Collection Statements Ben Guttery Collections Campaign Materials and Posters These materials were collected over a ten-year period (1990-2000) from a variety of sources. These were part of general collection of Texas political items that I collected rather intensely over this period of time. I visited campaign offices, state headquarters, and party conventions to acquire the more modern items from this collection (1994-2000). Other materials came from sources including antique dealers, collectors, and historians. They represent a rich history of Texas political campaigns from the late 1800s to 2000. Books These materials were collected over a ten-year period from a variety of sources. These were part of general collection of Texas political items I gathered. Most books came from used bookstores, estate sales, and book dealers from across the country. Some were used as source material for my book Representing Texas- A Comprehensive History of the United States and Confederate Senators and Representatives from Texas (Eakin Press, 200x). Files on Texas congressmen These materials were collected over a six-year period (1995-2001) while writing on a book on Texas Congressmen. The book was entitled Representing Texas - A Comprehensive History of the United States and Confederate Senators and Representatives from Texas (Eakin Press, 200x). The goal was to complete a thorough, but brief biography of each of the 272 men and women who had representing Texas. Included with this collection were numerous photographs. Papers of Hatton Sumners These materials were acquired from Mr. Dave Dillingham of Fort Worth in approximately 1999.He was an auctioneer and acquired these papers which were in 2-3 old suitcases at an estate sale. Interestingly, they also contained a flyer from a coin and stamp store owner in Fort Worth (Mr. Robert Wallace). Mr. Wallace at one time told me that he had acquired the whole remainder of the estate. He was interested in the items for their postal history as they contained many letters to Sumners from across the globe. It is my belief that these papers were of a more personal nature to the Congressmen and were not part of the material he donated to the Dallas History Center. Papers of W. R. Smith These papers were acquired from a paper dealer in Oklahoma (Mr. ). I first acquired a lot of about 100 letters from this fellow in 1999 when I saw him selling a Congressional letterhead from Smith on ebay. I asked him and wound up buying the lot. Months later I saw he had more and acquired the balance of materials. Some of these were separated from the collection as they were sold for the interesting letterhead they were written on. I collected these as part of my overall interest in Texas politics. They represent a unique view into the life of a traveling district judge and congressmen separated from his wife while he was serving in office. They cover a time period of approximately 1890 to 1914. This collection also includes a couple letters from perhaps Smith's son while he was serving in the US military.