Henry Rathemacher photographs and ephemera
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Abstract
A small collection of photographs and ephemera documenting the World War I military career and 1941 marriage of Henry Rathemacher (1895-1985), a member of Company C, 7th New York Infantry.
Biographical note
Henry Rathemacher, a son of German immigrants, was born in New York City in 1895. On May 4, 1917, he enlisted as a private in Company C, 7th Infantry, New York National Guard. The 7th New York Infantry was reorganized as the 107th Infantry Regiment in October 1917, at which time Rathemacher was promoted to corporal. Following training at Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, South Carolina, the 107th was shipped overseas in May 1918, where it saw combat during the Battle of the Somme. Rathemacher was honorably discharged on March 20, 1919. On August 30, 1941, he married Hildegarde Hupfauf (1901-1980), a native of Louisville, Kentucky, at Manhattan's famous "Little Church Around the Corner." With his brother, Henry Rathemacher co-owned a champagne importing firm. He retired to Florida, where he died in 1985.
Arrangement
The collection is organized chronologically, except for the folder of miscellaneous items, which follows the dated material.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists mainly of photographs documenting the military career of Henry Rathemacher (1895-1985), who served as an army private and corporal in the 107th Infantry Regiment during World War I. Many of the photographs appear to have been taken while Rathemacher was in training at Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, South Carolina, before being shipped overseas, where he saw action during the Battle of the Somme in France. Also present are photographs, menus, and ceremonial programs from reunion banquets for the 107th Infantry and other organizations. And the collection includes a series of photographs taken at the dinner celebrating Rathemacher's 1941 marriage to Hildegarde Hupfauf (1901-1980).
Subjects
Organizations
Access Restrictions
This collection is stored offsite. To arrange to view it, please go to www.nyhistory.org/library/visit.
Use Restrictions
Taking images of documents from the library collections for reference purposes by using hand-held cameras and in accordance with the library's photography guidelines is encouraged. As an alternative, patrons may request up to 20 images per day from staff. Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to: Department of Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194, rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org. Phone: (212) 873-3400 ext. 282. Copyrights and other proprietary rights may subsist in individuals and entities other than the New-York Historical Society, in which case the patron is responsible for securing permission from those parties. For fuller information about rights and reproductions from N-YHS visit: www.nyhistory.org/rights-and-reproductions.
Preferred Citation
The collection should be cited as: "Henry Rathemacher Photographs and Ephemera, PR 464, Department of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections, New-York Historical Society."
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Richard A. Rathemacher, 2013.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Archivist Joseph Ditta arranged and described this collection in September 2023.
Repository
View Inventory
Company C., 7th N.Y. Infantry, Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S.C. (5 photographs), 1917-1918, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Five 8 x 10-inch photographs (one is a duplicate) of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Platoons, Co. C, 7th New York Infantry, stationed at Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, South Carolina, between September 13, 1917 and April 29, 1918. The photographs were taken before the 7th was reorganized as the 107th Infantry Regiment in October 1917. The platoon members are identified on the reverse side of each photograph. Henry Rathemacher appears in the Fourth Platoon.
Military life (2 photographs), [1917-1919], inclusive
Scope and Contents
Two World War I-era photographs (8 x 10 and 7 x 9.5 inches), one showing cadets on parade, the other showing uniformed men outside a tent.
Military life (30 photographs), [1917-1919], inclusive
Scope and Contents
Thirty photographs (most 3.5 x 5.5 inches; some smaller) of World War I-era military life, presumably showing Henry Rathemacher and his fellow service members. Many images appear to have been taken at Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, South Carolina.
207th Coast Artillery farewell dinner (2 items), 1940 December 16
Scope and Contents
[1] Menu, "Farewell Dinner Tendered to The Members of the 207th Coast Artillery, Anti-Aircraft Mobile N.Y.N.G. by the Veterans of the Seventh Regiment and The 7th Regiment New York Guard on Monday Evening, December Sixteenth, 1940, held at The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York."
[2] Seating plan, "Farewell Dinner to the 207th Regiment Coast Artillery Anti-Aircraft (Mobile), N.Y.N.G., Monday, December 16, 1940, The Waldorf-Astoria."
Rathemacher-Hupfauf wedding reception (8 photographs), [1941 August 30]
Scope and Contents
Eight 8 x 10-inch photographs of the wedding reception of Henry Rathemacher (1895-1985) and Hildegarde Hupfauf (1901-1980), who were married in Manhattan at The Church of the Transfiguration (a.k.a. "The Little Church Around the Corner") on August 30, 1941. The celebration appears to have taken place in a private dining room of a hotel.
107th United States Infantry A.E.F reunions (2 photographs), 1942 September 29; undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
[1] A large, folded photograph (18.5 x 10 inches) of "Twenty-Fourth Annual Reunion and Dinner of the 107th United States Infantry A.E.F, Commemorating the Breaking of the Hindenburg Line at Bony, France, September 29, 1918, Hotel New Yorker, New York City, September 29, 1942
[2] A photograph (8 x 10 inches) from another reunion, in the same hotel banquet space
Colonel George K. Brazill dinner (2 items), 1942 November 20
Scope and Contents
[1] Menu, "Dinner tendered to Colonel George K. Brazill and The Officers of His Staff by the Veterans of the Seventh Regiment and the 107th Infantry Post, American Legion, November Twentieth 1942."
[2] Program, "Seventh Regiment New York Guard Review Presentation of Colors by Veterans of the Seventh Regiment and 107th Infantry Post, American Legion, Friday Evening, November Twentieth 1942."
Color photographs of Henry Rathemacher (3 photographs + letter), [1985], inclusive
Scope and Contents
Three color snapshots (3.5 x 4 inches) of Henry Rathemacher and Harold Werring attending a luncheon. The photos were sent to Rathemacher by Werring, whose letter of April 10, 1985 accompanies them.
Miscellaneous photocopies (4 items), undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
[1] Note from George M. Martin, Adjutant, 7th Regiment, N.Y., Post 107, American Legion, to members, undated.
[2] Note from H. C. Swain, Commander, 7th Regiment, N.Y., Post 107, American Legion, to Henry Rathemacher, March 27, 1974.
[3] Unidentifed newspaper clipping, "New York's 7th Regiment armory in uncertain future," undated.
[4] Recipe for "National Guard 7th Regiment Punch" from the book David Wondrich's book "Imbibe! From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, a Salute in Stories and Drinks to "Professor" Jerry Thomas, Pioneer of the American Bar" (2007).