Charles Franklin Peters Photographs
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
Charles Franklin Peters (circa 1870-1965) lived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and was an amateur photographer. Census records indicated he was a clerk and bookkeeper for a local transit company. Peters was also a member of the fraternal organization the Ancient Order of Kights of the Mystic Chain (AOKMC). Peters is the assumed creator of this collection. He is pictured in many photographs and his daughter, Clara E. Peters, is the only subject in the collection who was explicitely identified. This collection includes 96 photographs including silver gelatin print postcards and cabinet cards, as well as cyanotype prints. Some prints are hand colored. The bulk the photographs are family portraits, domestic scenes, street scenes, interiors, and photographs of men in theatrical costumes participating in AOKMC rites. There are 10 pornographic photographs that show Peters and another unidentified man engaged in sexual acts.
Biographical Note
Charles Franklin Peters (circa 1870-1965) lived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and likely worked as a clerk for a transportation company. He was an amateur photographer and a member of the fraternal organization the Ancient Order Knights of the Mystic Chain (AOKMC). Peters was married to Elizabeth A. Theal and together they had one daughter, Clara E. Peters. Peters was also involved in a sexual relationship with a man, likely another member of the AOKMC.
Arrangement
This collection has not been arranged by an archivist. The materials are arranged in the order in which they were received at the time of acquisition.
Scope and Contents
This collection includes 96 photographs including silver gelatin print postcards and cabinet cards as well as cyanotype prints. Some prints are hand colored. The bulk the photographs are family portraits, domestic scenes, street scenes, interiors, and photographs of men in theatrical costumes participating in AOKMC rites. There are 10 pornographic photographs that show Peters and another unidentified man engaged in sexual acts.
The collection also includes some of costumes pictured in the photographs. Included are one embellished white linen apron, two brass cuff bracelets, a sword with scabbard and belt, a shield, and a one close helmet.
Subjects
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use materials in the collection in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Charles Franklin Peters Photographs; MSS 431; box number; folder number or item identifier; Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from bookseller Kenneth Mallory at an Antiquarian Bookseller's Association of America event in 2015. The accession number associated with this acquisition is 2015.431.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Decisions regarding arrangement, description, and physical interventions for this collection prior to 2021 are unknown. In 2021 the sword, shield, and other costume elements were rehoused by Preservation.
