Leon Karel Business Forms Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS K2

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Late 19th and early 20th century illustrated letterheads and business forms for Missouri firms, and 1913-1915 display ads clipped from The Kirksville Journal. The bulk of the collection dates from 1868 to 1926. The focus of the collection is on the printed form itself, with emphasis on the illustrations. However, information about the transaction completed or the subject of the letter is provided for those who might have interest in the people involved or in the economic or other historical aspects of the items. Some of the items in the collection are not illustrated, but most have sketches of the buildings in which the firms did business.

Dates

1868-1981

Creator

Karel, Leon C. (Person)

Note on Use of Collections

The library reserves the right to restrict access to its collections. Researchers agree to abide by any restrictions placed by the library on its collections. Learn more about our policies and services.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Board of Governors for Truman State University, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Researchers further agree to indemnify and hold harmless Truman State University, Pickler Memorial Library, and their officers, employees, and agents from and against all suits, claims, actions, and expenses arising out of use of collections held by the library.

Biographical Note

Iowa native Leon Charles Karel (1919-2001) attended the State University of Iowa where he received a Bachelor of Music in 1940, an MA in 1941 and, after serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II, a PhD in 1947. He then joined the faculty of Northeast Missouri State (now Truman State University) as Professor of Music in 1948 and left 35 years later as Professor Emeritus of Aesthetic Education and Humanities. Dr. Karel retired to Florida in 1983 but remained active in professional organizations and as a composer, music critic, and book editor until his death.

Extent

0.2 linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is organized into seven series.

From St. Louis Wholesale Merchants to Retail Merchant H. C. Finke, California, Mo., 1875-1890
From California, Mo. (and Other) Merchants to H.C. Finke, 1881-1892
From Hannibal, Mo. Merchants to George D. Clayton, Hannibal, Mo., 1914-1918
Miscellaneous Letterheads and Business Forms, 1897-1925
Other Letters and Documents, 1890-1981
Display Ads for Kirksville Businesses from The Kirksville Journal, 1913-1915
Display Ads for Other Missouri Businesses from The Kirksville Journal, 1913-1915

Custodial History

Leon Karel gathered a small collection, primarily of late 19th and early 20th century illustrated letterheads and business forms for Missouri firms, and 1913-1915 display ads clipped from The Kirksville Journal.

An antique dealer (Dave Thomas) responded to Dr. Karel's 1981 inquiry about "old business forms and letter heads" by enclosing the blank letterhead of a firm that went out of business in the early 1960s as a sample of what they had available. At least some of the collection was purchased by Dr. Karel from Dave Thomas of New Hartford Antiques not long before Dr. Karel retired and left Missouri.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Virginia Karel gave her husband's small collection of primarily late 19th and early 20th century illustrated letterheads and business forms to the University after his death.