Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives Printed Ephemera Collection on the Socialist Labor Party
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Abstract
The Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives Printed Ephemera Collection on the Socialist Labor Party (SLP) (1883-1992) is an artificial collection of materials assembled by the Tamiment Library, which was founded in 1906 as the library of the Rand School of Social Science, and is a special collection documenting the history of United States radicalism, labor, and progressive social action. Tamiment Library staff accumulated printed ephemera through purchases, donations, standing orders with publishers, organizations, bookstores, and other collecting activities. This collection consists of fliers, leaflets, newspaper clippings, memoranda, reports, pamphlets, publications, and other printed ephemera created by the Socialist Labor Party, a Marxist political party founded as the Socialistic Labor Party in 1877.
Historical Note
The Socialistic Labor Party, originally organized as the Workingmen's Party in 1876, was founded in 1877. The name was changed to Socialist Labor Party (SLP) in 1890. The official publisher of the Party was the New York Labor News Company, and many pamphlets from publisher exist in this collection as well as in the Tamiment cataloged books and pamphlets collections. Two histories of the organization are included in the collection. The SLP was a Marxist organization and still exists today. In the late 1800s the Party attempted to affiliate with union and labor groups to create one large organization and then tried to move members away from the American Federation of Labor, which failed. Those who were involved in this movement later were part of the founding of Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.). Daniel DeLeon was a major figure in the party. Pamphlets by and about him are part of the collection and can also be found in the Tamiment cataloged books and pamphlets collections.
Arrangement
Untitled files are arranged chronologically, followed by titled files arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Content Note
The Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives Printed Ephemera Collection on the Socialist Labor Party (1883-1992) and consists of fliers, newspaper clippings, brochures, circular letters, pamphlets, convention proceedings, and reports. Clippings and flyers pertaining to candidates and the party platform make up a significant part of the collection. Also included are materials from the National Executive Committee, meeting minutes, publications, and circular letters. A few state and local party records are included in the collection. The main SLP papers collection is housed at the University of Wisconsin.
Subjects
Organizations
People
Topics
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Because of the assembled nature of this collection, copyright status varies across the collection. Copyright is assumed to be held by the original creator of individual items in the collection; these items are expected to pass into the public domain 120 years after their creation. Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Archives is not authorized to grant permission to publish or reproduce materials from this collection.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives Printed Ephemera Collection on the Socialist Labor Party; PE 028; box number; folder number or item identifier; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials in this collection have been compiled by the Tamiment Library. There is no accession record associated with this collection.
In 2025, materials from accession 2019.056, which is associated with Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives Printed Ephemera Collection on Subjects (PE 029), were transferred to this collection.
Custodial History
The provenance of the materials is varied. Items were obtained through purchases, donations, standing orders with publishers, arrangements with labor unions and other organizations, exchanges with other libraries, and through ongoing collecting by Tamiment staff.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Decisions regarding arrangement, description, and physical interventions for this collection prior to 2025 are unknown.
In 2025, unprocessed materials from the Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives Printed Ephemera Collection on Subjects (PE 029) were transferred to this collection and placed in new acid-free folders and boxes. These materials were housed in box Shared Tamiment 191 and integrated into the collection's existing alphabetical file list.
Revisions to this Guide
Repository
View Inventory
1883-1896
1897-1902
1911-1912, undated
1977-, undated
Beginners' Study Material, 1961-1967, inclusive
Candidates and Platform, 1900-1920, inclusive
Candidates and Platform, 1924-1928, inclusive
Candidates and Platform, 1932-1940, inclusive
Candidates and Platform, 1944-1950, inclusive
Candidates and Platform, 1952-1954, inclusive
Candidates and Platform, 1956-1961, inclusive
Candidates and Platform, 1962-1964, inclusive
Candidates and Platform, 1968-1969, inclusive
Candidates: Brandon, Joseph, 1925, inclusive
Circular Letters, 1934-1957, undated, inclusive
Constitution, 1916-1976, inclusive
Convention, 1920, 1924
Convention, 1980-1981, inclusive
Convention, 1983, inclusive
Fliers, 1947-1965, inclusive
Fliers, 1967-1969, inclusive
Fliers, undated
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
This folder contains access copies of the fragile originals found in the next folder.
Fliers, undated
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Materials in file are fragile originals. Access copies are available in the preceeding folder.
