Overview of the Collection
Western Reserve Historical Society
Kraffert, Andrew
Andrew Kraffert Photographs
2.40 linear feet (6 containers)
Andrew Kraffert (1874-1958) was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania, and came to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1904 to work at the Cleveland Leader. He served as the staff photographer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer from 1908 until his retirement in 1953. The collection consists of photographs taken by Andrew Kraffert during his career as Plain Dealer news photographer. They cover a wide range of subjects including sporting events, especially baseball, American presidents and other political figures, prominent personalities, major events in Cleveland social and political life, including crimes and disasters, parades and celebrations, political campaigns, visits of numerous public figures, etc., as well as views of Cleveland structures and portraits of groups and individuals. The collection is especially useful to the study of early 20th century baseball, with many images of baseball players and action shots of the 1919 and 1920 World Series. The presidential photographs include presidents from William McKinley to Harry Truman, as well as an image of Abraham Lincoln, ca. 1860. There are also photos of many national and international figures. This collection also is significant for the study of Cleveland history as it helps to document events in Cleveland during the early part of the twentieth century. The crime scene photographs and disaster shots are particularly valuable to researchers.
PG 536
The records are in English
closed stacks1860-1950
Biography of Andrew KraffertThe Andrew Kraffert Photographs span a wide range of subjects, primarily from the early 20th century. From baseball to politics, animals to air races, Kraffert left behind striking images of the people and events that shaped northeast Ohio.
Andy Kraffert was born in 1874 in Titusville, Pennsylvania. He left school at an early age to help support his family. He learned the art of photography and moved to Cleveland in 1904 to work at the Cleveland
Leader newspaper. Kraffert stayed with the Leader until 1908 when he accepted the job of staff photographer at the Cleveland Plain Dealer. For the next 45 years Kraffert recorded images of major events in Cleveland including Presidential visits, World War I parades, the Indians first World Series win and Mayor Tom Johnson's funeral. Though he covered a variety of subjects, his baseball photographs are most remarkable. Kraffert, with his signature black slouch hat and ever present cigar, prowled the baselines at League Park, capturing images of players and fans that stand the test of time. The action photographs of the 1920 World Series illustrate the drama and excitement of the nine game series, from catcher Steve O'Neill blocking home plate to young boys behind the outfield walls straining to see the game through small holes in the facade. Many of baseball's great stars were photographed by Kraffert including, Cy Young, Larry Lajoie, Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb, Joe Jackson, Bob Feller and Babe Ruth.Andy Kraffert retired from the
Plain Dealer in 1953. He died five years later on April 17, 1958 at the age of 84. His photographs are an essential part of Cleveland's rich heritage.Scope and ContentThe Andrew Kraffert Photographs, ca. 1860s-1950s and undated, consist of photographs taken by Andrew Kraffert during his career as Plain Dealer news photographer. They cover a wide range of subjects including sporting events, especially baseball, American presidents and other political figures, prominent personalities, major events in Cleveland social and political life, including crimes and disasters, parades and celebrations, political campaigns, visits of numerous public figures, etc., as well as views of Cleveland structures and portraits of groups and individuals. The collection is especially useful to the study of early 20th century baseball, with many images of baseball players and action shots of the 1919 and 1920 World Series. The presidential photographs include presidents from William McKinley to Harry Truman, as well as an image of Abraham Lincoln, ca. 1860. There are also photographs of many national and international figures. This collection also is significant for the study of Cleveland history as it helps to document events in Cleveland during the early part of the 20th century. The crime scene photographs and disaster shots are particularly valuable to researchers.
This collection is of value to researchers studying baseball in the early 20th century. There are many images of Cleveland ballplayers through the first three decades of the 20th century and outstanding action shots from the 1919 and 1920 World Series. Researchers will note that local, national and international political figures are well represented here. Those interested in local disaster images and crime scene coverage will find this collection invaluable.
There are many images of Cleveland ballplayers through the first three decades of the 20th century and outstanding action shots from the 1919 and 1920 World Series. Researchers will note that local, national and international political figures are well represented here.
Statement of ArrangementThe collection is arranged in two series. Each series is arranged alphabetically by last name and then chronologically.
