Fred Snitzer collection of Kings County postal ephemera
Call Number
Dates
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
The collection primarily consists of Kings County postcards and envelopes (covers) collected by Fred Snitzer, the bulk of which date from 1850 to 1950. It also includes letters (housed with related envelopes), clippings, invoices, property records, and Brooklyn history and postal collecting reference materials.
Biographical note
Fred Snitzer was born in 1929. He was a longtime resident of Brooklyn and attended New Utrecht High School. He later resided at 75 Henry Street in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. He was self employed as an investment counselor, an expert rated chess player, a world traveler, and a collector of Brooklyn postal ephemera. He died, in Brooklyn, on October 26, 2012.
Sources
- "Fred Snitzer (1929-2012)" by Phillip R. Smith. The United States Chess Federation website. Accessed January 28, 2015. http://www.uschess.org/content/view/11981/512/
Arrangement
The collection's organization is based on Snitzer's system of arrangement. Folder titles are derived from Snitzer's original labels. Any folder titles supplied by the processing archivist have been enclosed in brackets.
The collection is organized into four series:
Series 1: Postcards
Series 2: Covers
Series 3: Memorabilia
Series 4: Reference
Scope and Contents
The collection primarily consists of Kings County postcards and envelopes (covers) collected by Fred Snitzer, the bulk of which date from 1850 to 1950. It also includes letters (housed with related envelopes), clippings, invoices, property records, ephemera, and Brooklyn history and postal collecting reference materials. Snitzer's extensive collection includes cross-references (photocopies) between the various series and sub-series of postal ephemera.
Subjects
Organizations
Families
Genres
People
Topics
Donors
Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
All postcards published before 1923 are in the public domain. The letters and envelopes found in the collection are considered unpublished. Unpublished material remains under copyright for the life of the author + 70 years (when the author is known); or for 120 years since the date of creation (when the author is unknown, or the date of the author's death is unknown). For more information please contact library staff.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Fred Snitzer collection of Kings County postal ephemera, 2013.003, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated by Monica Lacks and Randy Skurnick, as representatives of the Estate of Fred Snitzer, in 2013.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
The majority of the materials in this collection are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please contact cbhreference@bklynlibrary.org at least three weeks prior to research visit.
Separated Materials
Twelve books relating to Brooklyn history have been removed to the library's book collection. These include the following:
Ierardi, Eric J. Gravesend: The home of Coney Island
Israelowitz, Oscar. Borough Park: Centennial Edition 1898-1998
Israelowitz, Oscar. Oscar Israelowitz's Flatbush guide
Jackson and Manbeck. The neighborhoods of Brooklyn
Lancaster, Clay. Old Brooklyn Heights: New York's first suburb
Landesman, Alter F. A History of New Lots, Brooklyn - to 1887
Merlis, Brian. Brooklyn: The Centennial Edition
Merlis, Brian. Brooklyn: The way it was
Merlis, Brian, et al. Brooklyn's Gold Coast
Merlis, Brian. Welcome back to Brooklyn
Robbins and Palitz. Brooklyn : a state of mind
Snow, Richard. Coney Island: A postcard journey to the city of fire
Additionally, photocopies of the Brooklyn Eagle's guides to Brooklyn, Bushwick, Flatbush, Flatlands, Gravesend, and New Utrecht have been discarded. Originals are available in the library.
About this Guide
Repository
Series 1: Postcards, 1873-2009, inclusive; 1900-1940, bulk
Extent
Scope and Contents
The series contains 13 manuscript boxes of Kings County postcards and related clippings, dating from 1873 to 2009.
The series is divided into 3 sub-series:
Sub-series 1: Picture Postcards
Sub-series 2: Chronological Postcards
Sub-series 3: Brooklyn Eagle Postcards
Sub-series 1: Picture Postcards, 1874-2009, inclusive; 1900-1930, bulk
Language of Materials
Scope and Contents
This subseries contains Kings County picture postcards, dating from 1874 to 2009.
