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Joseph R. Gerber Company scrapbook on Thomas Dewey's 1948 presidential primary campaign in Oregon

 Collection
Identifier: Coll 938

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of a scrapbook about Thomas Dewey's campaign in Oregon for the 1948 Republican presidential primaries. The scrapbook was compiled by the Joseph R. Gerber Company, an advertising agency in Portland, Oregon, that managed the campaign's advertising. The scrapbook's contents include newspaper articles, newspaper advertisements, radio scripts, pamphlets, leaflets, and ephemera that advertised or related to Dewey's campaign. The scrapbook also includes two photographs: one is of a billboard for Dewey; the other is of a celebration party attended by Gerber Company staff after Dewey's victory in the Oregon primary.

Dates

  • Creation: 1948 April-May

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Historical Note

In 1948, New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey (1902-1971) ran to be the Republican nominee for U.S. president. In May 1948, he campaigned in Oregon against Harold Stassen. On May 17, 1948, Dewey and Stassen debated each other in Portland, Oregon, about whether the Communist Party should be outlawed in the United States; the debate was broadcast on radio.

Dewey won the Oregon primary, and ultimately became the Republican candidate for the 1948 presidential election. He was defeated by Democratic incumbent Harry S. Truman in the general election.

Sources: Articles in the Oregonian, 1948.

Historical Note

The Joseph R. Gerber Company was an advertising agency based in Portland, Oregon. In 1948, it handled advertising for Thomas E. Dewey's presidential primary campaign in Oregon.

Sources: Articles and advertisements in the Oregonian, 1924-1957; letter from Philip L. Stevens to Oregon Historical Society Executive Director John Pierce, June 11, 2004.

Extent

0.15 Cubic Feet (1 oversize folder (16x20) in shared flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Scrapbook of materials relating to Thomas E. Dewey's 1948 presidential primary campaign in Oregon compiled by the Joseph R. Gerber Company. The Gerber Company was an advertising agency in Portland, Oregon, that handled advertising for Dewey's campaign. Dewey won the Oregon primary and eventually became the Republican nominee, but lost the general election.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Use of the collection requires assistance due to fragility. Contact library staff.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Philip L. Stevens, June 2004 (Lib. Acc. 25445).

Related Materials

Additional materials at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library relating to Dewey's presidential run are in the Politics collection, Mss 1513.

Title
Guide to the Joseph R. Gerber Company scrapbook on Thomas Dewey's 1948 presidential primary campaign in Oregon
Status
Completed
Author
Jeffrey A. Hayes
Date
2022
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository

Contact:
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240