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Title: Bill Bailey to Marjorie "Marg" Polon
Description: Bill writes to Marjorie about the weather and the work he has been doing with the union. He asks her to forward a copy of "The Pilot" weekly. He asks her if she'd be interested in sending books "for the boys in camp." Bailey mentions the Red Army giving Hitler "his own medicine" which helps to date this letter to late-1941 or early-1942. Letter signed "Mike."
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Polon6

Title: Bill Bailey to Marjorie "Margie" Polon
Description: Bill discusses the recent air raid over Barcelona which killed hundreds of women and children, but didn't attack the boats in the harbor. He mentions that the International Brigades will be clearing out of Spain in the next six weeks, and he intends to be in France within the next two weeks. He says that on some fronts they are winning and on others they are simply keeping the enemy back. He is sure of a Republican victory. Letter is signed "Mike."
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Polon3

Title: Bill Bailey to Marjorie "Margie" Polon
Description: Bill describes the parade in Barcelona given in honor of the International Brigaders. He describes the music, the people, the flowers and outpouring of graciousness. He is still waiting to hear when he will be able to leave the country.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Polon4

Title: Bill Bailey to Marjorie Polon
Description: Bill writes to Marjorie telling her that his plans to leave Spain have changed since losing his passport in an air raid. The train carrying documents and books was hit by a bomb so the soldiers must submit new applications to Washington. He expects it to be another 10 days until the Consul can get the information out. He will be traveling to Barcelona the next day to visit the maritime workers. Bill talks about a deadly air raid over Barcelona the previous week. He mentions that the fascists were able to reclaim lost ground near the Ebro, at a heavy loss of life. He discusses the recent US elections, espcially Olson's win as California governor. Bill ays that the people in Spain think that the next Nobel Peace Prize should go to Negrin and asks Marjorie to start spreading the word. He says that he is having a Spanish Republican flag made with all names of all the seamen that have been killed in action and plans to present it to the Maritime Federation on the Pacific Coast.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Polon5

Title: Bill Bailey to Marjorie Polon
Description: Bill Bailey's first letter to Marjorie. He introduces, and describes, himself. He discusses the battles he has fought in and the importance of lifting the US embargo against Spain. He describes the destruction of a village by Franco's planes. Page 12 is written on the back of a postcard, the image of which is a soldier with 'SIA" written beneath him. Bailey says that these bombardments actually give the people more spirit to fight. Between numbered pages 13 and 14 is another postcard, describing "Unidad, Frente Popular, Libertad." He discusses the Trotskyites who make up Franco's Fifth Column and carry out the policies set by the fascists.
Type: text, still image
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed, postcards
Local Identifier: Polon1

Title: Bill Bailey to Marjorie Polon
Description: Bill tells Marjorie that the IB has regained some of the land they lost in the retreats from the previous spring. In the action, Bill was hit by shrapnel and was evacuated to a hospital, where he is currently recovering. Bill gives Marjorie the details of the latest battle, about marching on toward Gandesa, approaching Franco's artillery. He discusses the relationship between the soldiers and the farmers and peasants. He says they fight side by side with them, and when there is a rest time, the soldiers volunteer to help in the fields. He says the troops got along so well with the women and children that when they marched off to the front, they cried in the streets after them. Bill says that many of the Spaniards take the Americans home with them during leave periods, so that the Americans might see their lives. Writes about the liveliness of Barcelona and thanks Marjorie for the cigarettes.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Polon2

Title: Bill Van Felix to Marjorie Polon
Description: Bill writes to Marjorie that he received her address from Bill Bailey. He liked that she wrote her letters in green ink. He asks that she write to him, as she writes to the others. Bill offers to send her French and Spanish newspapers. Letter is signed "Guillermo." A postscript in Spanish says that Bill would like to be her friend when he returns to New York.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Polon18

Title: Bill Van Felix to Marjorie Polon
Description: Bill describes his joy at receiving one of Marjorie's letters, aside from getting cigarettes. He wants to meet her when he gets home and will picket her house if she doesn't send him a photograph soon. He says that he is waiting to take a shower after a long trip across the Ebro.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Polon19