The sub-series is divided into five sections:
1. Communities (Brooklyn neighborhoods)
2. Bridges
3. Coney Island
4. Prospect Park and other parks
5. Other topics (A-Z)
Each section is arranged alphabetically. Please note that the labels which appear throughout this sub-series do not relate to the postcards currently housed in those sleeves. They were most likely rearranged by Snitzer at some point prior to donation.
Indexes, circa 2000s, inclusive
1. Introduction; Communities: Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, 1890s-1920s; 2000s, inclusive
2. Communities: Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, 1890s-1920s, inclusive
3. Communities: Bergen Beach, Borough Hall, 1890s-1920s; 2000s, inclusive
4. Communities: Borough Hall, 1890s-1920s, inclusive
5. Communities: Borough Hall, Borough Park, Brighton Beach, 1890s-1920s, inclusive
6. Communities: Brighton Beach, Brooklyn Heights, 1890s-1920s; 1969-2004, inclusive
General
Map of Brooklyn Heights (1969)
7. Communities: Bushwick, Clinton Hill, East New York, 1890s-1920s; 2001, inclusive
General
See files 17-25 for Coney Island
8. Communities: East New York, Flatbush, 1890s-1920s; 2001, inclusive
9. Communities: Flatbush, 1890s-1920s, inclusive
10. Communities: Flatbush, Fort Hamilton, 1890s-1920s, inclusive
11. Communities: Fort Hamilton, Gravesend, Greenpoint, Homecrest, New Utrecht, Parkville, Prospect Park West/Park Slope, Ridgewood, 1890s-1920s; 2000s, inclusive
12. Communities: Seagate, Sheepshead Bay, Williamsburg; Bridges: Brooklyn Bridge, 1890s-1920s; 2000s, inclusive
General
Coney Island Jockey Club badge
13. Bridges: Brooklyn Bridge, 1890s-1920s; 2000, inclusive
14. Bridges: Brooklyn Bridge, 1890s-1920s, inclusive
15. Bridges: Brooklyn Bridge, 1890s-1980s, inclusive
16. Bridges: Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Verrazano Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, 1900s-1980s, inclusive
17. Bridges: Williamsburg Bridge, Miscellaneous; Coney Island: Introduction, 1900s-1920s; 1990s-2000s, inclusive
18. Coney Island: Beach and Boardwalk, 1900s-1980s, inclusive
19. Coney Island: Beach and Boardwalk, Dreamland, 1900s, inclusive
20. Coney Island: Dreamland, 1900s, inclusive
21. Coney Island: Luna Park, 1900s-1910s; 2001, inclusive
22. Coney Island: Luna Park, 1900s-1910s, inclusive
23. Coney Island: Luna Park, Steeplechase, 1900s-1960s, inclusive
24. Coney Island: Street scenes, Individual amusements, 1900s-1950s; 2000s, inclusive
25. Coney Island: Individual amusements, miscellaneous; Prospect Park: Entrances, 1900s-1930s, inclusive
26. Prospect Park: Entrances, 1900s-1930s, inclusive
27. Prospect Park: Entrances, the Lake, 1900s-1930s, inclusive
28. Prospect Park: The Lake, Bridges, 1900s-1930s, inclusive
29. Prospect Park: Bridges, Paths/Roadways, 1900s-1930s, inclusive
30. Prospect Park: Great Lawn, Flower Garden/Vale of Cashmere, Statues and monuments, 1900s-1910s, inclusive
31. Prospect Park: Statues and monuments, Cafes and restaurants, Parade Grounds, Zoo, 1900s-1960s; 2000s, inclusive
32. Prospect Park: Litchfield Mansion; Botanic Gardens; Parks, 1900s-1950s; 2000s, inclusive
33. Parks, 1900s-1930s, inclusive
34. Armories, 1900s-1910s, inclusive
35. Banks, 1887-1930s, inclusive
36 - 39. Churches (4 folders), 1900s-1950s; 2001, inclusive
40. Private clubs and organizations, 1900s-1910s, inclusive
