Jacob Picard Collection

The collection documents the life and interests of Jacob Picard, and includes his own writing in the form of manuscripts and diaries, as well as clippings, a large amount of correspondence, personal documents, financial and legal papers, photographs, poetry, and a few artifacts.

There are sevaral prominent topics in this collection. These include Jacob Picard's biography of Civil War general Franz Sigel, Picard's interest in the works of poet Gertrud Kolmar, and Picard's own poetry. Biographical information concerning Jacob Picard is also located in various series of the collection, as is information on Picard's daughter Renate Picard and his divorce with Renate's mother, Frieda Picard-Gerson.

Material pertaining to the biography on Franz Sigel will be found in three series. Manuscripts of the work, in both German and English, will be found in Series I: Manuscripts. Newspaper clippings concenring the work are located in Subseries 4 of Series II: Clippings and Writings by Others. Extensive correspondence concerning the publication and translation of the work will be found in Series VI: Correspondence.

A second topic encountered frequently in this collection are the works of poet Gertrud Kolmar, also known as Gertrud Chodziesner. A play by Gertrud Kolmar entitled Cécile Renault: Schauspiel in vier Aufzügen, is located in Series III: Clippings and Writings by Others, as well as clippings about her and her literary works. In Series VI: Correspondence, there is correspondence concerning publication of Gertrud Kolmar's works as well as correspondence with Thea Chodziesner.

Biographical information about Jacob Picard will also be found in several series. Subseries 2 of Series I: Manuscripts contains Picard's autobiography. Subseries 4 of Series II: Clippings and Writings by Others contains newspapers articles about Jacob Picard. Some biographical information may be found in Series III: Diaries and Series V: Personal Documents. Finally, Subseries 1 of Series VI: Correspondence contains several clippings with biographical information on Jacob Picard.

Information on Jacob Picard's failed marriage with Frieda Picard-Gerson and his subsequent relationship with his daughter Renate will also be found in this collection. Correspondence with Renate is available in Subseries 3: Family of Series VI: Correspondence. Other material concerning this topic is also located in Series VII: Legal and Financial Papers, and includes legal documents pertaining to Jacob and Frieda Picard's divorce as well as the custody of their daughter Renate. In addition to court papers and witness depositions for the case, the couple's wedding rings are also placed in this series.