

The only reference to Judaism comes up in correspondence on required chapel attendance. Seligman at first refers to a bimonthly requirement of chapel attendance as "a little annoying." On February 15, 1909 his parents receive a letter from the registrar stating "In accordance with your request dated February 13th your son is excused from attendance at our chapel on account of difference in religion." This letter from the registrar is included in the collection.

Biography:

Seligman, James B. '1912

James B. Seligman, or "Jimmie," was born in February of 1890 in New York City, where he grew up. He attended Princeton University and graduated with the Class of 1912, one of five Jewish students in his class. Seligman was a member of the Cliosophic Society and the New York Club. His classmates described him as "the quiet, studious type" in their 50 year reunion book. He earned a B. Litt. Degree, though in class questionnaires, he stated that his favorite subjects were banking and economics.

After college, Seligman moved back to New York City where he began work as an independent stockbroker and a floor trader on the New York Stock Exchange. There, he made his living and earned his reputation as "one of the wittiest on the floor" (The New Yorker, February 1941).

On December 31, 1917 he married Nanette F. Goldenberg; she passed away on November 18, 1963. Seligman then married Rowene Light Butler in February of 1964. Seligman passed away on April 11, 1965.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. The Trustees of Princeton University hold copyright to all materials generated by Princeton University employees in the course of their work. For instances beyond Fair Use, if copyright is held by Princeton University, researchers do not need to obtain permission, complete any forms, or receive a letter to move forward with use of materials from the Princeton University Archives.

For instances beyond Fair Use where the copyright is not held by the University, while permission from the Library is not required, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Acquisition:

AR.2014.070

Credit this material:

James B. Seligman '1912 letters to his parents; Student Correspondence and Writings Collection, AC334, Princeton University Archives, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Storage Note:
Mudd Manuscript Library (mudd)
Box 14
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Collection Overview

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

This file contains letters and telegrams written and sent home by Seligman, a Princeton undergraduate, to his parents. Arranged chronologically, the letters date from the beginning of his freshman year in September of 1908 to the beginning of his senior year in October of 1911; however there is one letter from March of 1908 and another from December of 1912.

The letters have a lightheartedly humorous and sarcastic tone and are filled with Seligman's requests for money from his parents. Notable people mentioned are Professor John Grier Hibben (November 10, 1908, and February 17, 1910), Reverend A. W. Verman (October 28, 1908), Woodrow Wilson (November 4 and 12, 1908; March 11, 1910; throughout the September to December of 1910 letters), and Moses Taylor Pyne (February 1909 unmarked letter and May 6, 1909). A prominent topic is that of "horsing," or hazing of the freshmen by sophomores. Seligman also discusses the outbreak of Scarlet fever, P-rading, attending sports matches, the Boston Symphony, the new "School of Science" Building, bond buying, and the Elberon Masquerade Dance.

The only reference to Judaism comes up in correspondence on required chapel attendance. Seligman at first refers to a bimonthly requirement of chapel attendance as "a little annoying." On February 15, 1909 his parents receive a letter from the registrar stating "In accordance with your request dated February 13th your son is excused from attendance at our chapel on account of difference in religion." This letter from the registrar is included in the collection.

Arrangement

This file is arranged chronologically.

General

Many of the items which comprise the Student Correspondence and Writings Collection have been cataloged individually, and are searchable through the Princeton University Library's online catalog . The information presented in the folder list of this finding aid duplicates that found in the online catalog records.

Collection History

Acquisition:

AR.2014.070

Accruals

Additional student correspondence and writings will be added to the collection as accrued by the University Archives.

Appraisal

Appraisal information was not recorded at time of processing.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. The Trustees of Princeton University hold copyright to all materials generated by Princeton University employees in the course of their work. For instances beyond Fair Use, if copyright is held by Princeton University, researchers do not need to obtain permission, complete any forms, or receive a letter to move forward with use of materials from the Princeton University Archives.

For instances beyond Fair Use where the copyright is not held by the University, while permission from the Library is not required, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Credit this material:

James B. Seligman '1912 letters to his parents; Student Correspondence and Writings Collection, AC334, Princeton University Archives, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Location:
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
65 Olden Street
Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
(609) 258-6345
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Storage Note:
Mudd Manuscript Library (mudd)
Box 14

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Related Materials

Additional examples of student correspondence and writings in the Mudd Library that have been cataloged as individual collections include:

AC017, John and Robb Carson Letters, 1903-1908

AC018, Harrington DeGoyler Green Letters, 1906-1917

AC033, Hikoichi Orita Diary, 1872-1876

AC241, Edwin Mortimer Hopkins Papers, 1887-1894

AC323, William E. Potter Diary, 1859-1862

AC336, Harry Z. O'Brien Correspondence, 1896-1899

AC337, Horace and Thomas Meeker Papers on Admission to Princeton University

AC346, Arthur Eschenlauer Correspondence with Janet Copeland Eschenlauer, 1950-1956

AC363, Joseph Faber email correspondence, 1995-1997

AC370, Hedges Family Papers, 1797-1938 (bulk 1925-1931)

Researchers investigating student life at Princeton should also see AC026, Scrapbook Collection, 1843-1954 (bulk 1860-1920). 19 additional scrapbooks, formerly part of the Princetoniana collection, are individually cataloged in the Princeton University Library online catalog with call numbers beginning P06 (Princeton, Scrapbooks, General).

The Mudd Manuscript Library also holds undergraduate alumni files for many of the authors of these materials.

Names:
Princeton University