William M. Frick Papers
COLLECTION OVERVIEW
Collection Number: GR ASCSA GL WMF 061
Name (s) of Creator (s): William M. Frick (1919-2014), Bernhard Steffen (1844-1891)
Title: William M. Frick Papers
Date [bulk]: 1855-1891
Date [inclusive]: 1855-1990
Language(s): English, German
Summary: The collection consists of William M. Frick’s research/ working notes on Major Bernhard Steffen, as well as copies of Steffen's correspondence, incoming and outgoing, and a few original letters.
Quantity: 0.30 linear meter
Immediate Source of Acquisition: Gift of William M. Frick 2003 and Henry Frick 2014
Information about Access: The papers are catalogued and available for research
Cite as: American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Archives, William M. Frick Papers (Αμερικανική Σχολή Κλασικών Σπουδών στην Αθήνα, Τμήμα Αρχείων, Αρχείο William M. Frick)
Notes: The collection was processed by Eleftheria Daleziou in 2017.
For more information, please contact the Archives:
The American School of Classical Studies at Athens
54 Souidias Street, Athens 106 76, Greece,
phone: 213-000-2400 (ext. 425)
Contact via E-mail
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
William M. Frick was born in 1919. He served in WWII in Europe with the 79th Division. Upon returning home he married Emilie Farnsworth in 1946. Frick worked at various jobs including a self-employed landscaping business. He also taught and served as the Middle School and Admissions Director at the Brunswick Academy. After his retirement in 1984, he pursued his interests of research on archaeology and military subjects. He is the author of the following: Bernhard Steffen (1844-1891), 1990; Greece, April 1941 ‘…to fight another day’, 1994; and Time of Tragedy, Argos October 1943, 1998.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The collection consists of William M. Frick’s research / working notes on Major Bernhard Steffen. Steffen, an officer with the Prussian artillery in Cassel-Germany, was the cartographer of the book: Habbo Gerhardus Lolling’ s Karten von Mykenai / Auf Veranlassung des K. Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts aufgenommen und mit erläuterndem Text; hrsg. von Steffen; nebst einem Anhange über die Kontoporeia und das Mykenische-Korinthische Bergland von H. Lolling. Steffen arrived in Greece in the winter of 1881-82; and he met Heinrich Schliemann in 1883. In December 1889 Schliemann invited Steffen to Troy. Bernhard Steffen died in Constantinople in December 1891. The collection includes also a few original letters and copies of Bernhard Steffen's correspondence, incoming and outgoing. In 2014, Henry Frick, William M. Frick’s son, donated to the ASCSA copies of two of his father’s manuscripts.
CONTENT LIST
BOX 1
Folder 1
Steffen Family History related material
1. Newspaper clipping “Requiem aeternam dona eis” Obituary of Frau Roschen, Steffen’s sister, by Frau Stuber. Attached typewritten copy of the article [3 pages]
2. Bernhard Steffen’s chronology with notes. Typewritten document. 3 pages
3. Letter dated 13 May 1855. 1 page. Letter from 14 year-old Bernhard Steffen to his mother [original]
4. 4 pages with notes under the title “Aus dem Leben des Topographen Major Bernhard Steffen zur Zeit Heinrich Schliemanns in Athen”
