J. Montgomery Curtis, Journalist, Papers, 1891-1992 A&M 3249

J. Montgomery Curtis, Journalist, Papers, 1891-1992 A&M 3249


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West Virginia and Regional History Center

1549 University Ave.
P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown, WV 26506-6069
Business Number: 304-293-3536
wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.com
URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu

Staff of the West Virginia & Regional History Center

Repository
West Virginia and Regional History Center
Identification
A&M 3249
Title
J. Montgomery Curtis, Journalist, Papers 1891-1992
URL:
https://archives.lib.wvu.edu/ark:/99999/195827
Quantity
5 Linear Feet, Summary: 5 ft. (4 records cartons, 15 in. each)
Creator
Curtis, J. Montgomery
Location
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Language
English

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Conditions Governing Access

No special access restriction applies.

Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], J. Montgomery Curtis, Journalist, Papers, A&M 3249, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.


Scope and Contents

Papers and photos collected by a historian of journalism, Don E. Carter, about J. Montgomery Curtis, a renowned journalist and newspaper expert from Elm Grove, West Virginia. Curtis was best known as a long time director of the New York-based American Press Institute which was associated with Columbia University. The American Press Institute functioned to offer advice and criticism to journalists and news publications. The last part of his career was spent in Miami working for the Knight newspaper chain, later Knight Ridder newspapers, as a vice president and in-house critic. Most of the collection is comprised of correspondence with colleagues, biographical notes about Curtis, and critiques of practices in the newspaper business. There is much correspondence with John S. Knight evaluating the newspapers he owned, with James H. Ottaway who was a newspaper owner and long time chairman of the board of the American Press Institute, and with Don E. Carter and Malcolm F. Mallette about the history of the American Press Institute.

Series include:
Series 1. Biographical Information, 1956–1989 (Box 1)
Series 2. Correspondence, 1956–1982 (Boxes 1-3)
Series 3. Speeches and Writings -- Other Authorship, 1963-1973, undated (Box 3)
Series 4. Speeches and Writings -- Authored by Curtis, 1964-1982, undated (Box 3)
Series 5. Subjects -- Associated Press Institute [API], 1891–1983 (Box 3)
Series 6. Subjects -- General, 1968–1982 (Box 3)
Series 7. Photographs, 1974–1980 (Box 3)
Series 8. Photographs -- API -- Workshops, 1973–1974 (Box 3)
Series 9. Newspaper Critique Files, 1953–1989 (Boxes 3-4)
Series 10. Books, 1974–1992 (Box 4)

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • American Press Institute
  • Carter, Don E.
  • Curtis, J. Montgomery
  • Journalists - letters and papers.
  • Knight, John S.
  • Mallette, Malcom F.
  • Ottoway, James H.
  • Walters, Basil

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Carter, Don E.
  • Curtis, J. Montgomery
  • Knight, John S.
  • Mallette, Malcom F.
  • Ottoway, James H.
  • Walters, Basil

Container List

Series 1. Biographical Information (Box 1)
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1-11 1956–1989
Scope and Contents

