Sam Reiss Photographs
Call Number
Dates
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
Samuel Reiss was among the most prominent and prolific photographers of the labor movement in New York City from the late 1940s until his death in 1975. During the three decades that Reiss earned a living with his camera, he documented a changing work force in a changing city, building a reputation as "Labor's photographer." Week by week, throughout his career, Reiss made photographs that document New York's labor movement during its most active, influential, and progressive years. The Sam Reiss Photographs Collection - Part II: Photographic Prints is comprised of approximately 8,400 overwhelmingly black and white 8"x 10" photographic prints from ca. the 1930s to 1975, although the bulk were shot between the 1950s and 1970s. Most of these images document the activities and leadership of many of the major labor unions in New York City and the metropolitan area during this period, including those representing workers in the garment, retail, communications, transportation and entertainment industries, and teachers. Many of these images are portraits and group photographs. A small but rich selection of images shows people engaged in various kinds of work, and the collection also includes small numbers of images of sports and recreation, school children, building construction, apartment housing, voter registration drives, and picnics.
Historical/Biographical Note
Samuel Reiss was among the most prominent and prolific photographers of the labor movement in New York City from the late 1940s until his death in 1975. During the three decades that Reiss earned a living with his camera, he documented a changing work force in a changing city, building a reputation as "Labor's photographer." Week by week, throughout his career, Reiss made photographs that document New York's labor movement during its most active, influential, and progressive years.
Born in New York City in 1910, Reiss was the son of Polish-Jewish immigrants.He grew up in the city, where his father worked as a tailor. Like many children of New Yorkers who worked in the garment industry, Reiss hoped to escape having to make a living in an economic sector beleaguered by difficult working conditions and low pay. After graduating from Manhattan's Stuyvesant High School in 1929, Reiss enrolled at New York University as a pre-dental major, intending to join the ranks of professionals by becoming a dentist. At the University he attended only night classes to allow him to work a garment-industry job during the day. By January of 1933, after four years, Reiss had managed to accrue two years of college credits. It was then that his father suffered a stroke that left him disabled; Reiss dropped out of school to help support his family and found full-time employment as a shipping clerk at a clothing factory in the men's garment district.
In 1936, Reiss enrolled in evening photography classes at the Brooklyn Museum's Art School, where he remembered that his first instructor was Tom O'Scheckel, a pictorialist photographer who had served as president of the Pictorial Photographers of America. Using a simple wooden box camera, Reiss began photographing during his lunch hour; he photographed co-workers as well as other laborers on the streets of New York City. In 1938 he wed Helen Handwerger; two daughters, Jessie and Harriet, were born to them.
During World War II, Reiss found work as a machinist, but when his shop struck in 1946, he used the enforced hiatus to take the opportunity to attempt to earn his living with photography. He started by shooting baby pictures, weddings, and bar mitvah celebrations, but did not meet with success until he started to specialize as a press photographer for labor union publications. He received his first labor news assignment in 1947, when he was hired to shoot some photographs for the RWDSU Record,the newspaper of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Workers Union. Throughout his nearly thirty-year career, the RWDSU, as well as the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, the Transport Workers Union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the International Ladies Garment Workers Union remained among Reiss' major clients, employing him regularly to document the activities of their organizations, although he also shot for dozens of other labor unions and locals.
In addition to his labor union and other organizational clients, Reiss continued to do private commercial photography. However, it is worth noting that the subjects of many of these photographs were labor figures and their families; Reiss was frequently a union official's choice of photographer for photographing personal family events such as weddings and birthdays, or children's portraits.
Reiss continued to work until only a few months before his death from cancer in December 1975. That same year, a retrospective exhibit of his work was mounted by his daughter, Jessie, and displayed at the gallery of the labor union, District Council 37.
Arrangement
The collection consists of nine series: Series I. Unions; Series II. Labor Organizations; Series III. Demonstrations, Rallies and Parades; Series IV. Personalities and Portraits; Series V. Labor Education; Series VI. Other Clients; Series VII. Worksites; Series VIII. Miscellaneous Topics; and Series IX. Oversized Photographs.
Within each series, folders are arranged alphabetically by name, organization or event.
Scope and Content Note
The Sam Reiss Photographs Collection - Part II: Photographic Prints is comprised of approximately 8,400 overwhelmingly black and white 8"x 10" photographic prints from ca. the 1930s to 1975, although the bulk were shot between the 1950s and 1970s. Most of these images document the activities and leadership of many of the major labor unions in New York City and the metropolitan area during this period, including those representing workers in the garment, retail, communications, transportation and entertainment industries, and teachers. Many of these images are portraits and group photographs. A small but rich selection of images shows people engaged in various kinds of work, and the collection also includes small numbers of images of sports and recreation, school children, building construction, apartment housing, voter registration drives, and picnics.
Series I. Unions, 1950-1975. Reiss documented many of the major labor unions active in New York City and the metropolitan area. These included unions from the garment industry (Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, International Ladies Garment Workers Union, Textile Workers of America), retail and distributive industries (Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Workers Union, and Retail Clerks International Association); the entertainment industry (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, American Federation of Musicians and the Associated Actors and Artists of America); communication and transportation industries (the Transport Workers Union, Communication Workers of America, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters); electrical and construction-related trades such as the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 3; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council #9, and International Union of Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers; education workers including the United Federation of Teachers (a highlight of this collection are photos of the official merger between the UFT and the National Education Association in 1972), Professional Staff Congress, and the Catholic Teachers of America. Reiss photographed the leadership and membership of unions in a variety of activities and locations such as conventions, dinners, retreats (e.g. IBEW gatherings at Bayberry Land on Long Island), dedication ceremonies for labor union facilities, professional development, and retirement.
