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World War II Defense Bond Rally, Indianapolis photograph collection

 Collection — Folder: SP137
Identifier: SP137

Scope and Contents

This collection includes black-and-white photographs taken at the Defense Bond Rally in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 15, 1942 during World War II, depicting Hoosier actress Carole Lombard, Will H. Hays, Eugene C. Pulliam, Governor Henry Schricker, Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan, Dr. Charles B. Coleman, and others. There is also a clipping featuring many photographs from the event.

Dates

  • 1942/01/15

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Historical Note

The first American war bond rally of World War II was held in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 15, 1942, a little over one month after the United States entered the war. Actress Carole Lombard, who was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, particpated in the rally, along with Will H. Hays, also a Hoosier and head of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association, and local figures such as Governor Henry F. Schricker, Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan, and Eugene C. Pulliam, chairman of the Indiana defense savings staff. The U.S. Treasury's goal for the rally was $500,000 but Lombard's enthusiasm prompted Hoosiers to buy over $2 million in bonds that day. Tragically, the following day, Lombard, her mother, and Otto Winkler from MGM, along with 15 members of the Army Air Corps, died when their plane crashed near Las Vegas, Nevada. Lombard's death shocked the nation and devastated husband Clark Gable.

Sources:

Items in the collection.

"Carole Lombard." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Last updated November 12, 2021. Accessed November 24, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Carole-Lombard.

"How Carole Lombard Became Hollywood’s First Casualty of World War II." Variety, May 25, 2020. Accesssed November 24, 2021. https://variety.com/2020/film/news/carole-lombard-plane-crash-memorial-day-world-war-ii-1234615152.

Wikipedia. "Carole Lombard." Wikipedia.org. Accessed November 24, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carole_Lombard.

Extent

0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by subject.

Custodial History

This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.

Accruals

No further additions are expected.

Related Materials

Materials relating to this collection may be found in the following collections in Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN:

L560: Will H. Hays collection

L630: Eugene C. Pulliam collection

Processing Information

Collection processing completed 2021/11/24 by Brittany Kropf. EAD finding aid created 2021/11/24 by Brittany Kropf.
Title
World War II Defense Bond Rally, Indianapolis photograph collection
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671