This series includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, and other material regarding J. Montgomery Curtis and his career.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1
    Miscellaneous (includes clippings, vitae, biographical sketches, anecdotes, certificate from West Virginia University [WVU], etc.)
    1956–1988
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1
    Letters of Condolence upon the Death of J.M. Curtis
    1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 02a
    Miscellaneous (includes correspondence, clippings, job descriptions, etc.)
    1967–1974
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 02b-e
    Miscellaneous (includes correspondence, clippings, etc. documenting autobiographical anecdotes of JMC, his sense of humor, and many reminiscences of him, among other items of a biographical or semi-biographical nature) (Note by Don E. Carter regarding these files: "This folder holds a collection of items used by Mal Mallette and me in our book...on history of the American Press Institute. They were largely extracted from other files of the Curtis Collection and need to be reorganized and clarified.")
    1970–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3
    Reminiscence of J. Montgomery Curtis by Don Carter (22 pgs.)
    1989
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 4
    Letters of Appreciation
    1972–1980
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 5
    J. Montgomery Curtis Dinner at Columbia University, July, 1967 (includes correspondence, telegrams, guest list, clippings, greeting cards, etc.)
    1967
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 6
    J. Montgomery Curtis Dinner, November 19, 1975 (includes correspondence, speech, telegram, greeting card, etc.)
    1975
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 7
    Retirement (includes press release and correspondence)
    1978–1979
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 8
    Clippings (regarding J.M. Curtis and API); Pamphlet--"12th Williamsburg International Assembly; A Report on American Dreams and Dilemmas" (meeting of foreign graduate students)
    1968–1979
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 9
    Letters of Condolence upon the Death of J.M. Curtis
    1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 10
    Memorial Service (includes correspondence, programs, clippings, transcripts of eulogies, etc.)
    1982–1983
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 11
    Eulogies
    1982–1983
Series 2. Correspondence (Boxes 1-3)
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 12-27 Mixed Materials Box: 2 Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 1a-6 1956–1982
Scope and Contents

This series includes correspondence with assorted newspapers, authors, and others regarding the American Press Institute (API), newspapers, and other topics.

