Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Francis H. Rankin Papers and Wolverine Citizens Printing Records
Date(s)
- 1839 - 1962 (Creation)
Extent
15.85 linear feet
Name of creator
Biographical history
Name of creator
Biographical history
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The collection was divided into multiple series due to its large size. Series I is composed of advertising materials, pamphlets, menus, bulletins, and voter ballots by Wolverine Citizens Printing between 1918 and 1923. What is arranged in Series I is what remains of what was accessioned in 1965. Extensive weeding removed empty envelops and letterhead that lacked prices and services offered. Government publications were retained, in particular those related to the Flint Board of Health when William DeKleine served as director. The Flint Board of Health contracted Wolverine Citizens to print many health notices related to the 1918 smallpox epidemic, the Spanish influenza, and proper handling of milk canisters. Other government bodies include the Flint Board of Education and the Flint Police Force. Materials retained from private organizations include business cards, coupons, and restaurant menus, bulletins issued by businesses, copies of bond tickets when the city of Flint raised money to pay for road improvements, and advertisements for social events. Numerous organizations contracted with Wolverine Citizens, including the Knights of Columbus, Flint Board of Education, Consumers Power Company, and Hardy Bakery.
System of arrangement
Past practices described the contents of this collection individually. Each item received an object ID number and was treated as a distinct artifact. Records have been reunited, but their original order may have been lost.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
Immediate access to the collection is restricted due to its chronological organization, which makes searching difficult, and due the large numbers of records made frail due to water damage. Researchers must discuss their intentions with the Archivist for the Archivist to best determine how this collection will be accessed and used. Contact the Collections Department to arrange and appointment with the Archivist.
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
No restrictions. Reproductions are done and charged in accordance with Sloan Museum Archives Fee Service Policy.
Languages of the material
- English
- Hungarian
- Yiddish
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
A downloadable PDF finding aid is available.
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
James Rankin donated the collection in September 1965. Roger Van Bolt received it. The collection was maintained in the home of Caroline Rankin. Van Bolt initially took temporary custody of the collection pending final approval by the Flint Board of Education. Van Bolt and James Rankin discussed donating the collection. The former believed that many of the pamphlets, advertising brochures, theatre programs, and other materials would be of interest.
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
None.
Related descriptions
Notes element
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd edition.
Sources used
Archivist's note
Jonathan Kirkwood, Archivist
October 31, 2022 (PastPerfect)
Archivist's note
Jonathan Kirkwood, Archivist
March 29, 2024
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Berston, Neil J. (Subject)
- Bishop, Arthur G. (Subject)
- Bishop, R.S. (Subject)
- Brown, Daniel E. (Subject)
- Buckingham, Jeanette (Subject)
- Burroughs, J.E. (Subject)
- Chandler, Zachariah (Subject)
- Chapman, Zara (Subject)
- DeKleine, William (Subject)
- Elwood, DeWitt (Subject)
- Ennis, William (Subject)
- Estes, Howard R. (Subject)
- Fellows, W.E. (Subject)
- Friar, Edward J. (Subject)
- Jackson, Otis G. (Subject)
- Layton, Wilfred (Subject)
- McBride, H.J. (Subject)
- Mott, Charles Stewart (Subject)
- Pierce, John L. (Subject)
- Pingree, Hazen S. (Subject)
- Purdy, Paul B. (Subject)
- Rankin, Caroline (Subject)
- Rankin, Francis H. (Subject)
- Salisbury, A.D. (Subject)
- Smith, Richard U. (Subject)
- Stone, Dwight T. (Subject)
- Williams, Alpheus S. (Subject)
- Wolcott, Thomas W. (Subject)