5. Photos of Cammin-im-Pommern from a printed copy and a negative
6. Christmas card from Frau Stuber to WMF dated 19 December 1979
7. Two negatives: a. Steffen (1876?)
8. Two photos: a. Frau Magdalene Stuber (Steffen’s niece) with her brother Bernhard b. Frau Magdalene Stuber
9. Photos [2] of Steffen’s grave in Ferikoy, Constantinople
10. Photo of the monastery of Kaisariani (Athens, Greece) and handwritten note of Frau Stuber
Folder 2
Steffen’s service records
Letter from Hessisches Staatsarchiv Darmstadt to William M. Frick dated 22 March 1988. Information about Steffen’s promotions, transfers, assignments, decorations and orders
Folder 3
Steffen at Hissarlik (Troy) 1889
1. Photocopy of a photo of Schliemann, Dörpfeld, Steffen, Captain Boetticher and Niemann at the December 1889 Hissarlik Conference; attached photocopy of Steffen’s report at the Ilion conference; typewritten translation of Steffen’s report
2. Photocopy of a. a letter from Heinrich Schliemann to Steffen dated 7 January 1890 [Note: The letter is not included in HS Papers Copybook Vol 42] and b. a letter from Heinrich Schliemann to Steffen dated 3 August 1883 [Note: The letter is not included in HS Papers Copybook Vol 39]
Folder 4
Steffen at Essen and Krupp
1. Copy of a letter from WMF to Krupp Historisches Archiv dated 8 June 1980. Attached reply of Krupp Historisches Archiv to WMF dated 7 July 1980. Attached copy of a letter sent to Frau Stuber from Krupp Historisches Archiv with information about Steffen
2. Copy of Steffen’s signature as a Major in the 27th Nassau F.A. in the Meppen shooting range guest book October 20, 1890. Attached two charts with information about Krupp sales to the Ottoman army
3. Copy of a letter from WMF to Krupp Historisches Archiv dated February 19, 1988. Attached reply by Krupp Historisches Archiv to WMF dated March 9, 1987 (translation in English attached)
4. Photocopy of a letter by Steffen to his family dated October 20, 1890. Attached typewritten English translation of the letter
5. Handwritten copy of the letter by Steffen to his family dated October 20, 1890 by Frau Stuber. Attached text in English with information about Steffen at Essen by Frau Stuber
Folder 5
Typed copies of Steffen’s letters
1. Seven [7] typewritten pages with extracts of Steffen’s letters (translated in English) Attached four pages (photocopies) with the extracts in German
2. Translation in English of a letter from Steffen to his mother May 4, 1878 from Athens. Typewritten, one page with handwritten note of WMF: “Original is missing”
3. Letter from Karl He [ ? ] to WMF to William M. Frick dated 9 July 1980. Typewritten copies of Steffen’s letters in German and translations by WMF. Nine [9] pages
[Note by WMF: Many of these letters appear in Frau Stuber’s notebook - See folder 13]
Folder 6
Correspondence with institutions (in chronological order)
1. Letter from Archaeologische Geselleschaft zu Berlin to WMF dated May 17, 1979
2. Letter from Archaeologische Geselleschaft zu Berlin to WMF dated June 1, 1979
3. Letter from Professor Dr. K. Bittel to WMF dated January 30, 1981
4. Copy of WMF letter to Dr. K. Bittel n.d [February 1981?]
5. Letter from Deutsches Archaeologisches Institut Athen (Philip Brize) to WMF dated February 17, 1981
6. Copy of WMF letter to Deutsches Archaeologisches Institut Athen (Philip Brize) dated March 1, 1981
7. Letter from Deutsches Archaeologisches Institut Athen (Philip Brize) to WMF dated March 12, 1981
8. Copy of WMF letter to Deutsches Archaeologisches Institut Athen (Philip Brize) dated November 6, 1981
9. Letter from Deutsches Archaeologisches Institut Athen (Philip Brize) to WMF dated December 12, 1981
10. Copy of WMF letter to Archaeologisches Geselleschaft zu Berlin dated February 17, 1988. Attached: a. Reply from the Deutsches Archaeologisches Institut to WMF dated April 19, 1988, b. Reply from the Deutsches Archaeologisches Institut to WMF dated April 18, 1988, c. Translation (in English) of letter April 19, 1988
11. Letter from Philip Brize (Archaeologisches Institut der Universitat Heidelberg) to WMF dated April 17, 1990
12. Photocopy of a letter by Ernst Curtius to the Central _Direction des Archaeologischen Institutes dated April 2, 1881; attached typewritten copy of the letter and typewritten translation in English
13. Handwritten translation of a letter of Philip Brize to WMF
