Harry Scherman family papers, 1893-1972

Summary

Creator:
Scherman family
Date:
1893-1972
Extent:
1.6 Linear Feet 4 document boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Harry Scherman family papers, ms2836, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection includes correspondence, diaries, and photographs. The correspondence contains letters written by Harry, Louis, and William to their mother and sister while the boys were living at the Jewish Orphanage Home in Atlanta, Georgia. Other correspondence consists of letters between Harry Scherman and Bernardine Kielty both before and after their marriage discussing family news and Sherman's work with the J. Walter Thompson Company selling books and magazines to stores, letters from Rita regarding her writings, and letters written to Rita by the Scherman family. Diaries, written by Rita, detail her stay in England with her grandparents, memoir-style entries regarding her early life, and describing a trip to England. The collection also contains materials relating to "Educational Playthings", an educational toy and furniture company, founded by Rita Scherman Berman.

Biographical / historical:

Harry Scherman (1887-1969) was born in Canada, but soon moved to the United States and lived in many places with his family. After his parents separated, Harry and his brothers Louis and William were placed in the Jewish Orphanage Home in Atlanta, Georgia. His sister Rita and baby brother Teddy stayed with their mother. Teddy died soon afterward and Louis died while in the orphanage. The boys lived in the orphanage from February 12, 1893 until June 14, 1899. They were placed in the orphanage using the last name Scheinman (see folder 1:1 and correspondence dated 1 November 1896). In August of 1893 Rita went to England to stay with her grandparents for about three years. Harry later attended public schools in Philadelphia and college at the University of Pennsylvania. His first jobs included working for Louis Lipsky with "The American Hebrew" newspaper, Ruthrauff and Ryan advertising firm, and J. Walter Thompson Company. In 1916 he established the Little Leather Library and in 1926 the Book-of-the-Month Club.

Acquisition information:
The Harry Scherman Papers were purchased by the University of Georgia's Hargrett Library on January 7, 1993. There were numerous handwritten notes included with the collection. These were initialed BKS and KSR, and were apparently written by Harry Scherman's wife, Bernardine Kielty Scherman, and daughter, Katherine Scherman Rosin, as they passed the letters back and forth. These notes were removed from the collection and placed in the accession folder.

Access and use restrictions

Preferred citation:

Harry Scherman family papers, ms2836, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Libraries.