INTRODUCTION
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Archival Items in the Collection
In addition to the published works described in this Catalogue,
there are a number of archival and ephemeral materials in Joe
Fishstein's legacy, some of which offer a vivid glimpse of aspects
of working-class and middle-class life in the early twentieth
century. As such, they form primary sources both for Jewish and
non-Jewish early twentieth century historical and sociological
research.
A large envelope, of possible interest to historians of the Labour
Movement in America, contains memorabilia from Fishstein's years
in the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, including
election sheets listing the tally of votes by specialty, e.g.,
Pleaters, Tuckers, and so on. There are several large, thick albums
containing postcards of the time, which were often issued in series.
Generally produced in Central or Eastern Europe and the United
States, some of these consist of portraits of authors (often studio
photographs) - both Jewish and non-Jewish - and other world figures.
Some depict sentimental scenes and other subjects popular in the
early decades of the twentieth century. There is a scrapbook into
which caricatures and other humorous material from Yiddish newspapers
have been pasted. Fishstein was also a collector of book reviews
and other material which he clipped and inserted into relevant
volumes. There are several charming artifacts made by Fishstein
in the Collection, including an intriguing wooden plaque dedicated
to the klasiker, the "Fathers" of modern Yiddish literature:
Mendele Mokher Sefarim, Sholem Aleichem and Isaac Loeb Peretz.
It is artfully composed, designed with symbolic material, and
adorned with metal buttons and other materials found in the garment
trade.
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Goldie Sigal
Jewish Studies Librarian
McGill University Libraries