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1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
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Visual Materials
No old shelf mark. Even with the center part missing, this is a good map of the coastline of Drake's Bay. It shows the estero where Drake allegedly careened his ship. Prime meridian: GM. Relief: hachures. Graphic Scale: Miles. Projection: Cylindrical. Printing Process: Lithography.
ephMPCALIF0213
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Manuscripts
The archive extends over six decades, from 1803 to 1869. Included in the archive are letters and manuscripts covering William Congreve's career in rocketry. The most notable of these is his diary of the 1807 Copenhagen bombardment, which represents the first truly successful large-scale use of the Congreve war rocket in combat. Other noteworthy manuscripts include a signed draft and a fair copy of a "Report to the Commissioners of the Navy" dated October 1813, in which Congreve summarized his war rocketry activities from 1805 to 1813; a letter dated November 1813 relating to "the expense, or rather the economy of the Rocket System"; bills for materials used in rocket construction; an undated letter to a Captain Elliot discussing the subject of a "rocket cavalry"; letters discussing a plan of "applying Rockets for throwing ropes ashore from shipwrecked vessels"; and letters in which Congreve writes of his achievements and his attitude towards his work. The archive also contains manuscripts and letters relating to some of Congreve's other inventions: naval guns, bombships, and Congreve's design for a paddlewheel boat, which is detailed in a long letter illustrated with Congreve's sketches. Also included are a long series of love letters that Congreve wrote to his wife, Isabella, and another series of long, detailed letters written to Congreve during the last few months of his life by his secretary, R. Drake, discussing, among other things, Congreve's political career as a Member of Parliament, his precarious financial position, the publication of his Treatise on the General Principles, Powers, and Facility of Application of the Congreve Rocket System (1827), and negotiations with the British East India Company for exclusive rights to the Congreve war rocket for use in India. Included in the remainder of the archive is a letter from Congreve's father, William Congreve Sr., to Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), president of the Royal Society, discussing the elder Congreve's responsibilities at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich. Another series of letters, some written by Congreve, concern a will of which Congreve's aunt, Miss Mary Congreve, was the executrix. There are numerous letters written by Isabella Congreve after Congreve's death in 1828, mostly on financial matters-- Congreve's affairs were left somewhat embarrassed upon his death, and the archive includes several records of bills and promissory notes, both paid and owing. Lastly, there are several letters presumably written by Congreve's descendants, the last dated Feb. 1, 1869.
mssCongreve
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Rare Books
In 1865, novelist Clive Strickland is relaxing at his club when his friend Victor Damon comes to him in a panic, begging Clive to help him marry off his sister to a cash-poor marquis whose affections reek of gold-digging. Victor doesn't care. Something sinister lurks at High Chimneys and he wants his sisters out of the house before their lives are put in danger. Old Matthew Damon, their father, has long been dogged by scandalous rumors of solitary visits to the cells of women about to be hanged for murder. But when murder is done at High Chimneys, Strickland and private investigator Jonathan Whicher will have to sort out the rumors and look behind the discreetly drawn curtains of High Chimneys for a killer.
660786
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Manuscripts
Gregory Yale wrote these seven letters to his wife, Fanny, during his journey west from New York to California by way of Panama, and during his stay in San Francisco, where he established a profitable law practice. The letters are dated between 1849 and 1859. In the first letter (HM 16895, dated 1849, November 13-22), Yale has embarked from New York aboard the ship "Crescent City", and is bound for Panama, where he will cross the canal and continue to San Francisco. The time leading up to his departure was quite hectic, as he writes "In all my life I never had so many things to perform in so short a space. Many were therefore half done, and more not done at all." Procuring a ticket for the Pacific was allegedly extraordinarily difficult, but Yale managed without much trouble through nothing more than good fortune. There were 313 passengers aboard; 400 including crew, and Yale describes them as "intelligent and orderly "and from a variety of backgrounds. Some he was already acquainted with. On the 14th, Yale and several passengers brought their firearms on deck to try them out, but the ship captain put a stop to it. On the 17th, a passenger complained about drops of rain leaking into his cabin, and when nothing was done about it, the fellow "cried FIRE with all his might." Following this ill-conceived outburst, Yale writes "some are for throwing him overboard.....others are for having water thrown upon him to put the fire out." Cuba was sighted on November 19, and the ship landed at Jamaica on the 20th. Yale went ashore and wrote of the land and its people, and the ship took on board "an abundance of fruit." HM 16896, written December 4, finds Yale in Panama. He has been there more than a week, at a local farm, and is in fact leaving on the 5th. He reports there are "12 to 1500 Americans" in Panama awaiting passage to California, and describes the local area, as well as his journey across the peninsula in a long canoe. Yale's next letter is dated December 5 (HM 16897), and he gives Fanny his blessing to travel to Florida for the winter, should she so desire. He also warns her against going out in public alone, and of allowing visitors, and urges her to take good care of their child. Yale's next letter (HM 16898; 1850, January 12-13) sees him safely arrived in San Francisco, and recovered from an illness suffered in Panama. He is paying $25 a week to stay at the Graham boarding house, and is paying $300 a month to rent an office for Yale to set up his law practice, divided with a physician and a dentist who also have offices in the same location. Some acquaintances have been working the mines, with little success. The remainder of the letter is largely concerned with business details for law practice, which Yale touts as a most lucrative endeavor. He has sent Fanny a ring made from California gold. In HM 16899 (1850, January 25 and February 1), Yale reports he has received all the letters Fanny has sent, and is relieved to hear she is in good spirits despite their separation. He has been heavily involved with business, continuing to experience success, and has moved his practice to new offices. By April, Yale is still in San Francisco, and Fanny has given birth to a girl (HM 16900, written 1850, April 28). He describes his lodging, and his typical routine of work and meals. Business continues to increase, and Yale sends more money home, as well as copies of articles detailing his contributions to the community through his work. HM 16901 is the seventh and final letter in this series, and is dated 1859, September 7. Yale writes of the burying of a dead child, and of a lost purse.
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Manuscripts
This collection contains family correspondence and a few miscellaneous items, chiefly addressed to Joel and Ruth Barlow, Clara Baldwin Bomford, and her daughter Ruth Bomford Paine. Correspondents include Elizabeth Whitman and George William Erving (1769-1850), an American diplomat. The letters discuss the Baldwin family affairs and contain only occasional references to political affairs. Also included are a few documents and 1 manuscript poem. The collection chiefly reflects the children of Michael Baldwin (1719-1787) of New Haven, including Abraham Baldwin (1754-1807), American statesman and founder of the University of Georgia; Henry Baldwin (1780-1844), justice of the United States Supreme Court; Ruth (Baldwin) Barlow (1756-1818) and her husband, Joel Barlow (1754-1812), American poet and statesman; Clara (Baldwin) Bomford (1782-1856), wife of George Bomford (1782-1848), chief of ordnance of the army; and the descendants of George and Clara Bomford. About one-sixth of the letters are addressed to Joel and/or Ruth Barlow, 1779-1816; about one-half to Ruth's sister, Clara (Baldwin) Bomford, 1803-1855; about one-sixth to Clara's daughter, Ruth (Bomford) Paine, 1856-1891; and the remainder to others. Perhaps the collection as a whole is best described as the remnant of a family archive which has passed through a number of generations. Subject matter include Baldwin family affairs; social life in New Haven, Connecticut; the Kalorama property in Washington, D.C., purchased by the Barlows in 1807; sold to the Bomfords in 1818 and subsequently sold by them in 1846; society in Washington, D.C., from 1803 to 1815; the Barlow's social life in Paris in 1811 and 1812; and description and travel in Europe, with letters by George W. Erving describing Switzerland, Italy, and France. Includes biographical material for: Abraham Baldwin; Ruth (Baldwin) Barlow and Joel Barlow; Clara (Baldwin) Bomford and George Bomford; George William Erving; Robert and Harriet Fulton; and other members of the Baldwin family and descendants of George & Clara Bomford. Of particular note are the letters of Elizabeth Whitman to Joel Barlow; the letters of Ruth Barlow; and the extensive series of letters from George William Erving (1769-1850), American diplomat, to Clara Bomford. Erving's letters are perhaps the most substantial part of the collection and the earlier ones are particularly interesting. He never married, occupied several diplomatic posts in Europe, travelled about a good deal, and lived for many years in Paris. The letters contain nothing about his diplomatic work as such, but are full of reflections and observations on a number of subjects and some of them run to a considerable length--there is one of twenty-nine pages. In the earlier part of the collection there are references to Joel Barlow and a number of letters addressed to him, but only one document and several postscripts in his handwriting, and copies of his will and one poem. There are occasional references to political affairs, but the primary importance of the collection is for the picture it presents of the social and day-to-day life of the time, and for the information it contains about the individuals noted below. Persons represented by 3 or more pieces (Figures in square brackets indicate number of letters addressed to the individual)" Baldwin, Abraham (24 pieces, 1789-1807 [2]) Baldwin, Henry (8 pieces, 1813-1816) Baldwin, William D. (4 pieces, 1882) Barlow, Anica (Preble) (4 pieces, 1812-1855) Barlow, Joel (3 pieces, 1797-1812 (38)) Barlow, Ruth (Baldwin) (67 pieces, 1795-1816 [41]) Bishop, Victor (7 pieces, 1845-1852) Bomford, Clara (Baldwin) (21 pieces, 1811-1827 [236]) Bomford, George (7 pieces, 1844-1848 [10]) Bomford, James V. (6 pieces, 1883-1887) Bomford, Mattie (4 pieces, 1856-1883) Dall, Caroline Wells (Healey) (7 pieces, 1884-1892) Derby, Richard C. (5 pieces, 1882-1886) Erving, George William (116 pieces, 1812-1850 [1]) Eyre, Wilson (4 pieces, 1882) Gaines, Edmund Pendleton (10 pieces, 1812-1814) Lafayette, Marquis De (4 pieces, 1789-1827) Linwood, Mary (3 pieces, 1805-1812) Madison, Dolly (Payne) Todd (4 pieces, 1811-1842) Maguire, Bernard (3 pieces, 1844-1848) Marbois, Comte De (6 pieces, 1812-1814) Maulsby, A. M. (5 pieces, 1882) Moore, Margaret Jane (King), Countess Mountcashell (4 pieces, 1812) Olmstead, Lemuel G. (11 pieces, 1854-1855) Riddle, John S. (4 pieces, 1844) Seymour, Louisa (5 pieces, 1886-1891) Smith, J. B. H. (5 pieces, 1851-1856) Thornton, Anna Maria (Brodeau) (17 pieces, 1812-1855 [18]) Whitman, Elizabeth (15 pieces, 1779-1782) Williams, Helen Maria (6 pieces, 1812-1815) Some notable items include: Baldwin, Abraham. To Ruth Barlow. 1789, July 3. "These Politicians Keep Such A Talking Round My Ears, That I Cannot Write You Any More At Present." To Joel Barlow. 1791, Mar. 13. "Many Of The Atlantic Settlers Wish The Western Country Not To Be Settled, And Take All Opportunities To Throw Blocks In The Way...." Will. 1807, Mar. 1. Barlow, Joel. Will. 1797, Apr. 15. Certified Copy, Dated 1813. Barlow, Ruth (Baldwin). To Clara Bomford. 1810, Mar. 10 abd 14. Re: Clara'S Change Of Name; Mrs. Madison; Mme. Bonaparte; Napoleon'S Divorce; Etc. To Clara Bomford. 1812, Sep. Letters Describing Her Visit To Mme. De Villette. Will. 1813, Aug. 24. To Clara Bomford. 1814, Mar. 13. "...Yet The World Suppose Him [Robert Fulton] Swimming In Wealth, Whilst In Reality He Is Oppressed With Debts Which He Can Hardly Find The Means Of Meeting. How Little My Dear Clara, We Know Of Peoples Real Situations & Feelings." Bomford, Clara (Baldwin). To Anna Maria (Brodeau) Thornton. 1811, Nov. 13. Re: Paris Opera, Joel Barlow'S Presentation To The Emperor, Etc. To Anna Thornton. 1814, Dec. 11. Our [Connecticut] neighbors are mostly people of fortune or independant farmers, all delighted to see their friends & acquaintance, they call a visit from 2 in the afternoon till 9 in the evening--about 4 they have a table groaning with the weight of all the good things they can muster--chickens sausages, apple sauce, sweet meats, bread & butter cakes & pies & in the evening cider apples & nuts. Erving, George William. To Joseph Gales. 1814, Oct. 22. Re: the misinterpretation by the British press of American news. To Clara Bomford. 1819, Oct. 6-20. Re: his life in Paris; Mrs. Decatur (she is a charming woman; she was not absolutely a flame, but a little flamelet of mine many years ago, but all calculations duly made, I thought it most prudent to withdraw.); Lafayette (he is one of those in whom hope will never die, who will always see 'couleur de rose' tho affairs be as black as ink,--he thinks that good principles & a good heart is every thing,--tho a soldier he does not calculate well the power of bayonets...) To the same. 1825, Nov. 20. I am glad that you like Mr Vaughan, but I neither presume or desire that you see much of him;--tho' he is a very estimable man, perhaps more respectable (morally speaking) than ministers are in general, yet I shoud not have given him a letter to you (for this is against my rules) but that he almost compelled me to do so:-- with all Vaughans apparent simplicity & frankness, put this well into your head, that he is as thorough an Englishman as any of them; nor could they find in all England a more fit man to send to Washington; for his modesty, his want of all pretension,--his 'bonhommie' & his moderate calm manner, are the very qualities suited to our gullibility;... To the same. 1826, June 8. Monroe... demands great 'swads' of our money without even the shadow of any right at all; thinking no doubt that as the mouth of the publick purse has opened for poor Lafayette, he may as well thrust his big fist into it; before the delicate paw of Madam Decatur shall have quite exhausted it, for the sake of her future husband.... [In Washington] You live precisely in the centre, the best position for observation--look about you,--probably you will not find one man excepting your good husband, who is devoid of this mania; look at their gray or bald foreheads--laden with care; see all the younger ones--rushing--& jostling & fighting & worrying each other, their hearts full of bitterness & envy; their nights sleepless; see what a proportion leave their families, neglect their business, impair their fortunes & ruin their constitutions, for the gratification of empty vanity--called 'ambition':--for do not mistake, not one in an hundred is there to 'serve his country' as a duty. Poor Rufus King!--he has been minister & Senator, & not being able to arrive at the Presidency for which he has been struggling all his life, must needs be minister again; well he dies in the effort! Poor Monroe! he arrived by dint of perseverance, he retires, health & fortune ruined, reputation in not much better condition,--he is to be consumed by mortification! Poor Crawford! the best years of his life sacrificed, his estate & profession neglected;--all his prospects defeated,--he vegitates!--so of the rest. To the same. 1835, Mar. 18. You & I who knew so well must sympathize in the loss of that most excellent friend Mr Crawford; I have never seen in publick life anyone of such perfect & disinterested patriotism, or in private of more pure integrity. Fulton, Robert. To Joel Barlow. 1809, Mar. 1. Re: Explanation of his moving away from Kalorama; Barlow's interest in the steamboat (you had little faith in the success or profits of the boat); Barlow's financial affairs; and getting The Columbiad reviewed in London. Gaines, Edmund Pendleton. To Clara Bomford. 1812, Jan. 20. Re: death of his wife, Frances. Lafayette, Marquis de. Dinner invitation to Joel Barlow. 1789, Feb. 9. Thornton, Anna Maria (Brodeau). To Clara Bomford. 1812, Mar. 15. Re: Count Crillon. Whitman, Elizabeth. To Joel Barlow, 14 letters, 1779-1780; and one letter to Ruth Barlow, 1782. The tragic life of Elizabeth Whitman served as the basis for the popular early American novel by Hannah Webster Foster, The Coquette, or, the history of Eliza Wharton, 1797. These letters were published (inaccurately) by Mrs. Caroline Dall in The Romance of the Association..., Cambridge, 1875.
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Manuscripts
The Arthur T. Ito papers is organized in four chronological series. Series 1: 1915-1941; Series 2: 1941-1945; Series 3: 1945-2016; and Series 4: A/V and oversize. Series 1: consists of early material related to the Ito and Kuromi family. While living in Mexico, Fumiyo Ito taught the children Japanese with books sent by relatives from Japan. They spoke Spanish and learned English by reading the Bible on Sundays. This was evident in three notebooks written by Ito in English, Japanese, and Spanish. Ito also translated one of his favorite books: "Robinson Crusoe" in 1934. There is a book written in Japanese related to Mexican Immigration in 1923. There are a few photographs of the Ito family in Mexico, including images of Fumiyo Ito's grave in Cuautitlan. Other photographs related to the Ito family include Yoshimasa (Oye) Ito at New Vernon Basket Company in 1916. Material related to the Kuromi family primarily consists of souvenirs acquired by Aiko Alice (Kuromi) Ito during her visit to Japan from 1939 through 1941. While in Japan, Kuromi kept one diary where she observes the weather and details daily activities such as going to school, shopping, and cooking. There is material related to A.H. (Andrew Harue) Kuromi's investment in the Nichi-Bei Investment Company, which entered a lease with the Yokohama Specie Bank in 1932. There are also photograph albums and photographs of the Kuromi family in Los Angeles, California and visit to Japan. Series 2: consists of material between the time Arthur T. Ito was drafted into the United States Army in 1941 and discharge in October 1945. The bulk of the material in this series consists of letters between Ito and Aiko Alice (Kuromi) Ito. These lengthy letters reveal a blossoming love story between two people miles apart. In an early letter written by Aiko at the store on October 10, 1941, she confesses "I'm really beginning to realize that I didn't appreciate a friend before, who was a swell pal and keen company...I miss the person who used to work so diligently emptying heavy baskets and who so willingly helped clean those heavy vases." After the Kuromi family was relocated in 1942, Aiko's descriptions about conforming to camp life are insightful. However, in one letter, she depicts a disorganized Wartime Civil Control Administration: "The unlogical part of it is that they are still going to sell food at the canteens -- yet, they prohibit food in barracks...Just a while ago, they brought in sacks of rice they confiscated" (May 15, 1942). In another type of camp, Ito details military camp life from: Camp Grant, Illinois; Camp Savage, Minnesota; Camp Blanding, Florida; and Camp Pinedale, California. Ito's Christian faith comes through in his letters to Aiko. In response to Executive