Archive Record

Metadata

Collection

The Toffaleti/Potter Collection

Title

The Toffaleti/Potter Collection

Catalog Number

2015-04-17-538

Scope & Content

This collection is a series of photographs and war records. Both were mixed in together and seem to be from a combination of two sources, a Major Fred Toffaleti of the United States army and the Potter family. The collection's contents were discovered in an old steamer trunk that was unmarked, hence there is a lack of provenance. A majority of the collection is family photographs of various individuals (most unnamed) engaged in family events and so forth. Few names of those pictured in the collection are extant, with the small number of names found in two large scrapbooks scribbled next to more family photos. Most of the photograpghs that have some form of identification came from photography studios in Ocala, Florida, and this is where the Potter family is assumed to have lived.
The other portion of the collection is a series of war documents and personal orders to Major Toffaleti, as well as photographs of the Burma/India Theater where he was deployed during World War 2. Most of these war-photographs are duplicated several times in the collection. Furthermore, images of basic training for officers at Fort Belvoir in Virginia as well as images of Major Toffaleti in his dress uniform.
The collection was simple to categorize because of the variety of photographs and media present. Most photographs and documents are grouped into folders and boxes based on content (family or military) with framed or otherwise fragile items (like scrapbook pages) being given their own archival box. The issue with the collection is specification, due to the lack of names associated with individuals pictured.

Box 1 - family photos 1

Folder 1:
1 photo of 2 infants, torn on one side
2 landscape photo's, 1 of an unidentified male. The other of Morris Lockwell, Mr. Bellany, and Louis Potter (left to right)
1 Photo negative of man posing against a wall
2 postcards, 1 of a female posing for camera, the other of an infant
19 assorted family photographs
Total items - 25

Folder2:
7 family photos and postcards of toddlers
1 postcard of 2 young children
1 photo of a man smoking
6 photos of a woman
1 photo of 6 women/ ball team
2 photos of 2 men posing
6 family photos of groups
2 photo negatives of a woman outside
1 family photo of a group of women
1 family photo of a group of people in a yard
1 family photo of a general store
1 photo of a toddler
1 photo of a young wman in a posed portrait
3 family photos of a boathouse trip
Total items - 34

folder2.2:
1 note locations and names
5 copies/duplications of a photo of men standing/grouping by a river
9 duplications of a photo of a mostly destroyed home
10 duplications of a photo of elephants in river
8 duplications of a photo of men standing on a river bank by river boats
9 copies of a street view
9 duplications of a photo of farmland with a river in background
9 copies of a ruined church with goat
Total items - 60

Folder3:
26 misc family photos
18 misc family photos
Total items - 44

Folder4:
5 misc family photos
8 portraits, inc two postcards
1 landscape photo
Total items - 14

Folder5:
9 family photos large
14 family photos small
8 family photo postcards
Total items - 31

Folder6:
2 small photos 19th century style
17 misc family photos of females
2 small portraits of a boy
6 misc family photos an adult with a child
5 misc family photos - males
23 misc family photos, toddlers and children
6 misc family photos group
Total items - 61

Folder7:
1 postcard of a young man in a suit sitting in a Victorian era chair
1 postcard of two small girls
1 photo of a woman with short hair and a necklace
1 photo of 3 men posing in business clothes\
Total items - 4

Folder8:
1 perforated photo container
4 perforated photos of beach house
4 perforated photos of a field at the beach house
8 perforated photos of the backyard and water at the beach house
Total items - 17

Folder9:
2 prints of a Christmas themed artwork entitled "give us a ride" signed "moses"
Total items - 2

Folder10:
3 large untouched proofs of a "L. H. Potter" originally housed in a manila envelope
Total items - 3

Folder11:
1 postcard duplicate of a woman
1 duplicate photo of a man in a suit
1 postcard of a small child
1 family photo of a buck (deer)
3 family photos of people outdoors, possibly at a park
2 photos of toddlers
10 misc family photos
1 Daytona souvenir group by car
1 Daytona souvenir group by car (different people)
1 daytona souvenir 2 men by vehicle
2 photos of a baseball team 1 of these is initialed
1 photo 1 photo of a train engine
1 small photo "louis and wilmer 09/15/1928"
Total items - 26

