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Albert Zimmerman manuscript collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS 3171

Abstract

This collection contains papers related to Albert Zimmerman’s travels around the world to see the sights and investigate trade possibilities in the hardware manufacturing industry. This includes a travel diary and letters sent to his family in Baltimore, Maryland.

Dates

  • circa 1912-1920

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 / Historical

Albert Zimmerman was born in Baltimore, Maryland in January, 1884 to German immigrant parents, Charles and Caroline Zimmerman. He graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1898 and began to work in the hardware industry. He and his brother, Charles, opened Charles Zimmerman & Sons, a paint and hardware store, at 1712-1714 Greenmount Avenue. Zimmerman became very involved in the industry. He worked with hardware sellers around the city to prevent price wars and was elected secretary of the Baltimore Retail Hardware Dealers’ Association. He eventually left Baltimore to work for Stanley Works in New Britain, Connecticut, where he worked as a sales manager. In 1918, he joined the Hardware and Metals Division of the Quartermaster Corps. While in the army, he toured the globe seeking out new business relations.

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by date. The correspondence and travel diary were removed from separate albums and kept in the original order.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Joanne A. Rathman, October 30, 2014.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains papers related to Albert Zimmerman’s travels around the world to see the sights and investigate trade possibilities in the hardware manufacturing industry. This includes a travel diary and letters sent to his family in Baltimore, Maryland. The journal and the correspondence provide detailed descriptions of his destinations in which gives insight on the various cultures and nationalities with which he interacted. He made careful notes on the history of the countries and the places he visited. The diary in the collection was transcribed from the original in 1960.

Zimmerman began his journey in Asia and circumnavigated the globe by heading west. He had intended to begin his trip in Europe, but travel restrictions after World War I forced him to change his itinerary. He started his trip by sailing to Japan and working his way through the Asia and Middle East to Europe. He spent extended stays in Japan and Australia. He also went to India, Singapore, and Indonesia. In the latter part of Zimmerman’s trip, he visited Italy and France, but his diary does not cover much of that time.

Title
Guide to the Albert Zimmerman manuscript collection
Status
Under Revision
Author
Lara Westwood
Date
2015-03
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Revision Statements

  • 2020-04-13: Manually entered into ArchivesSpace by Mallory Herberger.

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