Title: David Gordon to Ring Lardner, Jr.
Description: Gordon writes to Ring in order to pass along Jim's posthumous commendation for fighting fascism in Spain. Gordon apologizes for the long wait. He writes that when he was detained and searched at the French concentration camp of St. Cyprien in February 1939. He had passed his papers (including Jim's commendation) to a friend that had already been searched. Nearly ten years later, Gordon has begun to put his wartime mementos together and came across the enclosed card. He offers his support for Ring's current battle with the Un-American committee's inquest into his politics.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Lardner24

Title: Ellis Lardner to Jeannette Kitchell
Description: Mrs. Lardner tells her sister she is keeping busy with Jim being away. She went into New York to watch a big fight and afterwards, spent the evening at the Stork Club. She says that she finds it hard to sit still because she is so anxious, knowing her son is fighting so far away.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Lardner26

Title: Ellis Lardner to Jeannette Kitchell
Description: Mrs. Lardner writes to her sister about staying busy so she won't think about Jim in Spain. She describes her influx of house guests. Near the end of the letter, she writes about Jim; he is a combination of "ruthless logic and romantic idealism." Ellis supports Jim decision for fighting in Spain, but as a mother, constantly worries.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Lardner27

Title: Elman Service to Ellis Lardner
Description: A friend of Jim's writes to Ellis after Jim is goes missing. He says that he and Jim shared a birthday and read each other's mail to the other. In doing so, they came to know the other's mother quite well. He tells Mrs. Lardner that he would very much like to see her when he returns to New York, three weeks from the writing of the letter. Service goes on to tell Mrs. Lardner that Jim was an admirable person. He wishes to meet Mrs. Lardner and talk more about Jim when he returns and intends for this letter to be an introduction.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed, envelopes
Local Identifier: Lardner29

Title: Ernest Arion to Miriam 'Mim' Sigel
Description: Ernest apologizes for not writing sooner. He is still convalescing and now has time to write. He discusses the strange mail service and the trouble his battalion had when them came into town. The townspeople have warmed to the Americans and they even put on a show.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel7

Title: Ernesto to Marjorie Polon
Description: Ernesto is glad to have a woman to write to, as it has been so long since he has seen a woman or pretty girl. He asks Marjorie to write him in English, and to send him and photograph and cigarettes.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Polon9

Title: Ernie Arion to Miriam 'Mim' Sigel
Description: Ernie writes to Mim aboard the SS Ile de France oceanliner. He says that he had a bout of seasickness but the weather is beautiful. He says there are plenty of things to do but no one to enjoy them with. Ernie says the service is up to French standards and the food is the best he has ever eaten. The onboard movies are not very good.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed, envelopes
Local Identifier: Sigel3

Title: Ernie Arion to Miriam 'Mim' Sigel
Description: Ernie tells Mim that he is doing well in Spain. He, Harry Malofsky, and Bernie Abraham have been selected as head of the [entertainment?] committee and have re-written the lyrics to "Honey-Honey;" they will present it the following night.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed, envelopes
Local Identifier: Sigel4

Title: George Kaye to Marjorie Polon
Description: George thanks Marjorie for her last letter and the ten cigarettes she sent. They came in handy during the worst artillery fire George has yet seen. He tries to give Marjorie a description of Harry Hakam, but suggests she read between the lines of his letters. He mentions that Bill Bailey is in the hospital with an infection in his leg.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Polon15

Title: Harry Hakam to Marjorie Polon
Description: Harry tells Marjorie he did not like the poem she wrote. Instead, he prefers hearing about her life, what her parents think of communists and Spain, her siblings, her ambitions for her future. Asks that she find someone to write to Eloy in Spanish, and to remember to include cigarettes.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Polon14

Title: Harry Hakam to Marjorie Polon
Description: Harry encourages Marjorie to make more of an effort for the cause. He suggests that she and her friends go up to Harlem to find someone who can help them write letters in Spanish. Harry describes himself and asks Marjorie for a photograph. He says that when he gets back he'd like to meet Marjorie's friend who has analyzed Harry's handwriting. He says that he rarely sees women at the front and plans to make up for it when he gets home. He ends by saying that there are a few distinguished guests in the camp. They are Joe North of the Daily Worker, Ernest Toller the German writer, and a nephew of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Asks for cigarettes.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Polon13

