Archives, Special Collections, and Rare Books

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The library has an extensive collection of historical documents and artifacts related to the insurance industry, actuarial science, and risk management.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.