Series II. Labor Organizations, 1951-1975. Reiss' clients included federated and "umbrella" labor union and labor-related organizations such as the AFL-CIO, the New York City Labor Council (and its affiliated ethnic committees such as the Hispanic Labor Committee, the Black Trade Unionists Committee, and the United Italian American Labor Committee), the Union Label and Trades Council, the Jewish Labor Committee, and the League for Industrial Democracy. Of particular note in this series are images documenting the historic merger of the CIO and AFL in New York City in 1955.
Series III. Demonstrations/Rallies/Parades, 1957-1975. This series documents a variety of political actions and events by organized labor and progressive organizations, including strike picket lines, strike support demonstrations, and rallies supporting mainstream political candidates. Of particular note are the photographs at the funeral procession(s) for Martin Luther King, Jr., in Memphis and Atlanta in 1968; the actions and participants during the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America's strike against the Farah Clothing Company (1973-74); as well as photographs of the crippling New York City transit strike of 1966, the Taxi Drivers Local 3036 strike in 1965, and a bitter strike by white collar workers against the Metropolitan Life Company in 1968. Also documented are public actions spanning a broader spectrum of political issues, ranging from protests on behalf of Soviet Jewry, to a march supporting the war in Vietnam, led by Peter Brennan and other leaders and members of New York City's Building Construction and Trades Council, to an early protest against atomic weapons. A "Demonstrations – Miscellaneous" folder contains images of various demonstrations that include some identifying information; a "Demonstrations – Unidentified" folder contains various images of demonstrations that do not have accompanying caption information.
Series IV. Portraits and Personalities, 1930s-1975. Reiss began his career as a portrait photographer. This series contains a small number of these early, non-union portraits such as a set of photographs of Jack Solomon, a health food advocate and restaurateur in New York City and an image of Fred Allen, the radio personality. But the bulk of these images are of union leaders and members such as Harry Van Arsdale, Jr., William Bowe, Peter Brennan, A. Philip Randolph, Dr. Annie Martin, Bessie Hillman, Jacob Potofsky, Matthew Guinan, Walter Reuther, George Meany, Lane Kirkland, Cesar Chavez, Harry Avrutin, Frederick O'Neal, and Roosevelt Watts. Other groups represented are: politicians (often associated or shown with labor leaders), including New York State Governors Hugh Carey, Nelson A. Rockefeller, and Malcolm Wilson, New York State Attorney General Louis Lefkowitz, John, Robert, and Edward Kennedy; entertainers and artists including Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Ruby Dee, Leopold Stokowski, and photographer Roman Vishniac; social and political activists including Eleanor Roosevelt, Andrew Young, Bayard Rustin, Ralph Nader, and Dorothy I. Height; journalists and writers Victor Riesel and Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., and international leaders including Abba Eban, Golda Meir, Moshe Dayan, and U Thant.
Series V. Labor Education, 1960s-1975. Images in this series document two organizations providing ongoing professional development for labor union members and leadership: the Center for Labor Studies at Empire State College (now called the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Center for Labor Studies in Manhattan) and Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Extension Division in Manhattan. Included are photographs of the dedication ceremony for the Center in 1971, certificate award ceremonies and classroom scenes.
Series VI. Other Clients, 1960s-1975. While Reiss spent most of his time photographing events related to organized labor, he also photographed other organizations (some, but not all of which included an organized labor presence), including the City of Hope, Labor Theater, Inc., Consumer Assembly of New York, Boys Club, Boy Scouts, Boys Town, European Jewish Congress, Allied Education Foundation, American Arbitration Association, United Housing Foundation.
Series VII. Worksites, 1950s-1970s. People working at various locations and in different industries, ranging from large and crowded work spaces of garment shops to a small stringed instrument workshop, are included in this series. Of particular interest is a set of photographs of workers at New York City's Museum of Natural History cleaning a dinosaur skeleton and a small number of images of Chinese immigrant workers' children in a garment-manufacturing shop with their parents.
Series VIII. Miscellaneous Topics, 1950s-1975. This series represents a combination of the work Reiss did for various labor organizations as well as his own personal interests. The images cover a wide spectrum of topics ranging from sports and recreation, school children at various levels, architectural photography, including buildings under construction (such the United Nations headquarters and the World Trade Center), cooperative housing and crumbling tenements, swearing-in ceremonies, formal portraits of children from his early years as a photographer, voter registration drives, picnics and a boat trip around Manhattan, to unidentified union and labor meetings, musical performers in a sound studio, commencement ceremonies for nurses, and people looking at art in galleries and museums.
Series IX. Oversized, 1950s-1970s. These large-format prints include portraits of leaders of locals of the Communications Workers of America, the Golden Jubilee dinner Local 54 of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union, the 12th constitutional convention of the Transport Workers Union of America, a group photograph of the leadership of Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and President Lyndon Johnson addressing a convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union in the 1960s.
Subjects
Organizations
People
Topics
Donors
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by Sam Reiss were transferred to New York University in 2002 by Helen Reiss and in 2007 by Jessie Reiss. Permission to publish or reproduce materials in this collection must be secured from Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. Please contact tamiment.wagner@nyu.edu.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Sam Reiss Photographs; PHOTOS 021.001; box number; folder number; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Helen Reiss sent a gift of her husband's photographs and negatives in 1980 and 1988. Prints from these donations were created as the collection: Sam Reiss Photographs, PHOTOS 021.001. The accession number associated with these images is 1980.001. In 2005 several prints related to unions including the Transport Workers Union and the Allied Educational Foundation were incorporated into the collection. The accession number associated with these images is NPA.2005.063. Tamiment received and additional donation of six boxes of Sam Reiss's prints and negatives from Jessie Reiss in 2007. The accession number associated with this gift is NPA.2007.033. In 2009, Jessie Reiss donated an additional two boxes of her father's photographs along with several assorted black and white prints. The accession numbers associated with these gifts are NPA.2009.015 and NPA.2009.020. Additional materials were found in the repository; the accession numbers associated with these materials are NPA.2000.326 and NPA.2005.031.
