Scope and arrangement
The David O'Keefe Papers, 1766-1926, bulk dates 1900-1926, contains letters, writings, bibliographies, artifacts and photographs on the subjects of shorthand and the typewriter
General Correspondence, 1895-1923, contains incoming and outgoing letters to O'Keefe on shorthand and related subjects in his capacity as librarian and editor of the New York State. Stenographers Association. There is other general correspondence, 1894-1919, not related to O'Keefe and, also individual correspondence, alphabetically arranged, 1893-1923. These individuals corresponded with other individuals including O'Keefe. Correspondents include Charles Currier Beale, Horace E. Burt and Spencer C. Rodgers.
The writings contain speeches by O'Keefe and others regarding shorthand, typewriting, etc; drafts of monographs including "The History of Typewriting"; shorthand notes and notebooks, Noted manuscripts are Notes of Sermon by James Keith Edwards (1849) and Shorthand by James Weston (1760).
There are assorted bibliographies about shorthand books and shorthand libraries, 1880-1923.
The artifacts, 1883-1921, are ribbons, badges, pins and buttons from business conferences speed contests and fairs.
The photographs are pictures of champion typists, shorthand and typist conferences, shorthand writers and authors. These photographs were taken from the late 19th to early 20th century. The photographs range in size from carte-de-viste to long oversize photographs. Many of the oversize photographs are damaged.