- Series I: Portraits
- Series II: Subject Files
Related MaterialThe researcher should also consult PG 439 Louis Van Oeyen Photographs. Van Oeyen had a similar position at the Cleveland Press at the same time period. Much of the subjects covered by Kraffert, especially baseball, are present in this collection. The baseball photographs are far more extensive in the Van Oeyen collection.
Processing InformationProcessed by Scott Longert in 2004.
Restrictions on AccessNone.
Preferred Citation[Container ___, Folder ___ ] PG 536 Andrew Kraffert Photographs, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
Acquisition InformationGift of Robert C. Hull in 1991.
Indexing TermsThe following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects:Kraffert, Andrew, 1874-1958 -- Photograph collections.Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 -- Photographs.National Air Races (U.S.) -- Photographs.Cleveland plain dealer (Cleveland, Ohio : 1885)News photographers -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Archives.Photojournalism -- Ohio -- Cleveland.Sports -- United States -- Photographs.Sports -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Photographs.Baseball -- United States -- Photographs.Baseball -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Photographs.Baseball players -- United States -- Photographs.Baseball players -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Photographs.World Series (Baseball) -- Photographs.Presidents -- United States -- Photographs.Politicians -- United States -- Photographs.Politicians -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Photographs.Mayors -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Photographs.Disasters -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Photographs.Crime -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Photographs.World War, 1914-1918 -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Photographs.Women -- Ohio -- Cleveland -- Photographs.Automobile racing -- Photographs.Cleveland (Ohio) -- History -- 20th century -- Photographs.Cleveland (Ohio) -- Photographs.Cleveland (Ohio) -- Buildings, structures, etc. -- Photographs.Cleveland (Ohio) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Photographs.Detailed Description of The CollectionSeries I: Portraits1907-ca. 1950s undated11Kraffert, Andrew, individual and group portraitsca. 1910s-1950s12Kraffert, Andrew, retirement testimonialca. 1950s13Kraffert, Andrew, "Big Boy" family cat1927-193814Kraffert, Andrew, portrait, wife Gertrude Seely Kraffertca. 1900s15Kraffert, Andrew, portrait mother?ca 1900s16Kraffert, Andrew, portrait father in lawca. 1900s17Einstein, Albert and Professor Howe, standing togetherundated18Evans, Bob, standing behind automobileca. 1900s19Gompers, Samuel, standing with crowdundated110Miscellaneous portraits including Mrs. Napoleon Lajoie and Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary1910-1930111Schwab, Edward and McGeorge, Mrs. Edith1907112Smith, F. W., Cleveland sports photographer1928113Southern? and Marlo, groundbreaking ceremonyundated114Stelzner, Hermann and Mrs, shipboard1925115Temple, Harry, artist painting subjectundated116Van Lucknor, Count Felix, portraitundated117Van Oeyen, Louis, individual and group, includes Mrs. Van Oeyen and children at Pan American Expo1901-1932118Willard, Archibald, portrait1910119Unidentified Family Groupsundated120Unidentified Boys, portraits and groupundated121Unidentified Girls, portraitsundated122Unidentified Men, portraitsundated123Unidentified Men at workca. 1910124Unidentified Womenundated125Unidentified GroupsundatedSeries II: Subject Filesca. 1860s-1940s undated126Amusement parks, Luna Park, viewsca. 1900s-1920s127Animals, various portraitsundated128Bridges, views1910129Buildings, The Arcade, viewsundated130Buildings, Auditorium Hotel, West 6th Street and St. Clair Avenue, viewsca. 1920s131Buildings, downtown Cleveland aerial viewsundated132Buildings, miscellaneous buildings, views, including Taylor Department Store and Plain Dealer buildingundated233Buildings, Terminal Tower, views, aerial and near West Sideundated234Business, Cuyahoga River ship launchesundated235Business, group photographs, Plain Dealer reporters, including Charles Henderson and George Mc Intireundated236Business, group photographs, Plain Dealer sports department, including Andy Kraffet and Henry Edwardsundated237Business, portrait, Plain Dealer reporter Charles Hendersonundated238Business, portrait, Plain Dealer reporter Ike Metcalfundated239Business, group, Plain Dealer, unidentifiedundated240Business, Rockefeller, John, individual and group portraits, including Mrs. Rockefellerca. 