Guide to the Charles F. Lummis Papers

Series 1. Scrapbooks and photographic prints 1877-1927, undated, bulk dates 1877-1910

Physical Description: 1 linear foot

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains one personal scrapbook reflecting Lummis' college years at Harvard, several scrapbooks of cyanotypes, and some loose photographic prints. Lummis was an avid photographer who favored the inexpensive cyanotype process of development. He often personally developed and printed his work. He assembled many scrapbooks of cyanotypes documenting his experiences and often sent them to friends and family.

Arrangement

Scrapbooks are arranged chronologically. Photographic prints are arranged by topic.

Scrapbooks

Harvard years 1877-1884

Scope and Content Note

Contains personal mementos assembled by Lummis. The scrapbook primarily covers the years Lummis was at Harvard (1877-1881) and includes scattered materials from 1882-1884. It contains event fliers, tickets, and programs, correspondence, circulars, bills and a report card from Harvard, railroad tickets and schedules, calling cards, clippings, other ephemera, and a few sketches. Materials reflect Lummis' interest in music and athletics, provide a glimpse of his academic performance at Harvard, and document some early attempts to have his writing published. Lummis' interest in exploration is evinced by a pen and ink map labeled "Silver Brook near Crawford House, White Mountain Notch, N.H., First explored above the Silver Cascades by Charles F. Lummis and J.J. Donovan, Oct 1879. "The scrapbook also contains some personal budgets, Lummis' physical measurements and exercise regimen, and passages (mostly poetry) quoted from Shakespeare, Byron, Cowper, Pascal, and others.

Box : 1

Bound scrapbook

Physical Description: Half bound in red leather with boards marbled in red and brown, 22 x 18 x 5 cm. Unnumbered lined pages. Several sequential pages have been cut and removed from scrapbook midway through the book.

Access Information

Access restricted due to fragility and mold. Special arrangements must be made to use it.

Box : Folder 2 : 1

Loose materials

Processing/Project Information

Clippings and ephemera were found between some pages. Loose materials were removed from bound scrapbook and housed separately for preservation purposes.

Box : Folder 2 : 2

Burros 1890

Physical Description: 12 pages, bound with grosgrain ribbon, 13 x 21 cm.

Scope and Content Note

Contains cyanotypes of burros photographed by Lummis.

Christmas gifts to Mary Emerson Haskins

Scope and Content Note

Contains cyanotypes of Lummis, his family, and his home. Inscribed to Mary Emerson Haskins and signed by Lummis.

Box : Folder 2 : 3

1909

Physical Description: 17 pages bound with string, 18 x 25 cm.

Box : Folder 2 : 4

1910

Physical Description: 25 pages bound with string, 18 x 27 cm.

Scope and Content Note

Last page contains cyanotypes of Lummis as a boy.

Photographic prints

Scope and Content Note

Includes photographs both depicting and taken by Lummis.

Box : Folder 2 : 5

Lummis, Charles F. 1906-1927, undated

Physical Description: 13 images, various sizes

Scope and Content Note

Cyanotypes, black-and-white, and sepia-toned photographs. Most images are professional black-and-white portraits of Lummis printed on card stock. Several are inscribed to Molly Haskins Gordon and signed by Lummis.

Box : Folder 2 : 6

Lummis family and friends 1907-1910, undated

Physical Description: 8 cyanotpes and 4 sepia photographs, various sizes

Box : Folder 2 : 7

Lummis home, El Alisal 1899-1910

Physical Description: 12 cyanotypes, 5 x 7 inches each

Box : Folder 2 : 8

San Francisco 1898

Physical Description: 40 cyanotypes, 5 x 7 inches each

Scope and Content Note

Contains images of the San Francisco area, including city scenes, Mission Dolores, portraits, trees, and unidentified paintings and sculptures.

Processing/Project Information

The set of photographs was wrapped in two layers of paper; handwritten on one paper is "Blueprints to bind, 1898," and handwritten on the other paper is "2nd trip to San Francisco - this set is complete."

