Guide to the Gary Gelzer Transportation Collection, 1905-1995

Gary Gelzer, born Feb. 20, 1949, grew up on Long Island, where his father was a regular commuter on the Long Island Rail Road. His father’s daily journey on the LIRR inspired a lifelong accumulation of postcards and other items featuring ship and rail transportation. The collection officially started during Mr. Gelzer’s employment by the Chicago & North Western Railroad as a transportation officer. He bought postcards of Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad equipment as he discovered them at flea markets and railroad fairs. Mr. Gelzer served as a naval reserve officer and began acquiring postcards of cargo ships while working at the ports of the Great Lakes.

Mr. Gelzer’s collection continued to grow after his time in Chicago, expanding beyond postcards to vintage timetables and menus. Also, as a result of living and working in the Twin Cities area, he acquired many Great Northern railway items and ultimately joined the Great Northern Historical Society. The growth of the collection continued until just the turn of the century, when the accumulation began to slow.

• Subject
  • Ocean liners
  • Railroads--Canada
  • Railroads--United States
  • Ships--United States

Restricted. By appointment only. Researchers wishing to review the physical collection must contact the Transportation Library at (847) 491-5273 for appointment.

None.

The Gary Gelzer Transportation Collection consists of 454 postcards, timetables, menus, and other materials related to 20th-century railroads, ships, and other modes of transportation. The bulk of the collection (312 items) consists of offset lithographic printed postcards. The collection is arranged into 75 series, each representing a corporate body. It includes a substantial miscellaneous series for materials not associated with a particular transportation company. The majority of items were published between 1960 and 1980. However, items from the Northern Pacific Railway Company date back as far as 1905, while items from the Washington State Ferry system and Amtrak were published late in the 20th century. Major subject areas include Chicago and Minnesota area railways and railroads, shippers and shipbuilders of the Great Lakes, and transit systems of the Pacific Northwest, and reproductions of posters from the Cunard Line. Railroads and railways of the American Southwest also have substantial representation. Though postcards constitute the majority of the collection, timetables and menus also appear in many of the Chicago and Pennsylvania area-related series. Materials are primarily in English, with secondary representation in French, German, Dutch, and Spanish.

The Gary Gelzer Transportation Collection consists of 454 postcards, timetables, menus, and other materials related to 20th-century railroads, ships, and other modes of transportation. The bulk of the collection (312 items) consists of offset lithographic printed postcards. The collection is arranged into 75 series, each representing a corporate body. It includes a substantial miscellaneous series for materials not associated with a particular transportation company. The majority of items were published between 1960 and 1980. However, items from the Northern Pacific Railway Company date back as far as 1905, while items from the Washington State Ferry system and Amtrak were published late in the 20th century. Major subject areas include Chicago and Minnesota area railways and railroads, shippers and shipbuilders of the Great Lakes, and transit systems of the Pacific Northwest, and reproductions of posters from the Cunard Line. Railroads and railways of the American Southwest also have substantial representation. Though postcards constitute the majority of the collection, timetables and menus also appear in many of the Chicago and Pennsylvania area-related series. Materials are primarily in English, with secondary representation in French, German, Dutch, and Spanish.