1907241Business, group, Thompson Productsundated242Celebration, individual, group and views including the 125th anniversary of Moses Cleaveland's arrival in the Western Reserve1921243"Cheese Cake", portraits of various women in swimsuits, costumes (Kokoon Ball, 1922) and lingerie1922 undated244Churches, individual and group photographs, including Cardinal Mercerier1919245Churches, Sunday, Billy, portraits, one with wife, Helen Sundayundated246Churches, Farrelly, John Patrick, portraits of Catholic Bishop, Cleveland Dioceseca. 1920247Clubs, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), view of clock for Building Campaignundated248Colleges and Universities, views, "Ballrush" at Western Reserve University, and graduation ceremoniesundated249Court proceedings, views of various officials including Judge Florence Allen and Judge Bernsteinundated250Crime, individual and group photographs including Edith Millerundated251Crime, West, Velma portraitundated252Crime, Potter, Bill, portrait of City Councilman who was murdered (includes crime scene photographs)1929253Disasters, views of the flood at Erie, Pennsylvania; Lorain, Ohio tornado; wreck of the airship Shenandoah; and Cleveland Clinic fire1911-1930254Fairs and Exhibitions, views of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show on parade, Ringling Bros. Circus, Barnum and Bailey Circus (views and portraits of Buffalo Bill (William Cody), Native Americans, rodeo performers, and circus animals)1901-1920s355Fairs and Exhibitions, Cleveland Air Races/National Air Races, including portraits of Charles Lindbergh, Anne Lindbergh, Eddie Rickenbacker and Ernst Udel1929 1932356Fire Department, portraits Cleveland fire chiefs and view of pumperca. 1900s357Fire Department, Granger, Chief James E.1929358Immigration, group portrait immigrants with suitcasesundated359Industry, views of oil fields, Titusville, Pennsylvania and the production of nitro glycerin. Includes views of Great Lakes Dredge and Dock, shipping, and portrait of blacksmith. Also includes a view of plant on West 85th Street, Clevelandundated360Industry, farming, views of feeding chickens and ducks, and plowing fieldsundated361Military Units, views of troop on parade pre and post World War I1917-1921362Military Units, World War I, views of Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio (including parades of soldiers leaving Cleveland for Europe; portraits of General Pershing and General Wood; and views of the battlefields in Europe)ca. 1918363Military Units, World War II, views of parade and assembly on Public Squareundated364Miscellaneous unidentified portraits and caricaturesundated365Monuments, views of site dedicated to Ashland County's pioneers, including Johnny Appleseed (includes various other monument views)ca. 1902-1918366Music and Musicians, various views of bands performing and portrait of bagpipe playerundated367Music and Musicians, portrait of Jan Kubelic, Bohemian musician1917368Parades, various views of Liberty Loan parades, Red Cross, Masonic, Women's Suffragette, and Fourth of July paradesca. 1917-1926369Parks, portraits and views, including girls at Euclid Beach, May Day Brookside Park, and woman in row boat Shaker Lakes1909-1916370Police Department, portraits and views of police assisting citizens, posing with cars and horsesundated371Political campaigns and elections, portraits Baehr, Herman, Mayor of Clevelandca. 1910372Political campaigns and elections, Bricker, Governor John, portrait, holding little girlca. 1939-1945373Political campaigns and elections, Bryan, William Jennings, portraits, individual and group (includes wife, Mary)1896-1921374Political campaigns and elections, Burke, Mayor Thomas, group portraits, two with General Dwight D. Eisenhowerca. 1940s375Political campaigns and elections, Burton, Senator Theodore E. portraitundated376Political campaigns and elections, Burton, Mayor Harold H. group portraitundated477Political campaigns and elections, Cox, Governor James M. portrait, during Presidential campaign1920478Political campaigns and elections, Davis, Mayor Harry L. portraits, individual and group. Includes group portrait with Judge Landis, group portrait with Samuel Gompers, and views of taking oath of office for Governor of Ohio1917-1921479Political campaigns and elections, Fitzgerald, Mayor William S. group portraits1920-1922480Political campaigns and elections, Lloyd George, Prime Minister David, portraits, individual and group with Newton Baker. Includes speech at the dedication of the Cleveland Public Library cornerstone1923481Political campaigns and elections, Harding, Warren, portrait, Presidential campaign1920482Political campaigns and elections, Hughes, Governor Charles E., of New York, individual and group portraitsca. 