Robert Bluntzer's Round Robin Newsletter Collection for WWII Servicemen
One linear foot of the correspondence and some related documents of the Round Robin, a mimeograph circular newsletter sent from Corpus Christi to Corpus Christi service men during World War II by concerned city residents led by Robert Bluntzer, Sr. The Round Robin collection comprises approximately one- and one-half linear feet, or four document boxes. The first two boxes consist of the 1969 four volume publication and every extant Round Robin newsletter from April 1942 through June 1945. They also contain undated and Robstown editions. Box three holds the rest of the Robstown newsletters in addition to supplemental material such as newspaper clippings and related correspondence. Box four contains documentation regarding publication of "The Spirit of America" plus personal information on the Bluntzer family, their involvement in public works projects such as the R&M Dam, and Robert Bluntzer's research on historical sites in San Patricio County.
Dates
- 1942 - 1969
Language of Materials
The materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use
This material is made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to taking precautions against infringement of copyright and respecting the publication rights of reproduced materials. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards. Any materials used should be fully credited with their source according to the example given in the Preferred Citation note. Requests for assistance with citations and images of publication quality should be directed to specialcollections@tamucc.edu
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet
Biographical / Historical
The Round Robin newsletter was a compilation of news, gossip, pictures, cartoons, poems, and jokes sent to servicemen and women from the Corpus Christi, San Patricio, and Robstown, Texas, areas during the Second World War. It was designed and produced by Corpus Christi residents to maintain morale among these military personnel. Referred to as "The Spirit of America" by Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, the Round Robin also provided a "jam fund" for soldiers in financial trouble in addition to a "living memorial fund" dedicated to those who fell in battle. Throughout the course of the war the Round Robin staff printed and distributed over seventy five newsletters to people stationed away from the Corpus Christi area.
The Round Robin was initiated and primarily funded by Robert Dougherty Bluntzer, a Corpus Christi oil and land man who was also a veteran of World War I. The Round Robin was inspired by the experience of Chrys Sullivan, a Confederate cavalryman from San Patricio, Texas, and an ancestor of Bluntzer. Sullivan had written his family asking them to take time to send more letters from the home front. He lamented that he heard nothing but "no mail for you Sullivan" during his service. He was killed in action before a response could reach him in early 1863. Bluntzer did not want military personnel from the Corpus Christi region to suffer the same neglect. The newsletter's logo was three robins labeled friendship, unity, and country.
In 1969, Bluntzer initiated publishing the majority of the Round Robin newsletters in a four volume set called The Spirit of America. Roger Butler and other donors helped to finance this publication. Copies of The Spirit of America were then donated to fifty colleges and universities around Texas.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift; 2004.
- Title
- Guide to Robert Bluntzer's Round Robin Newsletter Collection for WWII Servicemen
- Status
- In Progress
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and Archives, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Repository
6300 Ocean Dr.
Unit 5702
Corpus Christi TX 78412 United States
361-825-4500
361-825-5973 (Fax)
specialcollections@tamucc.edu