14. Photocopy of a letter
15. Typewritten copy of a letter by Kaupert dated November 11, 1878
Folder 7
Correspondence with German Archives
1. Letter from Militargeschichtliches Forschungsamt to WMF dated July 4, 1990. Attached copy of reply letter WMF to Militargeschichliches Forschungsamt dated June 24, 1990
2. Letter from Military History Research Institute to the Army Attache Staff of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany regarding WMF’s inquiry about Bernhard Steffen, dated May 30, 1990
3. Copy of WMF letter to Militargeschichtliches Forschungsamt dated December 20, 1987
4. Letter from Militargeschichtliches Forschungsamt to WMF dated February 3, 1988
5. Letter from Militargeschichtliches Forschungsamt to WMF dated September 11, 1978
6. Typewritten translation in English of a letter n.d
7. Letter from Wehrbereichskommando III Zentralbibliotek der Bundeswehr to WMF dated November 13, 1981; attached copy of WMF letter to Wehrbereichskommando III Zentralbibliotek der Bundeswehr dated September 26, 1981; copy of a WMF letter to Wehrbereichskommando III Zentralbibliotek der Bundeswehr dated March 24, 1979; Letter from Wehrbereichskommando III Zentralbibliotek der Bundeswehr to WMF dated April 24, 1979; page with typewritten text with handwritten notes [translation of part of letter]
8. Copy of a WMF letter to Stadtarchiv Marburg dated July 21, 1980
9. Letter from Hessisches Staatsarchiv Darmstadt to WMF dated September 20, 1990; letter from Hessisches Staatsarchiv Darmstadt to WMF dated August 29, 1980; letter from Hessisches Staatsarchiv Darmstadt to WMF dated August 5, 1980; letter from Hessisches Staatsarchiv Darmstadt to WMF dated May 28, 1990; copy of a WMF letter to Hessisches Staatsarchiv Darmstadt dated May 11, 1990; copy of a WMF letter to Hessisches Staatsarchiv Darmstadt dated February 18, 1988; letter from Hessisches Staatsarchiv Darmstadt to WMF dated December 8, 1981; copy of a WMF letter to Hessisches Staatsarchiv Darmstadt dated November 6, 1981
10. Copy of WMF letter to Magistrat der Stadt Kassel dated March 7, 1990; copy of WMF letter to Magistrat der Stadt Kassel dated March 20, 1990
11. Copy of WMF letter to Deutsches Archaeologisches Institut Athen dated August 20, 1990; copy of WMF letter to Deutsches Archaeologisches Insitut Berlin dated August 10, 1990; copy of WMF letter to Dr. Iakovidis dated August 10, 1990 – attached to the letter card from Dr. Iakovidis to WMF n.d; copy of WMF letter to Gennadius Library dated August 20, 1990; copy of WMF letter to Dr. Philip Brize dated August 20, 1990; copy of WMF letter to Dr. Gehrig (Archaeologische Gesellschaft zu Berlin dated May 17, 1979
12. Letter from the Military Attaché Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Embassy – Washington of the Federal Republic of Germany) to WMF dated June 18, 1990; letter from Military Attaché Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany) to WMF dated April 24, 1990; copy of WMF letter to the Military Attaché Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Embassy – Washington of the Federal Republic of Germany) dated March 15, 1990; copy of WMF letter to the Military Attaché Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Embassy – Washington of the Federal Republic of Germany) dated February 15, 1990; letter from the Military Attaché Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Embassy – Washington of the Federal Republic of Germany) to WMF dated August 21, 1978; copy of WMF letter to the Military Attaché Botschaft der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Embassy – Washington of the Federal Republic of Germany) dated August 16, 1978
Folder 8
Letters from the German Foreign Office/Constantinople Embassy regarding Steffen’s appointment to Constantinople (photocopies, typed transcriptions and translations for letters 1 to 9, for letters 10 to 18 there is no translation)
a. List of letters #1 to #18
1. August 9, 1891
2. August 22, 1891
3. August 27, 1891
4. August 30, 1891
5. September 4, 1891
6. September 7, 1891
7. September 25, 1891
8. September 26, 1891
9. October 8, 1891
10. October 14, 1891
11. December 12, [1891]
12. December 16, 1891 - Telegram from von Radowitz announcing Steffen’s death
13. December 16, 1891
14. December 17, 1891 - Foreign Office to von Radowitz
