William M. Rau Steamship Collection
name: label: Collector
content: Rau, William M., 1929-2007
label: Donor
content: Ellis, Katherine
topic: label: Topic
content: Postcards -- 20th century
label: Topic
content: Ocean liners
label: Topic
content: Ferries
label: Topic
content: Cruise ships
label: Topic
content: Boats and boating
label: Topic
content: Steamboats
label: Topic
content: Ships
label: Topic
content: Shipping
label: Topic
content: Passenger ships
label: Topic
content: Tourism
label: Topic
content: Travel
acqinfo: label: Provenance
content: Collection donated by Katherine Ellis, daughter of William Rau, through his estate, 2013.
creator: label: Collector
content: Rau, William M., 1929-2007
bioghist: label: Biographical / Historical
content: Rau was a Navy veteran and later an officer of the court for New York State and New York City until he retired in 1989. From 1989-2006, he served as the editor of the maritime historical publication of the Steamship Historical Society of America.
physdesc: label: Extent
content: 100 Cubic feet
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1900 - 2007
custodhist: label: Custodial History
content: William M. Rau amassed this collection of memorabilia and ephemera throughout his adult life.
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives Center, National Museum of American History
identifier: label: Identifier
content: NMAH.AC.1306
objectType: label: Type
content: Collection descriptions
label: Type
content: Archival materials
label: Type
content: Drawings
label: Type
content: Advertisements
label: Type
content: Brochures
label: Type
content: Slides (photographs)
label: Type
content: Photographs
label: Type
content: Calendars
label: Type
content: Menus
label: Type
content: Blueprints
label: Type
content: Scrapbooks
arrangement: label: Arrangement
content: The collection is divided into five series. 

Series 1: Scrapbooks

Series 2: Brochures

Series 3: Photographs and slides

Series 4: Postcards

Series 5: Drawings and oversized materials.
processinfo: label: Processing Information
content: Collection unprocessed.
genre_format: label: Genre/Form
content: Drawings
label: Genre/Form
content: Advertisements
label: Genre/Form
content: Brochures
label: Genre/Form
content: Slides (photographs) -- 20th century
label: Genre/Form
content: Photographs -- 20th century
label: Genre/Form
content: Calendars
label: Genre/Form
content: Menus -- 20th century
label: Genre/Form
content: Blueprints
label: Genre/Form
content: Scrapbooks -- 20th century
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: Approximately 100 cubic feet of photographs, slides, postcards, scrapbooks, brochures, artwork, drawings, and other ephemera documenting engine-powered vessels of the international maritime industry.

Brochures: The brochures are from international passenger lines and cruise lines. They detail both individual ships and shipping lines; they also detail features and services offered by the ship and crew.

Photographs: The photographs, which are captioned, depict ships of all kinds and sizes and in various locales. Some are of specific elements and equipment in the ships, including design elements.

Scrapbooks: Contain photographs, postcards, menus, brochures and flyers, advertisements and clippings. The majority cover passenger and cargo lines, whlie others are on regions or specific topics.

Postcard: include both commercially printed images and photographic postcards sent to Rau by friends.

Drawings and oversized materials, include blueprints of ships, dock and harbor facilities; artwork; posters; maps and charts; maritime calendars, large photographs, and miscellany.