41. Private clubs and organizations; Schools: Public schools, 1894-1910s, inclusive
42 - 45. Schools (4 folders), 1896-1950s; 1990s, inclusive
46. Fire, Police, and Utilities; Forts and Airfields, 1900s-1910s, inclusive
47. Forts and Airfields; Historic and Landmark buildings, 1900s-1960s; 2000s, inclusive
48. Historic and Landmark buildings; Hospitals, 1900s-2000s, inclusive
49. Hospitals; Cemeteries; Hotels, 1900s-2000s, inclusive
50 - 51. Hotels (2 folders), 1900s-1950s, inclusive
52. Hotels; Libraries, 1900s-1920s, inclusive
53. Libraries; Monuments and statues, 1900s-1950s, inclusive
54. Monuments and statues, 1900s-1910s, inclusive
55. Monuments and statues; Municipal buildings, 1874-1960s, inclusive
56. Municipal buildings; Museums, 1900s-2004, inclusive
57. Navy Yard, 1900s-2001, inclusive
58. Navy Yard; Restaurants, 1900s-1930s, inclusive
59. Restaurants; Theaters, 1900s-2005, inclusive
60. Theaters; Sports arenas; Transportation: Elevated lines, 1900s-2000s, inclusive
61. Transportation: Elevated lines, surface lines, subways, 1900s-1920s; 2000s, inclusive
62. Transportation: Subways, trolleys, train wreck 1965, railroads, ferries, and airports, 1900s-2000s, inclusive
63. Transportation: Railroads, ferries, and airports; Industrial buildings; Advertisements, 1900s-2000s, inclusive
Sub-series 2: Chronological Postcards, 1873-1990, inclusive; 1873-1940, bulk
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains postcards postmarked from Kings County (N.Y.), dating from 1873 to 1990. It primarily consists of non-picture postcards, and includes notes on Brooklyn postal history. The sub-series is arranged chronologically.
Chronological Postcards 1, 1873-1886, inclusive
Chronological Postcards 2 - 6 (5 folders), 1887-1914, inclusive
Chronological Postcards 7 - 9 (3 folders), 1915-1990, inclusive
Sub-series 3: Brooklyn Eagle Postcards, 1905-1907, 1996, inclusive; 1905-1907, bulk
Language of Materials
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains a set of postcards published by the Brooklyn Eagle from 1905 to 1907, all of which are related to Brooklyn. It is arranged by number. The sub-series includes a related clipping (1996) and a list of postcards which are missing from the collection.
Brooklyn Eagle Postcards, 1905-1906, 1996, inclusive
Series 2: Covers, 1814-2010, inclusive; 1850-1950, bulk
Extent
Scope and Contents
The series contains Kings County covers (envelopes) and related material, dating from 1814 to 2010. Although Snitzer was mainly interested in collecting covers, the letters which were housed in those envelopes were sometimes retained and are included in the series.
The series is divided into nine sub-series, and cross-references between the sub-series are denoted via photocopies.
The sub-series include:
1. Advertising Covers
2. Stamps on Covers
3. Stampless Covers
4. Foreign Covers
5. Auxiliary Markings
6. Kings County Covers and Markings
7. Local Substations
9. Individual Towns
9. Covers and stamps sales index
Sub-series 1: Advertising Covers, 1858-2006, inclusive
Language of Materials
Scope and Contents
The sub-series contains advertising covers (envelopes) and related material from Kings County businesses and other organizations (government, military, hospitals, civic groups, etc.), dating from 1858 to 2006. The sub-series is arranged alphabetically by topic.
