When processing the papers of Luther Gulick, the longtime director/chair of the IPA, yesterday, we encountered this leather case:

It says: “City of Atlantic City, Thomas D. Taggart, Jr., Mayor.” At first we thought it was eyeglasses, or perhaps a checkbook. When we opened the case, this is what we found:

It’s a key to Atlantic City, New Jersey! Some research confirms that Mr. Taggart was the Mayor of that city from 1940-1944. The (faded) inscription reads (as far as we can guess):

“To Luther Gulick, in appreciation of your contributions to the success of UNRRA [United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration] Please use our key often & come- Tom Taggart Mayor Atlantic City 12/5/43.”

Gulick was heavily involved in government postwar rehabilitation and reparations initiatives, and served on the staff of UNRRA as a division chief. Mayor Taggart’s involvement, however, is not immediately clear.