The Paul Jermyn Collection
Willis Vail’s glass plates were discovered in a barn at his Quakertown, New Jersey home in 1970 years after his death, and eventually offered for sale on eBay. Paul Jerymn, The Lead Test Engineer, B1 Test Stand at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center, and an avid collector of historical artifacts, purchased more than 200 of Vail’s plates. What makes Paul Jerymn unique among collectors is his willingness to give his artifacts to an appropriate historical institution for proper preservation, and public access.
Paul Jermyn digitally recorded the entire collection of glass plates to high resolution files suitable for large prints. The most important plates in the collection are being restored and presented on the Historical Society of Gulfport's website as a tribute to the photographic excellence of Willis Vail, and the generosity of Paul Jermyn.
Paul Jermyn digitally recorded the entire collection of glass plates to high resolution files suitable for large prints. The most important plates in the collection are being restored and presented on the Historical Society of Gulfport's website as a tribute to the photographic excellence of Willis Vail, and the generosity of Paul Jermyn.
"The Mississippi Historical Society honors Paul Jermyn today for seeking out, obtaining, and sharing thousands of historic images and documents with museums, scholars, and interested individuals throughout Mississippi and the nation.” Peggy Jeanes, March 8, 2014
