Collections : [University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.]

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
170 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Primary Collecting Areas:
American literature, antiquarian and contemporary, American history (Southeastern United States), Virginiana, British literature, Sporting books and manuscripts, World War I, Bibliography, the book arts, history of the book and typography
Fine press and artist’s books, Pop-up books, Victorian publishers bindings, Typography, Archives of the University of Virginia
Description:

The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library administers over 13 million manuscripts, 3.6 million items in the University archives, and 325,000 rare books, as well as approximately 5,000 maps, over 4,000 broadsides; more than 250,000 photographs and small prints; over 8,000 reels of microfilm; and substantial holdings of audio recordings, motion picture films, and ephemera.

The major emphasis of the Department’s collections are American history and literature, with additional substantive collections in Virginiana, British literature, African-American history, book arts, the history of sporting and World War I, among others. In addition, the library serves as the University Archives, holding records of historic significance to UVA.

POC: Special Collections Public Services & Reference Staff
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Start Over Repository University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept. Subjects Love letters
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Eugene Edward Chiles papers, 1915/1922

3 Cubic Feet 7 document boxes

Eugene Edward Chiles papers, (3 cubic feet, 1915-1922) contain love letters from his girlfriend, Eugenie O'Neill who is traveling in European circles with wealthy and or famous acquaintances, while he is working as a realtor in Pittsburgh, PA. and Stephens City, Virginia, after the war. Her letters mostly describe her feelings for him and mention (briefly) famous places, people, and events from the Twenties. Topics consist of post war conditions, unemployment, strikes, feminism, racism, and the Sinn Fein rebellion (newspaper clippings). Included are a few letters from Eugene and letters from his mother, and girlfriends (1915-1922). There are also financial, military, miscellaneous, and personal papers belonging to Eugene Chiles.

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Eugene Edward Chiles papers, 1915/1922 3 Cubic Feet 7 document boxes

Eugene Edward Chiles papers, (3 cubic feet, 1915-1922) contain love letters from his girlfriend, Eugenie O'Neill who is traveling in European circles with wealthy and or famous acquaintances, while he is working as a realtor in Pittsburgh, PA. and Stephens City, Virginia, after the war. Her letters mostly describe her feelings for him and mention (briefly) famous places, people, and events from the Twenties. Topics consist of post war conditions, unemployment, strikes, feminism, racism, and the Sinn Fein rebellion (newspaper clippings). Included are a few letters from Eugene and letters from his mother, and girlfriends (1915-1922). There are also financial, military, miscellaneous, and personal papers belonging to Eugene Chiles.

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Frank Owen Wilson and Susan Rinehart World War II correspondence, 1921/1945

1.2 Cubic Feet 3 letter size document boxes

The collection contains more than 450 letters written between Lieutenant Frank Owen Wilson from Wilson, Arkansas, who was a University of Virginia graduate and his Charlottesville girlfriend, Susan Smith Rinehart (1925-1995), whose family lived on an estate called "Boxwood." There are 276 letters from Wilson and 180 letters from Rinehart. Wilson's early letters are from Saint Elmo Hall at the Univeristy of Virginia. His letters while in military service were not subject to censorship, yet describe his training in detail. Frank's letters are usually hand-written but many of the letters are typewritten and some are accompanied by printed ephemera. The letters describe their courtship, his military service, their families, and her pregnancy, among other topics. Susan was from a wealthy family and her letters reflect how she and her family lived through the war without seemingly any financial concern. Letters describe Albemarle County horse rides and related activities. Her letter of June 6, 1994, regarding D-Day, is of historical interest.

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Frank Owen Wilson and Susan Rinehart World War II correspondence, 1921/1945 1.2 Cubic Feet 3 letter size document boxes

The collection contains more than 450 letters written between Lieutenant Frank Owen Wilson from Wilson, Arkansas, who was a University of Virginia graduate and his Charlottesville girlfriend, Susan Smith Rinehart (1925-1995), whose family lived on an estate called "Boxwood." There are 276 letters from Wilson and 180 letters from Rinehart. Wilson's early letters are from Saint Elmo Hall at the Univeristy of Virginia. His letters while in military service were not subject to censorship, yet describe his training in detail. Frank's letters are usually hand-written but many of the letters are typewritten and some are accompanied by printed ephemera. The letters describe their courtship, his military service, their families, and her pregnancy, among other topics. Susan was from a wealthy family and her letters reflect how she and her family lived through the war without seemingly any financial concern. Letters describe Albemarle County horse rides and related activities. Her letter of June 6, 1994, regarding D-Day, is of historical interest.

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Guy Elwood Webb papers, 1941/1952

1 Cubic Feet 1 legal size document box, 1 oversize scrapbook

The Guy Elwood Webb papers (1941-1952; 1 cubic foot) consists of letters to Guy Elwood Webb from his devoted girlfriend and later wife, Linnie Ethel Davis, her mother, Mrs. D. V. Davis, and his own mother, Lulu Green, as well as family members and friends (1944-1945). Guy Webb is in boot camp in the Great Lakes, Illinois, and continues his service in Shoemaker, California, and Hawaii. There are also some telegrams and greeting cards from Guy Elwood Webb in a scrapbook that was made by his wife.

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Guy Elwood Webb papers, 1941/1952 1 Cubic Feet 1 legal size document box, 1 oversize scrapbook

The Guy Elwood Webb papers (1941-1952; 1 cubic foot) consists of letters to Guy Elwood Webb from his devoted girlfriend and later wife, Linnie Ethel Davis, her mother, Mrs. D. V. Davis, and his own mother, Lulu Green, as well as family members and friends (1944-1945). Guy Webb is in boot camp in the Great Lakes, Illinois, and continues his service in Shoemaker, California, and Hawaii. There are also some telegrams and greeting cards from Guy Elwood Webb in a scrapbook that was made by his wife.

University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

John D. Casey letters to Marcia McGhee, 1958/1959

0.5 Cubic Feet one legal size document box
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University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.

Virginia Scott Cocke Lyman papers, 1898/2025, bulk 1899/1905

1.4 Cubic Feet 3 document boxes (letter), 1 half document box (letter) 0.0063 Gigabytes 1 pdf (paper copy in collection)

This collection contains 268 letters Virginia Scott Cocke wrote to David Russell Lyman, whom she would marry in 1905. The letters date from 1898 to 1905 and document their courtship. Also included are photographs, a postcard, a bookplate, an album, marriage certificates, transcripts of the letter, and a thumb drive.

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Virginia Scott Cocke Lyman papers, 1898/2025, bulk 1899/1905 1.4 Cubic Feet 3 document boxes (letter), 1 half document box (letter) 0.0063 Gigabytes 1 pdf (paper copy in collection)

This collection contains 268 letters Virginia Scott Cocke wrote to David Russell Lyman, whom she would marry in 1905. The letters date from 1898 to 1905 and document their courtship. Also included are photographs, a postcard, a bookplate, an album, marriage certificates, transcripts of the letter, and a thumb drive.

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