2017-04-11 Preliminary Inventory of the Robert E. Oscar Papers, 1928-1982 SPEC.RARE.0043 Finding aid prepared by Zoe MacLeod, Elizabeth Hubbard Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2017 April; 2019 September

b61932541

 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2020-08-07T14:56-0400 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Robert E. Oscar Papers SPEC.RARE.0043 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 3.41 Cubic feet 1928-1982 Robert E. Oscar was born in Canton, Ohio, graduating from Ohio State University in 1938. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Enterprise and the USS Bunker Hill. After the war, Oscar went on to work in business as an export manager, director, president, and CEO, and was an active member in many trade organizations. The Robert E. Oscar Papers contain certificates, awards, an audio recording, correspondence, speeches, writings, programs, reports, and artifacts related to Oscar’s university years, career, and involvement in trade organizations. The university material includes a few items related to Zeta Beta Tau, a Jewish Greek letter fraternity of which Oscar was a member. Military pins, medals, ribbon bars, and other artifacts from Oscar’s time in the United States Navy from 1940-1944 are also included. Collection materials date from 1928-1982. (2) flat boxes; (2) oversize flat boxes; (1) 5" letter document box; (1) carton; (1) card box English Oscar, Robert E. Arrangement of Materials

This collection is unprocessed. Materials are arranged in the order received.

 Acquisitions Information

Unknown

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Robert E. Oscar Papers, SPEC.RARE.0043, Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, Ohio State University

 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Contains a magnetic audiotape.

 Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the Thompson Library Special Collections reading room only. Audio materials may need a use copy produced before access is allowed.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

This collection is unprocessed. Finding aid written by: Zoe MacLeod, 2017 April; Elizabeth Hubbard, 2019 September

 Biographical Note

Robert E. Oscar (1917-1981) was born in Canton, Ohio, and graduated from McKinley High School (1934). Oscar went on to graduate from Ohio State University (B.S. Business Administration, 1938) where he was a member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Enterprise and the USS Bunker Hill and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, an Air Medal with six stars, and two Presidential Unit Citations.

After World War II, Oscar went on to work in business as an export manager, director, president, and CEO, mainly based in Chicago. He founded World Commerce Company, Inc. in 1950. He was an active member in many trade organizations including the International Trade Club of Chicago (Director, President), Overseas Automotive Club (Director), Automotive Exporters Club (founder, President), American Society of International Executive, Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry, District Export Council, and United States Chambers of Commerce (for four European countries).

 Scope and Contents

The Robert E. Oscar Papers contain certificates, awards, correspondence, speeches, writings, programs, reports, commemorative plates, and plaques related to Oscar’s university years, career, and involvement in trade organizations. The University material includes a few items related to Zeta Beta Tau, a Jewish Greek letter fraternity of which Oscar was a member. The business materials include one magnetic audiotape recording of President John F. Kennedy on October 18, 1963, addressing the Illinois Trade Mission. Military pins, medals, ribbon bars, and dogtags from Oscar’s time in the United States Navy from 1940-1944 are also included. Collection materials date from 1928-1982.

 Ohio State University--Students. Oscar, Robert E. United States. Navy--Military life. United States. Navy—Medals, badges, decorations, etc. Zeta Beta Tau (Fraternity). Business education--Ohio--Columbus--20th century Businessmen--Illinois--Chicago--20th century College students--Ohio--Columbus--20th century Male college students--Societies and clubs--Ohio--Columbus--20th century Medals Pins (jewelry) Ribbon bars United States--Commerce--20th century World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations, American Ohio State University Zeta Beta Tau photographs 1 circa 1930s Oscar and Richard B. Ogilvie signed photograph 1 1971 Australian Hardware Journal Vol. 96 No. 9 1 1981 Americal Society of International Executives membership certificate 1 1967 PERINCO GMBH memorial 1 1981 Partners of the Alliance certificate 1 1970 Presidential memorial certificate 1 1982 Photograph 1 undated Ohio State University graduation program 1 1938 World Trade Dinner of the 24th National Foreign Trade Convention programs 1 1937 "Combination Export Management" writing 1 undated "Profile of a Chief International Officer" study by Heidrick and Struggles, Inc 1 1976 Zeta Beta Tau fraternity induction certificate 1 1935 Ohio State University Accounting 401 notebook and Zeta Beta Tau letterhead 1 1936 "Partners" membership correspondence and cards 1 1975-1979 Membership cards 1 1955-1981 Commission for Economic Development correspondence 1 1975 International Trade and Port Advisory Committee correspondence and photograph 1 1971 Export committees correspondence 1 1974-1977 Personal correspondence 1 1968-1969 International Trade Club of Chicago meeting speech, promotionals, correspondence 1 1977-1978 World Trade Institute "Fundamentals of Foreign Exchange" seminar speech, program, nameplate, nametag 1 1977 "Internationalizeing your Business" seminar speech, program, promotionals, correspondence 1 1975 Governor's International Trade Conference program, correspondence, speech, drafts 1 1975 International marketing speeches, writings, correspondence 1 1968-1970 Overseas Automotive Club luncheon speech "Domestic Marketing - Internationally", promotional 1 1970 "Report on the Export Sales Department of the A.B. Dick Company" 1 1947 Overseas Automotive Club member certifcate 1 1946 Automotive Exporters Club of Chicago testimonial certificate 1 1956 European Group of Petersen International Coroporation certificate of appreciation 1 1979 Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry pewter commemorative plate 2 circa 1970s Sprugue Devices, Inc commemorative silver plate 2 circa 1970s Clippings, photographs, publications, membership cards 3 1928-1979 Photographs, clippings scrapbook 3 1963-1967 Articles, speeches binder 3 circa 1960s American Management Assoication correspondence, handouts, seminar binder 3 1962-1970 Phillips Drill Company correspondence binder 3 1958 Country Reports binders (2 volumes) 3 1958-1959 Country Reports binder 3 1958-1960 President John F. Kennedy 1963 October 18 address audiotape, correspondence 3 1963-1964 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Magnetic audiotape; Approximate run time: Unknown Ohio State University "Freshman 'Y' Handbook" 3 1937-1938 Photographs 4 1946-1976 American Chamber of Commerce in France membership certificate, correspondence 4 1971 Secretary of Commerce "District Export Council" appointment certificates 4 1975-1977 Secretary of Commerce "Regional Export Expansion Council" appointment certificates 4 1963-1973 Theatrum Orbis Terrarum commemorative print 4 undated Mr Kinley High School Canton, Ohio diploma 4 1934 State of Illinois commission certificate 4 1971 Class photograph 4 circa 1930s Midwest Foreign Commerce Club plaque 5 circa 1960s-1970s International Trade Club of Chicago plaque 5 1964 Lincoln bust appreciation award 6 circa 1960s Library of Robert E. Oscar seal in pouch 6 undated Dogtags, medals, lapel pins, ribbon bars, U.S. Navy pins, patches 7 circa 1940-1944