Index, circa 2000s, inclusive
1 - 2. Advertising collars; Architects and engineers; Artists and art studios; Banks, 1883-2004, inclusive
3 - 4. Catalog houses and department stores; Cemeteries and undertakers; Chemicals and drugs; Clothing, 1868-1942, inclusive
5 - 6. Clothing; Coal, fuel, glass, and lumber; Contractors, 1879-1965, inclusive
7 - 8. Contractors; Dry goods; Farming equipment and supplies; Florist; Food, 1877-1953, inclusive
9 - 10. Food; Furniture, carpets, and bedding, 1879-1994, inclusive
11 - 12. Furniture, carpets, and bedding; Ham radio; Hardware, 1880-1957, inclusive
13 - 14. Hardware; Hotels, 1888-1951, inclusive
15 - 16. Hotels; Housewares; Insurance and real estate, 1858-1982, inclusive
17 - 18. Insurance and real estate; Legal, 1860-1952, inclusive
19 -20. Legal; Medical, 1864-1991, inclusive
21 - 22. Metal workers; Military, 1875-1964, inclusive
23 - 24. Municipal, 1868-2006, inclusive
25 - 26. Museums, theaters, amusement parks, and fairs; Musical instruments and toys; Occupations (Salesmen, etc.), 1864-2000s, inclusive
27 - 28. Office supplies, stationers, printers, and presses; Organizations, 1868-2000s, inclusive
29 - 30. Organizations, 1851-1999, inclusive
31 - 32. Organizations; Paints and wallpapers; Politicians, 1884-2005, inclusive
33 - 34. Publishers; Religious, 1873-2000s, inclusive
General
Includes letter from World War I soldier
35 - 36. Religious; Salesmen; Schools, 1859-1988, inclusive
General
Includes Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute annual examinations program, 1859-1860
37 - 38. Stamp clubs and stamp dealers; Sporting goods; Storage warehouses, 1888-1961, inclusive
General
Includes Brooklyn Dodgers envelope and Ty Cobb photograph
39 - 40. Tobacco; Toiletries; Transportation (automobiles, carriages, railroads); Travel agents; Utilities; Miscellaneous businesses; Unidentified, 1881-1963, inclusive
Sub-series 2: Stamps on Covers, 1832-2010, inclusive; 1857-1945, bulk
Language of Materials
Scope and Contents
The sub-series contains covers (envelopes) with Kings County postals stamps, dating from 1832 to 2010. The covers sometimes include related letters. The sub-series also contains clippings, dating from the 1990s-2000s.
The covers were numbered by Snitzer, and the sub-series is arranged numerically by these numbers.
#1 - 122 (2 folders), 1832-1901; 1991-2006, inclusive
#123 - 318 (6 folders), 1870-1927; 2000s, inclusive
General
Includes folders labeled "Columbians" and "Trans - Mississippi"
#319 - 739 (8 folders), 1903-1943; 1968-2000s, inclusive
General
Includes photographs of a man and his dog, and a World War I letter
#740 - End (3 folders), 1933-2010, inclusive
Airmail, 1918-1961, inclusive
Special delivery, postage due, parcel post, etc., 1871-1973, inclusive
Improper usage, miscellaneous stamps, non-postage, 1895-2000, inclusive
General
Includes Christmas cards
[unlabeled], 1886-2004, inclusive
Sub-series 3: Stampless Covers, 1814-1997, inclusive; 1820-1855, bulk
Language of Materials
Scope and Contents
The sub-series contains covers (envelopes) which do not have postage stamps, dating from 1820 to 1957. Instead, the postage amount was stamped on the cover in ink. The sub-series includes many related letters, and some related clippings from the 1990s.