Folder12:
1 photo 1 young man on steps
1 photo 1 young man house overhang
1 photo 2 young men by house overhang
1 photo older man by house
1 photo of man posing by steps
2 photos of groups of men by house
1 photo of woman by house
1 photo 2 men house overhang
2 photos woman/young woman and child by house
2 photos man posing by steps
2 photos of man leaning against post
1 photo of a man posing by brick wall
2 photos of men in matching outfits standing on a low wall
2 photos of 2 men sitting on steps
1 photo of 2 children on step
2 photos of 2 other men on steps
Total items - 23

Folder13:
1 photo of 2 men by tree
1 photo of 2 men in scrub/trees
3 photos landscapes of the camping area
2 photos pairs of young women
2 photos man and woman by dock
1 photo family group by tents
1 photo 2 men by small tree
5 photos family group
1 photo man and 2 women on dock
3 photos of groups on boat
2 photos woman on/by tree
2 photos man posing by tree
1 photo 4 men posing on dock
Total items - 25

Total items in box 1 - 369

Box 2 - war/military

Folder 1
14 photos of military men in candid positions
11 photos of military men posing for the camera
5 photos of "basic" at "ft. Belvoir"
2 photos of men posing with heavy artillery pieces
1 photo of an aircraft in flight
2 photos of wrecked/crashed aircraft
1 photo civilians on base
Total items - 36

Folder2
2 photos of locals riding elephants
2 photos of a Buddha statue
1 photo of a dead Bengal tiger next to a military vehicle
4 photos of temples/temple facades
1 photo-negative of a local
9 photos of locals, including 2 duplicates
2 photos of substantial buildings
6 photos of a local village
Total items - 27

Folder3
1 photo of a military man skiing
1 photo of a military man standing on a mountain slope
2 men on an artillery piece
1 photo of a military man standing in front of the statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi in Bressica, Lombardy
1 negative of a uniformed man by a lighthouse
1 photo of a military man posing by sign "Entering Austria through the courtesy of the VI U.S. Corps"
1 photo of a military man posing by fence
1 photo of military surplus heavy equipment before sale to british
Total items - 9

Folder4
10 photos of rivers and people working by rivers
14 photos of bridges
2 photos of pontoon bridges
5 photos of railways/railway debris
Total items - 31

Loose folders itemized:
1 large photo of a man in uniform "Esther Flohr, Vicksburg miss"
1 group photo, military men in dress uniforms, officers
2 photos of military men standing for group photo "5th basic officer course, Ft. Belvoir" one of the copies is inscribed with the names of the men.
Total items - 4

Folder5
2 negatives of guys sitting on an artillery piece
1 photo of guys sitting on an artillery piece
2 photos of men posing by wall at basic
2 misc. military negatives
2 photos military man in Europe
1 photo military man with family
1 photo, 2 military men posing with photography board
1 photo group of military men at basic
Total items - 12

Military records in separate folders:
1. 7 copies of an authorization of leave document. Major Toffaleti is
assigned 85 days of leave

2. 8 copies of orders stating the mentioned men are to report to depot #3 in Kanchrapara, India

3. Toffaleti's commission notification. Was commissioned as a 1rst lieutenant. Also a form for disbursement pending release from duty.

4. 3 copies of special order # 10, 1 of special order # 15. Copy of army personell for readjustment group RAA 129-29. The envelope in which all this was found

5. presidential thank you, and a copy of toffaleti's promotion orders from captain to major.

6. shipping ticket, and a copy of the amended GI bill of rights, and a copy of "Information for separate officers."

7. 2 copies of special order 15

8. forms and notification that fred B Toffaleti is relieved from duty and asked to join the reserve officer corps

9. movement orders and personell lists for separation groups after the ending of conflict.

10. separation papers for Fred. B Toffaleti

Papers from the locked in section of the folder. In 2 subfolders:

1. a certificate of health, a copy of an informational booklet on the 1327th engineer regiment, inventory and courier designation sheets, transfer of company funds sheet, papers pertaining to the officer cadre training course. Toffaleti's last will and testament upon active service, power of attorney for same, Toffaleti's personal accounts (economic). A life insurance memorandum, pay allowances, copy of executive order 9575, receipt of war savings bond, leave grants.

