Memorabilia of J.S. (John Silas) Rex Cole, 1892-1969.
Gift of Cole's granddaughter Tina Kreitz (Nov. 14, 1997).

"J.S. Rex Cole was born to John Clark Cole and Emma K. Anderson Cole. His siblings were Georgia W. Cole Halladay (1881-1969), Leslie A. Cole (1883-1951), and Jessie Belle Cole Dutton (1885-1968). He graduated from the Univ. of Chicago in 1916, served in the US Army 1918-1919 (World War I), married his high school sweetheart, Martha Patterson, on Sept. 21, 1919. In 1920 he worked for the International Trade Developer as Manager for Japan, working and living in Kobe, Japan. His first child, Wayne Stanley Cole, was born in Kobe, Japan in 1921. His daughter Alice Annette (Ann) Cole was born in 1924 in California.

Rex Cole was a world traveler, but settled in Los Angeles County, California, where he was an insurance agent, then financial manager and agent for many Hollywood stars of the time. He became famous in his day and was a friend of many famous people including George Putnam (husband of Amelia Earhart)."

Source: Find a grave.

GLASS PLATE POSITIVE "MAGIC LANTERN" SLIDES OF JAPAN, CA. 1919. (2 Boxes)
Includes some views of China and Korea.

Two heavy wooden boxes contain hand-colored glass magic lantern slides of scenes from early 20th century Japan, China, and Korea. Some slides were commercially made and purchashed by tourists and visitors (and labelled) whiole others were made from random photographs. A note from the donors family indicates that Rex Cole's business area included Japan, Manchuria (Northeastern China), Taiwan, and Korea. While he arrived in 1920, there is indication that the slides were made in around 1919.   

Contents: The records of a weather-exposed skeleton -- A visit to the Kashima shrine -- The records of a travel-worn satchel -- A visit to Sarashina village -- The narrow road to the deep North.