Title: Harry Hakam to Marjorie Polon
Description: Harry introduces himself and tries to give Marjorie an idea of the kind of person Bill Bailey is. He tells her that is was Bailey who ripped the Nazi flag off the Bremmer and tossed it into the harbor in 1935. Harry admits that he like Bill Bailey over George Kaye. He asks that Marjorie get her pretty friends to send them letters, and to include pictures and cigarettes.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Polon12

Title: Harry Hakam's list of Brigaders
Description: Harry lists ten men he is stationed with and encourages Marjorie to send them cigarettes and a picture. He says she should "tell them funny stories and don't call them heroes."
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Polon11

Title: Harry Malofsky to Julies and Rose Blickstein
Description: Harry discusses the latest confrontation with Franco's forces. He writes that even with Franco's superior machinery and planes, the International Brigades have a higher ratio of success. He describes his three days of fighting without food, water, or a bath. Asks Julius for more letters, especially ones with gossip.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel19

Title: Harry Malofsky to Julius Blickstein
Description: Harry describes the beauty of Spain. He is surprised by the number of anti-fascists that have come from as far away as Palestine. He is also surprised that as a life-long communist, he should find himself fighting for democracy. Harry hopes that Spain will be victorious in its historic task at defeating the fascists.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel14

Title: Harry Malofsky to Julius Blickstein
Description: Harry writes to his friend Julius about his group taking over the house of a fascist. He has just come from a 24 km hike and is relaxing with his feet in cool well water. Congratulates Julius on his recent wedding and says that the soldiers are not permitted to fraternize with the local women. Harry asks Julius to visit his parents who are upset he is fighting is Spain.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel16

Title: Harry Malofsky to Julius and Rose Blickstein
Description: Harry writes about the International Brigades taking the city of Quinto. He says that he watched one Nazi officer commit suicide and twenty others executed. The fascists had thought the IB was the Russian army and they surrendered, leaving their trenches yelling "Viva ls Rusia." Harry says that they were surprised that only their leaders were shot; he is sure they will be very surprised by the IB in the future. Harry now considers himself a veteran; the planes no longer bother him and he says he is a very different person than he was in Madrid.His time in Madrid was wonderful; he became a little boy again. He missed his train out of Valencia and had to hop a freight train. He rode the rails for five days and had to hike to the front.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel20

Title: Harry Malofsky to Miriam 'Mim' Sigel
Description: Harry describes his trip to Madrid and how the city has made him homesick for New York. He writes that their friend Bernie expects to be sent home, most likely for psychiatric reasons. Harry says that his parents are reunited and imagines it is because of the war and his being away. He writes that there were boxing matches the night before. Between bouts Harry jumped into the ring and was able to get the entire crowd singing.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel38

Title: Harry Malofsky to Miriam 'Mim' Sigel
Description: Harry has just received a letter from Mim in response to his account of being at the front for the first time in July. He is now a hardened soldier; the planes and shells no longer bother him and dodging bullets is just a part of everyday life. He remembers Ernie being killed, the look of surprise on his face as he was hit. Harry is at the front again, and this time he simply watches the planes fly low, taking aim. They have taken over a small town and 1,200 prisoners; 32 officers were executed and two committed suicide. Harry says that there is only one town between their current location and Zaragosa that must be taken and the Lister Brigade is working on it. Harry encloses a photograph taken in Madrid (not included). Harry signs the letter Hershel.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel37

Title: Harry Malofsky to Miriam 'Mim' Sigel
Description: Harry tells Mim that he is grateful to get so many letters from her and is very upset that he does not receive letters from his friends at the Youth Theatre. Describes his new quarters, which he shares with two friends. The three roommates purchased food and had snacks that remind Harry of food from Camp Kinderland. Harry apologizes for not being able to send a photograph to Mim, especially not one of him and a "senorita on his lap." He tells her to disregard the rumours that the men in Spain are fraternizing with the local women; Harry writes that the profolactics handed out on the first day are used to hold tobacco. Harry alludes to the homosexual leanings of some of the troops, having been so long without women. He is unsure when he will go to the front, but is confident in his training. Harry reports on his friends and why they haven't written to Mim. Asks her to drink a chocolate malted milk on Sixth Avenue and write back describing how it tastes.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel28