Order 9066, Ito is hopeful: "Anyways, I do hope that, and know that, God is always with us, and where-ever the Government sees fit for all of you to go, for the protection of yourselves, things will turn out alright...let's all pray for the best" (March 15, 1942). In another poignant letter written after the birth of Arthur T. Ito, Jr. in 1944, he addresses his son, "Daddy is at the present time taking part in the greatest war the world has ever known. He is doing his part as a citizen of our country, the United States of America. It isn't exactly his choice to be out here, but in order that you may grow up into a world, which we hope will not have to use the force of arms to keep peace when you grow up, he is doing his part out here now," (April 17, 1945). Other Ito material related to World War II includes two entries for Camp Grant, Illinois on December 30, 1942 and Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 4, 1943. Ito also kept a diary with brief entries in 1941. For example, on December 8, 1941, he writes, "This morning at 11:30, President Rossevelt [sic] asked Congress to declare war on Japan, and the bill was passed with a vote of 470 to 1. Japan and U.S. is at war. We all are in it now." There are military records, such applications and discharge papers, military books, and photographs. Ito also collected souvenirs, postcards, and menus from his travels around the country. During the interment of the Kuromi family, Aiko frequently corresponded with accountants, attorneys, and other individuals regarding their property and storage. There is also a folder containing Aiko's request to transfer to Camp Grant, Illinois to join Ito; however, it was denied by the Santa Anita Assembly Center. Aiko also kept a record of expenses such as groceries and household supplies in a housebook from 1943 through 1945. She kept one diary with brief entries in 1943. There are a couple of photographs from the Gila River Relocation Center. Material related to claims and reparations is found in the Series 3. Greeting cards also constitute a large part of this series. Many of them are undated; however, the cataloger assumes they were exchanged during this period. There are also family and wedding photographs of Ito and Aiko. Series 3: primarily consists of Ito and Aiko's floral career after the war; however, there is some material related to World War, 1939-1945. There is correspondence related to the Kuromi family claims and reparations. There are also letters and legal documents related to A.H. (Andrew Harue) Kuromi's investment in the Nichi-Bei building in Little Tokyo, which, unfortunately, was lost during the war. There is also printed ephemera related to the war and organizations such as Nisei Veterans and Go For Broke. From 1966 through 2003, Ito kept a diary (mostly on a notepad) of his daily activities at Flower View Gardens and floral events around the world. There are also numerous clippings, photocopies, and photographs related to Flower View Gardens, Ito and Kuromi families, and the floral community. Some of these clippings are found in scrapbooks located elsewhere in the collection. Most of the photographs are related to the Florists' Transworld Delivery Association (FTD) events; however, there may be FTD related photographs in Box 35 (9) and Box 36 (1), but they were not easily discernible. The photographs in those boxes concern various demonstrations, arrangements, and floral organizations such as the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) and Society of American Florists (SAC). There may be some overlap between photographs related to Flower View Gardens, Kuromi family, and Aiko Alice (Kuromi) Ito. An item of interest may be Ito's childhood reminiscence Box 38 (3). He writes about his parents and adventures in Mexico. For instance, while clearing rocks with his brother Thomas, "We knew, and had been warned several times of the deadly 'Alacran' (scorpion). Thom put his hand under a rock, and sure enough, here was a large scorpion...bit him in the index finger. My immediate reaction was to carry Tom back to the house for treatment, what I really should have done was to open a wound on his finger and suck the poison out..." (p. 20-21). Note: There is another reminiscence in the Series 1, Box 6 (17) that may have been written in 1935. There is correspondence from Ito's father, Yoshimasa (Oye) Ito and brother, Paul Susumu Ito, primarily written in Japanese. There are also letters and postcards from friends and family in Mexico and Japan concerning family news and activities. Letters related to floral industry is found in correspondence, scrapbooks, and subject files. For example, e-mails related to Japan Florists' Telegraph Delivery Association convention are included in the subject files. Series 4: consists of oversize and audio/visual material. The A/V material includes audio cassettes, DVDs, and VHS. They primarily relate to Arthur T. Ito's floral career and Japanese Americans serving during World War II. There are also photograph albums, scrapbooks, rolled-objects, 3-D objects, and sketches for various floral design proposals.
mssHM 16895-16901
mssBN 1-475
mssIto