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Ralph Cipriano Italian American collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS2277

Scope and Contents

This collection contains correspondence, event programs, newsletters, photographs, and pamphlets. The material dates from 1937-1975. These are personal papers of Ralph Cipriano related to his association with the Lido Civic Club of Washington and other Italian American organizations. Cipriano was a charter member and 1938 president of the Lido Club. Topics covered in the collection include the 1940s war bond drives, Italian American social events, charitable giving, and correspondence with prominent Washingtonians, including Judge John J. Sirica, Senator John O. Pastore, the Very Reverend Edward B. Bunn, Ugo Carusi, and Italian Ambassadors.

Dates

  • 1937-1975
  • Majority of material found within 1942 - 1968

Creator

Language of Materials

This collection also contains some materials in Italian.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Ralph Cipriano

Ralph Cipriano (1897-1975) served and led the Italian American community in Washington, DC for nearly 50 years.

Born Raffaele Cipriano on the island of Ischia, Italy, he immigrated to the US with his family as a youth. Cipriano attended high school in Providence, Rhode Island, and moved to Washington, DC shortly after graduation. He became an agent for the New York Life Insurance Company in 1926. During his career, he was recognized for his outstanding salesmanship by being named to the President's Council and the Million Dollar Round Table. Cipriano also contributed to Italian American cultural life in Washington, helping to found the Lido Civic Club in 1929 and remaining a lifelong member. He served as president in 1938, the same year he became totally blind, and led a highly successful war bond drive in 1942. The Treasury Department acknowledged his work by giving him its Silver Award. In 1968, Cipriano was awarded the title of "Commandatore dell' Ordine della Stella della Solidarieta Italiana," the highest honor an Italian-American can receive from the Italian government, for outstanding service in Italian-American relations.

Ralph Cipriano died in Washington, DC in 1975.

Extent

0.75 Linear Feet (1 document box 1 slim document box)

Abstract

This collection contains personal papers of Ralph Cipriano (1897-1975) related to his work with the Lido Civic Club and other Italian American organizations in Washington, DC from 1937-1975. Cipriano was a charter member and 1938 president of the Lido Club. Topics covered in the collection include the 1940s war bond drives, Italian American social events, charitable giving, and correspondence with prominent Washingtonians.

Arrangement

This collection is not fully processed and series have not been identified.

Physical Location

Materials may be stored off-site, and may require additional retrieval time. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Madeline Sapienza, 2009 (Accession 2009.056)

Title
Guide to the Ralph Cipriano Italitan American collection, 1937-1975
Status
Completed
Author
Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
Date
2009
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository

Contact:
2130 H Street NW
Washington 20052 United States of America