About this Guide
Repository
Series I: Unions., 1950-1975, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Amalgamated Bank of New York, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Amalgamated Co-operative Apartments, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Canada, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Connecticut Local, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention, 17th Biennial, 1950, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention, 18th Biennial - Atlantic City, New Jersey - (photographer-assigned numbers in the 500's ), May 12-16, 1952, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention, 18th Biennial - Atlantic City, New Jersey - (photographer-assigned numbers in the 600's), May 12-16, 1952, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention, 18th Biennial - Atlantic City, New Jersey - (photographer-assigned numbers in the 700's), May 12-16, 1952, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention, 18th Biennial - Atlantic City, New Jersey - (photographer-assigned numbers in the 900's), May 12-16, 1952, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention, 18th Biennial - Atlantic City, New Jersey - (photographer-assigned numbers in the 1000's), May 12-16, 1952, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention, 18th Biennial - Atlantic City, New Jersey - (photographer-assigned numbers in the 1100's), May 12-16, 1952, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention, 18th Biennial - Atlantic City, New Jersey - (photographer-assigned numbers in the 1200's), May 12-16, 1952, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention, 18th Biennial - Atlantic City, New Jersey - Miscellaneous, May 12-16, 1952, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention, 18th Biennial - Atlantic City, New Jersey - Photographs Shot by Fred Hess & Son of Atlantic City, May 12-16, 1952, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention, 29th Biennial, Oct 1974, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention, 40th Anniversary- Atlantic City, New Jersey - (President Harry Truman Receives Honorary Membership), 1954, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention - Miami, Florida, circa 1966-1969, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention - Miami, Florida - (color), circa 1966-1969, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention - Miami, Florida - Proofs - (Folder 1 of 4), circa 1966-1969, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention - Miami, Florida - Proofs - (Folder 2 of 4), circa 1966-1969, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention - Miami, Florida - Proofs - (Folder 3 of 4), circa 1966-1969, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention - Miami, Florida - Proofs - (Folder 4 of 4), circa 1966-1969, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Convention - Unidentified, circa 1970's, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Laundry Workers Division, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Laundry Workers Division - Jullisi Day Care Center Project, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Laundry Workers Division - Retirees, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Meeting With Kovenetsky and Howard Samuel, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - New York Joint Board Headquarters, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Retirees, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Sidney Hillman Foundation Awards, 1950-1974, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Sidney Hillman Health Center, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Summer School, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Unidentified Meetings And Social Gatherings, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Union Industries Information Center, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Wholesale Clothing Clerks Union, undated
Amalgamated Industrial Union, Local 76B - Award To John Ansonia, circa 1971, inclusive
American Federation of Musicians, undated
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, District Council 37, undated
American Federation of Teachers [?] - Unidentified Meeting (including attendees [representatives?] from Asia, Africa and possibly Latin America); Albert Shanker leading (?), undated
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, undated
Associated Actors and Artistes of America, undated
Communication Workers of America, 1974, inclusive
Federation of Catholic Teachers, undated
Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees International Union, undated
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local 3 - Art Show, undated
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local 3 - Bayberry Land Retreat, undated
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local 3 - Circus, undated
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local 3 - Education Conference - Wagner College, 1965, inclusive
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local 3 - Plaque Presented By Canadian First District Local Union In Commemoration Of Joint Seminar At Bayberry Land - (color), Sep 1972, inclusive
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local 3 - Unidentified Meetings And Social Gatherings, undated
International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades, District 9, undated
International Brotherhood of Teamsters [?], Local 815 - Members Or Officers [?], undated
International Ladies Garment Workers Union, Local 62, undated
International Ladies Garment Workers Union, Local 600-601 (Puerto Rican Local), undated
International Ladies Garment Workers Union - 75th Anniversary Event, Jun 1975, inclusive
International Longshoreman's Association, Local 1814, undated
International Union of Dolls, Toys, Playthings, Novelties and Allied Products (USA/Canada), undated
International Union of Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers, Local 431, undated
International Union of Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers, Local 463, undated
International Union of Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers, Local 463 - Voting, Feb 1972, inclusive
Ironworkers International Union, undated
Laborers International Union of North America, Laborers Local 147 (Sandhogs), undated
Retail Clerks International Association, Local 888, undated
Retail Wholesale and Department Store Workers Union - Limit Imports, Save Jobs Campaign, undated
Retail Wholesale and Department Store Workers Union, Local 1-S, undated
Retail Wholesale and Department Store Workers Union, Local 338, undated
Retail Wholesale and Department Store Workers Union, Local 1125 - Stewards Training, undated
Retail Wholesale and Department Store Workers Union - Meetings, undated
Service Employees International Union, Local 144 - Gonzales, undated
