Kurt Bloch papers , 1894-1979

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Bloch, Kurt, 1900-1976
Title
Kurt Bloch papers
Dates
1894-1979 (inclusive)
1919-1979 (bulk)
Quantity
6 linear feet, (12 containers)
Collection Number
Coll 019
Summary
Kurt Bloch (1900-1976) was a German economist, journalist, editor, and author. The collection contains correspondence, manuscripts, published material and reports, lecture material, research files, and photographs; material is in English and German.
Repository
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.

Additional Reference Guides

Paper finding aid with additional information is available in Special Collections & University Archives.

See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Kurt Bloch (1900-1976) was a German economist, journalist, editor, and author. Although trained and educated primarily in Germany, Bloch completed graduate work in the US at John Hopkins, 1924-1925.

In 1933, while in London, Bloch accepted a League of Nations assignment as economic advisor to the National Economic Council of the Chinese Government. There he acquired the expertise that enabled him to later serve as consultant to the US government on Chinese and Japanese wartime price policies. He would later write the book, German Interests and Policies in the Far East in 1940.

Bloch returned to the US in 1937, serving as research associate and associate editor for Far Eastern Survey from 1938-1942 and as consultant to the Office of Price Administration (OPA) from 1940-1942.

From 1941 - 1950, Bloch was employed by Time Inc. and served as associate editor of Fortune. Bloch then worked as associated editor for Barron's from 1950 until his death.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection contains correspondence, manuscripts, published material and reports, lecture material, research files, and photographs; material is in English and German.

Biographical information can be found in folder 2.

Correspondence is largely personal and is arranged by date, 1919-1979.

Manuscript material is separated into article, lectures, reports, research material, miscellaneous, and writings by others. Article, lecture, and report material is organized by title. Research material is organized by date, 1894-1945. Material is in English and German.

Article topics include monetary policies, currency reform banking, population problems, and land issues in China, Japan (and Manchuria) as well as Jewish property transfers in Germany.

Lecture material is from presentations at Harvard University's Civil Affairs Training School - Far Eastern area. Topics covered are Japanese and Chinese industrial structures, inflation, agriculture, resources, and foreign trade.

The reports were compiled for the Office of Price Administration and the National Economic Council of the Chinese Government (1933-1937). Topics include financial statements for respective Chinese provinces, Japanese wartime price controls, war finance, and Chinese currency standard.

The research material primarily concerns land economics, and consists of summaries of articles from multiple journals include Chinese economic journals. Material is almost entirely in German.

Published material includes articles arranged by title, material by others, and newspaper clippings arranged by date, 1929-1977.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Authors, German--20th century
  • Economic policy--History--20th century
  • Economists--Germany
  • Economists--United States
  • Monetary policy--History--20th century
  • Reporters and reporting--United States

Personal Names

  • Bloch, Kurt, 1900-1976
  • Bloch, Kurt, 1900-1976

Corporate Names

  • China. Quan guo jing ji wei yuan hui
  • United States. Office of Price Administration

Geographical Names

  • China--Economic policy--1912-1949
  • China--Politics and government--20th century
  • East Asia--Foreign Relations--Germany
  • East Asia--commerce--Germany
  • Germany--Foreign Relations--East Asia
  • Germany--commerce--East Asia
  • Japan--Economic policy--1918-1945

Form or Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Lectures
  • Manuscripts for publication
  • Photographs