Clara Cary Case Edwards papers, 1909-1966

The Clara Carey Case Edwards papers house the correspondence and other personal memorabilia of Clara Carey Case Edwards, Bryn Mawr College class of 1904. The collection, which ranges from 1909-1966, consists of correspondence, journals, photographs, writings, and other materials.

This collection is organized into two series: “Series I: Correspondence” and “Series II: Other Papers.”

“Series I: Correspondence” is arranged chronologically and mainly consists of letters from Clara Edwards to relatives, including her mother, Mrs. Charles L. Case; her sister, Mary C. Case; her father, Charles L. Case; and her mother-in-law, Louise Edwards. Clara's letters describe her everyday life in Iran, including housekeeping, cooking, and childcare, as well as details about the American and European community in Iran, and the local Iranian community. Her letters also describe conditions in Iran during World War I. After the Edwards moved to England, in addition to Clara's letters to her family in the United States, there are letters from Clara and Cecil to Arthur, and excerpts of Arthur's letters to them. Clara's letters during World War II again concern her daily life, as well as wartime conditions in England. When she and Cecil made their 1948 visit back to Iran, Clara wrote letters to Mary, and to Arthur and his wife, Christine. Clara's last letter is from July 1949. After Clara entered St. George's Retreat in 1951, the letters are from Cecil to Mary.

“Series II: Other Papers” is organized into four subseries: “Journals of Clara Cary Case Edwards,” “Photographs,” “Writings,” and “Other Materials.” There are fifteen journals kept by Clara, covering the years 1911 to 1941. Some of the journals were written during specific trips in Iran; others contain daily entries that document Clara's and her family's everyday routines. The journals from the 1930s onward report on war-related events and contain many pasted-in newspaper clippings. “Photographs” includes two pictures of Clara, two of Clara and Arthur together, one of Arthur's nurse in Iran, and five photographs of unidentified people. “Writings” consists of articles about Iran that Cecil published in The Geographical Magazine and that Clara published in The Yale Review and Journal of the American Oriental Society, drafts of articles and notes that Clara wrote about Persian culture, and short stories that Clara either collected or wrote herself, based on Iranian tales. “Other Materials” includes, among other items, clippings about World War II in England; a journal by Captain Morgan of a 1920 trip to Burujird with the Edwards; and printed maps of Iran and the surrounding area from the 1920s and 1930s.

In 1911, Clara and her family moved to Hamadan, Iran, so that Clara’s husband, could take charge of The Oriental Carpet Manufacturers Ltd. As such, this collection provides a fascinating view into life in Iran, especially during World War I. It would be of interest to anyone studying early twentieth century Iran (from a Western perspective) or the carpet weaving industry.