Katherine C. Blackburn

Date1942

MediumPhotography; gelatin silver print on paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 6 7/16 x 7 7/8in. (16.4 x 20cm)
Sheet (height x width): 6 7/8 x 7 7/8in. (17.5 x 20cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineGift of the Minneapolis Public Library

DescriptionA middle-aged woman is seated at a desk writing with a steel pen. She wears a necklace of beads or pearls, a print dress, and a sweater. She wears eyeglasses, and her graying hair is in a bun. Two telephones, a calendar, two notebooks, an inkwell, a blotter, a cigarette in an ashtray, and a box labeled: "ANACIN / RELIEVES PAIN / principally / FROM HEADACHE" are on the desk. Two leather cushions are in the background.

Object number2001.136.3

MarkingsOn verso, stamped in black ink on a label, upper right, "OCT 5 1942 PM".InscribedOn verso, mimeographed text: "-20694 PLEASE CREDIT / (THIS PICTURE IS FOR RELEASE TO AMS OF / SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, AND THEREAFTER, WITH / JANE EADS' WASHINGTON WIDE WORLD STORY / ON KATHERINE C. BLACKBURN.) / QUESTION ANSWERER / KATHERINE C. BLACKBURN WHO DIRECTS THE / ACTIVITIES OF THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC / INQUIRIES WHICH ANSWERS SOME 50,000 / QUERIES OF MR. AND MRS. AMERICA MONTHLY, / IS SHOWN AT HER DESK IN HER OFFICE ON / PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. / MISS BLACKBURN CAN TELL YOU HOW TO FIND / THE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AS FAR APART AS / HOW TO SECURE A LEND-LEASE FOR BEESWAX OR / A SUGAR RATIONING BOOK FOR PET PEKINESE, / BUT SHE CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT / HER DESIGNATION WILL BE TOMORROW. SINCE 1939 HER TITLE HAS / VARIED FROM ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE / OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT REPORTS TO CHIEF OF / THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC INQUIRIES OF THE / OFFICE OF WAR INFORMATION TO ASSOCIATE / CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF SPECIAL OPERATIONS / OF WHICH THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC INQUIRIES / IS NOW A DIVISION. PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT GOT / THE IDEA FOR HER BUREAU AFTER HE WAS / INUNDATED WITH PLEAS FROM BUSINESS MEN / FROM ALL OVER THE U.S. WHO CAME TO / WASHINGTON ONLY TO GET 'SHUSHED AROUND.' / MISS BLACKBURN, IN HER FIFTIES AND A VERY AMIABLE PERSON TO MEET, WAS NICKNAMED / 'CASEY' BY THE LATE LOUIS HOWE, PERSIDENTIAL SECRETARY, WHO ONCE SENT HER HIS LIKENESS AUTOGRAPHED: 'TO THE ONE CASEY WHO NEVER / STRIKES OUT WHEN SHE GOES TO BAT.' / 12750 WABC 130 10/3/42 H WW WX-STF".NotesHistorical Note: An inscription on the original envelope reads: "Connecticut". The nature of the connection between Katherine Blackburn and Connecticut is unclear.

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