Scope and Content
The bulk of the papers in the Bob Steele Collection were gathered by Steele's son, Phil Steele, as he prepared to publish Bob Steele's Century, a ten volume compilation about his father. For the most part, they remain in the chronological order Phil Steele initiated. To aid in preservation, the photographs have been moved to a series of their own. The remaining materials have been sorted into the following series: Personal Papers, Scrapbooks, and Radio. Information about Bob's personal and professional lives overlap, particularly in the Scrapbook series. Further descriptions of each series may be found below. Items not used in the publication have, when possible, been added chronologically. The remainder were added to the Topical section of the Radio series. This finding aid also contains a list of the material objects in the collection.
Dates
- 1912 - 2003
Access Restrictions
The records are stored in a restricted area and therefore may not be available on a same-day basis.
Extent
From the Collection: 6.5 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Abstract
The photographs series spans Bob’s entire life. The earliest photos are primarily of his family, including Bob and his parents. His foray into boxing and his love of motorcycles become evident in the 1930s. By the end of that decade he has become a radio announcer. The photos have expanded to include professional headshots for WTIC, as well as images of Shirley and their growing family. Family photos dominate the collection through the 1950s, with the occasional print of Bob with a famous sports figure. As the kids, and Bob’s celebrity grew, the photographs are increasingly from his work events. Black and white film gives way to color in the 1960s, and the family photos also show Bob’s daughters-in-law and grandchildren. In the 1970s, photographs appear to include those sent in by fans who met him at events. Award ceremonies, and similar occasions, dominate the photographs from Bob’s final decades. Headshots may be found throughout this series.
Repository Details
Part of the Hartford History Center Repository
Hartford History Center
Hartford Public Library
500 Main St
Hartford CT 06103 USA
860.695.6297
hhc@hplct.org