Photographs and negatives [3 folders], 1964-1965

File — Box: 1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Series:

The Personal papers series, 1951-1977 and undated, contains Bishop's personal correspondence, financial papers, and photographs.

Correspondence and mailings, 1951-1966 and undated, mainly relates to Bishop's political activities and involvement with the American Nazi Party. There are several letters from a woman in Hamilton, Ontario, who collaborated with Bishop to found an extremist group called the Christian Brotherhood and distribute its newsletter, "The Torch;" letters documenting Bishop's attempts to build support and membership for the Iowa unit of the American Nazi Party; and letters from students, mostly from the University of Iowa, discussing their desire to join the American Nazi Party, expressing their frustration with their professors' "liberal" ideologies, and seeking Bishop's guidance. Also included in this folder are receipts and advertisements for Nazi-themed merchandise and discussions with Bishop's friends debating the efficacy of supporting Barry Goldwater in the 1964 United States Presidential campaign.

Financial and legal documents, 1964-1977, mainly deal with Bishop's monetary activities and investments. This folder contains bank statements, correspondence, and bulletins.

Photographs and negatives, 1964-1965, contains photographic prints and negatives taken by Bishop. Images include portraits of Adolph Hitler, several snapshots of Bishop's cat in his home and posing with a Nazi flag, downtown Davenport scenes outside Bishop's home, World War II-era German Schutzstaffel soldiers, German Nazi party rallies, Nazi youth, German buildings and landscapes, and interior and exterior shots of Bishop's home during the Great Flood of 1965. The World War II-era photographs appear to be reproductions from books and magazines; there are no original photographs of Adolph Hitler or the Nazi Party in the collection. Additionally, many of the images are extremely blurry and not suitable for reproduction. In most cases, negatives duplicate images existing in the photographic prints or elsewhere in the collection, but there are some negatives that were never printed.

Dates

Creation: 1964-1965

Creator

From the Collection: Bishop, John Robert, Jr. (Person)
From the Collection: Rock Island (Ill.). Fire Department (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Correspondence and mailings, 1951-1966 and undated, closed to researchers for 75 years from the date of creation. Redacted copies of these materials have been made available for access in box 1.