Box : Folder 2 : 9

Reproductions of Lummis' photographs 1900, undated

Series 2. Family correspondence 1904-1906, 1911-1914, 1923-1928

Physical Description: 0.4 linear feet

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains correspondence to and from members of the Lummis family. It also contains correspondence between Charles F. Lummis and the Borein family. Charles F. Lummis' outgoing letters consist almost exclusively of unsigned carbon copies of typescripts; these may be duplicates of correspondence held by the Southwest Museum. Handwritten letters or typescripts autographed by Charles F. Lummis are noted when present. Incoming letters are primarily originals, usually handwritten.

Arrangement

Letters are arranged by family member. Within folders, letters are arranged chronologically.

Box : Folder 3 : 1-5

Lummis, Eve 1904-1906, 1911

Scope and Content Note

Contains 37 handwritten letters to Lummis from his second wife, Eve. One handwritten letter to Lummis' son, Quimu, written by Eve on behalf of their seven-year-old son Keith.

Box : Folder 3 : 6-7

Lummis, Turbesé 1912-1914

Scope and Content Note

Primarily contains carbon copies of typescript letters by Lummis to his daughter Turbesé. One autographed typescript from Turbesé to Lummis and one handwritten letter from Turbesé to Lummis.

Lummis, Keith

Box : Folder 3 : 8

Concerning birth of Keith Lummis 1904

Scope and Content Note

Contains handwritten letters from William Keith, California landscape painter, for whom Keith Lummis was named. Also contains congratulatory letters from others, including a clipping of the birth announcement, and carbon copies of outgoing responses from Charles F. Lummis.

Box : Folder 3 : 9

From Charles F. Lummis to son, Keith 1912, 1914, 1924

Box : Folder 3 : 10

Lummis, Bertha Page 1924

Scope and Content Note

Contains one carbon copy of typescript addressed to "My Precious First-Born," soliciting her signature on legal documents intended to safeguard Lummis' gift of the family home, El Alisal, to the Southwest Museum.

Box : Folder 3 : 11-12

Sisters of Charles F. Lummis 1912, 1914

Scope and Content Note

Contains correspondence between Charles F. Lummis and his sisters. Most correspondence are outgoing carbon copies from Lummis to his sister Louise "Lulie" and his half sisters, Harriet (Mrs. William M. Smith or "Hattie"), Katherine "Katie," and Laura (Mrs. Charles F. Schutz). There are also 3 handwritten letters to Lummis, one each from Katherine, Harriet, and Laura, but no letters to or from Lummis' other siblings, Harry or Gertrude.

Box : Folder 3 : 13-14

Other relatives of Charles F. Lummis 1912, 1914

Scope and Content Note

Carbon copies of outgoing correspondence from Lummis to aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces.

Box : Folder 3 : 15-21

Borein, Ed and Lucile 1923-1928, undated

Scope and Content Note

There is no indication of a blood relationship between Lucile Borein and Charles F. Lummis, but Lummis regarded Lucile as family and closed letters to her, "Your Devoted Dad." Lucile opened her letters to Lummis with greetings such as "Daddy Dearest." Letters from Lucile are handwritten. Letters from her husband, artist Ed Borein, are autographed typescripts.

Series 3. Personal and professional papers 1889-1928, bulk dates 1905-1914

Physical Description: 3.4 linear feet

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains substantial documentation on Lummis' career at the Los Angeles Public Library and scattered information on his volunteer activities with other organizations and his career as an author. Lummis' personal and professional acquaintances and interests overlapped; he often discussed business and pleasure in the same letter.

Arrangement

Arranged in five subseries:Los Angeles Public LibraryOther personal and professional correspondence

Other personal papers

Other professional papers

Publishing files

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

Arrangement

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic. For the most part, items within folders are arranged chronologically.

Box : Folder 4 : 1-12

Administration and operation 1901, 1906-1910, undated

Scope and Content Note

Contains materials reflecting Lummis' oversight of the LAPL and its day-to-day operations, including entrance exams for employees, financial reports, statistics, policies and procedures, and statistics on circulation and staffing. Materials also reflect Lummis' efforts to improve library staffing, salaries, patron services, and the library's physical space. Includes carbon copies of many undated, typed reports presumably presented by Lummis to the LAPL Board of Library Directors. Many notes are written in Lummis' hand, and several internal memos bear Lummis' autograph.