1907-1910483Political campaigns and elections, Johnson, Mayor Tom L., individual and group portraits. Includes view of funeral processionca. 1901-1911484Political campaigns and elections, Johnson, Mayor Tom L., views of Johnson's 3 cent railwayca. 1908485Political campaigns and elections, La Follette, Senator Robert?undated486Political campaigns and elections, Lausche, Governor Frank, two views of Lausche giving speechundated487Political campaigns and elections, Lincoln, President Abraham, individual and group portrait. Individual portrait taken pre-electionca. 1860s488Political campaigns and elections, Longworth, Congressman Nicholas, group portrait. Longworth was the son in law of President Theodore Rooseveltundated489Political campaigns and elections, Marshall, Vice-President T.R., group portrait with Frank Harmon, Cleveland businessman. Marshall served two terms with President Wilson1917490Political campaigns and elections, McKinley. President William, portrait, group portrait with Mrs. McKinley, views of crowd attending funeral1901491Political campaigns and elections, Miller Ray T., group portraits (2). Former Cleveland Mayor and longtime leader of the Democratic partyundated492Political campaigns and elections, Roosevelt, President Franklin D, views of crowd welcoming Roosevelt as plane lands at Cleveland Airport enroute to Chicago to accept democratic nomination1932493Political campaigns and elections, Roosevelt, President Theodore, portrait and views of Roosevelt at train station, with Cleveland Police Chief Fred Kohler, and addressing crowd at the dedication of the McKinley Memorial in Cantonca. 1901-1908494Political campaigns and elections, Taft, President William Howard, portrait and views of Taft, visiting McKinley Memorial and in touring car. Newspaper photograph of Taft fishingca. 1908-1917495Political campaigns and elections, Truman, President Harry, giving address, shaking handundated496Political campaigns and elections, Unidentifiedundated497Political campaigns and elections, Wilson, President Woodrow, individual and group portraits1912-1917498Political campaigns and elections, Women vote for President, view of Ward 3 polling booth1920499Public Square, view of lighted Christmas treeundated4100Recreation, miscellaneous views of boys wrestling, carriage ride, girls racing, girls dancing, and ice skating Edgewater Park19104101Recreation, views of women playing softballca. 19104102Recreation, views of children and adults having fun at beaches of Edgewater and Gordon Park. Includes woman canoeing and person hi-diving off platform1904-19174103Recreation, views of sail boats off Lake Erieundated4104Recreation, portraits and view of Edward Weston, long distance walker. Includes view of Weston with police escortca. 19104105Residences, views of Thomas Edison's birthplace, headquarters at Camp Sherman (World War I), and Camp Ellsworthca. 1910-19204106Rivers, two views of unidentified river with fallsundated4107Schools, group portrait of unidentified girls, and view of Bishop Farrelly laying cornerstone for St. James Schoolundated4108Social services, portrait and views of the Salvation Army, including founder William Booth, and daughter Evangeline Booth exiting cabundated5109Sports, Cleveland Air Races, views of the grandstand, woman with flowers, air race clowns, and photograph of Cleveland Press coverage of 1910 air race in Brusselsca. 19305110Sports, automobile racing, including group portrait of driver Barney Oldfield, group portrait of Mrs. Oldfield, view of Alexander Winton racing his "Bullet" at Glenville track, 1904. View of grandstand at race, and view of car racing airplaneca. 1904-19055111Sports, amateur baseball, views of Brookside Park with Mayor Tom Johnson throwing out first ball and two crowd scenesca. 1905-19205112Sports, baseball, 1919 World Series, Cincinnati Reds versus Chicago White Sox. One year later eight members of the White Sox would be accused of throwing the Series and subsequently suspended for life, Joe Jackson included. Group portraits of pitchers Eddie Cicotte and Dutch Reuther, Managers "Kid" Gleason and Pat Moran, action shots of first pitch and first run scored19195113Sports, baseball, 1920 World Series Cleveland Indians versus Brooklyn Robins. Cleveland won Series 5 games to 2. Action shots including Elmer Smith grand slam, Jim Bagby three run home run, and Steve O'Neill blocking home plate. Group portrait of Tris Speaker and Wilbert Robinson shaking hands after Series19205114Sports, baseball, views of League Park from different eras including fielding practice and action shotsca. 