The Speed Family Photograph Collection

The Speed Family Photograph Collection Collections Essay nthesummerof2007,Dr.John Speeddonatedanextensivecollection of family papers and photographs to'Ihe Filson Historical Society. ' Ihe collection contains ten cubic feet of documents and over eight cubic feet of photographs and negatives. The photograph collection is mainly comprised of prints and negatives produced by naturalist and journalist James Speed ( 18671945 ), images documenting the World War I military service ofJohn Speed ( 18931968 ), and images documenting the Korean War military service of James Speed ( 19302006 ). The collection also contains photographs relating to John Speed's college years at Purdue University; domestic scenes; travel photographs from Europe, Mexico, and the United States; and post cards. A variety of processes and materials are represented in the Speed Photograph Collection, including handcolored glass plate negatives; four by five inch, two and a quarter inch square, and thirtyfive millimeter roll film; and silver gelatin and color prints ofvarious sizes. James Speed ( 18671945 ), grandson of Attorney General James Speed 18121887 ), was a prominent member of the Kentucky Ornithological Society,the editor of { Re Southern Agriculturalist and author of several books about nature and the outdoors, including Ten Outdoor Men, and the children ' s books Some of tbe Common Birds, Jack and Nell in Field and Forest,and Billy andJane,Explorers: He produced hundreds ofglass plate negatives and handcolored some of them for reproduction in 7be Southern Agriculturalist and other publications. These images include scenes related to agricultural procedures,wildlife,insects,and plants. In addition to images of the natural world,James took photographs of the state's historical sites and promotional photographs for local businesses. He also documented family members and their activities,particularly his children. John Speed ( 18931968 ) attended Purdue University and there are several images documenting his college years, including a college memory scrapbook. He entered the military and served with a field artillery unity on the TexasMexico border in 1916;over one hundred images document his time in the Southwest. John also served in the 424 Infantry Division,or Rainbow Division,during World War I. He recorded his training at Fort Benjamin Harrison in the summer of 1917,his departure on the USS Mancburia in September 1917 and his military field service in France, 78 OHIO VALLEY HISTORY 1§ OB,I 44 8 4 §tr 4 ' 73 2. 3 p 2 f t I t. 27' # . K. a. 4 t 4 14, PE pee'at ontal e eaO; elilelet- atne, rance', 2,19f .Sp£ 20 FAMILY 4 3, 14=, ,» .: . a.. F,c -, 3,ff'' ,=, 4,» 1 » RAPER . FILSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY 6,4.& 24 2' 414 OHIO VALLEY HISTORY It ti 3 2 ' f 1 An I .@ 3 3. 6 4 k ,Tr'' f4 ' t '« t, t, it 9 4 i . 11, 1 E 3 S 38 t K r fl 1 t' 5 I I A C t gi 1> k tl li ' &/ , 4 r" 5 3. 4. 1 1 4 r I 4 3 » t 1. 4 Presidentelect Dw ght D Eisenhower during visit to South Korea,November December 1952 photog aphed by James Speed 4 = '* Speed Family Papers,The Fllson Histor cal Society 1 rf .. I 41 D . 49 tia 3 r 1. d. I I L ir Af, 9 4' MSNb 44 J » SA Er 4%...:. 4 . I ./ NE . 8 1, 1 t. 1> . 3 t 46,: Untlid at onstruce' team, anmunjeom, orea, pn O, 3 phoidgra ke byJames Pe, ,P* Filson Historical Society 4 N - I. I ., , 4: I 0. I :. L EL L- 4 " 91 «1 S ir 84 SUMMER 2008 4 thi 4 6 L i 41 « i d :. ==. 5. C . 4 9 . 41,I : » t .. * E SP, sEED':, AMILY PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION j A / 6- I . ' ./. d F T f t, 3@ rs $ V) 0, L a r 1 T* A 1 4 g t e r 34*- * r V . * f Fr ' . S Asheep» farm,photographed by James Speed SPEED FAMILY PAPERS THE F [ SON H STOR CAL SOCIETY k _6 8. / u=2, f) 8 r 4 15 ar»: r7 r 4 6, 11%» fl 4· .. . t 5 1 d* t ISP 1 . L 4 1 . E. fut,. Aiher' ain Exted,tionarfFoke field art' llery sold ers n camp, c 1917 photographed by John...