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Brandau papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 2842

Abstract

This collection contains personal correspondence, report cards, postcards, holiday cards, certificates, business correspondence, receipts, and stock records of Baltimore lawyer Clement Rider Brandau, Jr. (b. 1929) and his wife Jean Kolb Brandau (b. 1933).

Dates

  • 1936-1983

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

The reproduction of materials in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine and satisfy copyright clearances or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information visit the MCHC’s Rights and Permissions page.

Biographical Note

Clement Rider Brandau, Jr. was born on July 15, 1929 to Clement Rider Brandau, Sr. (from Chester County, Pennsylvania) and Katherine K. Brandau. He attended elementary school no. 211 in Baltimore and graduated from Polytechnic Evening High School at North Avenue and Calvert Street in 1951. From 1950 to 1954 he was in the Navy although apparently not in active service. He attended Baltimore Junior College and the University of Baltimore, graduating in 1955. He then studied law, also at the University of Baltimore, and he was admitted to the bar around 1958. In 1952 he married Jean Kolb and they had four sons: Rider, Charles, Thomas, and James. He became involved in politics and remained so throughout the 1960s. He was also involved in the organization of several annual oyster roasts (large Democratic festivities) in the 1960s and 1970s. In early January 1970 his father died and in July of 1974, he and Jean divorced.

During the period covered by the collection, Mr. Brandau moved several times. From sometime before 1947 to 1953, he lived at 5511 Pilgrim Road. In 1953 he and Jean moved to 1219 Gittings Avenue and in 1966 they moved to 3503 Crossland Avenue.

Jean Kolb was born in 1933. In 1952 she married Clement Rider Brandau, Jr. In addition to raising their four sons (mentioned above), she was employed at several firms. From 1959 to 1967 she worked as a paralegal for her husband. From 1968 to 1974 she worked in a medical office and from 1974 to 1977 she was a secretary at Legal Aid. In 1973 she attended the Community College of Baltimore. She was employed at the United Way of Central Maryland from 1976 to 1977. Also in 1977 she applied for a position as a legal assistant, but she was also plagued by ill health and underwent surgery that same year. It appears that the illness was brief since she resumed correspondence shortly afterwards.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (2.5 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The Brandau Papers consist of two major series. The first is the business and personal papers of Clement Rider Brandau, Jr. (boxes 1 and 2). The second is the personal papers and correspondence of Jean Kolb Brandau (box 3). Items in the folders are arranged chronologically. Undated documents follow the dated ones.



Series I. Clement Rider Brandau, Jr. Papers, 1936-1971 (Boxes 1 and 2)

This series contains school papers, military papers, law career papers, financial papers, insurance papers, and papers concerning the death of his father (Clement Rider Brandau, Sr.) in 1970. It also includes papers relating to his political activity, and his legal career. In addition there is much correspondence with Jean Kolb, whom he married in 1952.

Subseries I. Personal Papers, 1936-1970 (7 folders)

This subseries is divided into school papers (1 folder), military papers (1 folder), law career papers (1 folder), financial papers (1 folder), insurance papers (1 folder), Clement Rider Brandau, Sr. papers (1 folder), and letters to Jean Kolb Brandau (1 folder). Documents included are report cards, high school diploma, honorable discharge, stock records, will and Social Security card of C. Rider Brandau, Sr., insurance policy, and application to the Bar.

Subseries II. Political Papers, 1962-1970 (6 folders)

This subseries is divided into papers pertaining to the oyster roasts, which were Democratic festivities (5 folders), and the Democratic Convention of 1962 (1 folder). This contains mostly various documents pertaining to the oyster roasts. These include: tickets, advertisement contracts, programs, seating charts, lists of who has paid for tickets, and correspondence.

Subseries III. Business papers, 1957-1983 (3 folders)

This subseries is divided into legal files (1 folder), bills and office expenses (1 folder), and Maryland District Court (1 folder).

Series II. Jean Kolb Brandau Papers, 1957-1983 (Box 3)

This series is comprised of: Divorce and receipts (1 folder), correspondence (1 folder), papers pertaining to the children and pets (1 folder), automobile records (1 folder), papers relating to school and home, United Way employment papers (1 folder), and miscellaneous papers (1 folder). Documents include decree of divorce, medical receipts, letters, and postcards.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Jean Brandau.

Related Materials

PP 0296, William N. Kolb, Jr. photograph collection, 1939-1945

Scope and Contents

The Brandau papers contain personal correspondence, report cards, postcards, holiday cards, certificates, business correspondence, receipts, and stock records, dating from 1936 to 1983.

Most of the collection focuses on Clement Rider Brandau, Jr., specifically his schooling, military career, legal career, and political involvement. This part of the collection contains information beginning with his elementary school days and continues through his activity in the Navy (1950-1954), his extensive correspondence to Jean Kolb (his future wife), his law school career at the University of Baltimore, his law career, and his involvement in state and local politics. It also includes his involvement in the organization of oyster roasts (Democratic festivities) in the 1960s and 1970s. It also includes various receipts, financial papers, bills, and office expenses.

A smaller portion of the collection is centered around Jean Kolb Brandau, who married Clement Rider Brandau, Jr. in 1952. It includes a wide variety of items including much personal correspondence and documents concerning their home, automobile, children, one dog (Wolf von Reuter), and one cat (Bewitched). It also includes her and Clement Rider Brandau, Jr's. decree of divorce (July 1974), as well as papers relating to her schooling at the Community College of Baltimore (1973), and her career with the United Way of Central Maryland (1976-1977).

Title
Guide to the Brandau papers
Status
Under Revision
Author
David DuPuy
Date
1993-04
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Revision Statements

  • 2020-03-19: Manually entered into ArchivesSpace by Sandra Glascock

Repository Details

Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository

Contact:
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750