Carl and Shelley Smith Mydans papers
Scope and Contents
Carl Mydans’ photography is evident in the various prints, slides, and negatives found in the collection. Mydans’ extensive research files and notebooks provide a broader context for his photographs. In his notebooks Mydans recorded his research assignments, insights into his subject material, responses to interview questions, and details regarding camera equipment. The papers also include objects relating to Mydans' work as a photojournalist, such as his camera bag and awards from Kodak and TIME.
Shelley Smith Mydans’ work as a journalist and novelist can be traced in the various research files, drafts, and other material relating to her publications, which included The Open City (1945), Thomas: A Novel of The Life, Passion, and Miracles of Becket (1965), and The Vermilion Bridge (1980). As the papers illustrate, the Mydans also worked on books together, as seen in the drafts, contracts, and other material pertaining to their book The Violent Peace (1968).
To a lesser degree the papers also shed light on the Mydans’ personal and professional relationships, which included other photographers and journalists, such as Alfred Eisenstaedt ("Eisie").
Dates
- 1930 - 2005
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Box 166 (audiocassettes): Restricted fragile material. Reference copies may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.
Conditions Governing Use
Immediate Source of Acquisition
December 2015 Acquisition: Purchased from Shelley Mydans and Seth Mydans on the Sinclair Lewis Fund, 2015.
Arrangement
Extent
110.22 Linear Feet ((213 boxes) + 1 roll)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Overview
Shelley Smith Mydans (1915-2002)
Carl Mydans (1907-2004)
Processing Information
This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.
This collection includes materials previously identified by the following call numbers: Uncat MSS 804 and Uncat MSS 825.
- Asia -- Pictorial works
- Audiocassettes -- 20th Century
- Audiovisual materials
- Authors, American -- 20th Century -- Archives
- Black Star (Picture agency)
- China -- Description and travel
- China -- Pictorial works
- Eisenstaedt, Alfred, 1898-1995
- Hong Kong (China) -- Pictorial works
- India -- Pictorial works
- Indonesia -- Pictorial works
- Japan -- Description and travel
- Japan -- Pictorial works
- Journalists -- United States -- 20th Century
- Journalists -- United States -- Archives
- Korea -- Pictorial works
- Life (Chicago, Ill.)
- Malaysia -- Pictorial works
- Mexico -- Pictorial works
- Mydans, Carl, 1907-2004
- Mydans, Shelley Smith
- Negatives (photographic) -- 20th Century
- Philippines -- Pictorial works
- Photographic prints -- 20th Century
- Photographs -- 20th Century
- Photojournalism
- Photojournalists -- United States -- 20th Century
- Russia -- Pictorial works
- Singapore -- Pictorial works
- Slides (photographs) -- 20th Century
- Sound recordings -- 20th Century
- Thailand -- Pictorial works
- Tristan da Cunha -- Pictorial works
- Turkey -- Pictorial works
- United States -- Pictorial works
- United States. Farm Security Administration
- Vietnam -- Pictorial works
- War correspondents -- United States -- 20th Century
- War correspondents -- United States -- Archives
- War photography
- Women authors
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Photography
- Title
- Guide to the Carl and Shelley Smith Mydans Papers
- Author
- by Beinecke staff
- Date
- October 2013
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository
Location
121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Opening Hours
Access Information
The Beinecke Library is open to all Yale University students and faculty, and visiting researchers whose work requires use of its special collections. You will need to bring appropriate photo ID the first time you register. Beinecke is a non-circulating, closed stack library. Paging is done by library staff during business hours. You can request collection material online at least two business days in advance of your visit, using the request links in Archives at Yale. For more information, please see Planning Your Research Visit and consult the Reading Room Policies prior to visiting the library.