2. special orders, clearance data, and physicial + medical data

3. army separations and qualifications record, warren county missisipi sherrifs office statement sheet, war department certificate of training, notice of transmittal of certificate, army final clearances
Total items for box - 119

Box 3 - items in plastic/melinex/scrapbook pages

Folder 1
2 documents, including a graduation pamphlet from Ocala city schools, and a business card. The pamphlet states commencement Exercises to be completed on Friday, June third 1932. The business card is for a "miss. Mildred Gillis.
Total items - 2

Folder2 - connected to folders 2-4 in box6
3 envelopes that contained photographs now housed in Box6
Total items - 3

Folder3 - connected to folder5 of box 6
1 postcard, fully written out
Total items = 1

Folder4 -scrapbook pages in subfolders

Subfolder1
Page 1 of scrapbook: 6 pictures and 2 cutouts. "miss Potter and miss Hancock" "Bellany" "miss Redding" "miss Jessie Pearl Redding" "W.A. LyBrand" "miss Doris Potter"

Subfolder2
Page 2 of scrapbook: 3 photographs "Dorcey K. Lybrand"

Subfolder3
Page 3: 6 photographs "Cecil leak" "miss Bellany"

Subfolder 4
Page 4 : 3 photos

Subfolder 5
Page 5: 7 cutouts

Subfolder 6
Page 6: 3 photographs

Subfolder 7
Page 7: 2 photos

Subfolder 8
Page8 : 3 photos

Subfolder 9
Page 9: 2 photos 1 cutout

Subfolder 10
Page 10: 8 cutouts

Subfolder 11
Page 11: 3 photos

Subfolder 12
Page 12: 3 photos

Total items 12 pages 33 photos 18 cutouts

Folder5
1 Letter with envelope and postcard
1 Negative with Envelope
1 Commencement invitation with small photo
1 war photo in frame
1 ocala highschool athletic schedule
12 newspaper clippings cartoons
5 newspaper clippings articles
1 photography pamphlet
2 commencement invitations
1 military pamphlet about training
1 poem on thin paper
4 christmas cards and personal note
Total items - 31

Folder6
2nd scrapbook
117 photographs on pages
Total items = 117
Total items for box - 159

Box 4

Folder 1
1 photo souvenir of child on wheel
1 small frame photo of a man
1 large framed photo of a woman, with cover page
1 large photo of a man in a suit posing
1 large photo of a man, framed, "tom" written on it
1 large framed photo man in suit smiling
1 large framed photo young woman
1 framed colorized photo of a woman
1 framed graduation photo of a man, made by "tiffany"
1 profile photograph, framed
1 posed portrait of a woman
1 duplicate framed photo of a young boy
1 framed portrait of a woman
1 duplicate, double, framed, 2 men
1 large framed colorized photo of a woman, portrait
1 double frame photo, 2 men
1 large framed photo of a young boy sitting
1 large framed color photo of a woman, posed
1 large frame photo. 2 small children
1 large frame photo of a toddler, small photos attached
1 large frame photo, family
1 large frame photo of a couple
1 duplicate large framed photo of a young boy
1 large framed photo of a small girl
1 large framed photo of a man signed "devotedly, Bill"
1 photo of a woman late 19th century early 20th century decorative frame
1 photo - Daytona beach commemorative 3 young men, decorative frame
1 photo of a man in a suit in a decorative frame
1 photo of man in suit, portrait, framed
1 photo of a young girl, framed, frame damaged
1 photo of a man with slicked back hair, framed
1 photo of a young child framed
1 Large colored photo elderly man + child in frame
1 large framed photo of a young child
1 large framed photo of a young woman
Total in box - 35

