Looking for Loans for WW2 Exhibit at the New-York Historical Society

[Collector5516]

My name is Ben Levinsohn. I've been a collector of military items for the past 15 years and a member of this forum for two. I currently work at the New-York Historical Society (as well as The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum).

 

Anyway, the New-York Historical Society is planning an exhibition on New York's role in World War Two. The exhibit will be at the Society from October 5, 2012-June 2, 2013. It's going to be an awesome exhibit and one we hope many people from New York and visitors from other states and countries will enjoy viewing.

 

I was speaking to several members of the curatorial staff and they told me they are still looking for a number of items to use in the exhibit. I told them about this forum and the fantastic community of collectors we have here and suggested I post the museum's wanted list here. If any of you have items on this list that you would consider loaning the Society it would be greatly appreciated. Of course, all items would be insured, securely handled & displayed and all proper paperwork filed.

 

If you have any questions about the exhibit or have something you think might be of interest to the Society please contact me at [email protected].

 

Here is a link providing some information about WWII & NYC -

 

http://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/new-york-in-world-war-2

 

Items Needed for the Exhibition

 

HOSPITAL

 

Folding litter by Zimmer-Thomson Corp

 

NY-made surgical instruments (companies: Edward Weck & Company, Inc; Becton Dickinson &

Co; J. Kriser Corp; J. Sklar Mfg. Co.; S. W. Schultes (forceps); Thomas Wilson and Co. Inc.)

 

Surgical garments by Thomas Wilson and Co. Inc

 

Protective rubber gloves by Miller Products Co. Inc

 

Hospital robe by Royal Robes Inc

 

Catgut sutures by Davis & Geck Inc.

 

NY-made prophylactic kit (companies: Sangers (Pro-tek-tubes prophylactic); Evans Chemetics

Inc)

 

NY-made plasma equipment/supplies

 

Surgeon’s foot stool by S. Blickman Inc.

 

MILITARY

 

M-1 infantry helmet

 

M-1 carbine

 

Airplane instrument panel from Republic, Brewster Aeronautical, or Grumman plane

 

Pair of Endicott-Johnson boots (preferably Jump boots but any type of combat footwear will do

so long as they are made by Endicott-Johnson)

 

USMC MK2 “Ka-Bar” Fighting Knife made by Union Cutlery

 

Container PG-51 (portable 2-cage pigeon loft) by Hipwell Mfg. Co., Yonkers NY

 

Berth equipment by Yale Suspender and Belt Co.

 

GI-issue sporting equipment by Spalding (a bat or mitt)

 

Pocket Book

 

Lionel T-38 telegraph key

 

Objects relating to the Battle of the Atlantic / Merchant Marines / Liberty Ships and their

production

 

Rubber mat or deck swab by Industrial Home for the Blind workers (for Navy)

 

COMBAT PHOTOGRAPHY

 

Signal Corp Field Darkroom Kit

 

PH-47 E Speed Graphic for Signal Corps

 

Bell & Howell 35mm Eyemo movie camera

 

DEFENSE PLANT

 

Lights for war plants, arsenals, navy yards, and airports by Holophane Company Inc

 

NY-made tools (companies: J. H. Williams & Co (wrenches); Walworth Co. (wrenches);

Montgomery & Co. Inc (Ratchet, drills)

 

Welders’ gloves by Olympic Gloves Co

 

Machine tools by E.W. Bliss

 

Brooklyn Navy Yard artifacts

 

Fire extinguisher by Walter Kidde & Co., Inc

 

HOMEFRONT EPHEMERA

 

Ephemera from war bond rallies and/or parades in NYC

 

High School Victory Corp patches

 

1940s ping pong paddles

 

Artifacts from the Travelers Aid Society Service Men’s Lounge in Grand Central Station