Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Manuscripts
Fred A. Crandall letters from U.S. Senators collection
Image not available
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Image not available
Manuscripts
Group of three letter books relating to the work of Fred E. Foster, an independent commercial agent in Shanghai from 1863-1866, and agent of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company in Yokohama and Hong Kong from 1878-1882. Plus manuscript journal of the sailing ship St James' voyage under Master Burnham from New York to Hong Kong via San Francisco and Shanghai as well as the return journey via England, dated 1891-1892. The log book may not be in Foster's hand. The letter books reflect Foster's work with mercantile firms in the United States, England, and Europe and their commercial interests in Asia. Letters touch on topics including the acquisition of land leases; performance and compensation for consular services; market changes; buying and selling of goods; Foster's personal activities; everyday life in Asia; day-to-day company operations; and shipping concerns. Correspondents include international mercantile representatives; the PMSSC's presidents, D.S. Babcock and J.B. Houston; and employees of the PMSSC in San Francisco and other cities in Asia.
mssHM 80571-80574
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Manuscripts
The collection consists of letters related to Fred's life at sea and Sarah's life at home and on the ships when she joined Fred. Many of the letters are from Fred to Sarah (whose nickname was Sade) and from Sarah to her family, but there are also letters written to Sarah from various friends. Letters to Sarah are often addressed to "Sade," and she signed many of her letters as "Sade" as well. The bulk of Fred's letters to Sarah are from various ships and ports, as are Sarah's letters to her family. Fred seemed to miss his wife a great deal when he was at sea, and many of his letters are about his desire to be home with her or to have her on board more often. He discusses his health in many of the letters and he seems to have battled rheumatism quite often. Other topics include the day-to-day life of living on a ship, details about the type and amount of cargo being loaded and carried, the "sea risk" clause in his life insurance policy, his friendship with a Captain Blethen, and his concern that Sarah is seeking employment in a shop he does not find acceptable. Fred mentions some specific ships, including the S.S. Dale. A letter to Mrs. Sager relates his current work and his plans for the next ship he'll board. Sarah's letters to her family also tell of daily life on the ships (how the ships are cleaned, how they are secured during rough weather), of the stewards she befriended on board, and of the acquaintances she made while traveling with her husband (such as other couples who were also traveling by sea). She relates details about the specific places they visited and about the social calls she paid. Several of Sarah's letters to her brothers reveal her concerns that they grow into responsible, mature men. Sarah also discusses her health a great deal and she battled whooping cough at some point. The letters to Sarah from her various friends and acquaintances are mainly about family visits, social calls, various entertainments, and news and gossip from home. One letter, from Benjamin Thompson, is an invitation to lunch and includes a calling card. Finally, there are several loose envelopes and various calling cards not attached to any specific letters.
mssHM 72024-72079
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Visual Materials
Two photograph albums compiled by Fred Tom, a Chinese cadet aviator who trained in the United States from 1942 to 1943. The first album documents these training years and includes snapshots of Fred Tom, family members, and his Chinese and American colleagues at Luke Field in Phoenix, Arizona, and Randolph Field in Texas. The album also includes Tom's invitation to the 1943 graduation of the Air Corps Advanced Flying School - Chinese Detachment at Randolph Field, along with an 8 x 10-inch photograph of the airfield inscribed by about 20 people. The second album dates to about twenty years later, the late-1950s to 1963. This album documents Fred Tom's family life in the United States (he likely immigrated to the United States after World War II). Photographs include Tom's wife and children, extended family, holiday gatherings, and visits to sites across the United States, including Chinatowns (with at least one photograph of Los Angeles Chinatown). Both albums contain some handwritten notations in Chinese, and include some postcards, clippings, and other ephemera.
photCL 653
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Manuscripts
The collection consists of letters related to Fred's life at sea and Sarah's life at home and on the ships when she joined Fred. Many of the letters are from Fred to Sarah (whose nickname was Sade) and from Sarah to her family, but there are also letters written to Sarah from various friends. Letters to Sarah are often addressed to "Sade," and she signed many of her letters as "Sade" as well. The bulk of Fred's letters to Sarah are from various ships and ports, as are Sarah's letters to her family. Fred seemed to miss his wife a great deal when he was at sea, and many of his letters are about his desire to be home with her or to have her on board more often. He discusses his health in many of the letters and he seems to have battled rheumatism quite often. Other topics include the day-to-day life of living on a ship, details about the type and amount of cargo being loaded and carried, the "sea risk" clause in his life insurance policy, his friendship with a Captain Blethen, and his concern that Sarah is seeking employment in a shop he does not find acceptable. Fred mentions some specific ships, including the S.S. Dale. A letter to Mrs. Sager relates his current work and his plans for the next ship he'll board.
HM 72078
Image not available
Manuscripts
The collection consists of letters related to Fred's life at sea and Sarah's life at home and on the ships when she joined Fred. Many of the letters are from Fred to Sarah (whose nickname was Sade) and from Sarah to her family, but there are also letters written to Sarah from various friends. Letters to Sarah are often addressed to "Sade," and she signed many of her letters as "Sade" as well. The bulk of Fred's letters to Sarah are from various ships and ports, as are Sarah's letters to her family. Fred seemed to miss his wife a great deal when he was at sea, and many of his letters are about his desire to be home with her or to have her on board more often. He discusses his health in many of the letters and he seems to have battled rheumatism quite often. Other topics include the day-to-day life of living on a ship, details about the type and amount of cargo being loaded and carried, the "sea risk" clause in his life insurance policy, his friendship with a Captain Blethen, and his concern that Sarah is seeking employment in a shop he does not find acceptable. Fred mentions some specific ships, including the S.S. Dale. A letter to Mrs. Sager relates his current work and his plans for the next ship he'll board.
HM 72039
Image not available
Manuscripts
The collection consists of letters related to Fred's life at sea and Sarah's life at home and on the ships when she joined Fred. Many of the letters are from Fred to Sarah (whose nickname was Sade) and from Sarah to her family, but there are also letters written to Sarah from various friends. Letters to Sarah are often addressed to "Sade," and she signed many of her letters as "Sade" as well. The bulk of Fred's letters to Sarah are from various ships and ports, as are Sarah's letters to her family. Fred seemed to miss his wife a great deal when he was at sea, and many of his letters are about his desire to be home with her or to have her on board more often. He discusses his health in many of the letters and he seems to have battled rheumatism quite often. Other topics include the day-to-day life of living on a ship, details about the type and amount of cargo being loaded and carried, the "sea risk" clause in his life insurance policy, his friendship with a Captain Blethen, and his concern that Sarah is seeking employment in a shop he does not find acceptable. Fred mentions some specific ships, including the S.S. Dale. A letter to Mrs. Sager relates his current work and his plans for the next ship he'll board.
HM 72038