Harriet V.W. Jacobs papers

Collection — Container: Single Folder Collections - 2017 Box 1 (17.0003-17.0027), Folder: 17.0027 - Folder 1

Identifier: 17.0027

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection of letters written by Mrs. Harriet Jacobs relates to her time stationed with her U.S. Navy husband in Bremerhaven, Germany after World War II, from 1947-1948. Also included is a "scratchcard" made in 1942 for American civilians to "keep score" of each sunk ship of the Japanese Navy.

Dates

Created: 1947-1948
Other: Date acquired: 11/01/2017
Other: Date accessioned: 2017-11-02

Creator

Jacobs, Harriet V.W. (Family)
Philip Humphreys (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to all researchers

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical or Historical Information

Given how scant this collection is and the absence of any contextual information about Harriet or her husband, all biographic information has to be inferred from the letters themselves. It appears her husband Jake served in the U.S. Navy, and when he was sent to Germany after World War II, he was given clearance to bring his wife along with him. It appears his father was born in Trier, Germany, possibly explaining his station in mostly Bremenhaven. They both appeared to have some dental problems, which Harriet attributes to chlorine in the German water, but in her husband's case became so bad he needed to have them replaced with false teeth. Though they mostly deal with her day-to-day life in post-war Germany, Harriet often shares intelligent opinions on political subjects like the 1948 presidential race and rising tensions with the Soviet Union.

Extent

1 folders

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

Transferred from the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience to FSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives in July 2022.

Source of Acquisition

Philip Humphreys

Method of Acquisition

Donation

Subjects

Berlin (Germany)--History--Blockade, 1948-1949 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Germany--History Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
United States. Navy-- History--20th century
World War, 1939-1945 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Germany Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Women Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings