Guide to the Helena and Elizabeth Mayer Papers,
1905-1993.

Collection Number: 4938

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
H. Finch
Date completed:
December 1995
EAD encoding:
Martin Heggestad, April 2004

© 2003 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Helena and Elizabeth Mayer papers, 1905-1993.
Collection Number:
4938
Creator:
Helena Mayer, 1908-1994.
Quantity:
1.5 cubic ft.
Forms of Material:
Correspondence, photographs, diaries, manuscripts, documents, notes, articles, diplomas and certificates, art work, ephemera, postcards, financial material, family records, and other papers.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Personal papers of the Mayer sisters Helena and Elizabeth include correspondence, photographs, diaries, manuscripts of novels and short stories, and documents pertaining to their status as students, displaced persons, scholars, and naturalized American citizens. Includes academic reading notes, scholarly articles, diplomas and certificates, art work, ephemera (keepsakes, coins), and postcards, financial material, retirement documents, family records, and miscellaneous other papers.
Language:
Collection material in English

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Cornell University Library employees, 1955-1971.
Born Hungary, displaced persons after the Second World War. Both Ph.D.s, Rome.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Personal papers of the Mayer sisters Helena and Elizabeth include correspondence, photographs, diaries, manuscripts of novels and short stories, and documents pertaining to their status as students, displaced persons, scholars, and naturalized American citizens. Includes academic reading notes, scholarly articles, diplomas and certificates, art work, ephemera (keepsakes, coins), and postcards, financial material, retirement documents, family records, and miscellaneous other papers.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Mayer, Helena, 1908-1994.
Mayer, Elizabeth, 1906-1991.

Subjects:
Family--Hungary.
Family--United States.
Political refugees--Personal narratives.
Fiction.
Political refugees--Hungary.

Places:
Hungary--Description and travel.

Form and Genre Terms:
Diaries.
Photographs.
Postcards.
INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
Helena and Elizabeth Mayer papers, #4938. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
CONTAINER LIST

Date
Description
Container
1963-1992
Retirement and general financial documents
 Box 1 Folder 1
1931-1947
Library and displaced person identification cards
 Box 1 Folder 2
1935-1950
Hungarian citizenship papers, school papers and other family documents
 Box 1 Folder 3
E. Mayer, "The Vatican Library," speech
 Box 1 Folder 4
Art work by E. Mayer
 Box 1 Folder 5
Correspondence, on postcards; largely undated, but before WWII
 Box 1 Folder 6
1955-1967
Correspondence, fragments
 Box 1 Folder 7
June 1939
Diary; notes on sightseeing in Rome
 Box 1 Folder 8
1947-1964, 1982-1991
Diary
 Box 1 Folder 9
1956-1975
Diary, "Ithaca: la città dolore"
 Box 1 Folder 10
June-Nov. 1991
Diary [time of her sister's death]
 Box 1 Folder 11
June 12, Aug. 21, 1992; Mar. 9, [1993?]
Diary
 Box 1 Folder 12
n.d.
Recollections
 Box 1 Folder 13
n.d.
Tribute to Mother
 Box 1 Folder 14
Reading notes on Roman History, genealogy and other books
 Box 1 Folder 15
Reading notes
 Box 1 Folder 16
Manuscript, "Novellen"
 Box 1 Folder 17-18
Manuscript
 Box 1 Folder 19
Manuscript, "Aus dem Nebel," 3 parts
 Box 2 Folder 1
Manuscript, "Aus dem Nebel, Bk. II, Die Revolution"
 Box 2 Folder 2
Manuscript
 Box 2 Folder 3-4
Manuscript, "Die Heilige und ihre Gefangenen"
 Box 2 Folder 5
Manuscript, "Die vier Ritter," etc.
 Box 2 Folder 6
Manuscript
 Box 2 Folder 7
Manuscript, "Christmas, 1991," etc.
 Box 2 Folder 8
Manuscript fragments
 Box 2 Folder 9
Manuscript music, E. Mayer
 Box 2 Folder 10
Manuscript recipes, E. Mayer
 Box 2 Folder 11
1905-1914
Photographs, Mayer family
 Box 3 Folder 1
1904-1970
Photographs, Mayer father and mother
 Box 3 Folder 2
1909-1940
Photographs, Mayer sisters
 Box 3 Folder 3
1907-1935
Photographs, E. Mayer
 Box 3 Folder 4
1937-1953
Photographs, E. Mayer
 Box 3 Folder 5
1908-1936
Photographs, H. Mayer
 Box 3 Folder 6
1937-1954
Photographs, H. Mayer
 Box 3 Folder 7
1931-1968
Photographs, Mayer family, misc.
 Box 3 Folder 8
n.d.-1934
Photographs, Mayer family, Totterer family
 Box 3 Folder 9
Identification cards and admission tickets
 Box 3 Folder 10
Material on Fairview Heights
 Box 3 Folder 12
Grade books and published articles, E. Mayer
 Box 3
Grade books and published articles, H. Mayer
 Box 3
Coins, pens, postcards, photographs and music
 Box 4
Oversized diplomas and certificates including Certificates of Naturalization for both sisters
 Box 5