Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Meyer Later World War I Collection
Later, Meyer, 1895-1984
NMAH.AC.1140
Archival Resource Key
1 Cubic foot
3 boxes
1917-1919
Collection consists of correspondence, photographs, and artifacts documenting Meyer Later, a World War I veteran who served with the United States Army in France between September, 1918 and April, 1919.
English
.
Biographical / Historical
Meyer Later was born on August 12, 1895, in Hartford, Connecticut. He grew up in a family of six brothers and three sisters and was known by family and friends as a charming and comical individual. He was educated in Hartford, Connecticut and was drafted into the United States Army in 1918 during World War I. He served between the fall of 1918 and the spring of 1919. During the war, Later was stationed in northern and eastern France including Dijon, Fromereville, and Buzancy. After the war, Later worked with his father and six brothers at the Morris Packing Company, the family's meat packing business in Hartford. Later died in New York, New York in 1984.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into four series.
Series 1, Personal Correspondence, 1918-1919
Series 2, Photographs, 1919
Series 3, United States Army Materials, 1918
Series 4, Memorabilia, 1917-1919
Scope and Contents
Series 1, Personal Correspondence, 1917-1919, consists of Later's personal letters to his family, his brother Abe, and his brother-in-law Bob North dating from January, 1917 to April, 1919. Most of the letters detail his endeavors in areas of eastern France, including Dijon, Paris, and Buzancy. Also included is Later's discharge letter addressed from Commander-in-Chief John J. Pershing.
Series 2, Photographs, 1919, contains six photographs taken in various areas of France of Later and other soldiers. One photograph documents Later with other soldiers in Fromereville, France dated January 31, 1919. Another is a group photograph taken in Dijon, France dated May 8, 1919.
Series 3, United States Army Materials, 1918-1919, consists of the pay record bBook and an Army leave permit related to Later's service in the United States Army.
Series 4, Memorabilia, 1919, contains one silver dog tag with Later's first and last name and a seven digit serial number. Also included are four silk-embroidered handkerchiefs from Paris in 1919.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Gloves must be worn when handling unprotected photographs and negatives.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection donated by Stephanie Later, November, 2008.
Preferred Citation
Meyer Later World War I Collection, 1917-1919, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Processing Information
Processed by Eric Behm, intern, March 2011; supervised by Vanessa Broussard-Simmons, archivist, 2011.
Memorabilia -- 20th century
France -- 1910-1920
Correspondence -- 1910-1920
Account books
Soldiers -- World War, 1914-1918
United States Army
Postcards -- 1900-1950
World War, 1914-1918
Postards -- 1910-1920
Photographs -- 1910-1920
Connecticut
"Brother Al"
Later, Abe
North, Bob
Personal Correspondence
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
1917 January-1919 April
1
1
Personal Correspondence
[To Abe Later : letter,]
Archival Resource Key
Later, Meyer, 1895-1984
2 Items
Ink on paper.
approx. 4-1/34" x 2-3/4".
April 30, 1919
English.
[To Abe Later : letter,] April 30, 1919.
[To Abe Later : letter,] April 30, 1919.
Local Numbers
AC1140-0000001a (AC Scan No.: p. 1)
AC1140-0000001b (AC Scan No.: p. 2)
Scope and Contents
Letter to brother Abe on two sheets of Y.M.C.A. stationery, from Dijon, France.
Related Materials
Meyer Later World War I Memorabilia
World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, American
Dijon (France)
Correspondence -- 1910-1920
Later, Abe
United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces
YMCA. National Council of the Young Men's Christian Associations of the United States of America
Photographs
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
circa 1919
1
2
Photographs
[Meyer Later : black-and-white photoprint]
Archival Resource Key
Later, Meyer, 1895-1984
1 Item
Silver gelatin on paper.
approx. 2-3/4" x 1-3/4".
[1919.]
English.
[Meyer Later : black-and-white photoprint, 1919.]
Local Numbers
AC1140-0000002 (AC Scan No.)
Scope and Contents
Full-length photograph of Meyer Later in uniform.
Related Materials
Meyer Later World War I Memorabilia
Military uniforms
World War, 1914-1918 -- France
Dijon (France)
Photographs -- 1910-1920 -- Black-and-white photoprints -- Silver gelatin
United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces
[Self-portrait of Meyer Later : black-and-white photoprint]
Archival Resource Key
Later, Meyer, 1895-1984
1 Item
Silver gelatin on paper.
approx. 1-3/4" x 1-5/8".
[1919.]
English.
[Self-portrait of Meyer Later : black-and-white photoprint, 1919.]
Local Numbers
AC1140-0000003 (AC Scan No.)
Scope and Contents
Bust portrait of Meyer Later in uniform, sepia-toned.
Related Materials
Meyer Later World War I Memorabilia
Military uniforms
World War, 1914-1918 -- France
Dijon (France)
Toning (photography)
Photographs -- 1910-1920 -- Black-and-white photoprints -- Silver gelatin
United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces
United States Army Materials
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
1918-1919
1
3
Memorabilia
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
1917-1919
Handkerchiefs
Archival Resource Key
1919
2
Dog tag
Archival Resource Key
circa 1917-1919
3