Henry W. Schramm, Sr. was born in New York City in 1885. He lived his life in and around New York City with his wife, Mae, and one son, Henry W. Schramm, Jr.. Schramm had an avid interest in stamp collecting and first day cover collections, which led to the development of this autograph cachet collection. Schramm died Feb. 13, 1966.
Henry W. Schramm, Sr. created his autograph cachet collection during the years from approximately 1936 through 1950, while he lived in New York City. The collection represents many aspects of life during those years, on topics of culture, politics, world affairs, and sports. The baseball and aviation collections were shared with his young son, Henry Schramm, Jr. and they developed these part of the collection together. Henry Jr. went to college at Syracuse University, and after his first year there, became a sailor in the Navy during the second World War. It was at that time that Henry's father, Henry Schramm Sr. developed his collection on that war, reaching out to soldiers, sailors, airmen and merchant mariners throughout America's armed forces. Political figures and those in the news added depth to the collection, with person of special interest such as Albert Einstein, Orville Wright, the U.S. Supreme Court and representatives of the United Nations of the time, and leaders from around the world.
Henry W. Schramm, Sr. developed his autograph cachet collection from 1936 through 1950.
Mr. Schramm would send a self addressed envelope, often decorated with a theme or picture related to the addressee, and ask the recipient to sign the envelope and mail it back to him. Newspaper clippings about the addressee were often included on the back of the envelope. Schramm wrote personal letters to many of the addressees. Many famous and ordinary people signed and returned these envelopes, and Mr. Schramm amassed a large collection. Many of the recipients added their photographs, letters and notes expressing their thanks for being sought out for the collection. Some added their own comments about the times, and a few sent memorabilia.
The collection is arranged into series based on broad subject categories. Within these series the envelopes are arranged alphabetically.
Patron must have a valid OCPL library card.
User must use materials in the Local History and Genealogy Department of
OCPL.
Permission must be obtained from staff for reproduction of any
materials.
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Schramm Autographed Cachet Collection
Onondaga County Public Library
Local
History and Genealogy Department
Shelf Location: MS-32
The Schramm Autographed Cachet Collection was donated to the Onondaga County Public Library by Henry W. Schramm, Jr..