Occasionally, a note from the donor, Don E. Carter, will appear in the title in parentheticals highlighting subjects or topics of note or sharing historical significance.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 12-24
    Miscellaneous (includes mostly correspondence, some clippings, and other items regarding mostly critique of newspapers, some on history of the API, among other topics; evidence of notes, annotations, and highlighting on letters suggests that Don Carter used these materials for researching "Seminar; The Story of the API")
    1967–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 25-26
    Congratulatory Letters on Joining Knight Newspapers (Note by Don E. Carter regarding this file: "These are a cross-section of the scores of letters Monty Curtis received when he left the American Press Institute to join Knight newspapers. Many others were discarded in condensing his extensive files.")
    1967
  • Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 27
    General
    1967
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 1a-c
    Get Well Letters (includes correspondence, greeting cards, clippings, etc.) (Note by Don E. Carter regarding this file: "Monty Curtis suffered an aortic aneurysm in Wichita on November 22, 1976 while conducting a seminar on reporting and editing. He was unconscious for many weeks thereafter but eventually recovered and returned to his work in Miami. This file contains the enormous outpouring of support and respect he received during this period.")
    1977
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 1d
    Letters as Result of Editor and Publisher Article regarding the Recovery of J.M. Curtis
    1977
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 2
    Letters to a Convalescent -- Selected (probably a selection by Don Carter)
    1977–1980
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 3-4
    Get Well Letters
    undated
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 5
    Duluth Herald and News Tribune
    1978–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 6
    Gary Post-Tribune
    1977–1978
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 7
    Philadelphia Daily News
    1970–1976
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 8
    Beebe, George
    1969–1980
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 9
    Bellune, Jerry
    1976–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 10
    Black, Creed
    1971–1981
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 11
    Carter, Don E.
    1977–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 12
    Chapman, Alvah H. (includes speeches and clippings)
    1956–1977
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 13-14
    Everett, Walter
    1974–1979
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 15-16
    Hays, Tim (Note by Don E. Carter regarding this file: "Tim Hays was a Board Member and later Chairman of the Board of Directors of API. Hays and Curtis kept in close touch during these years about API matters.")
    1974–1981
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 17-22
    Hohenberg, John (professor of journalism at the Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University, and Administrator for the Pulitzer Prizes)
    1972–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 23
    Hohenberg, John--Selected (by Don Carter)
    1981–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 24
    Hohenberg, John--Tribute (on occasion of Hohenberg's retirement)
    1976
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 25
    Hohenberg, John--Projects (regarding Hohenberg's book projects, including book on history of Pulitzer Prizes)
    1970–1976
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 26-27
    Knight, John S.
    1968–1979
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 28
    Knight, James L. (includes correspondence, clippings, interview transcript, etc.) Photograph (James Knight with wife and Ambassador and Mrs. Olavi Munkii of Finland on receiving Commander of the Order of Lion of Finland for promoting economic and cultural ties.)
    1967–1978
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 29
    Lux, John (Note by Don E. Carter regarding this file: "Here is an interesting collection of letters between Curtis and the then-publisher of a Knight-Ridder paper in Grand Forks, ND. Note especially Monty's wit and humor in trying to achieve a better newspaper. And don't miss the letters about John Lux's dog!")
    1974–1979
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 30
    McMullan, John (includes correspondence, clippings, etc.)
    1971–1981
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 31-36
    Mallette, Malcolm F. (Note by Don E. Carter regarding this file: "These files...contain correspondence between Monty Curtis and Mallette over a period of years, after Curtis left API and worked with Knight and Knight Ridder Newspapers. They demonstrate his continuing interest, participation and support of the American Press Institute for as long as he lived. Mallette joined API as an Associate Director. He moved up to become Managing Director, Director, and finally Director of Development.")
    1966–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 37
    Murray, J. Edward
    1973–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 38
    Neill, Rolfe
    1970–1981
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 1a-c
    Ottaway, James H. (long-time Chairman of the Board of the American Press Institute)
    1972–1981
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 1d
    Parham, Joseph ("Joe") (Macon News, Editor) (includes correspondence, clippings, etc.)
    1969–1981
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 1e
    Quine, Frank (API, Director)
    1981–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 2
    Ridder, Bernhard H
    1974–1979
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 3
    Schumaker, Tom (President and Publisher, Grand Forks Herald (includes clippings)
    1977–1980
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 4
    Shimura, Hiroshi (includes photographs and letters on art paper)
    1970–1978
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 5
    Shoemaker, Don (includes clippings and transcript of API Editorial Writers Seminar)
    1969–1979
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 6
    Sulzberger, Arthur Hays (New York Times) (includes clippings)
    1953–1967
Series 3. Speeches and Writings -- Other Authorship (Box 3)
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 7, 17 1963-1973, undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes speeches by Ralph Shoemaker, Vincent Jones, and an unnamed author.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 7
    "All Purpose Speech" (source materials/working papers for basic newspaper workshops)
    undated
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 17
    Shoemaker, Ralph J.--"Newspapers in the Classics" (consisting of quotations from classic literature that make reference to newspapers) (36 pgs.)
    1970–1973
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 17
    Jones, Vincent S.--"The Fifth Estate" (address to the Graduating Class, Sweet Briar College, June 3, 1963) (9 pgs.)
    1963
Series 4. Speeches and Writings -- Authored by Curtis (Box 3)
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 8-16 1964-1982, undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes speeches and writings by Curtis, many on the topic of the state of the press and journalism as a whole.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 8
    "Some Thoughts on Newspaper Success" (20 pgs.)
    undated
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 8
    Concise Comments on Newspaper Success (4 pgs.)
    undated
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 8
    "Where are Newspapers Now? Where are They Going" (8 pgs.)
    undated
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 8
    Ten Challenges to Newspapers (speech transcript)
    undated
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 8
    "Excerpts from talk by J. Montgomery Curtis, Director, American Press Institute at Forty-Ninth Anniversary Convention of Southern Newspaper Publishers Association, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia (WV), November 21, 1952" (2 pgs.)
    1952 November 21
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 8
    "Proceedings of Dedicatory Ceremonies for Howell Hall as the New Home of the School of Journalism" (includes transcript of JMC's speech) (11 pgs.)
    1960 October 21
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 8
    "The Quality of Today's Newspaper Is Far Better than 10 Years Ago" (2 pgs.)
    1964 June 12
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 8
    "What Is the Truth about Newspapers" (3 pgs.)
    July 1964
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 8
    "How the Editor Can Help Production and Vice Versa" (16 pgs.) (transcript of conference presentation)
    1964 June 12
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 09a
    "Newspapers Today -- A Situationer" (4 pgs.)
    1966 February 10
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 09a
    "The Challenge of Change" (3 pgs.)
    March 1967
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 09a
    "There Is No Such Thing as a Serious Error" (3 pgs.)
    March 1967
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 09a
    "Inter American Press Association; XXIII General Assembly; San Juan, Puerto Rico; October 1967; Address by JMC, Vice President of Development, Knight Newspapers, Inc. (7 pgs.)
    October 1967
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 09a
    "Some Random Thoughts with a Shotgun for Your Consideration" (regarding national events) (16 pgs.)
    1967 December 22
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 09a
    "Freedom and Responsibility in the Age of Chaos" (transcript of speech delivered at Williamsburg International Assembly, Williamsburg, VA) (9 pgs.)
    1968 June 10
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 09a
    Press Release regarding JMC Speech at New England Society of Newspaper Editors 15th Annual Convention (2 pgs.)
    1969 December 6
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 09a
    Clipping regarding JMC Letter to Editor (C.A. McKnight) Discussing Current Events (1 pg.)
    1970 March 29
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 09a
    "People Make the Difference" (remarks on "management methods and training" for FIEJ Congress session) (12 pgs.)
    1970 June 18
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 09b
    "Where Have We Been?" (regarding the technology of newspaper production) (3 pgs.)
    1972 July 18
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 09b
    Current Events (delivered to Macon Rotary Club; includes clipping and program) (11 pgs.)
    1973 July 31
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 09b
    "The Press and Watergate" (delivered to Inland Daily Press Association)
    1973 October 15
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 09b
    "Thoughts on Current Events and Newspapers for Possible Use in Speech Making"
    1973 November 13
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 10
    "In the Beginning..." (thoughts on Watergate; published in Philadelphia Daily News) (typescript 5 pgs.)
    1973 November 28
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 10
    "Developments in Newspaper Journalism" (Michigan State University) (15 pgs.)
    1974 May 7
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 10
    "Helping New Top Bosses" (outline of helpful topics for discussion JMC used to assist new publishers and editors) (45 pgs.)
    ca. 1974
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 11
    Henry Hornsby's Retirement (2 pgs.)
    1976 June 29
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 11
    Remarks to AASFE Annual Meeting (regarding rationale for newspapers awards selection)
    September 1976
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 11
    Short Remarks Regarding Presidents (3 pgs.)
    1976 September 20
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 12
    "Now Go and Do It" (delivered at ASNE Convention; regarding 19 issues relating to newspaper success) (16 pgs.)
    1978 April 12
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 13
    "Monty Remembers the Twenties" (in West Virginia Fourth Estatesman, newsletter of the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism, West Virginia University [WVU]; good source for history of the School)
    December 1979
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 14
    "API: A Personal Remembrance" (includes correspondence regarding reception of the book) (54 pgs.)
    1980–1981
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 15
    "Outline for Seattle Workshop" (4 pgs.)
    May 1980
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 15
    "Red Smith's Counsel" (16 points of advice for writing sports columns) (2 pgs.)
    1982 January 18
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 15
    "APME and the Revolution" (a reminiscence) (6 pgs.)
    1982 March 24
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 15
    "In Memoriam" (eulogy regarding Dick Jones, newspaper executive)
    1982 April 25
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 15
    "A Newspaper Has to Be More than Good" (4 pgs.)
    July 1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 16
    "How to Attract More Readers to Your Paper" (21 pgs.)
    undated
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 16
    "API: A Personal Remembrance" (54 pgs.)
    1980
Series 5. Subjects -- Associated Press Institute [API] (Box 3)
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 18-28 1891–1983
Scope and Contents

