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By Steven Mitchell and Evian Pan, Pratt institute, School of Information
Collection Overview
Abstract
Edward Bok / Thomas De Witt Talmage Collection consists of correspondence manuscripts, clippings, and photographs that detail the professional and personal relationships between Thomas De Witt Talmage, minister and writer, and Edward Bok, editor of the New York Syndicate Press.
Scope and Contents of the Materials
Includes two signed cabinet cards with photographs (one inscribed on verso) and 28 letters (all but one manuscript) accompanied by some collateral ephemera and clippings. The collection consists of four series: 1) Professional Correspondence — Talmage & Bok; 2) General Correspondence; 3) Miscellaneous Correspondence; 4) Photographs. The bulk of the materials document the professional and personal exchanges between Thomas De Witt Talmage, minister and writer, and Edward Bok, editor of the New York Syndicate Press. Papers in this collection are in fair/good condition and should be handled with care.
Collection Historical Note
Thomas De Witt Talmage (1832–1902) was a preacher and clergyman in the Reformed and Presbyterian churches. Born in Somerset County, NJ, he was educated at the University of the City of New York and the Reformed Dutch Theological Seminary in Brunswick, NJ. He was minister in Belleville, NJ; Syracuse, NY; and Philadelphia, PA; before arriving at Central Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn in 1869, where he spent most of his career. He also ministered for a year in Washington, DC. He was internationally renowned for his published sermons and lectures and their particular focus on social issues of the day.
Edward Bok (1863–1930) was an editor and Pulitzer Prize–winning author. After immigrating to Brooklyn at age six, his career in publishing included work with Henry Holt and Company, Scribner’s, Brooklyn Journal, Ladies Home Journal, as well as founding the Bok Syndicate Press. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1921 for his autobiography.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Historical Collections
Processing Information:
Accession # 007-2019
Other Note:
Accession # 007-2019
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[[information restricted]],
[
Series 2: General Correspondence, ca.1885–1889],
[Series 3: Correspondence, 1881 - 1885],
[
Series 4: Photographs,ca.1881],
[
All]
- Series 3: Correspondence, 1881 - 1885

- Five Talmage manuscript letters, newspaper clippings, one small card, and one loose envelope that address miscellaneous requests and notes from 1881 to 1885.
- Item 1: Letter from Thomas Talmage to Edward W. Bok, February 22, 1881

- Letter from Thomas Talmage to Edward W. Bok addressing remembrance to Bok’s father who passed away; the letter is attached to the letterhead, Editor’s Office, The Brooklyn Magazine, Feb 22, 1881
- Item 2: Letter from Thomas Talmage to Edward Bok, June 21, 1883.

- Letter from Talmage to Edward W. Bok Esq. thanking him for the opportunity to view his collection of autographs, June 21, 1883.
- Item 3: Letter from Thomas Talmage to Edward Bok, 1884

- Brief manuscript letter from Thomas Talmage to Mr. Bok requesting to meet ,1884
- Item 4: Letter from Thomas Talmage to Edward Bok, January 22, 1885

- Manuscript letter from Talmage to Bok, editor of the Brooklyn Magazine thanking him for a recent testimonial on the occasion of his 53rd birtday, January 22, 1885.
- Item 5: Letter from Thomas Talmage to Edward Bok, December 13, 1885

- Brief letter from Talmage to Mr. Bok requesting to meet before or after the church , December 13th, 1885
- Item 6: Note Card,nd.

- Small note card with three names in manuscript ,nd.
- Item 7: Envelope with note and signed "T. DeWitt Talmage"

- Envelope with ‘T. De Witt Talmage’ on top, nd.
- Item 8: Newspaper Clippings

- Two small newspaper clippings endorsing a sermon, nd.
Browse by Series:
[[information restricted]],
[
Series 2: General Correspondence, ca.1885–1889],
[Series 3: Correspondence, 1881 - 1885],
[
Series 4: Photographs,ca.1881],
[
All]