Sheet Metal Workers' International Association - Dinner, Americana Hotel, undated
Textile Workers Union of America, Mar 1975, inclusive
Transport Workers Union - Constitutional Convention - Miami, Florida, 1969, inclusive
Transport Workers Union, Local 101, Mar 30, 1971, inclusive
Transport Workers Union, Local 504 - Air Transport Division - Hewitt Hall Dedication, undated
Transport Workers Union, Local 504 - Air Transport Division - Swearing-In, Apr 1975, inclusive
Transport Workers Union, Local 1400, undated
Transport Workers Union, Local 3036, undated
Transport Workers Union - Miscellaneous, undated
Transport Workers Union - Porters, undated
Transport Workers Union - Retirement Celebrations, undated
United Automobile Workers of America, District 65 - Dental Center, undated
United Automobile Workers of America, District 65 - Retirees, undated
United Automobile Workers of America, Local 259, undated
United Farm Workers of America - "El Paso", undated
United Farm Workers of America, Local 140 - Baseball Team, undated
United Federation of Teachers - Miscellaneous, undated
United Federation of Teachers - National Education Association - Merger, 1972, inclusive
United Federation of Teachers - Spring Conference, 1972, inclusive
United Furniture Workers of America, undated
United Furniture Workers of America, Bedding Curtain and Drapery Workers, Local 140, undated
Series II: Labor Organizations., 1951-1975, inclusive
AFL-CIO - Convention, 1970, inclusive
AFL-CIO - Merger Convention, New York City, Dec 1955, inclusive
AFL-CIO (?) - National Institute of Health Awards presented to Mary Lasker and George Meany (Lane Kirkland accepting for Meany) - New York City, circa 1970, inclusive
AFL-CIO, New York State - 14th Annual Constitutional Convention, Hilton Hotel - Rockefeller Center, New York City, 1971, inclusive
AFL-CIO, New York State - 15th Annual Constitutional Convention, 1972, inclusive
AFL-CIO, New York State - 16th Annual Constitutional Convention, 1973, inclusive
AFL-CIO, New York State - 17th Annual Constitutional Convention, 1974, inclusive
AFL-CIO, New York State - Ray Corbett, President New York State AFL-CIO, Made Honorary Mohawk Chief, 1964, inclusive
AFL- CIO - Unidentified gathering [includes Hugh Carey, George Meany Lane Kirkland, Jacob Potofsky, Murray Finley, Albert Shankar, Ray Corbett, Murray Finley], Jan 1975, inclusive
Allied Union Social Club of Quebec - Give To The Irish Relief Fund Campaign, undated
Black Trade Unionists Committee - A. Philip Randolph Honored, City Hall, New York City, Oct 19, 1974, inclusive
Black Trade Unionists Committee, New York City Central Labor Council, undated
Black Trade Unionists Committee, New York City Central Labor Council - Albert Shanker, Doris Turner, Edward Welsh honored by Department of Labor, Jun 1974, inclusive
Black Trade Unionists Committee, New York City Central Labor Council - Matthew Guinan and Carole Graves Honored, Jun 2, 1972, inclusive
Building Trades Meeting, Apr 19, 1966, inclusive
Canadian Labor Congress, undated
CIO - 13th Constitutional Convention, 1951, inclusive
CIO - 17th Constitutional Convention, Dec 1, 1955, inclusive
COPE - Meeting in Support Of Burke-Hartke Bill [including Senator Clifford Case], 1972, inclusive
Electrical Industry, Education And Cultural Fund - Awards Dinner, Apr 15, 1972, inclusive
Electrical Welfare Club, Inc., undated
Hispanic Labor Committee, New York City Central Labor Council - Honors D. Siegal and L.L. Levine, Jan 6, 1973, inclusive
Histadrut, undated
Histadrut - Honors Yitzhak Rabin, 1968, inclusive
Jewish Labor Committee, undated
Jewish Labor Committee - Honors Harry Van Arsdale, undated
Jewish Labor Committee - Honors Lane Kirkland, Nov 28, 1972, inclusive
Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry, undated
League for Industrial Democracy, undated
League for Industrial Democracy - Dinner Honoring Frederick O'Neal, 1973, inclusive
League for Industrial Democracy - Honoring George Meany, undated
League for Industrial Democracy - Honoring Henry Jackson, undated
League for Industrial Democracy - United Steel Workers, [Local?] 903, undated
National Religion and Labor Foundation, Dec 14, 1955 (?), inclusive
New York City Catholic Council of Electrical Workers, undated
New York City Central Labor Council - Annual Lincoln's Birthday Dinner, 1969, inclusive
New York City Central Labor Council - Annual Lincoln's Birthday Dinner, 1971, inclusive
New York City Central Labor Council - Annual Lincoln's Birthday Dinner, 1972, inclusive
New York City Central Labor Council - Annual Lincoln's Birthday Dinner, 1974, inclusive
New York City Central Labor Council - Annual Lincoln's Birthday Dinner, 1975, inclusive
New York City Central Labor Council - Civil Rights Conference, 1971, inclusive
New York City Central Labor Council - Committee on Civil Rights, undated
New York City Central Labor Council - Community Services, undated
New York City Central Labor Council - Unidentified Meetings and Events (Folder 1 of 3), undated
New York City Central Labor Council - Unidentified Meetings and Events (Folder 2 of 3), Undated
New York City Central Labor Council - Unidentified Meetings and Events (Folder 3 of 3), undated
New York City Central Labor Council - Unidentified Social Gathering [including Bayard Rustin and William Bowe], undated
New York City Central Labor Council - Unidentified Social Gathering [including officers from the United Federation of Teachers], undated
New York City Central Labor Council [?] - International Delegation To, undated
New York City Central Labor Council [?] - Japanese [Labor Union?] Delegation Visits Dental X-Ray Facilities, ndated
New York Labor-Management Council Of Health And Welfare Plans, Inc. - Conference On National Health Insurance, Jul 29, 1971, inclusive
Union Label And Service Trades Council Of Greater New York And Long Island, undated
Union Label Trades And Services Council Of Greater New York And Long Island - Annual New York State Labor-Management Show, Date Unknown (color prints), undated
Union Label And Service Trades Council Of Greater New York And Long Island - Little Miss Union Maid, National Poster Child, 1969, inclusive
United Italian American Labor Council, Inc., undated
Series III: Demonstrations/Rallies/Parades., 1957-1975, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Action Against Alexander's [Department Stores], undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Demonstrations, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Demonstration Against Imported Clothing, Nov 1974, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Farah Strike, 1972-1974, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Farah Strike - A & S [Department Store] Boycott Picket Line, circa 1973, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Farah Strike - Korvette's [Department Store] Picket Line, circa 1973, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Farah Strike - Macy's [Department Store] Picket Line, circa 1973, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Farah Strike - Related Miscellaneous, circa 1973, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Farah Women, circa 1973, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Political Action, 1957, inclusive
