Welcome to the Archives, Special Collections, and Rare Books
section of the Davis Library.
The library has an extensive collection of historical documents and
artifacts related to the insurance industry, actuarial science, and
risk management. We have a wide range of materials, including
historical insurance policies, correspondence, personal papers,
photographs, newsletters, scrapbooks, and memorabilia.
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Using the Archives
You must make an appointment to ensure that the archivist or
another staff member is available to help you. Call 212-277-5135 or
email henniga@stjohns.edu to schedule your appointment.
You will be required to fill out a research request form. If you
would like to do so before you arrive, the form can be found
here.
Please review the library’s policies on access,
membership,
hours,
location,
and
photocopying.
The Collections
The Archives contains records and other
historical materials from the Insurance Society of New York, The
School of Insurance, The College of Insurance, and The School of
Risk Management, Insurance, and Actuarial Science, documenting the
institution’s history since it's founding in 1901.
The Records of the American Academy of Insurance
Medicine currently contains 43 linear feet of records,
from the organization’s founding in 1889 through 2003. Originally
called the Association of Life Insurance Medical Directors
(ALMIDA), the organization’s mission is to “advance the science and
practice of Insurance Medicine”. Of particular interest to those
researching the origin and development of the field of insurance
medicine, the AAIM archive includes; histories of the organization,
correspondence, membership records, meeting records, photographs,
and other administrative records. As an active organization, the
American Academy of Insurance Medicine archive will be updated
periodically. A comprehensive finding aid provides additional
historical information and a full inventory.
Finding Aid (PDF)
The Richard Bunker Singer Papers, donated in
2010, documents the extensive career of Richard Bunker Singer, M.D.
(1914-2010) in the field of insurance medicine and his work on
mortality and morbidity studies. He was an active member of the
American Academy of Insurance Medicine (AAIM) for over 50 years,
and published many works. Included are his autobiography entitled,
“Fugitive Memories of the Life of a Number Cruncher”,
correspondence, research notes, presentations, and manuscript notes
for many monographs and journal articles.
Finding
Aid (PDF)
The Historical Insurance Policy Collection
contains hundreds of original and specimen fire, marine, and life
insurance policies, including two life insurance policies for
slaves from the 1800’s.
The Rare Books Collection contains titles of
great significance in the history of the insurance industry and
actuarial science, some dating as far back as the 1500's. These
books can be found in the Davis Library's online catalog.
William David Winter Collection
of Marine Insurance is a world leader in terms of the
scope and the depth of the ocean marine insurance books,
publications and collected works. It also serves as a memorial to
the late president and chairman of the Atlantic Mutual Insurance
Company, William David Winter. The Association of Average
Adjusters' collection of American and British maritime law is also
housed in the collection.Within this part of the collection are
rare books on marine insurance dating back to the 1700's.
Heber Bishop Churchill Earthquake
Collection, donated in 1950, provides detailed accounts of
major catastrophes from the beginning of the 20th century; among
them the Tokyo Earthquake of 1923, the San Francisco earthquake and
fire of 1906, typhoons of Japan, 1920-1940, and hurricanes of the
North Atlantic, New England, and the Caribbean. Since the 1950's,
the Library staff has purchased and cataloged all earthquake
material coming to its attention, making the Davis Library's
collection on natural disasters a leader worldwide today.
Vertical Files 180 file drawers containing
articles, speeches, sample forms and policies that chronicle
insurance industry history and product development, worldwide.
Insurance Company Prospectuses were discovered
during our initial survey of the 180 file drawers of historic
records and documents in the Davis Library. These prospectuses
represent the state of insurance in the United States, England,
Ireland, Barbados, and Australia during the mid 19th century. The
company prospectuses detail how the companies were formed, the
value of the firms (shares on the market) and some contain their
by-laws. They were printed in a pocket size format. Each has a
cover that is intricately designed with the insignia of the
insurance company, extensive calligraphy and intricate line
drawings. To view the 128 digitized prospectus covers,
click here.
Insurance Company Letterhead Collection
A sample collection of insurance company letterheads from
early 20th century. (MS Power Point) click here.