Scope and Content Note
The collection consists primarily of photographs related to Lawrence Spivak's long career in radio and television journalism. The bulk of the images are routine portrait photos and group shots of national and international political figures who were guests on the public affairs panel series Meet the Press. Also included are numerous autographed portrait photographs of Meet the Press guests as well as images from Spivak's two other TV series, Keep Posted and The Big Issue. Further materials include miscellaneous photos relating to Spivak's career as well as original and reproduction cartoon drawings relating to Meet the Press and to the magazine American Mercury (early 1940s).
The material spans the years 1945-1980; the bulk falls into the period 1950-1975. The photographic materials include 5,072 photographic prints (most are 8" x 10" black-and-white silver gelatin prints), 637 contact sheets (7,839 images), and a number of negatives. There are also cartoons: 31 drawings and 14 photomechanical prints.