At the time Mr. Snow wrote his “Amateur Journalism” pamphlet, in 1922, the Fossil Library, consisting of 50,000 old amateur papers, was located at 150 Nassau St., New York. It has since been moved to the Franklin Memorial Institute, Philadelphia, where it will be permanently preserved under the care of the Curtis Family of SATURDAY EVENING POST fame. The second largest collection is owned by Truman J. Spencer, of Hamden, Conn., while Vincent B. Haggery of Jersey City, N. J., has one of the very few known files of the official organ of the National Amateur Press Association, embracing 63 years. Any one interested can obtain information as to other fine collections by writing to Edwin H. Smith, Librarian of the N.A.P.A., 524 N. Kenmore St., Philadelphia.
As to amateur journalists who subsequently reached exalted ranks as authors or publishers, Mr. Spencer has kindly furnished me with the following list:
FRANK B. NOYES, publisher Washington STAR, at age of 12 ran the TIMES.
THEODORE BODENWEIN (recently deceased), publisher of the New London DAY, at 17 ran the THAMES BUDGET.
E. H. STAIR, owner Detroit FREE PRESS, ran OUR BOYS AND GIRLS, in 1873.
JOSEPHUS DANIELS, publisher of the Raleigh NEWS AND OBSERVER, and ex-Secretary of the Navy, at age of 12 ran the CORNUCOPIA.
RICHARD W. GILDER, for many years editor of the CENTURY MAGAZINE, ran the REGISTER at 16.
CYRUS H. K. CURTIS, S. E. POST AND LADIES’ HOME JOURNAL publisher, conducted YOUNG AMERICA at the age of 14.
JOHN THAYER, well-remembered as publisher of EVERYBODY’S MAGAZINE and the SMART SET, when only 13, ran the PRINTER.
GEORGE B. M. HARVEY, one of the final publishers of HARPER’S WEEKLY, issued the DEMOCRAT when only 14.