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 15: Clippings and printed material

Folder 1: Clipping: "Yours truly Maurice Stern", 1887

Folder 2: Clipping: "The Jew in America. What are his Contributions to our Life?" by Rabbi Charles Fleischer from the Boston Evening Transcript, 1905 November 29

Folder 3: 1908 December-1909 February

Clippings concerning the Southern Commerical Congress held in Washington D.C., and the conversion of the St. Matthews Church property to a Southern Commercial Congress building, Washington D.C.

Folder 4: 1910 January 10-January 14

1910 January 10. Clipping: "Anniversary Ceremony at Jewish Orphan Home." The Times-Democrat. Article includes picture of the home's exterior.

1910 January 14. Clipping: "Anniversary Day. The Fifty-fifth in the History of the Jewish Orphans' Home." The Jewish Ledger. Volume XXXI, Number 2.

Folder 5: Clippings, 1912 November 27-1915 January 17

1912 November 27. "Jury Commission and the Hospital New Board Named." The New Orleans Item.

1912 November. "Two New Members of Hospital Board Appointed by Hall" with pictures of Frank B. Hayne and Edgar B. Stern.

1912 December 12. "Charity Hospital Graduates Nurses". Article includes picture of class of 1912.

1912 December ? Fragment of article concerning Charity Hospital nurses' graduation. Mr. Stern gave an address and presented the diplomas.

1915 January 17. Newspaper column: "Cynthia St. Charles' Letter", The New Orleans Item. Concerns dinner given by the Maurice Sterns for Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Straus of New York.

Folder 6: Clippings concerning the death of Maurice Stern, New Orleans, on April 15, 1919, 1919 April 15

Folder 7: 1920 February 4-October 16

1919 February 4. "Edgar B. Stern" by Joe Earman. The Palm Beach Post.

1920 August 27. "A Great Mayor for Commercial Associations" The New Orleans Item. Concerns the Mayor Behrman - McShane controversy. 2 copies.

1920 August ? "'He Doesn't Belong to Commerical Organizations" Then New Orleans Item. Concerns the Berhman - McShane controversy.

1920 October 16. "Federal Reserve Board Not Ready to Give Final Reply on Rediscounting of Paper." The Times-Picayune.

Folder 8: 1921 January 11-June 30

1921 January 11. "Stock Exchange Names Officials". The Times-Picayune.

1921 January 15. Portion of article. "Eliminating the Middlemen". The Saturday Evening Post. Verso: untitled article on heatlh and exercise.

1921 June 28-30. Clippings concerning marriage of Edith Rosenwald Sulzberger and Edgar B. Stern.

Folder 9: 1930-1937 December 31 and undated

1930. "The Loving Cup Winner". Refers to awarding of 1930 Times-Picayune Loving Cup to Edgar B. Stern.

1937 August 3. Newspaper photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar B. Stern aboard the Italian liner Conte Di Savoia, New York. The New Orleans Item. Ella Barnett Photo.

1937 September 21. "European Tour". With newspaper photograph of Edgar B. Stern.

1937 December 30. "In the Nation. A Bill of Particulars Would Help Matters" by Arthur Krock. The New York Times?

1937 December 31. "In the Nation. The Gentle Art of Misleading Quotation" Arthur Krock. The New York Times?

Undated. "Renew Drive for Symphony. Stern's Contribution of $2,000 Spurs Aid Towards Goal."

Undated. "Stern's Symphony Gift May Reach $6,000."

Undated. "Russia Adopts Capitalistic Ideas to Speed Its Progress" with newspaper photograph of Edgar B. Stern. 2 copies.

Undated. "Britains' Arms to Keep Peace, Stern Asserts" with newspaper photo of Edgar B. Stern.

Undated. "European People Do Not Want War is Stern Opinion". 2 copies.

Undated. "The New Scapegoat". Concerns attack on big business by Robert Jackson, Assistant United States Attorney General and Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickles.

Undated. 'The New Mythology". Concerns Jackson - Ickles attack on big business.

Folder 10: undated

Undated. "Mr. Maurice Stern of New Orleans". Cotton Trade Journal.

