Aleshi, Nikoles, Papers, 1900-1910 (C3828)

2 folders

INTRODUCTION

Papers of a Kansas City, Missouri, grocer who developed and promoted the "Virtuana Lengueje", or "Niu Speling Sistem", a phonetic method of spelling English. The papers consist of promotional materials and photographs.

DONOR INFORMATION

The Nikoles Aleshi Papers were donated to the State Historical Society of Missouri in November 1910 by Nikoles Aleshi. They were formally accessioned on May 21, 1990 (Accession No. 2785) and October 19, 1994 (Accession No. 3032).

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

In the early 1900s, probably as an immigrant's reaction to the complexities of English spelling, Kansas City grocer Nikoles Aleshi (Nicholas Alesci) developed an alternative method of English spelling and attempted to promote it as a new American language. The promotional materials consist of circulars to publishers and educators, business papers employing the new spelling, and other materials related to the "Nashinal Universiti" (National University). Photographs of Aleshi and his family, and his place of business, the Italy Dairy Company, out of which he also ran the "Niu Speling Skool", complete the collection.

FOLDER LIST

f. 1Promotional materials
f. 2Photographs

INDEX TERMS

These index terms are the subjects, people, places, etc. under which this collection is listed in all available indexes at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia. If you are interested in a specific index term, please contact the reference staff.

  • English language--Spelling
  • Language & languages
  • Missouri, Kansas City, 1900s
  • Spelling reform
  • Wagons, 1900s
  • World War, 1914-1918, American Expeditionary Forces