Ralph M. Line Papers, 1945-1980

Papers of Ralph M. Line (1904- ), professor of architecture (1946-70), including correspondence and financial records from Alpha Rho Chi fraternity and the Anthemdos control corporation (1963-71); exhibit plans from the Chicago Museum of Sciences and Industry (1948-51); architecture course materials (1954-61); photographs of exhibitions, Line's homes, a naval training unit, student floorplans and models, the University of Illinois, and Williamsburg, VA (c. 1945-63); and photographs of buildings, churches, courthouses, interiors and exteriors of homes, people, still objects, and a windmill (c. 1946-80).

A second accession was donated August 11, 2015

Included is Blanche (Goldner) Line's "The Bride's Scrap Book." Purchased for $35.00 in 1939 (the equivalent of $760.02 in 2023), the book details the engagement, parties and showers, wedding, and wedding trip of Ralph Line and his wife. Blanche Goldner (born 1922) taught fourth grade in North Baltimore schools and was the organist for St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.  In the scrapbook, Blanche Goldner (married Line) records the gifts they received, a comprehensive itinerary of their wedding trip, the guests of the wedding and of the different parties. Details in the scrapbook indicate the wealth of the families especially during the Depression era: innumerous parties were thrown, the gifts were luxurious, and Goldner even wore a Chanel wedding dress. The scrapbook contains two photographs of Ralph and Blanche Line, newspaper clippings about the couple's engagement, the parties, and the wedding, and hundreds of unique cards and saved gift bows.

These opulent cards and especially bows represent the truly valuable portion of this scrapbook, showing an astonishing variety of partially new materials and designs for the time. While some bows are ribbons made out of natural materials, many of these 1930s bows are already made from early synthetic materials using bright colors, metallics, and intricate decorations. Also included in the scrapbook are engraved wedding invitations and the metal plates used to create them.

The scrap book includes a 1939 wedding boutonniere - made of wire, dried roses, and a bow - and a hat/dress pin attached to it. The boutonniere was most likely worn on a hat, dress, or jacket. The item has been taped such as to protect a wearer from being poked. Item is very FRAGILE and roses are crumbling.

Also included is a small bell from the scrapbook.