Undated. "The Annual Contest of Arguement and Oratory. Debate at Tulane won by Weiss and Levy and Oratory Medal by L.H. Gosserand." The Daily Picayune. With newspaper photographs of the winners.

Undated. "Hospital Board Adopts Reorganization Plans". The New Orleans Item.

Undated. "Hospital Book Station. Pratical Philanthropy Started at the L. and N. Depot."

Folder 11: Photographs of clippings, 1935 May 21

"Bronze Memory of Cotton Exchange Official. Tablet Honoring Hester Placed in Cotton Exchange." The Times-Picayune

Folder 12: Photographs of clippings, 1936 January 5

"Leaders at Annual Dinner of Association of Commerce" In photo are Bishop James Craik Morris, Harper Sibley, President of United States Chamber of Commerce, Edgar B. Stern, H. van R. Chase, Mayer Israel, Bryan Bell

Folder 13: Photographs of clippings, 1938 January 5

"Banker Picked to Head Chest" Times-Picayune, concerns James Gilly Jr., of the Whitney National Bank, elected President of the Community Chest.

"James Gilly Jr., Elected as New Chest Chieftain."

Folder 14: Photographs of clippings, 1940 June 1

"State Hospital Board Members Take Their Oaths" The Times-Picayune

Folder 15: Photographs of clippings, 1942 May 26

"Stern Appointed Chairmen of New Transport Group" Times-Picayune

Folder 16: Photographs of clippings, 1943 May 8

"Stern to Direct Economic Group" Times Picayune

Folder 17: Photographs of clippings, 1944 February 19; 1944 November 3

1944 February 19. Newspaper photographs of Edgar B. Stern and A.B. Freeman, named to the board of administrators of the Tulane University Educational Fund. The Times-Picayune.

1944 November 3. "Trade Leaders Given Tributes. Association of Commerce Day Observed". Times-Picayune.

Folder 18: Photographs of clippings, 1945 March 19

Newspaper photograph of the Mayor's Advisory Council

Folder 19: Photographs of clippings, 1847 May 7

"Mayor Reports on Year in Office" Times-Picayune

Folder 20: Photographs of clippings, undated, 1936?

"Sibley Predicts Gain in Business and Employment"

Folder 21: 1893 July 17; 1919 February 15

1893 July 17. Newspaper, The New York Times. page 3-6 only.

1919 February 15. Newspaper The Times-Picayune. Stored in oversize folder number 2.

Folder 22: Bulletins, 1919 May 29-July 1, undated

1919 May 29. Temple Sinai Bulletin. Volume 2, number 3.

1919 July 1. American Red Cross. Gulf Division Bulletin.

Undated. Association of Commerce News Bulletin. Pages 7-8. "Bill Designed to Equalize Realty Assessments Advocated by Stern."

Folder 23: The H.A. Monthly, 1920 June

Volume 1, number 4, published by the Young Men's Hebrew Association, New Orleans, Louisiana, page 6 contains printed letter, May 21, 1920, from Edgar B. Stern to Mr. Joseph Nierenberg, Superintendent, Young Men's Hebrew Association

Folder 24: Cartoons, undated

Undated. Cartoon by George Smith. "Mr. Stern, which shortage is more acute so I'll know whether to use an eraser or take a fresh piece of paper?"

Undated. Cartoon by W.K. Patrick. Concerns Edgar B. Stern's leaving office as President of the New Orleans Association of Commerce. Stored in oversize folder number 19.

Folder 25: Printed list of occupants of room 19, Holworthy Hall, Harvard University from 1812-1813 to 1906-1907, undated

stored in oversize folder number 19.

Folder 26: Maps, Southern United States, 1927 June 4

1927 June 4. "Legend. Cotton Per Cent. Condition as per 1927 June 4. 73.6." Compliments of H. Hentz and Company, New York Cotton Exchange Building, Hanover Square, New York City. Compiled and copyrighted by James L. Watkins and Son, Cotton Statistician, New York.

1927 June 4. "Legend. Weather to 1927 June 4." Compliments of H. Hentz and Co. New York. Compiled and copyrighted by James L. Watkin and Son, Cotton Statistician, New York.

Both maps stored in oversize folder number 1.

Folder 27: Other printed material, 1903-1921, undated

Tulane University Special Collections