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Pro-Stevenson Union Rally At Union Square With President Harry Truman, undated
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America - Strike, Jun 1974, inclusive
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists - Protests At ABC Over Overseas Bicentennial TV And Film Productions, New York City, 1975, inclusive
Building Construction and Trades Council (?) - (A Hard Hat Demonstration?) - Peter Brennan With Uniformed Soldiers And Sailor Wearing Construction Helmets,, circa 1970's, inclusive
Building Services Employees International Union, Local 32- E - At United Federation of Teachers Demonstration, undated
Building Trades Demonstration, Dec 1974, inclusive
Communication Workers of America - Local 1101 Strike, 1971, inclusive
Communication Workers of America - Local 1177 Against Western Union, 1971, inclusive
Demonstrations - Miscellaneous, undated
Demonstrations - Unidentified, undated
Dining Room Employees Union, Local 1 - Picket, undated
Earth Day, 1970, inclusive
Electrical/Gas Rate Hikes - Protest Against, undated
Free Soviet Jews Demonstration [includes Hubert Humphrey & Hugh Carey], Apr 1975, inclusive
Funeral Procession(s) for Martin Luther King, Jr. (Atlanta and Memphis) - Prints and Contact Sheets, Apr 1968, inclusive
Golden Ring Council of Senior Citizens - Salute to Wilbur D. Mills - Town Hall, New York City, undated
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 3 - Demonstrations
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 804 - Strike Against United Parcel Service, Oct-Nov 1974, inclusive
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 810 - New York University Maintenance Workers, undated
International Ladies Garment Workers Union - Anti-Segregation Protest Against Bus Companies, undated
International Ladies Garment Workers Union at Jobs Rally, Washington, D.C., 1975, inclusive
International Union of Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers, Local 483 - Strike Against Fedders, undated
International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 891 - At United Federation of Teachers Demonstration, undated
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council #9, undated
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council #9 At United Federation of Teachers Demonstration, undated
Jewish Labor Committee - Rally In Support Of Jackson Amendment, Ca. 1974, circa 1974, inclusive
Labor Day Parades, undated
Labor Mass At St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City, Sep 11, 1975, inclusive
Local 1199 - (New York) City Hall Demonstration, undated
Metropolitan Life Insurance Strike, 1968, inclusive
New York State Law Enforcement Union, Council 82 - At AFSCME - Demonstration Against Rockefeller Cutbacks, undated
Office and Professional Employees International Union, Local 153 - Strike Against Macmillan, undated
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Local 3 - Teachers' Strike, 1972-1973, inclusive
Picket Line For Boycott Against FINAST Grocery Store[s?], undated
Professional Staff Congress And United Federation of Teachers, Local 1460, undated
Pro-Israel Demonstration, undated
Protest Against Atomic Weapons - Early 1960's (?), circa 1960's, inclusive
Protest Against Killings of Iraqi Jews Demonstration In Front of Iraqi Mission To the United Nations, 1973, inclusive
Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, Local 1-S - Strike Against Macy's, undated
Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, Local 3 - Strike Against Macy's, Apr 1972, inclusive
Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, Local 3, United Store Workers Union, undated
Service Employees International Union - Miscellaneous, undated
Service Employees International Union, Local 1199 - Demonstrations, undated
Soviet Mission Picket, 1973, inclusive
Textile Workers Union of America - Textile Oneita Strike, Demonstration In New York City, In Support Of, 1973, inclusive
Transport Workers Union, undated
Transport Workers Union - Last Day Negotiations, 1974, inclusive
Transport Workers Union - New York City Subway Strike, City Hall, 1966, inclusive
Transport Workers Union - Participation in Martin Luther King, Jr. Funeral Procession(s?) - (Atlanta and/or Memphis), 1968, inclusive
Transport Workers Union - Preparation For Torchlight Parade, 116th Street, Transport Workers Union Supports Humphrey/Muskie, 1968, inclusive
Transport Workers Union, Air Transport Division - Pan American Airlines Strike, undated
Transport Workers Union, Taxi Drivers Local 3036 - Strike, 1965; And Funeral For B. Rivera, 1970, 1965, 1970, inclusive
Transport Workers Union, Utility Division, Local 101, undated
Union Label and Service Trades Council Of Greater New York And Long Island - Labor Day Parade - Miss Union Label, undated
Union Protest On Behalf Of Jailed Newark Teachers, North Caldwell, New Jersey, 1972, inclusive
United Farm Workers - At Cathedral Of St. John the Divine, New York City, 1973, inclusive
United Farm Workers - At Union Square, New York City, May 1975, inclusive
United Farm Workers - Cesar Chavez Protests U.S. Government Buying Scab Grapes At Fort Hamilton Army Base, Brooklyn, New York, 1971, inclusive
United Farm Workers - New York City Labor Unions Support United Farm Workers/Cesar Chavez, undated
United Farm Workers - Picket At Grand Union [grocery store] In Support Of Grape Boycott, 1970's, inclusive
United Farm Workers - Rally [including Cesar Chavez, New York City Mayor John Lindsay and various union officials], undated, inclusive
United Federation of Catholic Teachers - St. John's University Strike, 1966, inclusive
United Federation of Teachers - Demonstrations, undated
United Furniture Workers of America, Local 140 - La-Z-Boy Strike - Ca. 1960's, 1960's, inclusive
Series IV: Personalities/Portraits., 1930s-1975, inclusive
Abel, I.W., Mar 1975, inclusive
Abramson, Irving - At Celebration Honoring Him
Adelstein, Bernard - International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 813
Allen, Fred (Comedian), circa 1940's (?), inclusive
Arcuri, Andrew
Armstrong, Louis
Avrutin, Harry
Bacchieri, George - (United Furniture Workers of America) Receives State Of Israel Bonds Award, Jan 31, 1971, inclusive
Bahr, Morton - (Communication Workers of America) Presentation Of B'nai B'rith Youth Services Award, May 6, 1975, inclusive
Barlogh, Ed - Madison Square Garden, Jun 1974, inclusive
Beck, Burt - Union Official And Newspaper Editor, Jun 1974, inclusive
Beichman, Arnold
Bierne, Joseph A. - Communications Workers of America
Biller, Moe - American Postal Workers Union
Bowe, William H.