This series includes subject files regarding the American Press Institute (API), including materials published by API, clippings regarding large newspapers, and other material.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 18
    "Curtis Dies; API Pioneer (in The API Roundtable, Winter 1983)
    1983
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 18
    "Confessionals and Ice Water Cocktails" (Hohenburg, John) (brief history of API; reprint from Saturday Review, 1971 December 12)
    1971 December 11
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 19
    API -- Writing Kit (tip sheets for improved newspaper writing)
    1969
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 20
    Journalism and Coal Mining (items are chronologically "scattered")
    1891–1974
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 21
    Journalism Education (includes correspondence, clippings, and reports)
    1970–1979
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 22
    Knight, John S. -- Awards, Photographs
    1969–1974
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 23
    Knight Foundation Study (study by committee to determine what the Knight Foundation might best do in the field of journalism)
    1971–1976
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 24
    Knight Ridder Newspapers -- Resolutions (includes tributes to Ben V. Schneider, B.J. Ridder, and C. Blake McDowell, and a photo of Ben V. V. Scheneider)
    1968–1976
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 25
    The Miami Herald (includes correspondence critiquing the newspaper and brochures and clippings about the paper)
    1976
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 26
    Names, Unusual
    1968–1973
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 27
    Newspapers, History of
    undated
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 28
    Newspapers, Future of (includes clippings, brochures, speech transcripts)
    undated
Series 6. Subjects -- General (Box 3)
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 29-33 1968–1982
Scope and Contents

