Archives Scrapbooks

Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V. Rinse, repeat.

Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, August 1951-May 1958

ARCH.2003.32, Rendition: 804102

Qwen, qwen.qwen3-vl-235b-a22b

This image is a vintage newspaper page from the Boston Sunday Globe, dated May 4, 1958, featuring a photo essay titled “Harvard’s” that documents a fundraising event called Harvard’s Day.

The event was part of a campaign to raise $82,500,000 for Harvard University. It brought back roughly 3,000 alumni and their families for a day of lectures, movies, broadcasts, and a unique gimmick — an “auction” of art objects, some of which were “fakes.”


Key photographs and captions:

  1. Top left photo – A large crowd of attendees, many elderly, seated and reading auction lists. The caption reads:

    “Which one is a fake?” Dr. Paul Dudley White, ‘08, seems to be asking his wife, in left foreground, as they scan the “auction” list at Fogg Art Museum. Successful bidders must return “purchase” to Fogg after five years. Copies or “fakes” were among items sold.

  2. Top right photo – An alumnus registering at Memorial Hall, filling out a card while wondering, “how much this is going to cost him.”

  3. Bottom left, two photos:

    • Left: A man on stage, identified as Gordon W. Allport, professor of psychology, using a revolving trapezoid to demonstrate visual tricks and the effects of prejudice.
    • Center: Charles A. Coolidge, ‘17, Fellow of Harvard Corporation, presides over an event in the darkened Sanders Theater, with President Nathan M. Pusey in the background.
  4. Bottom right photo – A woman and a man examining a sculpted stone Buddhist head from Cambodia, displayed on a pedestal with a sign reading “PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH.” The caption explains:

    This sculptured stone Buddhist head from Cambodia went for $250 to Mrs. Charles G. Almy of Coolidge Hill, Cambridge. Boston Museum of Fine Arts director Perry T. Rathbone, ‘33 (right), tells a lady the price was far below its value.


Overall tone:

The article highlights the playful, intellectual, and community-driven nature of the fundraising day. The “fake” auction was both a clever fundraising tool and an educational stunt, blending humor with academia. The photos capture the engaged, lively spirit of Harvard alumni returning to campus for a day of nostalgia and philanthropy.


Page number: 6
Newspaper: Boston Sunday Globe
Date: May 4, 1958

Qwen, Qwen/Qwen2.5-VL-7B-Instruct

This image appears to be a page from a newspaper or magazine, specifically the Boston Sunday Globe dated May 4, 1958, as indicated at the bottom of the page. The content of this page is primarily focused on Harvard's Day, a fundraising event for Harvard College. The page includes a large black-and-white photograph at the top showing a group of people, presumably attending an event, with some sitting and others standing in the background.

Below the main photograph, there are several smaller images and accompanying captions. The captions describe various activities and events that took place during Harvard's Day, such as an auction at the Fogg Art Museum, a registration process at Memorial Hall, and a demonstration of visual tricks by Gordon W. Allport, a professor of psychology. Additionally, there is a mention of a sculpture auction, with specific details about a stone Buddhist head from Cambodia that was sold for $250 to Mrs. Charles G. Almy of Coolidge Hill, Cambridge.

The text on the right side of the page provides more context about the fundraising campaign, mentioning that $82,500,000 was raised for the Program for Harvard College. The event featured noted scholars, symposiums, and a nationwide broadcast about the college. The page also highlights a particular aspect of the event, the auction of art objects, including some that were described as "fake," which seems to have been a popular or memorable part of the day.

Qwen, Qwen/Qwen2.5-VL-72B-Instruct

This image is a newspaper clipping from the Boston Sunday Globe, dated May 4, 1958, featuring various activities from Harvard's Day, a fundraising event for the Program for Harvard College. The page is titled "Harvard’s" and includes several black-and-white photographs with captions describing the scenes.

  1. The top left photograph shows a group of people, including an older man and woman, looking at an auction list. The caption mentions Dr. Paul Dudley White, '08, asking his wife which one is a fake, referring to the auction list at Fogg Art Museum.

