[EDUCATION]. An archive of documents, photographs, and ephemera identified to the Williams Family of Birmingham, Alabama, incl. Tuskegee Institute pennants and other documentation.

Small archive of more than 50 items spanning ca 1930s-1980s (bulk 1930s-1950s), associated with George Harold Williams (ca 1895-1967?) and Willough Mae Horton Williams (ca 1895-1950) of Birmingham, Alabama, and their son Carmin Depriest Williams (1932-2022).

The majority of documents in the collection relate to Carmin's service in the Air Force ROTC. Archive also includes, in part: a 29 x 12 in. felt "Tuskegee" pennant featuring Black power fist and "Property of Black America" (heavy wear, soil, loss to felt at bottom left, creasing); a 21 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. "Tuskegee Institute" pennant featuring a school emblem (heavy wear, large loss to left corner and smaller losses elsewhere on pennant); a Tuskegee Institute diploma awarded to "Carmin DePriest Williams" with the degree Bachelor of Science in Commercial Industries - Electricity," 24 May 1954 and a commencement program from the same date; Carmin D. Williams' appointment to the United States Air Force, 24 May 1954 and his honorable discharge from the USAF, 29 May 1967; a letter addressed to Carmin Williams from the Tuskegee General Alumni Association, General Headquarters, Tuskegee Institute, 24 May 1954; a typed letter to "Dear Co-Worker" from "S.L. Belle, Co-Chairman," on National Association for the Advancement of Colored People organizational letterhead, Birmingham Branch, 18 May 1938; and a fundraising letter sent on behalf of the United Negro College Fund, 4 October 1980.

[With:] Additional ephemera from George and Willough Williams' and family members, including: a 1936 high school diploma from Booker T. Washington high school in Atlanta, Georgia and small photograph, 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 in., inscribed "Your niece / Artherene Ackers", both associated with Artherene Appress Acker (1920-1992), daughter of Willough's sister; an undated real photo postcard of an unidentified African American child in a white dress; a 5 x 7 in. photograph of an African American woman inscribed "To / Aunt Willough / Uncle George / and / Depriest / from / Ethel"; a 5 x 7 in. photograph possibly showing George and Willough Williams in December 1916, shortly after their marriage, inscribed seemingly at a later date on verso "Can't you see what love & romance / has done for me / I'm not what I used to be / this is my last affair / Tragedy seems to be the end of me / All my happiness has turned / to miserie / This is my last affair. / Willough"; a commencement program from Georgetown University School of Law and thank you note from Stacey Emmie Garlington Lewis Polk, a great-niece (?) who graduated with her JD in 1986; and an 8 x 10 in. black and white image of an unidentified celebration, possibly a wedding, ca. last quarter twentieth century.

Jefferson County, Alabama, marriage records indicate that George H. Williams married
Willough Mae Horton on 1 November 1916. US Census records indicate that George worked as an "oiler" on the steam railroad in the 1940s and 1950s. Their son Carmin (1932-2022) was born more than 15 years after their marriage. He was a 1954 graduate of the Tuskegee Institute and was appointed 2nd lieutenant, Reserve Officer of the Air Force, that same year.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Hindman strives to describe historic materials in a manner that is respectful to all communities, providing descriptive contexts for objects where possible. The nature of historical ephemera is such that some material may represent positions, language, values, and stereotypes that are not consistent with the current values and practices at Hindman.

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The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[email protected]513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

African Americana

[EDUCATION]. An archive of documents, photographs, and ephemera identified to the Williams Family of Birmingham, Alabama, incl. Tuskegee Institute pennants and other documentation.

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