Guide to the Edward Burke collection of postcards, 1892-2013

Redwood Library and Athenaeum
50 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
Tel: (401) 847-0292
Fax: (401) 841-5680
email: redwood@redwoodlibrary.org

Published in 2014

Collection Overview

Title:	Edward Burke collection of postcards
Date range:	1892-2013
Creator:	Burke, Edward
Extent:	2.0 linear feet (2 record boxes)
Abstract:	This collection is composed primarily of scenes in Newport, RI with some various images from the rest of the state. Included in this collection are some postcards from the donor, Edward Burke, to his daughter Emily, and his parents. Some of the postcards have been used for correspondence, but show no connection to Mr. Burke.
Language of materials:	English, French, German
Repository:	Redwood Library and Athenaeum
Collection number:	RLC.Ms.042

Scope & content

The collection is composed of postcards, donated by Mr. Burke, which focus primarily on scenes of Newport from 1892-2013. Prior to his donation, Mr. Burke had organized the postcards in binders and the original order has been maintained. Please note that not all postcard folders are composed entirely of scenes that reflect their label. Also included in this collection are a number of souvenir postcards for the state of Rhode Island, as well as other coastal towns like Providence, Bristol, Tiverton, and Little Compton.

Most of the collection illustrates scenes of Newport by location (i.e - bridges, Thames St., Washington Square Park, Cliff Walk). More than half of the postcards are landscapes, but do include some souvenir type images of young ladies at the beach or promotional postcards for new businesses. There are also postcards for restaurants, as well as some depicting artwork or scenes from inside some of Newport’s most notable locations. The date range varies from folder to folder, and is marked as such.

Included in the collection are postcards from Edward Burke to his daughter Emily, and his parents. Some postcards are also from Mr. Burke to himself. Other postcards have been used for correspondence, but show no connection to Mr. Burke.

Access Points

Subject Topics

• Architecture--Rhode Island--Newport
• Beaches--Rhode Island--Newport
• Landscapes--Rhode Island
• Lighthouses--Rhode Island
• New England Hurricane, 1938
• Tourism--Rhode Island
• Travel--Rhode Island

Geographical Names

• Bristol (R.I.)
• Jamestown (R.I.)
• Little Compton (R.I.)
• Middletown (R.I.)
• Newport (R.I.)
• Newport (R.I.)--Buildings, structures, etc.
• Providence (R.I.)
• Rhode Island--Travel and description
• Tiverton (R.I.)

Subject Topics

• Rhode Island/Local Interest

Document Types

• Postcards
• Reproductions

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in alphabetical order by postcard scenery.

Biographical note

Edward Burke currently resides in Middletown, RI. He is the son of Louise and John Burke and father of Emily Burke.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	Access is open to members and researchers at the Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
Use of the materials:	This collection is owned by the Redwood Library and Athenaeum. Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the Special Collections Librarian of the Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
Preferred citation:	Edward Burke collection of postcards, RLC.Ms.042, Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
Contact information:	Redwood Library and Athenaeum 50 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI 02840 Tel: (401) 847-0292 Fax: (401) 841-5680 email: redwood@redwoodlibrary.org

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Gift of Edward Burke, August 14, 2014. Accession number: 2014.7
Processing information:	When processing the collection in 2014, the picture sleeves holding the postcards were removed from their binders and placed in archival standard folders. Original order from each binder was maintained.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Chelsea Ordner.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Chelsea Ordner 2014 December 01
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Related material:

Newport ephemera collection, RLC.Ms.028, Redwood Library and Athenaeum.

Inventory

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Box 1, Folder 1-2

Art Galleries

1995-2009

Box 1, Folder 3-4

Bridges

1911-2010

Box 1, Folder 5-7

Bridges, Ferries, Lighthouses

1906-2010

Box 1, Folder 8-10

Casino to Viking

1904-2009

Box 1, Folder 11

Churches

1904-2003

Box 1, Folder 12-14

Cliff Walk

1903-2008

Box 1, Folder 15-17

Easton's Beach

1903-2013

Box 1, Folder 18

First Beach

1904-1999

Box 2, Folder 1-3

Middletown

1895-2010

Box 2, Folder 4-6

New Habor

1963-2009

Box 2, Folder 7-8

Newport Miscellaneous, New and Old

1902-2009

Box 2, Folder 9-11

Outside Newport

1892-2010

Box 2, Folder 12-14

Thames St., Harbor, Etc.

1899-2002

Box 2, Folder 15-16

Toward Bailey's Beach

1902-2001

Box 2, Folder 17

Washington Square

1904-1963