Guide to the James S. Balter Photographic Collection 1951-1980
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- James S. Balter Photographic Collection,
- Creator
- Balter, James S., 1922-1993
- Collection Number
- MSP#517
- Extent
- 0.25 linear feet (1 Box)
- Date
- 1951-1980
- Abstract
- James S. Balter was a businessman and resident of Pittsburgh, who was involved in community service groups throughout his adult life. The photographic collection contains images of James S. Balter, his parents Morris and Beatrice Balter, and the Morris Paper Company facilities.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
James Stone Balter was born on June 12, 1922, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His parents were Morris and Beatrice Balter. He and his first wife, Frances Sunstein married in 1948 and the couple had four children: Katherine, Julia, Constance (Connie) and Daniel. Balter ans Frances Sunstein divorced in 1975. He later married Bernita Buncher.
Balter was educated at Shadyside Academy and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He lived in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh and was a member of Rodef Shalom Congregation. He died on August 29, 1993, in Izmir Turkey, while on a cruise with his wife.
Balter served in the United States Army during World War II. When he returned, he joined the family business, Morris Paper Company, which had been founded by his father in the mid-1920s. Balter eventually became the president of the Morris Paper Company, retiring from that position in 1986. At the time of his death, Balter was the president of James S. Balter Associates/Business Consultants.
In addition to being a businessman, Balter was also an active volunteer in the Pittsburgh community. He served as a life trustee of the American Jewish Committee as well as a board member of the Jewish National Fund. He was a founding member and served on the executive committee of the Pioneer Crafts Council. He was also involved, mainly by serving as a trustee, in organizations including the Emma Kaufmann Camp, the Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind, the Health and Welfare Association of Allegheny County, Mayview State Hospital, United Mental Health Services of Allegheny County, and the Urban League of Pittsburgh. Much of this collection consists of papers related to these organizations.
Scope and Content Notes
The James S. Balter Photographic Collection spans the years from 1951 through 1980, and contains images of James S. Balter, his parents, and the Morris Paper Company facilities.
Folder 1 contains black and white portraits of James S. Balter, shot by two photographers: Parry and Stanley L. Franzos. These range in date from 1952 to 1975.
Folder 2 contains one black and white snapshot of Morris and Beatrice Balter, James Balter's parents, in front of their home in the Pittsburgh neighborhood od Squirrel Hill in 1954.
Folder 3 contains one undated color snapshot showing a building with "Morris Electric Supply" painted on the exterior. The company's relationship to James Balter has not been determined.
Folders 4 through 9 are related to the Morris Paper Company, which was located in Pittsburgh's Strip District at 21st Street and the Allegheny Valley Railroad. The Morris Paper Company began using the Strip District building about 1953. The building has since been demolished.
Folder 4 contains three color snapshots taken in August of 1980 of the Morris Paper Company building, as viewed from the Allegheny River.
Folder 5 contains five 8 x 10 black and white images, shot by photographer A. Church in 1951, of the exterior of the building that would become the home of Morris Paper Company. The building had previously been occupied by the Kroger Company, a grocery store chain with headquarters in Ohio.
Folder 6 contains six 8 x 10 black and white images, shot by photographer A. Church of the exterior docks of the Morris Paper Company building in 1951.
Folder 7 contains two black and white snapshots of Morris Paper Company delivery trucks. One photo is dated 1955, the other appears to be from the 1980s.
Folder 8 contains eight black and white snapshots of employees of the Morris Paper Company as well as interior office shots. Four of the photographs are of James Balter seated at his desk, one of Balter on the roof top, one of Irv Brand, Director of Sales, one is a shot of an unidentified person, and one is of Morris Balter's unoccupied office. None of these photographs are dated.
Folder 9 contains seven black and white snapshots of the Morris Paper Company warehouse. None of these photographs are dated.
Arrangement
- The James S. Balter Photographic Collection is housed in one archival box containing nine folders with topical headings, which are arranged alphabetically.
Conditions Governing Access
No Restrictions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Connie Cantor, the daughter of James Balter, on November 21, 2008.
Preferred Citation
James S. Balter Photographic Collection, 1951-1980, MSP#517, Rauh Jewish Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Erika G. Winter intern from Duquesne University's Archive, Museum and Editing Program in March 2009.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Separated Materials
The James S. Balter Papershave been separated, arranged, and described with the catalog designation of MSS#517.
A map of the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh has been removed to the map collection.
Subjects
- Morris Electrical Supply
- Morris Paper Company
- Balter, Beatrice
- Balter, James S., 1922-1993
- Balter, Morris, c. 1897-1971
- Brand, Irv
- Parry and Stanley L. Franzos
- Church, A.
- Pittsburgh, (Pa.)
- Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh (Pa.)
- Strip District, Pittsburgh, (Pa.)
- Allegheny Valley Railroad
- Jewish businesses--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
- Jews--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh