Marvin "Atomic" Mercer Papers
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Content Description
The Marvin “Atomic” Mercer Papers comprises 23 folders relating to the professional wrestling careers of Marvin Mercer (Marvin K. Gehman) and his brother, Jim Mercer (Jesse Mercer Gehman). Included in the collection are promotional photographs, flyers, publicity materials, and personal notes related to wrestling. The collection also includes promotional materials and correspondence relating to wrestler Gene Stanlee and strongman Earle E. Liederman. Formats include photographs, postcards, press releases, newspaper clippings among others.
Dates
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1922-1952, 1980s
Creator
- Mercer, Marvin, 1914-1997 (Person)
- Gehman, Jesse Mercer, 1901-1976 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright status for collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Biographical / Historical
Marvin Kurtz Gehman (1914-1997) was a heavyweight wrestling champion from Reading, Pennsylvania. In 1946, he made his wrestling debut at Reading’s Armory when he came out from the audience and volunteered to fight against Joe Ludlum. Gehman defeated Ludlum in his debut match, spurring the start of his wrestling career that lasted until 1960. Taking inspiration from his older brother, “Jim Mercer” (Jesse Gehman), he took on the stage name Marvin “Atomic” Mercer and fought in 2,327 matches with 1,887 career total wins.
Biographical / Historical
Dr. Jesse Mercer Gehman (1901-1976) was an activist, amateur wrestler, and “physical culturist” from Reading, Pennsylvania. He obtained a doctorate degree for natural philosophy in 1931 and was involved in multiple committees and organizations regarding vegetarianism. Additionally, he was a student of Dr. Benedict Lust and completed a biography on him in addition to many publications relating to natural health. He became an amateur wrestler under the stage name of “Jim Mercer” and used his strong physique to promote a vegetarian lifestyle. Notably, he posed for the Christopher Columbus statue that was commissioned in 1925 in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Extent
.25 Cubic Feet (1 half legal document case)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The collection is grouped based on content.
- Title
- A Guide to the Marvin "Atomic" Mercer Papers, 1922-1952
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Grace Thomsen
- Date
- August 2025
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University of Notre Dame Rare Books & Special Collections Repository