This series includes general subject files, including several articles on the Pulitzers and the Pulitzer Prizes, correspondence regarding jury selection and other topics around prize selection, and other material.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 29
    Background and Biography on Local Reporting Award to the Detroit Free Press
    1968
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 29
    Background and Biography on Local Reporting Award to J. Anthony Lucas of the New York Times (includes photo portrait of Lucas)
    1968
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 29
    Record of Omitted Categories, 191701968
    1968
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 29
    Press Releases (3 items)
    1967–1968
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 30
    Plan of Award, Nomination Forms
    1970–1974
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 30
    "Extracts From the Will of Joseph Pulitzer: (Died October 29, 1911)"
    undated
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 30
    Correspondence (regarding jury selection, submitting entries, etc.)
    1970–1976
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 31
    Correspondence (regarding jury selection, encouraging submission of entries of Knight-Ridder Newspapers)
    1977–1979
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 31
    "The Pulitzers: Flaws Fail to Tarnish Them" (Shaw, David; reprint of Los Angeles Times article, 1980 January 6)
    1980
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 31
    "Rules are Changed for Pulitzer Contest" (Editor and Publisher article, 1979 January 20)
    1979
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 31
    Clippings Announcing Winners
    1980–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 32
    Prize Record (includes listing of award winners for 1915-1982, and listing of award winners for 1915-1982, and listing of prizes won by newspapers owned by John S. Knight for 1945-1968)
    1968, 1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 33
    Tornillo Case (Pat L. Tornilla, Jr. vs. The Miami Herald Publishing Company, a Division of Knight Newspapers, Inc.) (Regarding successful action by the Herald to have declared unconstitutional the Florida law which would compel newspapers to publish whatever a politician wanted published.)
    1974
Series 7. Photographs (Box 3)
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 34, 36-37 1974–1980
Scope and Contents

This series includes photographs of Curtis's retirement party, his 75th birthday party, and the American Press Institute's (API) facilities in Reston, VA.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 34
    API -- Housewarming (includes 8" by 10" color photographs of API facilities in Reston, VA, and black and white photo portraits of J. Montgomery Curtis)
    October 1974
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 36
    J. Montgomery Curtis Retirement Party (5 8" by 10" black and white candid shots; news release of retirement) 
    December 1978
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 37
    J. Montgomery Curtis Birthday Party (10 8" by 10" black and white candid shots)
    1980
Series 8. Photographs -- API -- Workshops (Box 3)
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 35 1973–1974
Scope and Contents

This series includes photographs of American Press Institute (API) workshops in Columbus, Georgia and at the Macon Telegraph.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 35
    Macon Telegraph (4 slides, and 1 5" x 7" black and white print)
    1973 August 24
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 35
    Columbus, Georgia (1 5" x 7" black and white print)
    January 1974
Series 9. Newspaper Critique Files (Boxes 3-4)
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 38-40 Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 1-45 1953–1989
Scope and Contents