Title: Harry Malofsky to Miriam 'Mim' Sigel
Description: harry says that he has been trained so well on the rifle that he has no doubt they will conquer Franco. He has been reunited with his friends, and one of them is his sergeant. Harry just had his typhoid shot and his fever is making it hard to concentrate and apologizes for the short letter. Asks Mim how her show is going with the Youth Theatre.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel23

Title: Harry Malofsky to Miriam 'Mim' Sigel
Description: Harry tells Mim that he is 60 kilometers from the front and is enjoying the tranquility. He is looking forward to his two days in Madrid and plans on spending his 500 pesetas in a "royal fashion." Harry reports that La Pasionaria (Dolores Ibarurri) was to speak to the troops but never came. General Miaja came and said five sentences, two of which were 'salud.' Max Bedacht, founder of the American Communist Party, came to visit and Harry was glad to see him, as Harry had dated Bedact's daughter Elsie. Harry begins to describe his time at the front and the censor has blocked the story.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel36

Title: Harry Malofsky to Miriam 'Mim' Sigel
Description: Harry tells Mim that he was been fighting for the last seven days and only now has the time to write. He doesn't want to discuss politics and doesn't want to be romantic about the war, but he describes the terror of war. Harry unloads on Mim an anti-fascist rant.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel34

Title: Harry Malofsky to Miriam 'Mim' Sigel
Description: Harry writes from a military hospital, recovering from the typhus shot he received. He discusses the kindness and compassion of the British doctors. Describes military life: no drinking or fraternizing with the women. Harry writes that everyone makes an effort to learn Spanish. On Sundays there is an old movie show, or else Harry and his friends put on a show for the troops. Harry reports that the troops at the front have the fascists "on the run."
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel29

Title: Harry Malofsky to Miriam 'Mim' Sigel
Description: Harry is glad to have received Mim's letter and is touched that she thinks his cursing has increased since going to Spain. He writes about his good marksmanship and that he is a natural. He believes that his time is Spain will "straighten him out" and he thinks he'll be able to handle anything when he gets back to the US. He includes a verse from a song he has written in English and mentions that he is learning Spainish now that the IB has joined the Republican Army. He writes that there has been a turning point and it is expected that once the 500,000 conscripted Spaniards go into action, the war will be over. He hopes Catalonia pust an end to the 'Trotksy menace" that is trying to convince the Anarchists that the IB will overthrow them after the war.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel24

Title: Harry Malofsky to Miriam 'Mim' Sigel
Description: Harry writes to Mim asking her to send the musical score of "We are the Fighting Anti-Fascists" to the newspaper New Masses. Asks Mim to make a few changes to the lyrics so it can be published in the July issue. Lyrics included.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel32

Title: Harry Malofsky to Miriam 'Mim' Sigel
Description: Harry writes about his heartbreak over a goat, Esmeralda, that had kept him company and has now forgotten about him. Reports that on May 1 instead of marching to the front, he and the others rehearsed at a local theater. Encourages Mim to stick with the cause and the Youth Theater.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel27

Title: Harry Malofsky to Miriam 'Mim' Sigel
Description: Harry is glad to have received Mim's lighthearted letter. He writes that the night before, he was informed that his best friend, a truck driver, was killed. He says that there has been an unconfirmed report that fascist General Mana has been killed and that six enemy planes were shot down over Bilbao. He is grateful for Mim's letters and is glad she liked the song he wrote. He would write more songs but cannot find a piano in town.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel31

Title: Harry Malofsky to Mrs. Sigel
Description: Harry writes to his "comrade mother" (Paul and Miriam Sigel's mother) because he can not write to his own mother about his participation in the war. His parents think he is doing technical work in Spain as opposed to fighting. He writes about the war planes overhead and wondering what would happen if one of the bombs fell on him or near him. He says that his fear is quelled by the strong morale of the Loyalists. He says the morale is broken on the fascist side; after Belchite, only the fascist officers fought until the end, the soldiers gave up as soon as they could. Harry is grateful he can write to Mrs. Sigel because he can not write these things to his own mother.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Sigel21

