W. Melvin Crook Papers
c.00536

Summary Information

Repository
Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
Creator - Donor
Crook, W. Melvin
Title
W. Melvin Crook papers
ID
c.00536
Date [inclusive]
1936-1965
Extent
0.1 Cubic feet , 3 folders, oversized materials
Language
English

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: "Item title, Collection title, Collection Identifier, Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections, East Lansing, Michigan".

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Biographical Note

W. Melvin Crook devoted his life to the sport of hydroplane boat racing. A participant in the sport for over 30 years, he became prominent journalist after involvement as driver, owner and operator. As driver, he became a leading powerboat racer in the 1930's with Betty V, winning the American Speedboat Championship in 1934, 1935, and 1936. His winning career began with his column, "More R.P.M." in Rudder magazine in 1937, and he later wrote a monthly column, "More Power to You" in  Yachting magazine. He eventually became Associate Editor of  Yachting, and retired in 1978.

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Scope and Contents note

This collection consists of the diary and published writing of W. Melvin Crook on hydroplane racing and boat maintenance. This scrapbook collection contains monthly columns and photographs following the gold Cup race and other races from February 1937 to December 1965 in Yachting and Rudder magazines.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections

Conrad Hall
888 Wilson Road, Room 101
East Lansing , MI, 48824
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu

Revision Description

 Revised August 2000 August 200

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Legal Status

Copyright: Michigan State University Property Rights: Michigan State University

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Custodial History

Gift of the Estate of W. Melvin Crook, 1985-10-16.

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Controlled Access Headings

Genre(s)

  • Scrapbooks

Subject(s)

  • Boating -- Periodicals
  • Hydrofoil boats
  • Motorboats

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Collection Inventory

Papers 

Folder

Diary 1936 

1

Power for the Small Boat by W. Melvin Crook 1947 

2

Published Article: Fintailed Brutes and Buzzing Hornets (photocopy) November 29, 1954 

3

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Scrapbooks 

Boats and Boating 

Volume

No. 311: Monthly articles in Rudder magazine January 1938-August 1942 

SB 311

No. 312: Monthly articles in Yachting magazine February 1937-June 1949 

SB 312

No. 313: Monthly articles in Yachting magazine July 1949-January 1954 

SB 313

No. 314: Monthly articles in Yachting magazine January 1954-January 1957 

SB 314

No. 315: Monthly articles in Yachting magazine January 1957-July 1961 

SB 315

No. 316: Monthly articles in Yachting magazine August 1961-July 1965 

SB 316

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