Nellie Talman Papers

This collection contains letters and items that belonged to Helen Talman, known most commonly as Nellie. The letters are mostly from her future husband, Herbert McIntosh, while others are from friends and the University of Vermont. The collection also includes two printing plates, a few photographic prints, and a newspaper which contains an early ad for the McIntosh and Crandall engineering company, formed in 1905.

It is important to note that Nellie's maiden name is spelled multiple different ways throughout this collection (ex. Tolman and Tallman). The spelling of "Talman" for the official collection title was decided upon due to it being one of the most common iterations in the collection, and also because of a personalized stationery card of Nellie's, dated December 1894, since she would have chosen the spelling herself.

The handwriting on the letters also make it difficult to ascertain who exactly they are from. The bulk of them being from Herbert McIntosh are assumed due to their being married shortly after the letters stop, as well as their tone and content (addressed to "my dearest N" and signed "always and forever yours"). The author's name is often unclear due to the cursive, but in various letters one is able to make out "Mac" or "M", a nickname of McIntosh.

The two printing plates depict a portrait of Herbert Miller McIntosh. They measure approximately 3.5" x 2" and 4" x 2.5". The smaller one also has McIntosh's name written on the sides in pencil and the name of the engraving company that made them.