Title: Herman Greenfield to Marty
Description: Herman discusses his new found respect for letter writing. He is glad to hear that Marty has given up superficiality come around to real knowledge and understanding. He says that his time on the front has opened his eyes to reality, and how wartime turns priorities upside down. Herman states that he hates war but "would not trade all I have learned for the world." Promises Marty that when he returns they will do some writing together.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Greenfield17

Title: Herman Greenfield to Uncle Marty
Description: Herman thanks Uncle Marty for hes letter and is glad to hear that there is much support for the Lincoln Brigade back in the states. He asks Marty to "square" him with his father, to try to sway his opinion of Herman's service in Spain. He offers Marty his reasons for going to fight in Spain, his unwillingness to live a life of oppression. He is sure that the International Brigades will be victorious, with the unified Spanish people and thousands of brigaders. Herman describes his group within the battalion, and mentions commander Robert Merriman. He reassures Marty that he is well taken care of and well trained.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Greenfield18

Title: Herman Greenfield to his father
Description: Herman describes how well he and the others have been trained. In the course of training, he has lost 22 pounds and has become a "pretty good shot." He has also been promoted to sergeant. He reassures his father that he will not be reckless and will not get shot "because of some darn fool stunt."
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Greenfield15

Title: Herman Greenfield to his father
Description: Herman is in training and requests photographs of the family, especially of his younger brother Jay. He wants to make sure Spanish children have the same opportunity for a happy childhood as his brother. He includes his address through the SRI in Albacete. Also included is an envelope.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Greenfield13

Title: Herman Greenfield to his father
Description: Herman apologizes for not writing sooner. Discusses his chances of coming home but believes he is still needed in the fight against Franco. He admits that being away has made him think about his family more than ever. Tells his father he should help with the movement.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Greenfield5

Title: Herman Greenfield to his mother
Description: Herman is sorry to hear that the financial conditions are home are not doing well. He tells his mother that she would love Spain, especially how medical staff are treated. He discusses his health and the food that has been generously sent to Spain for the troops.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Greenfield6

Title: Herman Greenfield to his mother
Description: Herman writes from a hospital where he is recovering from yellow jaundice. He is sure his mother would love to work in a place where people from many different countries come together for a common cause. He discusses how well the sick are treated and that they are treated for their mental, as well as physical, traumas.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Greenfield16

Title: Herman Greenfield to his parents
Description: Herman describes his first taste of battle. He explains that the troops dig gun trenches under the cover of darkness at night. He discusses a success over the fascists near Teruel. He encloses a picture of himself and a Spanish lieutenant in his company (not included in this collection). Includes his address through the SRI at Albacete.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Greenfield14

Title: Herman Greenfield to his parents
Description: Herman tells his parents about his agreeable daily routine: he watches at the gun from 5am to 9am, "loafs around all day," then he is on again from 5pm to 9pm.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Greenfield7

Title: Herman Greenfield to his parents
Description: Herman tells his parents he is about to enter battle. Promises to write once the fighting is over, giving them a full report. Asks them to send him cigarettes, candy, and cake.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Greenfield3

Title: James Lardner to Ellis Lardner
Description: Jim writes to his mother that he is back at camp after having spent 10 days at a school for corporals. He said the training was more mental than physical and he spent his spare time writing for the school's newspaper. Jim gives his mother a run down of this daily activities at the school. Jim tells his mother that he has not received her letters, but explains that there was a grand reorganization of the International Brigades, so he may never receive some of them. Jim is glad he has been reunited with his friend, John Murra, after Murra's temporary post as interpreter. Jim explains that all his best friends are communists; they make the best soldiers and the best men. He says that he has received three letters from Walter Kerr who has encouraged Jim to write a few pieces about Spain. Jim thinks he will hold off until he sees some action.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Lardner10

Title: James Lardner to Ellis Lardner
Description: James writes that he is about to go into battle but is not at all nervous. He is now a corporal and in charge of four men. He talks about the long march to his current location and going into a nearby town where he had an omlette and wine. Censor marks visible.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Lardner9

Title: James Lardner to Ellis Lardner
Description: James writes to his mother explaining his new appearance: tan skin, shorter hair, slimmer. He will be sending this letter through Joe North of the Daily Worker who will send it air mail from Barcelona to Paris.
Type: text
Genre: Autograph Letter Signed
Local Identifier: Lardner13

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