Manuscripts Division

General Manuscripts Miscellaneous Collection, 1502-2012

C0140
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Schmidtbleicher Travel Diary, 1847-1848

1 folder
Creator:
Schmidtbleicher
Collection Creator:
Princeton University. Library. Special Collections
Dates:
1847-1848
Located In:
Box B-002038, Folder 4
Extent:
1 folder
Languages:
German
Scope and Contents

A journal by Schmidtbleicher of Württemberg, Germany titled "Aus der Schule in die Schule, oder Meine erlebten Fata auf einer Reise nach, in und aus Amerika: Humoristisch erzählt von einem würtembergischen Schullehrer zur Warnung und Belehrung für Auswanderungslustige" ("From School to School, or My Firsthand Experiences While Travelling To, In, and Out of America Recounted Humoristically by a Wurtemberg Teacher: with Advice and Instructions for Emigration.")

Schmidtbleicher was a teacher, and immigrated to the United States due to the economic depression in Germany. His journal reflects the year he spent in pre-Civil War New York state, where he traveled to Albany, New York City, Rome, Buffalo City, Springfield, and Rochester. His journal is written in Kurrent script or Kurrentschrift.

Beginning in June 1847, Schmidtbleicher's journal begins with a travelogue describing his personal encounters and firsthand observations traveling through New York state, many of which comments on German American communities. The second part of his journal contains his personal assessment and critiques of American customs, ideals, and issues such as freedom and equality, capitalism, racial prejudice, slavery, indigenous people, religion, economy and trade, politics, etc.

The journal was written after Schmidtbleicher's return to Germany, and contains annotations and additions, an autobiographical introduction, and a detailed and itemized assessment, suggesting that the journal was drafted with an aim to publish his experiences traveling to America.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by the name of the creator or by the date of acquisition.

Existence and Location of Copies

Parts of this collection are available on microfilm, cataloged separately as RCPXM-7497696.

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. For instances beyond Fair Use, 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:

Initially deposited by Bruce Willsie in 2017, and then gifted in March 2023 (AM 2024-002).

Credit this material:

Schmidtbleicher Travel Diary; General Manuscripts Miscellaneous Collection, C0140, Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Storage Note:
Firestone Library (mss)
Boxes B-002038
Note
Boxes 59 and 63 are stored in special vault facilities.
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.

Processing Information:

This item was processed and described by Amy C. Vo in July 2023, incorporating some description from the dealer.

Subject Terms:
Emigration and immigration
German Americans -- New York (N.Y.)
Genre Terms:
Diaries -- 19th century

Collection Overview

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

A journal by Schmidtbleicher of Württemberg, Germany titled "Aus der Schule in die Schule, oder Meine erlebten Fata auf einer Reise nach, in und aus Amerika: Humoristisch erzählt von einem würtembergischen Schullehrer zur Warnung und Belehrung für Auswanderungslustige" ("From School to School, or My Firsthand Experiences While Travelling To, In, and Out of America Recounted Humoristically by a Wurtemberg Teacher: with Advice and Instructions for Emigration.")

Schmidtbleicher was a teacher, and immigrated to the United States due to the economic depression in Germany. His journal reflects the year he spent in pre-Civil War New York state, where he traveled to Albany, New York City, Rome, Buffalo City, Springfield, and Rochester. His journal is written in Kurrent script or Kurrentschrift.

Beginning in June 1847, Schmidtbleicher's journal begins with a travelogue describing his personal encounters and firsthand observations traveling through New York state, many of which comments on German American communities. The second part of his journal contains his personal assessment and critiques of American customs, ideals, and issues such as freedom and equality, capitalism, racial prejudice, slavery, indigenous people, religion, economy and trade, politics, etc.

The journal was written after Schmidtbleicher's return to Germany, and contains annotations and additions, an autobiographical introduction, and a detailed and itemized assessment, suggesting that the journal was drafted with an aim to publish his experiences traveling to America.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by the name of the creator or by the date of acquisition.

Collection History

Acquisition:

Initially deposited by Bruce Willsie in 2017, and then gifted in March 2023 (AM 2024-002).

Appraisal

No material was separated during processing.

Processing Information:

This item was processed and described by Amy C. Vo in July 2023, incorporating some description from the dealer.

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. For instances beyond Fair Use, 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:

Schmidtbleicher Travel Diary; General Manuscripts Miscellaneous Collection, C0140, Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
Ask Us a Question
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Storage Note:
Firestone Library (mss)
Boxes B-002038
Note
Boxes 59 and 63 are stored in special vault facilities.

Find More

Existence and Location of Copies

Parts of this collection are available on microfilm, cataloged separately as RCPXM-7497696.

Separated Materials

Citizens of Coculco & Tempatetetzintla v. Antonio de Padilla, 1624, previoulsy in Box 10, has been removed and transferred to the Princeton Collection of Mesoamerican Manuscripts (C0940).

Subject Terms:
Emigration and immigration
German Americans -- New York (N.Y.)
Genre Terms:
Diaries -- 19th century