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Carl Mydans Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Carl Mydans: Photojournalism and Historical Documentation

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Carl Mydans: Photojournalism and Historical Documentation Study Guide

Biographical Overview

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Early Career and the Farm Security Administration (FSA)

Prior to his distinguished career in photojournalism, Carl Mydans initially contemplated professional paths in surgery or boat building.

Answer: True

Explanation: Before dedicating himself to photography, Carl Mydans' early aspirations included careers in surgery or boat building, as noted in biographical accounts.

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Carl Mydans commenced his journalism career with The New York Times.

Answer: False

Explanation: Mydans' initial journalistic endeavors were with local Boston newspapers, The Boston Globe and the Boston Herald, prior to his association with The New York Times or other national publications.

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In 1935, Carl Mydans joined the Farm Security Administration (FSA) to document the living conditions of rural Americans during the Great Depression.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Farm Security Administration enlisted Mydans in 1935 to visually record the severe hardships and living circumstances of impoverished rural populations during the Great Depression.

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During his tenure with the FSA, Mydans primarily concentrated on documenting urban industrial workers.

Answer: False

Explanation: Mydans' work for the FSA focused predominantly on the plight of rural Americans, documenting the severe economic distress and living conditions of farmers and their families.

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Arthur Rothstein and Walker Evans were among the photographers hired by the FSA in 1935, alongside Carl Mydans.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Farm Security Administration recruited several prominent photographers in 1935, including Arthur Rothstein, Walker Evans, and Carl Mydans.

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The FSA Photographers navbox lists 'Migrant Mother' as a notable work but does not mention '12 Million Black Voices'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The FSA Photographers navbox references both 'Migrant Mother' (1936) and '12 Million Black Voices' (1941) as significant works associated with the project.

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Roy Stryker is listed as a related figure to the FSA photographers.

Answer: True

Explanation: Navigational elements related to the FSA photographers often include Roy Stryker, who played a pivotal role in the project's administration and direction.

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The Farm Security Administration's photography project was designed to promote agricultural exports.

Answer: False

Explanation: The FSA's photography initiative was primarily aimed at documenting the socio-economic conditions of rural Americans, particularly during the Great Depression, to garner support for government relief programs.

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What was Carl Mydans' initial career aspiration before dedicating himself to photography?

Answer: To become a surgeon or a boat builder

Explanation: During his studies at Boston University, Carl Mydans initially aspired to pursue careers in surgery or boat building before finding his calling in photography and journalism.

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Which organization engaged Carl Mydans in 1935 to document the struggles of rural Americans?

Answer: The Farm Security Administration (FSA)

Explanation: The Farm Security Administration (FSA) hired Carl Mydans in 1935 as part of its initiative to document the conditions faced by rural populations during the Great Depression.

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Identify prominent photographers with whom Carl Mydans collaborated during his tenure at the FSA.

Answer: Dorothea Lange and Ben Shahn

Explanation: During his time with the Farm Security Administration, Carl Mydans worked alongside notable photographers such as Dorothea Lange and Ben Shahn.

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Who is listed as a related figure to the FSA photographers in the provided navbox information?

Answer: Roy Stryker

Explanation: Roy Stryker is frequently cited as a key figure associated with the FSA photography project and is often listed in related navigational elements.

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What was the primary purpose of the Farm Security Administration's photography project?

Answer: To document rural poverty and struggles during the Great Depression

Explanation: The FSA's photography project was fundamentally designed to document the severe poverty and challenging living conditions experienced by rural Americans during the Great Depression, aiming to foster public understanding and support for relief efforts.

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What was the primary subject of Carl Mydans' photographs for the U.S. Resettlement Administration in 1935?

Answer: Rural families and their living conditions

Explanation: In 1935, Mydans' photographic work for the U.S. Resettlement Administration focused on documenting the lives and living conditions of rural families.

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Pioneering Photojournalism at Life Magazine

Dorothea Lange and Ben Shahn were photographers Carl Mydans collaborated with at Life magazine.

Answer: False

Explanation: While Mydans did work alongside Dorothea Lange and Ben Shahn, this collaboration occurred during his tenure with the Farm Security Administration (FSA), not at Life magazine.

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Carl Mydans became a staff photographer for Life magazine in 1936, marking him as one of its initial photographic contributors.

Answer: True

Explanation: Mydans joined Life magazine in 1936 and was among the foundational group of staff photographers, contributing significantly to the publication's early visual narrative.

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Ansel Adams and Henri Cartier-Bresson were among the original staff photographers at Life magazine when Mydans joined.

Answer: False

Explanation: The original staff photographers at Life magazine when Mydans joined in 1936 included Alfred Eisenstaedt, Margaret Bourke-White, Thomas McAvoy, and Peter Stackpole. Adams and Cartier-Bresson were not part of this initial group.

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Carl Mydans and his wife, Shelley, were the inaugural husband-and-wife team to serve as correspondents for Time magazine.

Answer: False

Explanation: Carl and Shelley Mydans were the first husband-and-wife team to work as correspondents for Life magazine, not Time magazine.

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Mydans traveled globally for Life magazine for approximately ten years before its initial closure.

Answer: False

Explanation: Mydans' global assignments for Life magazine spanned approximately two decades, not ten years, prior to the publication's initial cessation.

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Life magazine's emphasis on visual storytelling significantly advanced the development of photojournalism.

Answer: True

Explanation: Life magazine's commitment to extensive photo essays and visual narratives was instrumental in shaping and popularizing the field of photojournalism, providing a platform for photographers like Mydans.

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In what year did Carl Mydans become a staff photographer for Life magazine?

Answer: 1936

Explanation: Carl Mydans joined the staff of Life magazine in 1936, becoming one of its pioneering photojournalists.

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Which of the following photographers was NOT among the original staff photographers at Life magazine when Mydans joined?

Answer: Ansel Adams

Explanation: Ansel Adams was not part of the initial group of staff photographers at Life magazine when Mydans was hired in 1936. The original members included Margaret Bourke-White, Thomas McAvoy, and Peter Stackpole, among others.

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For how many decades did Mydans travel the globe for Life magazine before its initial closure?

Answer: Two decades

Explanation: Mydans dedicated approximately two decades to traveling the world for Life magazine, contributing significantly to its international coverage before the publication's initial closure.

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What did Carl Mydans do after the initial closure of Life magazine in 1972?

Answer: Continued to contribute as a photographer when the magazine was relaunched.

Explanation: Following Life magazine's initial closure in 1972, Mydans continued his photographic contributions when the publication was subsequently relaunched.

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World War II: Conflict, Capture, and Resilience

During World War II, Carl Mydans traversed approximately 72,000 kilometers documenting the conflict across Europe and Asia.

Answer: True

Explanation: Mydans' extensive coverage of World War II involved significant travel, covering over 72,000 kilometers (approximately 45,000 miles) across both European and Asian theaters.

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Carl and Shelley Mydans were apprehended by Japanese forces in the Philippines and subsequently held in internment camps.

Answer: True

Explanation: During their wartime assignments, Carl and Shelley Mydans were captured by Japanese forces in the Philippines and endured internment, notably at the Santo Tomas Internment Camp.

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The Mydans couple were held captive by Japanese forces for approximately one year.

Answer: False

Explanation: Carl and Shelley Mydans were held captive for approximately two years in total, encompassing internment in the Philippines and later in Shanghai.

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Carl and Shelley Mydans were liberated from captivity in December 1943 through a prisoner-of-war exchange.

Answer: True

Explanation: Their release occurred in December 1943, facilitated by a prisoner-of-war exchange program.

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Carl Mydans reportedly harbored significant resentment towards Japan following his internment.

Answer: False

Explanation: Despite his two-year captivity, Mydans did not express significant animosity towards Japan and subsequently accepted a significant post-war assignment in Tokyo.

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Approximately how many miles did Carl Mydans travel during his extensive coverage of World War II?

Answer: Approximately 45,000 miles

Explanation: Carl Mydans' comprehensive documentation of World War II involved traveling over 45,000 miles (equivalent to 72,000 kilometers) across various theaters of conflict.

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Carl Mydans and his wife Shelley were captured by which forces during World War II?

Answer: Japanese forces in the Philippines

Explanation: During their wartime reporting, Carl and Shelley Mydans were captured by Japanese forces while in the Philippines.

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Where were Carl and Shelley Mydans primarily interned after their capture?

Answer: The Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila

Explanation: Following their capture in the Philippines, Carl and Shelley Mydans were interned at the Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila.

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For approximately how long were Carl and Shelley Mydans held captive in total?

Answer: About two years

Explanation: The Mydans couple endured approximately two years of captivity, including internment in the Philippines and later in Shanghai.

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Post-War Assignments and Later Career

Following his release from internment, Mydans exclusively covered the Pacific theater, avoiding European assignments.

Answer: False

Explanation: After his release, Mydans was dispatched to cover significant events in Europe, including battles in Italy and France, in addition to his continued work in the Pacific.

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Following World War II, Mydans was appointed to head Time-Life's bureau in London.

Answer: False

Explanation: After the war, Mydans headed Time-Life's bureau in Tokyo, Japan, working alongside his wife, Shelley.

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Carl Mydans documented a significant earthquake in Fukui, Japan, in 1948, capturing images amidst collapsing structures.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 1948, Mydans was present in Fukui, Japan, during a devastating earthquake and photographed the event under perilous conditions, with buildings collapsing around him.

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Carl Mydans extensively covered the Vietnam War but did not cover the Korean War.

Answer: False

Explanation: Mydans' extensive photojournalism career included coverage of the Korean War, alongside other significant global conflicts.

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Mydans photographed the Fukui earthquake under relatively safe conditions, distant from the epicenter.

Answer: False

Explanation: Mydans documented the Fukui earthquake under highly dangerous circumstances, including being on the street as buildings collapsed around him.

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What assignment did Mydans accept after World War II, working alongside his wife?

Answer: Head of Time-Life's Tokyo bureau

Explanation: Following World War II, Carl Mydans, accompanied by his wife Shelley, took on the role of heading Time-Life's bureau in Tokyo.

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In 1948, Mydans documented a major natural disaster in which Japanese city?

Answer: Fukui, Japan

Explanation: In 1948, Carl Mydans captured images of the devastating earthquake that struck Fukui, Japan, documenting the destruction firsthand.

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Which significant conflict did Carl Mydans cover as part of his extensive photojournalism career?

Answer: The Korean War

Explanation: Carl Mydans' career as a photojournalist included covering the Korean War, among other major global conflicts.

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What dangerous situation did Mydans face while photographing the Fukui earthquake?

Answer: He was photographing on the street as buildings collapsed around him.

Explanation: While documenting the Fukui earthquake, Mydans found himself in immediate peril as buildings collapsed around him while he was on the street.

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Iconic Works and Photographic Approach

Mydans photographed General Douglas MacArthur's renowned return to the Philippines, capturing the moment he waded ashore in 1945.

Answer: True

Explanation: Mydans documented General MacArthur's symbolic return to the Philippines in 1945, famously capturing the image of the general wading ashore.

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Carl Mydans perceived General MacArthur as possessing limited understanding of public relations and photography's influence.

Answer: False

Explanation: Mydans observed that General Douglas MacArthur had a keen and sophisticated understanding of public relations and the strategic impact of photography.

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Mydans documented the signing of Japan's surrender documents aboard the USS Missouri in September 1945.

Answer: True

Explanation: Carl Mydans was present to photograph the historic ceremony where Japanese delegates formally signed the instruments of surrender aboard the USS Missouri, marking the end of World War II.

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Images attributed to Mydans include French citizens shaving the heads of collaborators and a portrait of MacArthur smoking a pipe.

Answer: True

Explanation: Mydans' portfolio includes powerful images such as French citizens administering retribution to collaborators and an iconic portrait of General MacArthur with his pipe.

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The New York Times observed that Mydans frequently photographed the war from the perspective of high-ranking military officials.

Answer: False

Explanation: The New York Times noted that Mydans often captured the war from the viewpoint of ordinary soldiers and sailors, providing a ground-level perspective.

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The caption for the Chongqing image describes Mydans' photograph of mass-panic casualties during a Japanese air raid.

Answer: True

Explanation: The descriptive caption for Mydans' photograph taken in Chongqing details the scene of mass panic and casualties resulting from a Japanese air raid in 1941.

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A photojournalist primarily relies on written reports, with photography serving a secondary role in conveying information.

Answer: False

Explanation: The essence of photojournalism lies in the primacy of the photographic image for storytelling and information dissemination, with written text often serving a supplementary role.

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Carl Mydans documented the conclusion of World War II primarily through photographs of European leaders.

Answer: False

Explanation: Mydans' documentation of the war's end focused significantly on events in the Pacific theater, including General MacArthur's return and the formal surrender ceremony, rather than solely on European leaders.

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What iconic event involving General Douglas MacArthur did Mydans photograph in 1945?

Answer: MacArthur wading ashore upon returning to the Philippines

Explanation: In 1945, Mydans captured the visually striking moment of General Douglas MacArthur wading ashore as he returned to the Philippines, fulfilling a significant wartime promise.

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Mydans' photograph of MacArthur wading ashore is significant because it captured:

Answer: MacArthur fulfilling his famous 'I shall return' promise

Explanation: The photograph immortalized General MacArthur's return to the Philippines, visually representing his fulfillment of the iconic 'I shall return' pledge made years earlier.

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Besides documenting MacArthur's return, what other major WWII event did Mydans photograph in September 1945?

Answer: The signing of Japan's surrender on the USS Missouri

Explanation: In September 1945, Mydans was present to photograph the momentous occasion of the formal signing of Japan's surrender documents aboard the USS Missouri, effectively concluding World War II.

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According to The New York Times, from what perspective did Mydans often photograph the war?

Answer: From the viewpoint of the ordinary soldier or sailor

Explanation: The New York Times noted that Mydans' war photography frequently adopted the perspective of the common soldier or sailor, offering an intimate and relatable view of conflict.

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What does the caption for the image of casualties in Chongqing describe?

Answer: Mass-panic casualties during a Japanese air raid

Explanation: The caption accompanying Mydans' photograph from Chongqing details the scene of mass panic and casualties resulting from a Japanese air raid in 1941.

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How did Mydans often photograph the war, according to The New York Times?

Answer: From the perspective of the ordinary soldier or sailor

Explanation: The New York Times noted that Mydans' war photography often adopted the perspective of the ordinary soldier or sailor, providing an intimate and impactful portrayal of conflict.

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Carl Mydans' work frequently captured the experiences of ordinary people during significant historical events. Which of the following exemplifies this approach?

Answer: Photographing the struggles of impoverished rural families during the Great Depression.

Explanation: Mydans' dedication to capturing the human element is exemplified by his work documenting the profound struggles of impoverished rural families during the Great Depression for the FSA.

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Personal Life and Enduring Legacy

Carl Mydans passed away in 2004 at the age of 97 from heart failure in Larchmont, New York.

Answer: True

Explanation: Carl Mydans died on August 16, 2004, in Larchmont, New York, at the age of 97, with heart failure cited as the cause.

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Carl Mydans was survived by a daughter named Misty, an attorney, and a son named Seth, a journalist.

Answer: True

Explanation: His surviving children were Misty, an attorney, and Seth, who works as an Asia correspondent for The New York Times.

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The book 'In the Shadow of the Capitol' (2012) contains photographs Carl Mydans took for the U.S. Resettlement Administration.

Answer: True

Explanation: Published in 2012, 'In the Shadow of the Capitol' features photographs Mydans created for the U.S. Resettlement Administration in 1935.

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Carl Mydans co-authored 'The Violent Peace' with his wife, Shelley, published in 1968.

Answer: True

Explanation: Carl Mydans collaborated with his wife, Shelley Mydans, on the book 'The Violent Peace,' which was published in 1968.

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The image of Carl Mydans in the infobox is a photograph taken late in his life, depicting him in his 80s.

Answer: False

Explanation: The infobox image is a portrait of Carl Mydans taken in 1935, during the earlier phase of his career, rather than late in his life.

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Carl Mydans was born in Massachusetts and died in New York.

Answer: True

Explanation: Carl Mydans was born in Medford, Massachusetts, and passed away in Larchmont, New York.

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Carl Mydans' father was a musician.

Answer: True

Explanation: Carl Mydans' father was an oboist, contributing to the family's artistic background.

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What was the stated cause of Carl Mydans' death?

Answer: Heart failure

Explanation: Carl Mydans passed away due to heart failure at his residence in Larchmont, New York.

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Which of Mydans' children works as an Asia correspondent for The New York Times?

Answer: Seth

Explanation: His son, Seth Mydans, followed in his journalistic footsteps and works as an Asia correspondent for The New York Times.

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The book 'In the Shadow of the Capitol' features photographs taken by Mydans for which U.S. agency?

Answer: The Resettlement Administration

Explanation: The photographs featured in the 2012 book 'In the Shadow of the Capitol' were originally taken by Carl Mydans for the U.S. Resettlement Administration in 1935.

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What is the title of a book published in 1959 authored by Carl Mydans?

Answer: More Than Meets the Eye

Explanation: Carl Mydans authored the book 'More Than Meets the Eye,' which was published in 1959.

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What was Carl Mydans' age when he died?

Answer: 97

Explanation: Carl Mydans passed away at the age of 97.

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Which of the following books was co-authored by Carl Mydans and his wife?

Answer: The Violent Peace

Explanation: Carl Mydans co-authored the book 'The Violent Peace' with his wife, Shelley Mydans.

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Which international databases are mentioned as listing Carl Mydans?

Answer: ISNI, VIAF, and GND

Explanation: Carl Mydans is cataloged in several international databases, including ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier), VIAF (Virtual International Authority File), and GND (German National Library).

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Which national library authorities are mentioned as listing Carl Mydans?

Answer: Library of Congress, BnF (France), and National Diet Library (Japan)

Explanation: Carl Mydans is listed in the catalogs of major national library authorities, including the U.S. Library of Congress, France's Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF), and Japan's National Diet Library.

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