Guide to the Photographs and Postcards of Women Collection,
circa 1900-1960

Collection Number: 7678

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:
Staff
Date completed:
2004
EAD encoding:
Peter Martinez
Andrea Hektor, April 2004
Sarah Keen, January 2009

© 2004 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Photographs and postcards of women collection, circa 1900-1960
Collection Number:
7678
Quantity:
50 photographs and 1 album.
Forms of Material:
Photographs, postcards.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
A collection of photographs and postcards from various sources, primarily of unidentified women by unidentified photographers that show women in various homosocial poses or in gender transgressive dress or behavior. Some images may be of sisters, relatives, or female friends; some are explicitly lesbian in nature. Together, they give visual documentation of women's relationships, body language, and dress. Specific descriptions follow.
Language:
Collection material in English

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

A collection of photographs and postcards from various sources, primarily of unidentified women by unidentified photographers that show women in various homosocial poses or in gender transgressive dress or behavior. Some images may be of sisters, relatives, or female friends; some are explicitly lesbian in nature. Together, they give visual documentation of women's relationships, body language, and dress. Specific descriptions follow.
SUBJECTS

Subjects:
Female friendship.
Lesbians--Germany--Caricatures and cartoons.
Lesbians--United States--Caricatures and cartoons.
Transsexuals--Travel--Italy.
Women--United States.

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

Cite As:
Photographs and postcards of women collection, #7678. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
RELATED MATERIALS

Collecting program: Human Sexuality Collection.
Photographs and postcards of gender collection, #7717.
CONTAINER LIST

Date
Description
Container
circa 1900-1950
A group of 10 postcards and 3 photographs
 Box 1 Folder 1
13 images on a variety of themes, all unidentified, and not necessarily related to each other. Two are of solitary women, one of which is a woman sitting on a log in a forested area, wearing a long skirt, cardigan, and blouse with man's tie. A few photos show groups of women wearing ornate hats. One may be a valentine. Several look like family pictures, of sisters, or mother and daughter.
3 postcards
 Box 1 Folder 2
German postcard, two women on porch, two women within arms of third.
circa early 1900's
Typically formatted American postcard
 Box 1 Folder 3
Postcard showing two young women sitting on a rail of a deck with their arms around each other. The text reads: "She squeezed her and kissed her without any joy, ..'It's the masculine fervor you lack,' said she, ''Tis easy to tell you are far from a boy, By the soft-pedal tone of the smack, you see." Formerly #7646
Three nude or semi-nude images of women together.
 Box 1 Folder 4
circa 1910-1957
30 loose photos, creator unknown
 Box 1 Folder 5
Advertised on eBay as "Lesbian Interest, Old Photo Album All Women," the album is indeed entirely photographs of girls and women, both young and old, dating from circa 1910-1957. Their relationships are unknown. Ten photos are of two women together. Others are possibly mothers and daughters, grandmothers and daughters, and groups of friends, as well as photos of individuals. They are mostly informal shots; just a few are studio portraits. One is marked "Black's Studio, Wewoka, Okla." Names are written on the back of only a few photographs. They are: Mary L. Irwin, Jan Rorke?, and Mrs. Brenner.
Photo album containing 27 photos, corresponding to the photos in Box 1 Folder 5
 Box 1
1 black and white photo
 Box 1 Folder 6
Small photo of 2 women standing next to each other, hugging and looking at each other. Described on eBay as "GIRLFRIENDS Hug and LOOK in Eyes LESBIAN Int."
circa 1905
Photographic postcard showing a woman in man's clothing sitting on a porch rocker with her arm around another woman in more traditional female clothing.
Box 1 Folder 7
On the verso is written: "Dear friend: Will send you a card. Do you know either one in the picture? I make a pretty good looking boy don't I? The other is a girl friend of mine. We had them taken on our porch just for the fun of it. Your friend Ella." Above the inscription is written: "Did you ever see the suit before is it C.B. they fit me pretty good."