  2. The top right photograph shows a man filling out a registration card at Memorial Hall. The caption suggests he might be wondering how much the event will cost him.

  3. The bottom left photograph shows Gordon W. Allport, professor of psychology, demonstrating a visual trick using a revolving trapezoid to show effects of prejudice.

  4. The bottom middle photograph shows Charles A. Coolidge, '17, Fellow of Harvard Corporation, presiding over an event in darkened Sanders Theater, with President Nathan M. Pusey in the background.

  5. The bottom right photograph shows a sculptured stone Buddhist head from Cambodia being examined by a man and a woman. The caption mentions that the head was auctioned for $250 to Mrs. Charles G. Almy of Coolidge Hill, Cambridge, and that Boston Museum of Fine Arts director Perry T. Rathbone, '33, told a lady that the price was far below its value.

The text at the top of the page describes the successful gimmicks used during Harvard's Day, including a nation-wide broadcast on "The Case for the College" and an auction of art objects, some of which were fake. The event aimed to raise $82,500,000 for the Program for Harvard College.

Amazon, amazon.nova-pro-v1:0

The image is a page from a newspaper or magazine that features several photographs and text related to Harvard University. The page is titled "Harvard's" and is dated May 4, 1958. The layout includes multiple photographs and accompanying text.

  1. Top Section:

    • The top section of the page features a large photograph of a crowd of people gathered in a hall. The photograph shows a diverse group of individuals, some standing, some sitting, and others in the background. The people in the foreground appear to be engaged in conversation, while others seem to be listening or observing. The text next to the photograph reads: "One of the successful gimmicks in a campaign to raise $82,500,000 for the Program for Harvard College was the recent Harvard's Day, when some 3000 alumni and their families returned to Cambridge for a day-long series of interesting events. Noted scholars entertained at symposiums, movies were shown about them, and they listened to a nation-wide broadcast on 'The Case for the College.' But perhaps the best gimmick was an auction of art objects, some of them 'fake.'"
  2. Middle Section:

    • There are two smaller photographs below the main photograph.
      • The left photograph shows a man in a suit, possibly an auctioneer, holding a gavel and speaking into a microphone. The caption reads: "Revolving trapezoic performs visual tricks as Gordon W. Allport, professor of psychology, uses it to demonstrate effects of prejudice."
      • The right photograph shows a man in a suit standing in front of a desk with various papers and a microphone. The caption reads: "In darkened Sanders Theater, Charles A. Coolidge, '17, Fellow of Harvard Corporation, loves to demonstrate, with Pres. Nathan M. Pusey in background."
  3. Bottom Section:

    • The bottom section features a photograph of a woman examining a sculpture. The caption reads: "This sculptured stone Buddhistic head from Cambodia went for $250 to Mrs. Charles G. Almy of Coolidge Hill. Boston Museum of Fine Arts director Perry T. Rathbone, '33 (right), tells a lady the price was far below its value."
  4. Additional Text:

    • The text accompanying the photographs provides context and additional information about the events and activities at Harvard. It mentions the auction of art objects, some of which were fakes, and describes the various activities that took place during Harvard's Day, including symposiums, movies, and a broadcast about the college.

Analysis:
The page provides a snapshot of the activities and events that took place at Harvard University during Harvard's Day in 1958. The focus is on the fundraising campaign, the auction of art objects, and the various academic and cultural events that were part of the celebration. The photographs and text highlight the engagement of alumni, the participation of scholars, and the cultural significance of the events. The inclusion of the auction and the demonstration of visual tricks by a psychology professor indicate a blend of academic and artistic activities. The page also emphasizes the value of the art objects auctioned, suggesting a mix of genuine and fake items, which adds an element of intrigue to the event.

Amazon, amazon.nova-lite-v1:0

The image is a page from the Boston Sunday Globe, dated May 4, 1958. It features a collage of black-and-white photographs and text, likely an article about a fundraising event for Harvard University. The main headline reads "Harvard's," indicating the focus on Harvard University. The text describes a fundraising campaign that raised $82,500 for the Harvard College, where 3000 alumni and their families participated in a day-long series of interesting events. The article highlights an auction of art objects, some of which were described as "fakes," as one of the successful gimmicks in the campaign. The photographs depict various scenes, including people bidding at an auction, a professor demonstrating visual tricks, and individuals examining art objects.

