Presidential Signatures and Ephemera Collection of Parker and Joane Miller

Provenance: Humanities

Scope and Contents: 1.25 linear ft.

Acquired: 1999-2000

Finding Aids Available: See Below or Click Here for Finding Aid

Availability/Restrictions: Full access, with gloves required

Joane Miller, widow of Parker Everard Miller, donated the materials in this collection in two separate accessions. In early 1999, the library received a single bound notebook with individual documents signed by the first thirty-two Presidents of the United States (George Washington through Harry S. Truman). A subsequent accession in August 2000 included a collection of commemorative coins from the Franklin Mint that celebrates notable events in American history.

Parker Everard Miller’s family often spent their winter months in St. Petersburg. Parker’s mother, Mrs. Helen Miller, had started to collect presidential signatures during the mid-1920s and continued to acquire documents that were placed in this scrapbook as her son completed his studies at the Florida Military Academy and Clemson University. Parker served in the military during the Second World War. He received two purple hearts for wounds acquired during the Battle of the Bulge. Parker married Joane in the early 1950s, and he took possession of his mother’s scrapbook and maintained it as a family heirloom. With his interests in numismatics and American history, he began to collect commemorative coins. Parker Miller passed away on 30 March 1997.

Preservation Note

The unique and irreplaceable nature of the materials in this collection requires that patrons exercise special care when examining materials. While preservation measures may slow the physical deterioration of such items, these steps cannot prevent damage from occurring. Please report any tears, excessive wear, or other damage noticed in the scrapbook so that library staff may take appropriate preservation or conservation measures. Protective gloves must be worn when handling the scrapbook and all coins. Staff must directly supervise and monitor all patrons who examine materials in this collection. Patrons using this collection must adhere to copyright and fair-use guidelines and provide proper citation of sources appearing in their research.

Provenance

This collection falls under the Humanities provenance of the Special Collections and Archives department, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library, USF St. Petersburg.

Scope and Contents

The contents occupy one large archival box (approximately 1.25 linear ft.). All signatures and documents date from 1790 to 1956. Many signatures appear on documents created either prior to or after the official term(s) of office of the President. For example, Thomas Jefferson led the nation from 1801 through 1809, yet the document Jefferson signed came from his earlier tenure as secretary of state in August 1790.

Related Collections

Other manuscript collections at the Poynter Library include presidential signatures. The library also owns framed letters written by George Washington (1786) and his Revolutionary era colleague, Benjamin Franklin (1782). For more information about other collections, please consult with staff in Special Collections and Archives.