Guide to the Meyer Later World War I Collection, 1917-1919
NMAH.AC.1140

Administrative Information

Publication Information

Archives Center, National Museum of American History , 2011

Smithsonian Institution
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C., 20013-7012
Phone: 202-633-3270
Email: archivescenter@si.edu

Conditions Governing Access note

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use note

Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Collection donated by Stephanie Later, November, 2008.

Processing Information note

Processed by Eric Behm (intern), March, 2011; supervised by Vanessa Broussard-Simmons, archivist.

Return to Table of Contents »

Summary Information

Repository
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Creator
Later, Meyer, 1895-1984
Title
Meyer Later World War I Collection
ID
NMAH.AC.1140
Date
1917-1919
Extent
1.0 cu. ft. , includes correspondence, photographs, and three-dimensional artifacts (3 boxes)
Language
English
Abstract
Collection consists of correspondence, photographs, and artifacts documenting Meyer Later, a World War I veteran who served with the United States Army in France between September, 1918 and April, 1919.

Preferred Citation note

Title and date of item, Meyer Later World War I Collection, 1917-1919, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, box number X, folder XX, digital file number XXXXXXX

Return to Table of Contents »

Biographical/Historical note

Meyer Later was born on August 12, 1895, in Hartford, Connecticut. He grew up in a family of six brothers and three sisters and was known by family and friends as a charming and comical individual. He was educated in Hartford, Connecticut and was drafted into the United States Army in 1918 during World War I. He served between the fall of 1918 and the spring of 1919. During the war, Later was stationed in northern and eastern France including Dijon, Fromereville, and Buzancy. After the war, Later worked with his father and six brothers at the Morris Packing Company, the family's meat packing business in Hartford. Later died in New York, New York in 1984.

Return to Table of Contents »

Scope and Contents note

Series 1, Personal Correspondence, 1917-1919, consists of Later's personal letters to his family, his brother Abe, and his brother-in-law Bob North dating from January, 1917 to April, 1919. Most of the letters detail his endeavors in areas of eastern France, including Dijon, Paris, and Buzancy. Also included is Later's discharge letter addressed from Commander-in-Chief John J. Pershing

Series 2, Photographs, 1919, contains six photographs taken in various areas of France of Later and other soldiers. One photograph documents Later with other soldiers in Fromereville, France dated January 31, 1919. Another is a group photograph taken in Dijon, France dated May 8, 1919.

Series 3, United States Army, 1918-1919, consists of the Pay Record Book and an Army leave permit related to Later's service in the United States Army.

Series 4, Memorabilia, 1919, contains one silver dog tag with Later's first and last name and a seven digit serial number. Also included are four silk-embroidered handkerchiefs from Paris in 1919.

Return to Table of Contents »

Arrangement note

The collection is organized into four series.

Series 1, Personal Correspondence, 1918-1919

Series 2, Photographs, 1919

Series 3, United States Army materials, 1918

Series 4, Memorabilia, 1917-1919

Return to Table of Contents »

Controlled Access Headings

Genre(s)

  • Account books
  • Correspondence--1910-1920
  • Memorabilia--20th century
  • Photographs--1910-1920
  • Postards--1910-1920
  • Postcards--1900-1950.

Geographic Name(s)

  • Connecticut
  • France--1910-1920

Personal Name(s)

  • "Brother Al"
  • Later, Abe
  • North, Bob

Subject(s)

  • United States Army
  • War--World War I soldiers
  • World War, 1914-1918

Return to Table of Contents »

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements note

Gloves must be worn when handling unprotected photographs and negatives.

Return to Table of Contents »

Collection Inventory

Series 1, Personal Correspondence, 1917 January-1919 April 

 Box
1		 Folder
1

Return to Table of Contents »

Series 2, Photographs, circa 1919 

 Box
1		 Folder
2

Return to Table of Contents »

Series 3, U.S. Army materials, 1918-1919 

 Box
1		 Folder
3

Return to Table of Contents »

Series 4, Memoriabilia, 1917-1919 
Box

Handkerchiefs, 1919 

 2

Dog tag, circa 1917-1919 

 3

Return to Table of Contents »