Paul Jacob Luker (1889-1970) Scrapbook

The materials in the Paul Jacob Luker scrapbook date between 1909 and 1916 and document his social and academic life at Northwestern University and the University of Michigan. Included are many newspaper clippings, photographs, dance cards, printed materials, and other memorabilia.

The scrapbook has a hard purple cloth cover with a silver “N” inscribed on the front and was originally bound with a white leather cord. On the interior cover is a Phi Delta Theta Coat of Arms. On the back inside cover is the 1914 Annual Football Dinner Poster. On the back outside cover are the Phi Delta Theta symbols (??T) inscribed in gold. The scrapbook was produced by The College Memory Book Company, published in Chicago Illinois.

Of special note are several collages Luker created in his scrapbook. One such collage was of colorful ticket stubs from events he attended, including tickets to the American Music Hall, Theaters, Football Games, Orchestras, and Conferences. Another collage was created of cut-out words floating around a couple engaged in a kiss.

Luker also collected many newspaper clippings of cartoons, jokes, and witty stories pertaining to Law, Love, and the War. The clippings and stories give insight into Luker's own sense of humor as well as into the contemporary world view.

Luker's scrapbook documents his athletic achievements, as well as his active social life. He seemed to have many friends, as evidenced in photos, full dance cards, ladies' handkerchiefs, numerous ticket stubs, playbills, as well as the many signatures and stories written in the “Happy Thoughts” section of his scrapbook. Notations are from both male and female friends, dating between 1910 and 1915. Luker, it appears, was nicknamed “Ick”. It is evident that Luker not only attended events, but was also active in organizing and entertaining at conferences in relation both to his fraternity and the Men's Athletic Association.

Also of note are two beautifully tooled leather commencement programs, one of the 56th Annual Commencement for the Northwestern University School of Law, dated June 10, 1914 and the other for the 1914 University of Michigan, Law Department Commencement.

Due to its deteriorating condition, the scrapbook was disassembled and treated by the Northwestern University Library Conservation Laboratory in 1999. A number of loose newspapers were encapsulated and placed in the box. Of particular note are several copies of the infamous Sporting Extra which led to Luker's dismissal from NU. Encapsulated news articles from The Daily Northwestern include Luker's election to President of the Athletic Association, and an article from The Daily Northwestern about a fist fight Luker had with another student.