Arrangement: The collection is arranged into two major parts. The first includes the personal papers of Edgar B. Stern and is housed in boxes 1-17 and volumes 1-15. The second part includes the business records of the New Orleans firms of Lehman, Stern, and Company, cotton merchants (1880-1940), and of two subsidiary companies: Commercial Press and Warehouse Company (1912-1936) and Southern States Land and Timber Company (1919-1921), housed in boxes 18-19 and in volumes 16-78. The collection is 21 linear feet.

Date Acquired: 00/00/1969

Subjects: Commercial Press and Warehouse Company., Cotton trade -- Louisiana -- New Orleans., Lehman, Stern, and Company., Longue Vue House and Gardens (New Orleans, La.), New Orleans (La.) -- Commerce., New Orleans (La.) -- History., New Orleans Cotton Exchange., Philanthropists -- United States., Southern States Land and Timber Company., Stern, Edgar Bloom, 1886-1959., Stern, Edith Rosenwald, 1895-1980., Stern, Maurice, 1855-1919., Stern family.

Forms of Material: Correspondence., Diplomas., Financial records., Personal papers., Photographs., Reports., Speeches., Telegrams.

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection includes of Edgar B. Stern's personal correspondence, legal and financial records, military papers, college papers and memorabilia, invitations, international and New Orleans post cards, clippings, pamphlets, scrapbooks, certificates, diplomas, speeches, essays, reports, telegrams, maps, photographs and photographic negatives, cartoons, and printed material. Financial records of cotton firms include massive (up to 59 cm.) ledger books.

Biographical Note

Edgar Bloom Stern was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1886 to Maurice and Hannah Bloom Stern. Maurice Stern was a partner in the firm of Lehman, Stern and Company, whose offices were located at the corner of Baronne and Gravier Streets, but were moved in 1917 to 840-842 Union Street. The family home was located at 5115 Saint Charles Avenue. Edgar Stern lived most of his life in New Orleans with the exception of attending college at Harvard University. Mr. Stern had an active business and civic career, involving himself in a wide range of enterprises, from the arts, to education, to health care, all aimed at enhancing the development of the city. In 1921, he married Edith Rosenwald of Ravinia, Illinois, daughter of Sears, Roebuck & Company magnate Julius Rosenwald; the Sterns were acclaimed as philanthropists. Edgar B. Stern was president of the New Orleans Cotton Exchange in 1927-1928. He became active nationally, receiving appointments to federal commissions and committees; his civic work included involvement at the state and local levels also. Longue Vue House and Gardens in New Orleans, a Classical Revival mansion, was their family home. Edgar B. Stern died on August 24, 1959. In the twenty-first century and post-Katrina, Longue Vue, designated a National Historic Landmark, is an internationally recognized historic site that continues to serve as an educational and cultural resource

Subject/Index Terms

Commercial Press and Warehouse Company.
Cotton trade -- Louisiana -- New Orleans.
Lehman, Stern, and Company.
Longue Vue House and Gardens (New Orleans, La.)
New Orleans (La.) -- Commerce.
New Orleans (La.) -- History.
New Orleans Cotton Exchange.
Philanthropists -- United States.
Southern States Land and Timber Company.
Stern, Edgar Bloom, 1886-1959.
Stern, Edith Rosenwald, 1895-1980.
Stern, Maurice, 1855-1919.
Stern family.

Administrative Information

Repository: Louisiana Research Collection

Alternate Extent Statement: 21 linear feet

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public. No known restrictions.

Use Restrictions: Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Acquisition Source: Donated by Edith Rosenwald Stern.

Acquisition Method: Gift.

Preferred Citation: Edgar B. Stern collection, Manuscripts Collection 235, Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118.

Finding Aid Revision History: LAC Group entered inventory information in Archon in 2011. Revised by LAC 5/2/11.

Other Note: OCLC Number: 406599180

Box and Folder Listing

Box 9: Invitations and announcements

Folder 1: 1903 January 2-1904 June 21

1903 January 2. Afternoon reception. Mrs. Kate M. Simon, Miss Simon, Miss Gladys Simon, Sherry's, New York.

1904 January 9. Fourth Joint Annual Debate and Oratorical Contest between Glendy-Burke and Forum Literary Societies Tulane University, Gibson Hall. With card of Sol. Weiss, invitation and program.

1904 March 1. Party invitation. Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Stern, Miss Nathalie Baer, 5115 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans.

1904 March 29. Wedding reception invitation. Miriam Berthelot Lemann and Robert Henry Polack, 6317 St. Charles Avenue.

1904 May 24. Newcomb High School commencement invitation. With card of Lillian Goldstein.

1904 June 21. Wedding invitation. Corinne Hartwig Moss and Jacob Adler. Harmony Club, New Orleans.

Folder 2: 1909 February 16-1911 December 29

1909 February 16. Cauldron invitation.

1910 January 31. Cauldron invitation.

1910 April 20. Louisiana Historical Society meeting announcement. Papers to be given by Mr. T.P. Thompson on "Early Louisiana Writers and Imprints" and by Edgar B. Stern on "Napoleon and the Louisiana Purchase."

