Jay and Whittaker Chambers letters to Walter Reagles
Scope and Contents
21 letters, dating from 1911 to 1913, of Jay Chambers (1877-1929) to his friend Walter Reagles. Reagles was the director of the art department at General Electric. The letters address a variety of topics including the language of gypsies, the color of music, reading aloud on camping trips, Oscar Wilde, Paul Verlaine, dining with illustrators Franklin Booth and Harrison Cady, and suffragettes.
The collection also includes 3 letters, dating from 1948 to 1953, of Whittaker Chambers (1901-1961) to Walter Reagles. Written after the death of Jay Chambers, the letters discuss Whittaker Chambers' troubled relationship with his father, his family life, and briefly mention the ongoing investigation into Alger Hiss' membership in the communist party by the House Un-American Activities Commmittee.
A group of 15 assorted bookplates and a Christmas card, housed in an envelope labeled Jay Chambers, are also included.
Dates
- Creation: 1911-1953
Conditions Governing Access
The Jay and Whittaker Chambers letters to Walter Reagles are open for research. Researchers are encouraged to contact Special Collections staff prior to a visit.
Conditions Governing Use
In consultation with Special Collections staff, reproductions may be made upon request. Please consult with staff regarding questions about publishing materials from Williams Special Collections. Researchers are responsible for handling any copyright issues that may be associated with collections and materials.
Biographical / Historical
Jay Chambers (1877-1929) was a graphic artist and father of Whittaker Chambers (1901-1961), a prominent American writer, communist, and Soviet spy.
Extent
0.21 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
21 letters of Jay Chambers (1877-1929) to his friend Walter Reagles, discussing a variety of topics including the language of gypsies, the color of music, reading aloud on camping trips, Oscar Wilde, Paul Verlaine, dining with illustrators Franklin Booth and Harrison Cady, and suffragettes. The collection also includes 3 letters of Whittaker Chambers (1901-1961) to Walter Reagles, written after the death of Jay Chambers; the letters discuss Whittaker Chambers' family, his troubled relationship with his father, and briefly mention the ongoing investigation into Alger Hiss' membership in the communist party by the House Un-American Activities Committee.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Physical Location
L2 Storage.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Dennis Holzman Antiques on the Class of 1940 fund, 1999.
- Title
- Jay and Whittaker Chambers letters to Walter Reagles
- Author
- Peale, Anne
- Date
- 2017
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Chapin Library Repository
26 Hopkins Hall Drive
Williamstown Massachusetts 01267
413-597-4200
specialcollections@williams.edu