Amazon, us.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0

The image is a black-and-white newspaper clipping from the Boston Sunday Globe, dated May 4, 1958. It features a collage of photographs and accompanying text, providing a glimpse into various events and activities at Harvard College during that time. Here is a detailed description:

Layout and Content:

The image is divided into several sections, each showcasing different scenes and activities:


Top Left Section:

  • Photograph: A group of people is seated closely together, appearing to be engaged in a discussion or meeting. The individuals are dressed in formal or semi-formal attire, suggesting a professional or academic setting. Some are holding papers, indicating a meeting or lecture.
  • Caption: The caption reads:

    "Which one is a fake?" Dr. Paul Dudley White, '08, seems to be asking his wife, in left foreground, as they scan the "auction" list at Fogg Art Museum. Successful bidders must return "purchase" to Fogg after five years. Copies or "fakes" were among items sold.

This suggests an event involving an art auction at the Fogg Art Museum, where attendees were evaluating items, possibly identifying authentic works from forgeries.


Top Right Section:

  • Text Header: The prominent header reads "Harvard's", indicating the focus is on Harvard College.
  • Caption: The accompanying text discusses a fundraising campaign for Harvard College, mentioning a "Program Day" aimed at raising $2,500,000. It highlights various activities, such as a long-day series of lectures, movies, and symposia, as well as an auction of art objects, some of which were described as "fake."

Bottom Left Section:

  • Photograph 1: A man standing at a podium, possibly giving a lecture or presentation. He is dressed formally, and the setting appears to be a lecture hall or auditorium.
  • Photograph 2: Another man, presumably Charles A. Coolidge, '17, Fellow of the Harvard Corporation, is shown in a darkened Sanders Theater. He is seated, with another individual, Pusey, in the background.
  • Caption: The caption reads:

    "Revolving trapezoid performs visual tricks as Gordon W. Allport, professor of psychology, uses it to illustrate effects of prejudice."
    This indicates an academic demonstration involving psychological concepts, likely part of a lecture or experiment.


Bottom Right Section:

  • Photograph: A close-up of a sculpted stone Buddhist head from Cambodia, which was auctioned for $250 to Mrs. Charles G. Almy of Coolidge Hill, Cambridge. The photograph shows a woman examining the artifact, with a label indicating the price and the buyer.
  • Caption: The caption reads:

    "This sculptured stone Buddhist head from Cambodia went for $250 to Mrs. Charles G. Almy of Coolidge Hill, Cambridge. Boston Museum of Fine Arts director Perry T. Rathbone, '33, (right), tells a lady the price was well below its value."

This highlights an art auction event where a culturally significant artifact was sold, with commentary on its value.


Additional Details:

  • Page Number: The bottom left corner indicates this is Page 6 of the newspaper.
  • Date and Source: The bottom right corner confirms the source as the Boston Sunday Globe, dated May 4, 1958.

Overall Theme:

The image captures a snapshot of Harvard College life in 1958, emphasizing academic, cultural, and fundraising activities. It showcases events such as art auctions, psychological demonstrations, lectures, and gatherings of alumni and faculty. The inclusion of both formal and informal scenes provides a multifaceted view of campus life during that era.

OpenAI, gpt-4o-2024-11-20

This image depicts a page from a newspaper dated May 4, 1958, published by the Boston Sunday Globe, covering events at Harvard. The layout consists of multiple photographs with accompanying text, demonstrating various activities including an auction, a registration, lectures, and art showcases.