15. December 17, 1891 - von Radowitz to Foreign Office
16. December 18, 1891
17. December 25, 1891
18. December 29, 1891
b. Letter from Lucia van der Linde (Auswartiges AMT) to WMF dated November 6, 1992; typed page with draft of letter n.d; text in German (letter?) n.d with WMF’ s postal address handwritten; photocopies [2 pages] from Politisches Archiv d. Auswarf Amts R 13239; calling card of Klaas Peter Jacobs (Bundesminister des Auswertigen) with handwritten note; copy of WMF letter to Bundesminister des Auswertigen dated September 30, 1992; Handwritten letter to WMF dated August 30, 1991
Folder 9
Correspondence regarding Steffen’s military appointments
1. Copy of WMF letter to Deutsche Militararchiv dated May 16, 1981
2. Letter from N.G. Elwert Universitatsbucchhandlung und Verlag to WMF dated April 28, 1980; copy of WMF letter to the Director of the Stadtarchiv Kassel dated June 8, 1980; letter from Der Magistrat der Stadt Kassel to WMF dated June 6, 1980, attached two photocopies with information about Steffen; card from the German Information Center, Washington DC to WMF dated July 14, 1980; copy of WMF letter to the Embassy of the Federal Republic of West Germany Washington DC, Office of Cultural Attaché, dated July 3, 1980 [and photocopy – the original with handwritten reply]; letter from Militargeschictliches Forschungsamt dated September 9, 1978
3. Letter from the Director of the Nationale Volksarmee Militararchiv to WMF dated July 9, 1981; copy of a WMF letter to the Director of the Nationale Volksarmee Militararchiv dated September 9, 1981
4. Copy of WMF letter to the Director of the Nationale Volksarmee Militararchiv dated December 20, 1987
5. Copy of WMF letter to the Nationale Volksarmee Militararchiv dated May 20, 1988; letter from the Director of the Nationale Volksarmee Militararchiv to WMF dated March 28, 1988; translation in English of the Director of the Nationale Volksarmee Militararchiv to WMF letter dated March 28, 1988
6. Photocopies – Steffen’s service info
7. Copy of WMF letter to the National Volksarmee Militararchiv dated February 20, 1990
8. Letter from N.G. Elwert Universitatsbucchhandlung und Verlag to WMF dated April 26, 1990; attached translation in English
Folder 10
Correspondence with information regarding Ottillie Schricker, Steffen’s wife
1. Copy of WMF letter to Frau Stuber dated June 2, 1979
2. Frau Stuber to WMF:
- May 29, 1979
- June 12, 1979
- July 6, 1979
- August 2, 1979
- August 28, 1979
- September 29, 1979
- November 27, 1979
- June 25, 1980
- July 20, 1980
- October 19, 1980
- November 10, 1980
- November23, 1980
- December 5, 1980
- March 16, 1981
- April 1, 1981
- May 9, 1981
- June 2, 1981
Folder 11
Correspondence and information regarding Steffen’s family
1. Letter from Zentralstelle fur Genealogie dated April 19, 1940
2. Copy of a WMF letter to Zentralstelle fur Genealogie dated June 22, 1990
3. Copy of a WMF letter to Zentralstelle fur Genealogie dated February 10, 1990
4. Photocopies with information about Josef Maria von Radowitz
5. Photocopy – Steffen eulogy
6. Announcement of Steffen’s death- Constantinople December 1891
7. Letter from Zentralsteller fur Genealogie dated June 22, 1990; attached photocopied material about Josef Maria von Radowitz
Folder 12
Correspondence and notes
1. Letter from John P. Cummings to WMF dated April 27, 1990
2. Two pages typewritten text entitled “Steffen Eulogy”
3. Copy of a WMF letter to Dr Bliss dated April 30, 2001
4. Letter from Phil Crowther- Archivist of the Museum of Yachting to WMF dated August 26, 1990; attached photocopy with lists of yachts of the United States and Canada
5. Copy of a WMF letter to the US Naval Institute dated August 3, 1990
6. Copy of a WMF letter to the Museum of Yachting dated June 22, 1990
7. Letter from the National Archives and Records Administration to WMF dated August 28, 1990
8. Two pages (photocopies) with information on yachts
9. Letter of United States Naval Institute to WMF dated August 27, 1990
Folder 13
Notebook with transcriptions of Steffen’s letters to his family. Transcribed by Frau Stuber. [Numbered pages 1 to 61 by Frau Stubbe and 61 to 64]. Five photos: a. Samothrace (print – front cover), b. Mycenae (print cover back), c. Troja, 1968 (original photo – cover back), d. Steffen’s grave (original photo – p.64), e. Athens – Parthenon (printback cover)