Guide to the Maurice Nernberg Papers and Photographs 1916-1972, MSS 1191
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Maurice Nernberg Papers and Photographs
- Creator
- Nernberg, Maurice.
- Collection Number
- MSS 1191
- Extent
- 1 linear foot
- Date
- 1916-1972
- Abstract
- Maurice A. Nernberg Sr. (July 12, 1897-June 10, 1972) was a handwriting expert called to testify at several high-profile legal cases in Pittsburgh. The Maurice Nernberg Family Papers and Photographs document the professional and personal life of Maurice A. Nernberg and his family.
- 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
Maurice A. Nernberg Sr. (July 12, 1897-June 10, 1972) was a handwriting expert called to testify at several high-profile legal cases in Pittsburgh. Nernberg was born in Romania, one of four children of Abraham and Gitla Nernberg (Sophie Segal, Rose Green, Meyer Nernberg and Maurice Nernberg). He showed an aptitude for handwriting as a child, including a knack for forgery. After immigrating to the United States, he attended the Zanerian School of Penmanship in Columbus, Ohio. He served with the U.S. Army during World War I and was regularly asked to verify signatures on furlough documents. He earned degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and the Duquesne University Law School and started a career as a lawyer before transitioning into a second career as a handwriting expert. His best-known cases include testimony that led to the conviction of 140 people for election fraud in 1934 and 1935 and identifying the author of extortion letters sent to Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Ralph Kiner. Nernberg married Estelle Stern of McKeesport, Pa, who had been his secretary during the six years leading up to and through the election fraud case. They had two children, Dick Nernberg and Maurice Nernberg Jr.
Scope and Content Notes
The Maurice Nernberg Papers and Photographs document the professional and personal life of Maurice A. Nernberg. His professional activities are primarily documented through a scrapbook of newspaper clippings and an associated folder of loose clippings. A folder of personal papers includes love letters, military discharge papers, a marriage certificate, and a ration book and autograph book belonging to Estelle Nernberg. The remainder of the collection is photographs documenting the Nernberg family and extended relatives, including Estelle Nernberg's sister Erma Speilberger, Erma's daughter Jackie Speilberger Fix and her husband Herman Fix, Sophie Nernberg's husband Joe Segal and their daughters Dorothy and Aline Segal. A book titled "Kelly Field During the Great War" includes references to Nernberg's service during World War I.
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift from Maurice Nernberg in 2017.
Archives accession # 2018.0049
Preferred Citation
Maurice Nernberg Papers and Photographs, 1916-1972, Rauh Jewish History Program and Archives, MSS 1191, Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
Processing by Catelyn Cocuzzi on 03/28/2019.
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
To the Library: B'nai B'rith 75th Anniversary Book
Subjects
- Duquesne University Law School.
- University of Pittsburgh.
- Pittsburgh (Pa.)
- McKeesport (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Columbus (Oh.)
- Jews--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
- Graphologists--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
- Military history.