The sub-series is divided into three sections:
1. Arranged by rates (1816, 1845, 1851, and 1855)
2. Arranged by town, alphabetically
3. Other stampless covers (Foreign, postage due, free franks)
1. Index, Brooklyn district maps, and 1816 rates, 1820-1850; 1990s, inclusive
2. 1816 rates, 1820-1850, inclusive
3. 1816 rates, 1820-1850, inclusive
[no number] 1816 rates, 1820-1850, inclusive
4. 1816 and 1845 rates, 1820-1850, inclusive
5. 1845 rates, 1845-1855, inclusive
6. 1845 and 1851 rates, 1850-1855, inclusive
7. 1851 and 1855 rates, 1850-1855; 1996-1997, inclusive
8. Bath Beach - Flatbush, 1830-1850; 1997, inclusive
9. Fort Hamilton - West Brooklyn, 1830-1850, inclusive
10 - 11. Williamsburg (2 folders), 1830-1855, inclusive
12. Foreign, postage due, free franks, 1814-1945, inclusive
13. Free franks, 1830-1957, inclusive
Sub-series 4: Foreign Covers, 1859-2006, inclusive; 1900-1950, bulk
Language of Materials
Scope and Contents
The sub-series contains covers (envelopes) and postcards which were sent between Kings County and foreign countries, dating from 1854 to 2006. It is arranged alphabetically by nation. The sub-series contains related clippings from the 1990s. Of note are two folders of material sent to or from Giovanni and Josephine Giunta (filed under Italy), and immigration records for Luisa Gordon (filed under Hungary). Additional Giunta material is located in the Kings County Covers and Markings sub-series, in the Censored section.
A - B, 1893-2001, inclusive
C - G (5 folders), 1859-2006, inclusive
G - O (6 folders), 1854-2003, inclusive
General
Includes Luisa Gordon immigration papers (Hungary) and 2 folders of Giovanni and Josephine Giunta letters (Italy)
P - V (3 folders), 1856-2004, inclusive
Sub-series 5: Auxiliary Markings, 1852-2010, inclusive; 1885-1950, bulk
Scope and Contents
The sub-series contains covers (envelopes) which contain auxiliary markings, dating from 1852 to 2010. It is arranged alpabetically by marking (registered, returned, etc.). Of note is a World War II letter from a father to his son, who was captured in the Pacific. It includes correspondence between Snitzer and Senator Charles Schumer's office regarding the letter.
A - F (3 folders), 1879-2007, inclusive
F - R (6 folders), 1852-2007, inclusive
R - Miscellaneous (5 folders), 1880-2010, inclusive
Sub-series 6: Kings County Covers and Markings, 1844-2006, inclusive; 1860-1950, bulk
Scope and Contents
The sub-series contains Kings County covers (envelopes) and related material, dating from 1844 to 2006. It is arranged alphabetically marking or cover type. It includes commemorative envelopes (Brooklyn Bridge, Battle of Brooklyn/Long Island, etc.), military envelopes (Civil War, World War II, naval vessels), valentines, and rare Brooklyn postmarks. It also includes articles related to philately.
A - C, 1845-2003, inclusive
C (2 folders), 1844-2000, inclusive
Commemorative (3 folders), 1882-2006, inclusive
General
Includes Battle of Brooklyn/Long Island, Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn centenary, and Floyd Bennett Field
Commemorative, 1900-1987, inclusive
General
Includes Brooklyn Navy Yard
Damaged - Envelopes, 1861-2003, inclusive
Envelopes, 1888-1985, inclusive
Envelopes - First Day Covers, 1864-2000s, inclusive
General
Includes Battle of Brooklyn/Long Island and Brooklyn Bridge
Geometric Cancels (4 folders), 1849-1922, inclusive
I - Machine Cancels, 1846-2000s, inclusive
Machine Cancels (2 folders), 1891-1920, inclusive
Military Postmarks - Miniatures, 1869-2004, inclusive
Mourning Covers, 1861-1938, inclusive
P, 1861-2000s, inclusive
General
Civil War and World War II envelopes
P, 1892-2005, inclusive
Railway Post Offices, 1889-1934, inclusive
S, 1880s-1994, inclusive
T - Miscellaneous, 1852-2001, inclusive
General
Includes The Brooklyn Philatelist newsletter (1896) and a list of Manufacturers and Merchants of Brooklyn (early 20th century)
Sub-series 7: Local Substations, 1876-1997, inclusive
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains covers (envelopes) which have been processed at postal substations in Kings County, dating from 1876 to 1997. For similar material, please see the Individual Town sub-series.
The sub-series is divided into four sections:
1. Full names, arranged alphabetically by the full name stamp of the substation.
2. Alphabetics, arranged alphabetically by the initial stamp of the substation.
3. Numerics, arranged numerically by the numbered cancel stamped on the cover.
4. Alphanumerics, arranged alphanumerically by stamp (3A, 8B, etc.).
Full names: A - E, 1899-1997, inclusive
Full names: F - Y (4 folders), 1898-1996, inclusive
Alphabetic: A - L (2 folders), 1879-1946, inclusive
Alphabetic: M - Z (2 folders), 1876-1947, inclusive
Numeric: 1 - 15+ (2 folders), 1883-1997, inclusive
Alphanumeric, 1925-1971, inclusive
Sub-series 8: Individual Towns, 1831-2008, inclusive; 1855-1905, bulk
Language of Materials
Scope and Contents
The sub-series contains covers (envelopes) sent from Kings County and related material, dating from 1831 to 2008. It also includes clippings, Brooklyn postal history, and maps of Kings County towns (photocopies). See also the Local Substations sub-series for similiar material.
The sub-series is divided into three sections:
1. Alphabetical by town or neighborhood
2. Alphabetics, arranged alphabetically by the initial stamp on the cover.
3. Numerics, arranged numerically by the numbered cancel stamped on the cover.
Bath Beach - Brighton Beach, 1886-1908; 1969-2006, inclusive
Brooklyn, 1839-1898, inclusive
Brownsville - East New York, 1853-1903; 2001-2008, inclusive
Flatbush - Flatlands, 1855-1894, inclusive
Fort Hamilton - Gravesend, 1831-1904; 1975-1997, inclusive
Greenpoint - West Brooklyn, 1854-1946; 1998, inclusive
Williamsburg, 1852-1886; 1990s, inclusive
Alphabetic, 1879-1898, inclusive
Numeric, 1883-1897, inclusive
Sub-series 9: Covers and stamps sales index, 1994-2000, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The sub-series contains index cards documenting the sales of Kings County covers (envelopes), dating from around the 1990s.
Covers and stamps sales index, 1994-2000, inclusive
Series 3: Memorabilia, 1717-2002, inclusive; 1880-1900, bulk
Extent
Scope and Contents
The series contains Kings County invoices, trade cards, property records, clippings (Brooklyn demographics, trolleys, and postal history), and ephemera, dating from 1853 to 2002. The series includes a 1717 deed belonging to the Van Brunt family in New Utrecht, and numerous property records relating to the Delapierre family. It also includes an index to bills and receipts found in the series.
[General memorabilia] (2 folders), 1853-2002, inclusive
Checks, notices, receipts, 1863-1943; 1995, inclusive
Craftsmen and skilled laborers (2 folders), 1867-1897, inclusive
Retailers (2 folders), 1862-1941, inclusive
Revenue Stamped Documents / Pictures, 1865-1872, inclusive
Services (3 folders), 1861-1955, inclusive
Wholesalers, 1873-1905, inclusive
Delapierre (real estate) (2 folders), 1866-1928, inclusive
Van Brunt - New Utrecht deed (2 folders), 1717-2002, inclusive
Index to bills and receipts (2 boxes), circa 1990s, inclusive
Series 4: Reference, 1860-2008, inclusive; 1890-2008, bulk
Extent
Scope and Contents
The series contains reference material related to philately and postal history (United States, New York state, and Kings County). It includes books, newsletters (Long Island Postal History Society, 1990s), collecting guides, auction catalogs, and clippings.
