Robert Franks Collection

Collection

Identifier: MG-010

Staff Only

This collection is primarily comprised of correspondence regarding various subjects in the watch and clock industry. This includes correspondence with individuals as well as companies or institutions. Much of the correspondence with individuals are with those also associated with the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. There is also correspondence regarding Franks' historical research on watchmakers.

A large number of the documents are related to the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) and the goings-on of the organization it it's early years, primarily in the late-1940s to early 1960s. This includes budgets and costs, elections, chapters, and national conventions.

Additionally, there are a number of documents regarding the NAWCC Library, specifically in regards to the Library Committee. This includes information on the printing of a library catalog to mail out to members, library reports, expanding the library collection, early history of the library. There are a number of correspondences regarding the Franklin Institute Library, as they housed a horological collection sponsored by the NAWCC before the NAWCC had its own library. The correspondences touches on the benefits and negatives of this partnership with the Franklin Institute.

Furthermore, there are a number of documents about NAWCC publications. This primarily is concerning the Watch and Clock Bulletin, but there is also information regarding the Mart. This includes information on advertising, layout, policy, sales, articles, and more.

Dates

1942 - 1967
Majority of material found within 1950-1961

Creator

Franks, Robert A., -1975 (Person)

Language of Materials

English

French

Conditions Governing Use

These records are open to researchers for personal or scholarly research. Most of the records in the collection are available for photocopy, depending on the preservation needs of the material as well as other variables not specified here. Researchers, however, are responsible for obtaining copyright permission to use materials and documents. These records are part of the permanent collection in the archives of the Library & Research Center of the National Watch and Clock Museum and researchers are required to comply with the Archive Rules when using the collection.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 box)

Additional Description

Biographical / Historical

Robert Franks was one of the original founders of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) and was its first president. He later became the association's third editor of the Bulletin, a periodical published by the NAWCC. He died on December 22, 1975.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into two series. Series I is then further arranged into four sub-series.

Series I: NAWCC Correspondence and Papers

sub-series a: Organizational
sub-series b: Publications
sub-series c: Library and Museum
sub-series d: Chapters and Conventions

Series II: Correspondence

Creator

Robert A. Franks

Variant Title Information Robert Franks Papers

Processing Information

This Collection was processed and partially described before May 2016. During the Summer of 2016, the collection was revisited and the archival description was expanded. It is unclear if the order of the collection present at the time of the revision accurately relected the original order. During Autumn 2017, the arrangement of the collection was revisited and processed.