This series includes assorted articles and publications critiquing various aspects of newspapers, the press, and journalism, including ethics, credibility, quality, and various newspaper departmetns.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 38-39
    Miscellaneous (Note by Don E. Carter regarding these files: "This folder contains many items dealing with the newspaper philosophy of Monty Curtis. They are not organized in any special order, but do reflect much of his wisdom and brilliance.")
    1968–1989
  • Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 40
    Miscellaneous (Note by Don E. Carter regarding this file: "These items are gleaned from other boxes of files containing corporate materials. Most of them dealt with workshops, evaluations, seminars Monty Curtis participated in one way or another.")
    1972–1980
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 1
    Miscellaneous (Includes correspondence, memoranda, tip sheets, lists, transcripts, clippings, etc. regarding how to improve form, content, and management of newspapers, and their role in community and national life. Topics include: advertising, circulation, clear writing, coverage, delivery, editorials, ethics, jumps, newspaper critiques, operating the newsroom, grammar, pictures, production, promotion, reader surveys, reference tools, space use, sports coverage, staff selection, etc.)
    1953–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 1
    General
    ca. 1953-1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 2-3
    "About Newspapers -- How to Make Them Better"
    1968–1981
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 4
    "Newspaper Analysis and Quality"
    undated
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 5-6
    Workshops
    1973–1980
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 7
    Newspaper Critique by Topic (Includes correspondence, memoranda, tip sheets, lists, transcripts, clippings, etc. regarding how to improve form, content, and management of newspapers, and their role in community and national life.)
    1967–1975
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 7
    Accuracy
    ca. 1967
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 8
    Advertising
    1966–1968
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 9
    Awards
    1975–1979
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 10
    Business Coverage
    1966–1978
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 11
    Circulation
    1966–1981
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 12
    College Newspapers Awards Critique
    1981
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 13
    Columnists
    1981
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 14
    Community Leadership
    1966
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 15
    Content -- Readership
    1976–1978
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 16
    Defeating the Out-of-Town Competitor
    1978
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 17
    Duty or Service Coverage
    1975–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 18
    Editorials -- "A Matter of Conscience; The Battles Never End. You Lose Some and Win Some: A Report on Editorials in Knight Newspapers"
    1970
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 19
    Ethics
    1981–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 20
    General Management
    1967–1968
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 21
    Headlines
    1967–1975
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 22
    How Can the Publisher Help?
    1974
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 23
    Human Interest Stories
    1975–1976
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 24
    Investigative Reporting
    ca. 1975-1976
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 25
    Jumps
    1975
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 26
    Library
    1968–1976
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 27-28
    Lifestyle
    1970–1980
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 29
    Local News (1 item)
    ca. 1970-1980
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 30
    Long Weekends
    1971
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 31
    Missed Stories
    1976
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 32
    News Department Operation
    1962–1969
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 33
    Newspaper Credibility
    1970–1978
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 34
    Nose for News
    1970–1978
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 35
    Obituaries
    1975–1979
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 36
    Objectivity
    1969–1971
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 37
    Pictures
    1962–1978
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 38
    Promotion
    1968
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 39
    Reader Involvement
    1977
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 40
    Special Sections Project
    1977
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 41
    Sports
    1964–1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 42
    Sunday Newspapers
    1968
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 43a
    Television
    1976
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 43b
    Weather Reporting
    1978
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 44
    Wire News
    1963–1977
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 45
    Writing
    1955, 1980
Series 10. Books (Box 4)
Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 46-47 1974–1992
Scope and Contents

This series includes two books on Basil "Stuffy" Walters (a "newspaper pioneer" and former Editor-in-Chief of the Chicago Daily Times [1959-1961]) and another on the history of the American Press Institute.

  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 46
    "Stuffy Walters" (Contains correspondence by JMC with his anecdotes of "Stuffy".)
    1974–1977
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 47
    "Stuffy: The Life of Newspaper Pioneer Basil "Stuffy" Walters (Moscowitz, Raymond)
    1982
  • Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 47
    "Seminary: The Story of the American Press Institute" (API) (Carter, Don E. and Mallette, Malcom F.)
    1992