Guide to the Chujiro Nakajima Collection , 1911-1967
Steamship Historical Society of America, Archives
Steamship Historical Society of America
2500 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
Tel: 401-463-3570
E-mail: info@sshsa.org
Published in 2023
Collection Overview
| Title: | Chujiro Nakajima Collection |
| Date range: | 1911-1967 |
| Creator: | Nakajima, Chujiro |
| Extent: | 37 linear feet |
| Abstract: | This collection comprises postcards and ephemera collected by Nakajima, documenting Japanese maritime history. The paper ephemera and cards portray ships built and launched in the nation’s ports, as well as vessels that frequented those ports, between 1911-1967. |
| Language of materials: | Japanese |
| Repository: | Steamship Historical Society of America, Archives |
| Collection number: | 1967.02 |
Scope & content
This collection comprises hundreds of picture postcards and paper ephemera covering Japanese ships, ports, and shipbuilding, ranging from the early 1900's to the late 1960's. Included in this collection are promotional postcard sets commemorating ship launches.Access Points
Subject Names Subject Topics Geographical Names Subject Topics Document TypesArrangement
- Series 1: Postcards
- Series 2: Ephemera
Biographical note
Nakajima was born in 1903, South of Tokyo in Kamakura. An honorary SSHSA member and maritime enthusiast, he began collecting at age 11 when a neighbor gave him maritime postcards. His interests broadened to include photographs, trunk labels, menus, and small house flags. He was questioned during World War II for espionage due to his frequent letters with foreign shipping agents and shipyards requesting material to add to his collection. The Mayor of New York’s office, The Imperial Chemical Industries (Japan) Limited, and the Chief of Tokyo’s Metropolitan Government External Affairs Division coordinated their efforts in 1963 to ensure the collection arrived in its new home at the Steamship Historical Society.Access & Use
| Access to the collection: | This collection is available to the public by appointment at the Steamship Historical Society. Objects that are fragile, significant, or require additional tools to access may require archivist assistance. |
| Use of the materials: | Use, reproduction, and/or publication of archival material is prohibited without prior approval of the Steamship Historical Society. Fees and/or restrictions may apply. Please contact the SSHSA archivist, Astrid Drew, at adrew@sshsa.org for more information. |
| Preferred citation: | Chujiro Nakajima Collection, Steamship Historical Society of America Archives, www.sshsa.org. |
| Contact information: | Steamship Historical Society of America, Archives Steamship Historical Society of America 2500 Post Road Warwick, RI 02886 Tel: 401-463-3570 E-mail: info@sshsa.org |
Administrative Information
| ABOUT THE COLLECTION | |
| Acquisition: | The Chujiro Nakajima Collection was donated to SSHSA in three installments between 1964-1969. |
| ABOUT THE FINDING AID | |
| Author: | Finding aid prepared by Heather Pouliot Kisilywicz. |
| Encoding: | Finding aid encoded by Heather Pouliot Kisilywicz 2023 May 12 |
| Descriptive rules: | Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) |