1911 December 29. Wedding invitation. Josephine Ella Mayer and S. Walter Stern.

Folder 3: Cauldron dance cards, 1910-1912, 1917, undated

Folder 4: 1916 December 10-1921 October 18

1916 December 10. Meeting invitation. Emma Tannenbaum-Goldman alias Renée C. Sligman. Allaire's, 143 E. 17th Street, New York.

1917 January 18? Party invitation. Mrs. George Quintard Whitney, Miss Whitney.

1917 May. Wedding invitation. Marcos Garcia-Huidobro and Josefina Valdivieso Barros. Santiago.

1917 June 9. Phi Beta Kappa Literary Exercises, Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

1919 December 6. Party invitation. Ethel Frank, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, New York.

1920 January 23. Ball invitation. The Mittens. Athenaeum, New Orleans.

1920 February 16. Reception in honor of General John J. Pershing. City Hall, New Orleans. Announcement.

1921 October 18. "Lollypop Lark" invitation. Antoine's, New Orleans. Hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Max M. Levy.

Folder 5: undated

undated October 18. Wedding invitation. Rebecca Rothenberg and Sylvan E. Straus. Meridian, Mississippi.

November 1. "At home" card. No name. 902 Chauncey Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland.

December 25. Dance invitation. Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Swarts, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Wertheimer.

undated. Card of Mr. Edgar Bloom Stern.

undated. Card of Mrs. Edgar B. Stern.

undated. Card of Mr. and Mrs. Julius Rosenwald with handwritten message on it.

undated. Card of Mr. Herman A.H. Lebus.

undated. Place card? Edgar B. Stern.

undated. Reception card. Standard Club, n.p.

Folder 6: Name and address lists, 1919, undated

Folder 7: War Department, Procurement Division, Office of the Chief of Ordnance, Washington, D.C., Orders and memoranda, 1918 July 3-December 26

Folder 8: War Department orders, 1918 October 14-1918 December 28

1918 October 14. General Court Martial Orders Number 222.

1918 November 11. General Orders Number 110. List of United States Marines receiving the distinguished service cross, AEF.

1918 December 2. General Orders Number 117. List of AEF and allied army men receiving the distinguished service cross.

1918 December 3. General Orders Number 119. List of AEF men receiving the distinguished service cross.

1918 December 5. General Orders Number 121. List of AEF men receiving the distinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action in France.

1918 December 10. General Orders Number 122. Explanation of Chevron Award for non-combat war duties.

1918 December 11. General Orders Number 123. List of AEF men receiving the distinguished service cross for heroism in action in France.

1918 December 11. General Orders Number 124. List of AEF and allied army men receiving the distinguished service cross for heroism in action in France.

1918 December 13. General Orders Number 126. List of AEF and allied army men receiving the distinguished service cross for heroism in action in France.

1918 December 13. General Orders Number 127. List of AEF men receiving the distinguished service cross for heroism in action in France.

1918 December 14. General Orders Number 128. List of AEF men receiving the distinguished service cross for heroism in action in France.

1918 December 14. General Orders Number 129. List of AEF and allied army men receiving the distinguished service cross for heroism in action in France.

1918 December 14. General Orders Number 130. List of AEF and allied army men receiving the distinguished service cross for heroism in action in France.

1918 December 14. General Orders Number 131. List of AEF men receiving the distinguished service cross for heroism in action in France.

1918 December 16. General Orders Number 133. List of officers and enlisted men receiving the distinguished service cross.

1918 December 20. General Orders Number 136. List of officers receiving the distinguished service medal.

1918 December 21. General Orders Number 137. List of AEF men receiving the distinguished service medal.

1918 December 23. General Orders Number 138. List of AEF men receiving the distinguished service cross.

1918 December 24. General Orders Number 139. List of AEF and allied armies men receiving the distinguished service cross.

1918 December 24. General Orders Number 140. List of AEF and allied armies men receiving the distinguished service cross.

1918 December 26. General Orders Number 141.

1918 December 27. General Orders Number 142. List of AEF men receiving the distinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in France.

1918 December 28. General Orders Number 147. List of AEF men receiving the distinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in Europe.

1918 November 7. Supply Bulletin Number 29.

Folder 9: Chart, procurement division general control section, statistical branch, tentative personnel, 1918 November 27

Stored in oversize folder number 1.

Folder 10: War Department Procurement Division orders, 1919 January 2-29

Folder 11: 1919 Janaury 2-7

1919 January 2. War Department General Orders Number 4.

1919 January 7. War Department General Orders Number 5. Announces death of United States President Theodore Roosevelt.

1919? War Department. Instructions for rating commissioned officers.

Folder 12: Miscellaneous World War I papers, 1918-1919

Folder 13: World War I service chevrons badge, 1918-1919

Folder 14: Executive order number 3 issued by Sam H. Jones, Governor of Louisiana, creation of the "Economic Development Committee of Louisiana", 1943 April 10

Folder 15: Other manuscripts, 1907, 1916-1920, undated

Tulane University Special Collections