Brand, Morris, 1951, inclusive
Brennan, Peter
Burnell, John T.
Cabell, Connie - American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Capra, Peter
Carey, Hugh
Chavez, Cesar, 1960's, inclusive
Chisolm, Shirley
Clark, Ramsey, 1960's, inclusive
Clayman, Jacob - Eugene V. Debs Award, 1974, inclusive
Colasanto, Frank
Communication Workers of America - Installation Of Officers (xerox copy)
Corbett, Ray
Costigan, Tom
Cranston, Monroe - St. Joseph's A.O. Church
Curran, Joseph H. - International Association of Machinests and Aerospace Workers, Feb 26, 1971, inclusive
Daniels, Wilbur - International Ladies Garment Workers Union
Dayan, Moshe and Lane Kirkland, Nov 1974, inclusive
Dee, Ruby and Ossie Davis, Jun 1975, inclusive
DePolo, Agnes - President Of The Candy And Confection Workers Union, Local Jo 23-03-45, 1A Road, L.I.C., NY
Donahue, Thomas R. - Service Employees International Union, 1972, inclusive
Dubinsky, David
Eban, Abba - Dinner With Jacob Potofsky And Various Other Union Officials
Eiger, Milton
Feldman, Ben - President, International Leather Goods Union
Fenley, John - Vice-President, International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers, Local #3, 1957, inclusive
Finley, Murray H. - Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, 1975, inclusive
Frankel, Julius
Franklin, Barbara
Fulford, Fred - United Furniture Workers of America, circa 1967, inclusive
Greenburg, Jacob - Attorney For The National Association For The Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) In The James Meredith Case.
Guinan, Matthew - President, Transit Workers Union of America
Hall, Paul - Seafarers International Union
Hambel, George - Receives Award, Division #1 M.A.B.S.T.O.N., Oct 1, 1971, inclusive
Hampton, Lionel
Height, Dorothy I.
Hillman, Bessie - Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
Hollander, Louis - Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
Iaccio, Sal - Vice-President, International Association of Machinists
Isaacson, William
Iushewitz, Morris
Kaufman, Irving (Judge) [Presided Over The Ethel and Julius Rosenberg Case], May 1974, inclusive
Kaufman, Stephan B. (Councilman - Bronx)
Kennedy, Edward
Kennedy, John F. - Presidential Campaign (New York City), 1960 [includes Kennedy, other politicians and labor leaders], 1960, inclusive
Kennedy, Robert, 1964, inclusive
Kerrigan, [First Name?]
King, Coretta Scott
King, Martin Luther, Jr. - At Reception For Him At Commodore Hotel, New York City, 1965, inclusive
King, Martin Luther, Jr. - Portrait, 1959, inclusive
Kirkland, Lane
Kovenetsky, Sam
Kroll, Jack - Director CIO-PAC (Congress of Industrial Organizations--Political Action Committee)
Kugler, Israel - Professional Staff Congress, circa 1966-1967, inclusive
Lagana, Philip - President, New York State Tax Commission
Lapson, Sam - Doll House Furniture Maker
Lefkowitz, Louis - New York State Attorney General, 1957-1978
Levine, Larry
Levine, Lou - At Sam Kovenetsky Dinner; Portraits; And Various
Livingston, David - United Automobile Workers of America, District 65
Malofsky, Solly, May 1974, inclusive
Maloney, Edgar - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 3 - Receives A Retirement Plaque, Oct 1974, inclusive
Marino, Frank - 65th Birthday Celebration For Him, Hosted By United Furniture Workers of America, Metropolitan District Council #3, Upholsters and Springmakers Local 76, Nov 6, 1971, inclusive
Martin, Dr. Annie B.
Massa, Casear - Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Workers Union - Retirement, Apr 1975, inclusive
Meany, George
Meany, George - Receives Congressional Medal Of Honor
Meir, Golda
Mercurio, [First Name?]
Miller, Ruth
Murray, John B. - President [United Association of?] Plumbers, [Local 1?], May 1975, inclusive
Nader, Ralph
O'Neal, Frederick
Ottley, Austin
Ottley, Peter
Papandrea, Jim, Jul 1974, inclusive
Pensig, Herbert H. (Esq.) - International Ladies Garment Workers Union, Local 102 - Testimonial Dinner And Award, March 18, 1972, Mar 18, 1972, inclusive
Perez, Frank - Receives Award From New York City Central Labor Council
Perry, Al
Politicians - Miscellaneous - Including Bella Abzug; Eldon Clingan; Howard Golden; Hubert Humphrey; Lyndon B. Johnson; John Lindsay; Walter Mondale, Henry Morgenthau; Ogden Reid; Stanley Steingut; Robert F. Wagner Jr.; Gerhard "Soapy" Williams; Harrison A. Williams; Malcolm Wilson.
