John Gladstone Papers
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Abstract
John Gladstone was a member of the National Maritime Union (NMU) and the Communist Party until 1949, when he was expelled from both organizations. He later became a publisher and editor at Engineer's Press, as well as an art historian. The John Gladstone Papers dated 1934-2002, documents NMU and Gladstone's involvement with the organization, maritime labor history more generally, and Gladstone's research and writings on art, literature, history, and politics. The collection includes correspondence, articles and clippings, research notes, manuscripts, publications, photographs, and ephemera.
Biographical Note
John Gladstone (1917-) was a member of the National Maritime Union and the Communist Party until 1949, when he was expelled from both organizations. He later became a publisher and editor at Engineer's Press, as well as an artist, and art historian. John Gladstone has worked in the refrigeration industry since 1938 and is a life member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Gladstone has written 22 books, many of which are estimating guides and handbooks for contractors. Gladstone served briefly on the board of the New York based Maritime Workers Historical Association, an organization formed in part by former NMU members in 1979.
Arrangement
This collection retains its original order and was minimally physically rearranged. This collection has been intellectually arranged into the following series based on subject matter: Series I. National Maritime Union; Series II. Art, History, and Politics.
Scope and Content Note
The John Gladstone Papers dated 1934-2002, documents the National Maritime Union and Gladstone's involvement with the organization, and maritime labor history more generally. The collection also contains Gladstone's research and writings on art, literature, history, and politics. The collection includes correspondence, articles and clippings, research notes, manuscripts, publications, photographs, and ephemera.
Subjects
Organizations
People
Topics
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; John Gladstone Papers; WAG 146; box number; folder number or item identifier; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by John Gladstone in 2001. The accession number associated with this gift is 2008.030.
Additional materials were donated by Ideal Hernandez in 2006 and 2009. The accession number associated with this gift is 2009.067.
One folder of correspondence was possibly donated by Robert H. Zieger in 2009. The accession number associated with this material is 2009.020.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Previous processing work, including some biographical information, had been contributed by Maggie Schreiner and Jacqueline Rider. In 2020, materials were placed in new acid-free folders and boxes. Original folder information, when available, was retained. Titles for folders that were unlabeled, as well as enhanced description, are enclosed in square brackets.
Repository
Series I. National Maritime Union
Scope and Contents
This series contains materials related to National Maritime Association (NMU) and maritime labor history more generally. The bulk of the series consists of correspondence between Gladstone and the Maritime Workers Historical Association, including the editors of the organization's publication HAWSEPIPE. There is also correspondence between Gladstone and researchers focused on the history of the National Maritime Union and maritime labor. The publications include the proceedings of several NMU national conventions. The small number of ephemera includes NMU membership cards and books, shore passes, leaflets, handbills, and other printed materials. The small grouping of photographs within this series mostly depict maritime workers circa 1940's.
Correspondence, 1943-2002, undated, inclusive
Articles, clippings, and other printed materials, 1944-1979, inclusive
Publications, 1834-1980, inclusive
Ephemera, 1934-1970, undated, inclusive
Photographs, circa 1930-1950, 1985, inclusive
Series II. Art, History, and Politics
Scope and Contents
This series contains Gladstone's papers related to art, history, and politics. The bulk of the series consists of articles, clippings, and research notes on art history. This series also contains several of Gladstone's manuscripts on art history, politics, and the environment, as well as a small number of published technical works. Among the subjects of Gladstone's art-related research and manuscripts are painters Pablo Picasso, Thomas Eakins, and Thomas Anshutz. Much of Gladstone's correspondence relates to art history, literature, labor, Marxism and other leftist politics. The correspondence also includes letters to the editors of various publications concerning domestic and international affairs and policy.
