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The Baja California travels of Charles Russell Orcutt

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    Charles Russell Orcutt papers

    Manuscripts

    The 642 items in this collection consist primarily of letters written to Orcutt from fellow botanists and other representatives of historical societies, nurseries, museums, and related institutions. These items are arranged in alphabetical order by author last name. Orcutt corresponded frequently with botanists, collectors, and other scholars in the field of natural history in the buying, selling, and exchange of specimens such as seedlings, plants, and trees. He also collected seashells. Some of these discoveries were showcased in "The West American Scientist," a monthly magazine containing news, articles, editorials, illustrations and advertisements broadly related to the study of natural history on the Pacific coast and Mexico. As a result, the collection also includes numerous receipts and invoices, inquiries of pricing and shipping fees, and requests for copies of the publication. Orcutt also corresponded regularly with members of the American Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. There are several noteworthy items. A handwritten translation of a description of the Washington robusta genus details the origins, characteristics, and growth patterns of the California palm tree. Letters from George Frederick Kunz of Tiffany and Company include requests to send pearls and shells as well as books and articles on mineralogy. He also seeks Orcutt's knowledge and personal observations of pearls and other precious and ornamental stones found along the California coast. Two letters from Alice A. Gray, the niece of the botanist Asa Gray, are of a personal nature. She responds to Orcutt's inquiries regarding a potential shared ancestry and attempts to trace their genealogy. In a letter written to Orcutt in 1887, John Dickinson, Professor of Mathematics and Mineralogy at the University of Southern California, requests a donation of all back copies of "The West American Scientist" magazine to help build a library and promote interest in the study of the natural sciences. Correspondents include: Asa Gray, Edward Lee Greene, George Frederick Kuntz, Charles Christopher Parry, George Vasey, and Serno Watson and others.

    mssOrcutt

  • Image not available

    Charles Russell Orcutt papers

    Manuscripts

    The 642 items in this collection consist primarily of letters written to Orcutt from fellow botanists and other representatives of historical societies, nurseries, museums, and related institutions.

    mssOrcutt

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    Travels to Arizona, Baja California, and other unidentified locations, undated

    Manuscripts

    Items related to G.T. Marsh and Company, including four oversize hand-drawn and hand-colored sketch albums of jewelry designed by employees, index cards documenting jewelry customers and designs, an oversize ledger book, patterns possibly stenciled by Keisuke Serizawa, a small amount of correspondence and some design reference books. Also includes 10 panoramic photos of the 1906 San Francisco fire by R.J. Waters, some of the fire in progress, and some of the ruins in the aftermath.

    mssMarsh

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    Baja California

    Rare Books

    645930

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    Baja California

    Manuscripts

    Professional and personal papers of Otis R. Marston and his collection of the materials on the history of Colorado River and Green River regions.

    mssMarston papers