Potofsky, Jacob
Potofsky, Jacob S. And Nelson J. Rockefeller
Powell, Robert E. - Vice President, Laborers International Union of North America
Quill, Michael - Transport Workers Union of America
Rabkin, Elias - Amalgamateed Clothing Workers of America
Ramos, Lucy
Randolph, A. Philip
Randolph, A. Philip - 70th Birthday Celebration At Carnegie Hall [Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Jr. Present], 1959, inclusive
Raskin, Abe
Rebaldo, Sebastian - United Optical Workers Union, Local 408 - New York City Board of Education Acknowledgement, September 1971, Sep 1971, inclusive
Reiter, George
Reiss family, Moskowitz and Lupowitz Restaurant celebrities, miscellaneous photos, 1906-1997, inclusive
Reiss, Sam
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Workers Union - Local 338 - Portraits
Reuther, Walter
Riesel, Victor
Rizzo, Leonard - International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Robinson, Cleveland - United Automobile Workers of America, District 65
Rockefeller, Nelson J.
Rockefeller, Nelson J. - New York State Labor For Rockefeller Rally [With Andrew Arcuri, Louis Lefkowitz, Peter Brennan And Other Union Officials]
Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1940-1960, inclusive
Rosenblum, Frank - Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
Rustin, Bayard
Ryan, Joe - Transport Workers Union, Apr 1975, inclusive
Ryan, John
Salerno, Joseph - Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
Saltus, Kermit A. - Receives Certificate From Cornell University Labor College, Bronx, New York
Samuels, Margaret D. - Receives New York City Central Labor Council Award, 1975, 1975, inclusive
Scarbrough, Carl - United Furniture Workers, 1974, 1974, inclusive
Schlesinger, Arthur, Jr., Apr 1974, inclusive
Shanker, Albert
Sheinkman, Jacob - New York City Central Labor Council
Sheinman, [First Name?]
Siegal, David - President, Dining Room Employees Union, Local 1
Simon, Louis - Amalgamated Laundry Workers
Solomon, Jack [Health Food Restauranteur - Ca. 1930's], circa 1930's
Speakers - (Mainly Labor) - Unidentified
Stearns, Ed
Stokowski, Leopold - Portraits; Honored By American Federation of Musicians, Local 802
Swidler, Joseph - Chair, Public Service Commission
Thomas, Norman
Transport Workers Union - Portraits
Trenz, James - Founder, Local 463, International Union of Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers,
U Thant, Pantanow - At Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America Convention - Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1966, inclusive
United Federation of Teachers - Portraits
Van Arsdale, Harry
Vishniac, Roman - At Jewish Museum, December 26, 1971, Dec 26, 1971, inclusive
Watts, Roosevelt
Welch, Ed
Young, Andrew, Feb 1974, inclusive
Zimmerman, Charles - International Ladies Garment Workers Union - Receives Morris Hillquit Award, 1971, 1971, inclusive
Series V: Labor Education., 1960s-1975, inclusive
Center For Labor Studies Of Empire State College, State University Of New York ("Labor College"), 1970s, inclusive
Cornell University School Of Industrial And Labor Relations, circa 1965-1975, inclusive
Cornell University School Of Industrial And Labor Relations - Certificate Awards, circa 1965-1975, inclusive
Cornell University School Of Industrial And Labor Relations -Certificate For Health Plan Management, circa 1965-1975, inclusive
Cornell University School Of Industrial And Labor Relations -Classroom Photos, circa 1965-1975, inclusive
Cornell University School Of Industrial And Labor Relations -Women Unionists Seminar, circa 1965-1975, inclusive
Series VI: Other Clients., 1960s-1975, inclusive
Allied Educational Foundation [including Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., William F. Buckley, Gerald Ford, Walter Mondale]
Allied Educational Foundation - Ramsay Clark (color prints), undated
American Arbitration Association, undated
American Jewish Committee - George Meany Receives The Democratic Heritage Award, undated
Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts, undated
Boy Scouts - Boy Power 76, Jun 1976, inclusive
Boys' Club, undated
Boys Town, undated
City of Hope - Pilot Medical Center, Mar 1975, inclusive
Coles Brothers Circus - Joe Coles, undated
Consumer Assembly of Greater New York - 3rd Annual Meeting, 1969, inclusive
Consumer Assembly of Greater New York - 5th Annual Meeting, 1971, inclusive
European Jewish Congress - Israel Bonds, Al Hellman, 1970, inclusive
Haym Solomon Home for the Aged, 1971, inclusive
Israel Golden Age Foundation - Martin Koppel Receives "The Golden Age Award", Jan 24, 1971, inclusive
Kenbert Lighting International Corporation - Receives Department Of Commerce Presidential "E-Star Award", undated
Labor Theater, Inc.: John L. Lewis Play, Apr 11, 1975, inclusive
Lake Peekskill Youth Group (color), undated
Louis Simon Scholarship Fund Dinners, 1970-1972, inclusive
Loyal League of Yiddish Sons of Erin, Mar 1975, inclusive
Lubman, Seymour A. (Vice President Purepac Pharmaceutical Company) and Mrs. Lubman (?) (color prints), undated
National Association for Justice - Washington DC, Sep 4, 1974, inclusive
New York State Employees Brotherhood Committee, Inc., undated
Police Academy, undated
Police Training, undated
Product Shots
Santiago Iglesias Educational Society, Inc., undated
