Skip to content

OPEN TODAY: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.

Tickets

Manuscripts

L.L. Whitman's business cards


You might also be interested in

  • Image not available

    L.L. Whitman correspondence

    Manuscripts

    The Whitman correspondence begins on May 28, 1903 in Pasadena, California. Whitman writes to his mother about a potential automobile trip from San Francisco, California to New York and introduces her to his driving partner, E.I. Hammond. The duo will be trailing several hundred miles behind E.T. Fetch and M.C. Krarup, another pair on their way to New York. Whitman writes that he has more faith in his 4.5-horsepower Oldsmobile than the 1903 Packard, which Fetch is driving. Postcards and letters concerning his trip east are sent from various locations including Lovelock and Elko, Nevada, Ogden, Utah, Rawlins, Wyoming, and Elwood, Nebraska. On the road, Whitman and Hammond face mechanical issues, rugged roads, and harsh weather conditions. In one letter, Whitman writes about frightening a lone Indian to death when they approached him in their "machine." In another event, they recruited the help of two cowboys, who used "their lassos to pull us up a bank some 15ft high..." (July 20, 1903). When driving through the country side, the undeveloped roads prove to be difficult: "The country is all mud, terrible. We can make but little progress. This mud is the black adobe like lard and dries hard as flint" (Aug. 13, 1903). In Detroit, Michigan, Whitman meets Ransom E. Olds and appears to be an honored guest at an automobile race with 10,000 people in attendance. Whitman speaks too soon when he writes "I don't want any more endurance runs..." because he dashes across the continent again in 1904, 1906, and 1910 at record-setting rates, which include breaking Fetch's record. Whitman reflects that his automobile trip "helps to season and spice the short life we stay on this earth" (Oct. 18, 1903)

    mssHM 81903-82022

  • Image not available

    Whitman, Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman

    Manuscripts

    With envelope and pressed flowers. Includes letter from Janette ----- dated Sep. 28, 1911 and Susie ---- dated Sep. 28, 1911

    HM 82002

  • Image not available

    [Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman

    Manuscripts

    With envelope and pressed flowers

    HM 81966

  • Image not available

    Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 1 letter to R.J. Whitman

    Manuscripts

    With envelope. Includes letter from Sophia [Whitman], a flyer, and pressed flowers wrapped in portion of another letter

    HM 82004

  • Image not available

    Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman

    Manuscripts

    With envelope, pressed flowers, and fabric swatch. Includes letter from Sophia [Whitman] on the same letter and a note to Elizabeth -----

    HM 81983

  • Image not available

    [Whitman, Sophia] letter to R.J. Whitman

    Manuscripts

    With envelope and pressed flower

    HM 81990