  1. Top left image: A crowded room where attendees are seated, with a focus on an individual looking at paperwork. The caption notes the interaction during an auction, discussing identifying authentic items.
  2. Middle top-right image: A person filling out a registration form at Memorial Hall, humorously speculating the cost of participation.
  3. Bottom left image: A professor performing a demonstration involving visual tricks to illustrate the effects of prejudice.
  4. Bottom middle image: A formal lecture held in a darkened Sanders Theater with distinguished individuals addressing the audience.
  5. Bottom right image: A sculpted stone Buddhist head from Cambodia in focus, auctioned off for $250. A person presents the artifact to attendees.

The page centers on Harvard's event-themed fundraising campaign, showcasing family interactive and scholarly initiatives during Harvard's Day celebrations aimed at raising $2.5 million for the Program for Harvard College. The article highlights the recognition and cultural emphasis within university events.

OpenAI, gpt-4

The image is a collage of black-and-white photos and text laid out in the format of a newspaper or magazine article. The article's title "Harvard's" is prominently displayed at the top, and it's from the BOSTON SUNDAY GLOBE, dated May 4, 1958, as indicated in the bottom right corner.

The article appears to feature various events or activities related to Harvard, including alumni gatherings and auctions. The visible images include:

  1. A photo on the left top showing a crowd of individuals seated while facing in the direction of the person or event being photographed.
  2. Below the first photo, another picture features an individual, presumably giving a demonstration using a revolving apparatus.
  3. To the right, there is what appears to be an event or meeting happening in a hall with chairs and a stage, possibly within a theater given the caption reference to "darkened Sanders Theater."
  4. An image adjacent to it depicts an individual holding up a card, with text referring to a Harvard alumni registering at Memorial Hall.
  5. Last amongst the visible images is a person holding an object labeled with a price, captioned with information on an auction sale of a sculptured stone piece from Cambodia.

The paper has aged with time, evident from the paper's yellowing. The text between the images elaborates on the photographs, providing context and stories related to the images with an overarching theme connecting to Harvard University's community and activities.

OpenAI, gpt-4.1-mini-2025-04-14

This image is a vintage newspaper or magazine page titled "Harvard's," likely from the Boston Sunday Globe dated May 4, 1958. The page discusses a campaign to raise $82,500,000 for the Harvard College program, highlighting an event called Harvard's Day, where roughly 3000 alumni and their families attended various activities.

The page features several black-and-white photographs with captions:

  1. The top left photo shows people, including Dr. Paul Dudley White '08, examining an auction list titled "Fogg Art Museum" to distinguish between genuine items and "fakes" among those sold.

  2. Below it, a smaller photo depicts Gordon W. Allport, a psychology professor, performing visual tricks with a revolving trapezoid to demonstrate biases or prejudices to an audience.

  3. Another photo captures Charles A. Coolidge, '17, a Harvard Corporation fellow, presiding over a session in the darkened Sanders Theater, with President Nathan M. Pusey in the background.

  4. To the right side is a photo of a Harvard alumnus registering at Memorial Hall, filling out a card and possibly estimating what the event will cost him.

  5. The bottom right photo features a sculptured stone Buddhist head from Cambodia that sold for $250 to Mrs. Charles G. Almy of Coolidge Hill, Cambridge. Boston Museum of Fine Arts director Perry T. Rathbone, '33, is shown explaining to a lady that the price was well below the sculpture’s true value.

The text explains that the event included symposia, movie screenings about Harvard, and a nationwide broadcast on "The Case for the College," with the auction being the most successful gimmick to raise funds.

OpenAI, gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07

  • A vintage newspaper page laid flat, aged yellow-beige with torn edges.
  • The main heading on the right reads “Harvard’s” in a bold font.
  • The page is a collage of black-and-white photos with many faces blurred for privacy.
  • Top left shows a crowded auditorium filled with men and women in mid-20th-century attire.
  • Other photos down the page show a man at a podium, a person in a theater aisle, and a close-up of hands handling objects.
  • A sculpture or bust is shown in one image, with a placard that says “Please do not touch.”
  • The captions (partly legible) reference Harvard alumni, fundraising gimmicks, auctions, and a carved stone Buddhist head from Cambodia bought at a sale.
  • The overall vibe is a 1950s-era Harvard fundraising feature in a newspaper (Boston Sunday Globe, May 4, 1958 style).