The Guardian Insurance Company Of America, undated
Unidentified Clients (color prints), undated
Unidentified Clients - Studio Portraits Of Children
Unidentified Client - Theater Lighting
United Housing Foundation, undated
United Jewish Appeal - Dinner Honoring Lou Stein, Apr 1965, inclusive
Series VII: Worksites., 1950s-1970s, inclusive
Collecting Eggs, circa 1960's, inclusive
Construction, circa 1960's, inclusive
Electrical Workers, circa 1960's, inclusive
Garment Workers, circa 1950's-1960's, inclusive
Musicians, Conductors, Engineers At Recording Sessions, Circa 1960's-1970's, inclusive
White Collar Work, circa 1950's-1960's, inclusive
Working in Rain - Various Occupations, circa 1960's, inclusive
Worksites - Miscellaneous, circa 1960's, inclusive
Series VIII: Miscellaneous Topics., 1950s-1975, inclusive
Allied Educational Foundation, 1967-1974, undated
Art Exhibits - Art and Audiences
Black History Celebrations, circa 1970's, inclusive
Bowling
Buildings - Institutional Buildings - Interior Shots Documenting Poor Physical Conditions And Hygiene
Buildings/Construction
Cardiac Center events, 1971, 1974
Carnegie Hall - Performances, circa 1960's, inclusive
Children - Earth Day, 1970, inclusive
Children - Elementary School Age [including disabled children] - In School And After-School Programs, circa 1950's-1960's, inclusive
Children - Girl Going To Chicago On Airplane, June 8, 1958, inclusive
Children - In Art Classes Making Art - Ca. 1950's -1960's, circa 1950's-1960's, inclusive
Children - Pre-School And Kindergarten Age - Mainly In School Settings, circa 1950's-1970's, inclusive
Chorus, undated
Coop Supermarket
Families
Fashion Shows
Food Fair - Bryant Park, New York City, Apr 1975, inclusive
Group Shots - Probably Labor Gatherings
Group Shots - Small - Unidentified (Folder 1 of 2)
Group Shots - Small - Unidentified (Folder 2 of 2)
Group Shots - Workers - Unidentified
Hospital - Interiors/Exteriors - Ca. 1960's, circa 1960's, inclusive
Housing - Cooperative Apartment Buildings [?]
Housing - Electchester Apartments Complex
Housing - New York City Tenement Interiors And Exteriors (Bad conditions), circa 1960's, inclusive
Housing - Promotion And Neighborhood Meetings For Unidentified Housing Project In New York City, circa 1960's, inclusive
Industrial Electrical (?) Machinery
Labor (?) Forum, undated
Labor Leaders and Activists [including Lane Kirkland, Victor Riesel, Victor Gotbaum, Ellis van Riper, Jack Sheinkman and Sol Stettin] Interviewed On New York City Radio And Television Programs
Labor Negotiations
Medical
Medical - Union Members, 1970's, inclusive
New York City - Cityscapes (color)
New York City - Cityscapes (includes skylines and bridges) And Nature
New York City - Street Scenes, circa 1950's-1970's, inclusive
Nurses - Graduation Ceremony [?]
Outings - Boat Trip Around Manhattan
Performances - Audiences
Performers /Performances - Singers And Musical Theater And Musicians (including a production of "Wonderful Town")
Photo Exhibits, Newspaper Clippings, handbooks and notebooks, large frame negatives, 1935-1996, inclusive
Picnic - Possibly from September 1972 - New York State AFL-CIO, 15th Constitutional Convention, Hotel Concord, Kiamesa Lake
Ploughshare Sculpture, Undated
Portraits - Men - Unidentified - (Folder 1 of 3), circa 1950's-1970's, inclusive
Portraits - Men - Unidentified - (Folder 2 of 3), circa 1950's-1970's, inclusive
Portraits - Men - Unidentified - (Folder 3 of 3), circa 1950's-1970's, inclusive
Portraits - Musicians - Unidentified
Portraits - Women - Unidentified, circa 1960's-1970's, inclusive
Posed Shots At Social Gatherings
Puerto Rican Art Exhibit (attended by Herman Badillo, Bayard Rustin, Percy Sutton), circa 1970's, inclusive
Puerto Rican Day Celebration (?) (at a school), circa 1970, inclusive
Puerto Rico and St. Thomas - Tourist Shots; Street Scenes; Poverty
Retirees - Labor Union - Sponsored Activities And Events
Scholarships/Awards
Schools - Dedication Of Rosa Taylor Weatherless Annex At P.S. 274, Sep 1971, inclusive
Schools - Elementary Schools - Students And Teachers, circa 1960's-1970's, inclusive
Schools - High Schools
Schools - School Building Interior Shots Documenting Damage And Bad Conditions
Shufar [Synagogue - Israel?]
Social Gatherings / Dinners - Unidentified (Folder 1 of 2)
Social Gatherings / Dinners - Unidentified (Folder 2 of 2)
Sports And Recreation
Swearing In / Taking Oaths (Mostly Labor Unions)
Unidentified Trade Show [?], undated
Union and Labor Meetings - Unidentified (Folder 1 of 4)
Union and Labor Meetings - Unidentified (Folder 2 of 4)
Union and Labor Meetings - Unidentified (Folder 3 of 4)
Union and Labor Meetings - Unidentified (Folder 4 of 4)
United Nations - Visitors To And Construction Of Part Of U.N. Complex, circa 1950's-1960's, inclusive
Voting And Voter Registration
World Trade Center Towers - Under Construction, 1966-1971, inclusive
Series IX: Oversized Prints., 1950s-1970s, inclusive
Oversized black and white photographs
Oversized color photographs
Oversize black and white photographs: 1975 retrospective of Reiss' work, plus Manhattan skyline and World Trade Center construction.
Oversize loose black and white photographs, 1915-1973, inclusive
Conditions Governing Access
Rolled photographs are not available to researchers.