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Howard Van Meter Pictorial Collection

 Collection
Identifier: PICT-000-438

Scope and Content

The collection consists of one album of snapshots, postcards (some colored), and clippings related to the Mexican Revolution in Sonora between 1912 and 1914. Articles (some clippings from Mexican publications, others typed English translations of Mexican newspaper articles) refer to the presence of Americans working with the Southern Pacific Railroad of Mexico and aboard the U.S.S. Colorado which was positioned off the coast of Guaymas. Photos include: Mexican soldiers and rebels, Federal headquarters and a camp, Mexican women in military camps, numerous photos of troops beside trains and on trains with mounted artillery, mutilated corpses, military officers, American ships off the coast, and views of Guaymas. One colored postcard shows the Rurales, Sonora State cavalry, in Hermosillo.

Other photos and items in the album reveal something of the life of resident Americans and their families: beach trips, women cooking outdoors, a school at Empalme, posters for baseball games between the crew of the U.S.S. Colorado and a local Mexican team, invitations to social events (one, a ball given by the Constitutionalist faction to celebrate the ousting of Victoriano Huerta, and programs for shipboard entertainments. Locales identified are: Guaymas, Hermosillo, Empalme, El Morrito, Otiz, Bacum, and Nogales.

Unidentified family snapshots are mounted in the back pages of the album. They include children and family groups, a church, interiors decorated with school pennants (from Belle Plaine High School in Iowa), and college photos from Poughkeepsie, New York. Snapshots and postcards are 26 x 30 cm.

Dates

  • 1905-1914

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Duplication allowed for research purposes in most cases. User is responsible for all copyright compliance. For more information see the Photographs and Images Research Guide and contact the Pictorial Archivist.

Biography

Marjorie Van Meter went to Empalme to teach in a school which catered to the children of United States colonists in Mexico. Her husband Howard was employed at an accounting bureau. The album apparently belonged to Major Howard Van Meter, whose name appears on a number of items in the album.

Extent

199 items (1 box) : Album with 199 photographs and postcards, plus clippings, posters, articles, and invitations

Abstract

One album of snapshots, postcards (some colored), and clippings related to the Mexican Revolution in Sonora between 1912 and 1914.

Physical Location

B2. Shelved by Pictorial Number.

Separated Material

Album separated from the Marjorie Van Meter Letters.

Processing Information

Collection acquired from Mrs. Frank Hibben, aka Eleanor B. Hibben.
Title
Finding Aid of the Howard Van Meter Pictorial Collection, 1905-1914
Status
Completed
Author
Pictorial Collections Staff
Date
© 2007
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451