Box 5

1 Framed photo of a toddler
1 framed photo of a woman with neckpiece
2 later photographs of an elderly couple, framed, 1 containing copies and smaller photos
1 photo of a toddler draped in white, framed
1 portrait "the Montgomery's"
1 overlarge portait
1 framed photo of a man in tuxedo
1 framed photo 2 young ladies
1 framed photo school group
1 backed photo of a group of children
1 framed small photo of a toddler
1 framed photo small child/baby
1 framed portrait of a man in tuxedo, "chindoff studio. New York"
1 framed photo of Esther Flohr
1 framed photo of a man in suit
2 framed photos of toddler
1 framed photo of an army officer in drerss uniform
1 framed photo of Esther Flohr and young boy
1 framed portrait of a young man
1 backed photo of an old man sitting in a chair
1 framed photo of a young woman reading
1 framed photo of a military officer smiling
2 framed photos of a young man with short hair

Total in box - 26

Box 6

Folder 1
6 photos of a family posing by a monument
1 photo of a young woman in a patterned dress
1 photo 4 young children posed
Total items - 8

Folder 2 - from envelope titled "mrs. Toffaleti, due: $150
1 photo small child posing
1 photo young man
1 postcard of toddler
1 photo man + child by cannon
1 photo f adults helping babies eat
1 photo 3 toddlers +women on steps
1 photo of toddler
1 photo of woman + 2 children
1 photo women posing in grass by steps
5 small photos of house in snow
Total items - 14

Folder3 - from envelope of "the photo-craft laboratories, Ocala Florida
6 negatives of a woman/lady by a lake
Total items - 6

Folder4 - from envelope addressed to "Fred B. Toffaleti"
1 photo negative of man and woman standing in doorway of house
1 photo negative of family W/toddler
1 photo negative of toddler in yard
1 photo negative of lady holding the toddler
3 photo negatives of a man holding the baby
1 photo negative woman looking at cat on tree stump
14 photo negatives of house w/striped window covers
1 photo negative cat on top of ladder
1 photo negative man sitting on porch
1 multi-negative slide beach/pier
6 photo negatives of house/surrounding area
3 multi-negative slides ranch/outdoor area + buildings
Total items- 34

Folder5
1 christmas card/photo "Charles B. Toffaleti
1 postcard of toddler "Charles Joseph, Age:3 months"
1 negative of two men posing
1 photo of toddler in snow
1 small envelope of negatives (poor condition)
Total items - 5

Folder 6
8 photos of landscape/ the house in winter
7 photos/cards Christmas themed
18 photos of family groups
11 photos of toddlers
1 photo of a man sleeping
1 photo of young girl on pony/horse
1 photo of a man wearing a jacket and glasses
12 photos of young children
3 photos of man holding child in winter/snow
Total items - 62

Folder7
1 photo man standing by fountain
2 photos of the cats
7 christmas cards/family photos
1 photo man sitting
1 photo house with a 2 car garage
1 photo of a 2 story house
11 photos of the house
1 photo boys town monument
2 young kids on beach
1 photo young kid by monument
2 photos group of small children
5 photos of toddlers
1 photo of plants
3 photos woman in white dress
2 photos of woman kneeling by plants
1 photo gothic church
1 photo of 3 family members
2 photos of a man and woman
4 photos of a female adult and child
2 photos of a family group in front of a bush/forest
3 photos of groups of female adults
2 more Christmas cards/family photos
1 photo of a toddler with writing on back
1 photo group of children with a driver in a truck
1 photo of woman with wide brimmed hat
Total items - 59

Total items in box - 188

Large collection box 1

2 heavy framed photos of woman with a cravat
1 glass and metal framed photo of toddler
1 glass framed photo of toddler
1 small metal framed photo of toddler
3 overlarge prints wrapped in newspaper
1 triple framed photo of toddler
1 wood frame photo of young child
2 copies of framed photo of man in tuxedo
1 framed color photo woman with a pearl necklace
2 framed cat paintings
1 framed painting "windmill on the water"
2 copies of photo of military officers in dress posing for photo
1 copy of military officers in uniform posing by building
2 large photos of family group, one inside one outside
Total items: 21

Object Name

Documents

Year Range from

1944

People

Fred B. Toffaleti
Charles B. Toffaleti
Esther Flohr
Dorcey K. Lybrand
W.A. LyBrand
Doris Potter
Jessie Pearl Redding
Mildred Gillis
Morris Lockwell
Louis Potter
L. H. Potter

Subjects

China Burma India Theater
World War 2
WW2
Ocala Florida
Tiffany Co.
military records
Fort Belvoir