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Hampton Dunn collection of Florida postcards

 Collection
Identifier: MS-1981-02
  • No requestable containers

  • Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains approximately 16,100 postcards that represent Florida's culture, environment and history. Postcards depict a variety of images, such as beaches, streets, hotels and government buildings, plants, landmarks, and tourist attractions. The collection primarily consists of postcards from the first half of the twentieth century. Many have been postmarked and mailed.

Dates

  • Created: 1900-1985

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

None.  The contents of this collection may be subject to copyright.  Visit the United States Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov/ for more information.

Biographical or Historical Information

Henry Hampton Dunn and his twin sister Hazel were born in Floral City, Florida on December 14, 1916. Dunn published his first article in 1932 as a Boy Scout correspondent for the Citrus County Chronicle. During his high school years, which he completed in Tampa, he wrote sports reviews for the Tampa Tribune and Florida Times Union. He attended Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, University of Tampa in Florida and served as a public relations officer and war correspondent with the 12th Air Force during World War II. He left the service in November 1945 at the rank of major and with a Bronze Star. Dunn joined the Tampa Daily Times as a full-time journalist in 1936. In 1946 he received the “Best News Story Award” from the Associated Press Association of Florida for his coverage of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings invasion of privacy trial.For two years Dunn served as a political commentator and news analyst for station WCKT-TV in Miami.  When he returned to Tampa, he joined the Peninsula Motor Club, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, as an executive officer and later vice president. Dunn edited AAA’s monthly magazine, Florida Explorer, and several other journals and newsletters including the Sunland Tribune (Tampa Historical Society) and The Hub (Rotary Club of Tampa).  His syndicated columns included “Photouring Florida” (began in 1966), “Floridana,” and “Palm Tree Politics.”  During his later years, he presented “Hampton Dunn’s Yesterdays” – little histories of Florida events – on WTVT, Channel 13. Hampton belonged to many organizations, including the Tampa Historical Society, Florida Historical Society, and Historical Association of Southern Florida.  His talks to many historical and genealogical groups around the state earned him the affectionate title, “Mr. Florida.” Hampton and his wife Charlotte Ruth Rawls Dunn were the parents of three children.  He died February 3, 2002. Sources: Berube, Rich.  “Hampton Dunn Gift Brings Florida’s History to Life.”  Sunland Tribune  7 (November 1982): 65-67. Camp, Paul.  Collecting Florida: The Hampton Dunn Collection and other Floridiana. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida Libraries, 2006.

Extent

18.29 Linear Feet

34 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement Note

The collection is arranged into four series and then alphabetically by sub-series.  Postcards with a specific location, such as cities or landmarks, are placed in the Counties series. Postcards with no specific location or that span multiple counties, such as rivers, are placed in the Topical series. Digitized postcards are placed in plastic sleeves in their respective boxes.

Source of Acquisition

Hampton Dunn

Method of Acquisition

Donation

Digital Collection

This collection is actively being digitized. You can view the collection on Digital Commons at USF.

Related Materials

Hampton Dunn collection, Special Collections Department, Tampa Library, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.

Title
Hampton Dunn collection of Florida postcards
Author
Amanda Holmberg, 2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the USF Libraries - Special Collections Repository

Contact:
4202 East Fowler Ave.
LIB122
Tampa FL 33620-5400 US
813-974-2731