1903-19305115Sports, baseball, views of fans at League Park waiting in line for tickets to the 1920 World Series, boys lying on the ground peering under the grandstand gate and crowd milling on field after game. Views include fans watching mechanical scoreboard at the Plain Dealer building and view of crowd in bleachers 1919 World Series in Cincinnati1919-19215116Sports, baseball, group portraits, includes Cleveland team photographs, Cleveland team old timer's game photographs, and House of David ballclub. Group photos include Lajoie and Speaker, Lajoie and Young, Joe and Luke Sewell and Bob Hope and Bill Veeckca. 1908-1940s5117Sports, baseball, individual portraits A-L, including Frank "Home Run" Baker, Stan Covaleski, Bob Feller, Walter Johnson, Wheeler "Doc" Johnston, Hughie Jennings, Larry Lajoie, and Judge Landisca. 1910-19305118Sports, baseball, individual portraits M-Z, including Connie Mack, Elmer Smith, Tris Speaker, Bill Wambsganss, Joe Wood, and Cy Youngca. 1910-19305119Sports, baseball, individual portraits, unidentified players, Cleveland, New York, St. Louisca. 1920s5120Sports, baseball, group portraits of Cleveland Indians management including Bill Veeck, Hank Greenberg and Lou Boudreauca. 1946-19495121Sports, baseball, publicity, individual and group portraits of silent film comedian John Bunny. One photograph unidentifiedca. 1910-19145122Sports, baseball, individual portrait, James White, catcher for the Cleveland Forest City'sundated5123Sports, baseball, group portraits 1st All-Star game played for the benefit of the late Addie Joss. Players include Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Walter Johnson, Hal Chase, Eddie CollinsJuly 24. 19115124Sports, boat racing, action photograph of speed boatundated5125Sports, boxing, individual portrait, James Corbett, heavyweight18905126Sports, boxing, group portrait, James Jeffries, heavyweight18995127Sports, boxing, group portrait, Jack Dempsey, view of Toledo arena for Dempsey-Willard fightca. 19185128Sports, boxing, unidentified views of boxers posed, and in the ringundated5129Sports, football unidentified action photographs and one portrait of toddler in football uniformca. 1900-1940s5130Sports, golf, action photographs of Tommy Armour, Walter Hagan, and Bobby Jones. Group portraits of female golfers from the Cleveland Inter Club Tour May (1924)1927-19295131Sports, hockey, group portraits Cleveland Indians hockey club, Glenville High School 1922, and unidentified team practice1922 undated5132Sports, horse racing, action photographs of horse and harness racing from Glenville and North Randall tracksca. 19075133Sports, horse show, men and women in competition, view of crowd at Glenville trackundated5134Sports, hunting, portrait of female on horseback (sidesaddle), views of hunters and dogsundated5135Sports, miscellaneous views of lawn bowling, women playing baseball, rowing, girl at poolsideundated5136Sports, motorcycle hill climbing, action photographsundated5137Sports, polo, action photographsundated5138Sports, tennis, portrait and action photographs of women playingundated5139Sports, track and field, action photographs of men and women competing in different events including, sprints, high jump, pole vaulting, and hurdlesca. 1920s5140Sports, water, action photographs of swimming and divingundated5141Sports, winter, action photographs of ski jumping, speed skating, and ice boatingundated6142Theatre, individual and group portraits of actors including Broadway producer and director David Belaskoca. 19206143Transportation, air, individual and group portraits and views of aviators with planes and blimps. Includes portrait of Glenn Curtissca. 1910-19206144Transportation, land, individual and group portraits of drivers and guests posing in autos and buggy's and in front of trainca. 1900-19156145Transportation, water, views of various ships, including steamers, sailing ships, freighters and passenger shipsca. 1910-19206146Views, Short Vincent Streetca. 19226147Views, aerial and ground photographs of France during World War I19186148Views, miscellaneous seasonal photographs, city of New Orleans views, Titusville and Oil City, Pennsylvaniaca. 1900-19406149Zoo and aquarium, portraits of various animals, including lions, bears, elephants, birds and sealsca. 1920s