Correspondence

Box : Folder 4 :13-17

Form letters 1906-1909, undated

Scope and Content Note

Contains drafts of outgoing typed circulars and form letters used in mass mailings, often annotated by Lummis with the date and number of copies he requested. Letters to the LAPL community include matters such as overdue books, library promotion, request for autographs, photos and biographical information, thank you notes, and a letter advising the recipients of the correct pronunciation of the city name, "Los Angeles." Letters to professional librarians request information about their local practices, policies, and statistics about their libraries and staff.

Box : Folder 5 : 1-11, FB-65 : 1

General 1905-1912

Scope and Content Note

Primarily contains incoming letters from librarians around the United States, including Melvil Dewey and Librarian of Congress, Herbert Putnam. The majority of letters concern Lummis' requests for advice and statistics, other librarians' interest in his technique of branding books to prevent theft, and notes of thanks for LAPL annual reports. Two letters related to library business postdate Lummis' tenure as librarian. One letter included an oversized sheet of "Comparative Statistics for 1908 of Public Libraries in the Thirty-three largest Cities in the United States."

Legal matters

Blandy case

Scope and Content Note

Contains materials related to the legal case filed by Julia W. Blandy, LAPL Superintendent of Branches, against Celia Gleason, LAPL Assistant Librarian.

Box : Folder 5 : 12-13

Correspondence 1905-1909

Scope and Content Note

Contains a nine-page, autographed letter from Lummis to the Civil Service Commission. Also contains correspondence between Blandy and Lummis, including an autographed letter from Lummis to Miss Blandy notifying her that her "usefulness to this library has ceased."

Box : Folder 5 : 14-15

Court proceedings and findings undated

Scope and Content Note

Contains unofficial transcripts of questions asked of witnesses during the legal proceedings, but does not include their answers. Also contains the court findings.

Box : Folder 5 : 16

Lummis' notes 1910, undated

Scope and Content Note

Contains carbon copies of Lummis' opinions on the case, which he presented to the LAPL Board of Library Directors.

Box : Folder 5 : 17-19

"Library Investigation" 1906

Physical Description: 3 volumes

Scope and Content Note

Official transcripts of the proceedings of the Los Angeles City Council's investigation of the LAPL conducted January 24,January 31, and February 1, 1906. Investigation centered on a motion to remove four members of the LAPL Board of Library Directors. Board members were accused of having unjustly removed LAPL librarian Mary L. Jones to replace her with Charles F. Lummis.

Box : Folder 6 : 1-2

"Western History-Material" questionnaires 1909-1910, undated

Scope and Content Note

Contains completed questionnaires providing name, date and place of birth, genealogical information, education, occupation, marital status, religion, political affiliation, and other biographical information on individuals. Lummis sent questionnaires to "prominent citizens of the Southwest" with the intention of building a collection of profiles of his contemporaries. Also included is a blank questionnaire and a copy of the form letter Lummis sent out with each questionnaire.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by respondents surname.

Other personal and professional correspondence

Scope and Content Note

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic. Letters within folders are arranged chronologically.

Box : Folder 6 : 3

Form letters 1911, undated

Scope and Content Note

Contains blank form letters that Lummis regularly used as invitations to his dinner parties. Includes "Subpoena" invitation to an old Spanish California style dinner party in the "Court of El Alcalde Mayor" (the courtyard at El Alisal ) for guests accused of "not knowing an old California good time when you see it." Also includes handwritten poem and printed invitation to the meeting of the mad March hares, Lummis' annual birthday party for himself and friends born in March.

General

Scope and Content Note

Contains original incoming correspondence and carbon copies of outgoing correspondence from 1889, 1907-1914, and 1921-1928 (bulk 1912-1914). The vast majority of Lummis' outgoing correspondence are unsigned drafts, often typed upon recycled letterhead from the Southwest Museum and other institutions. Lummis often includes both personal and professional concerns in the same letter. Letters include references to family issues, Southwest Society activities, Southwest Museum activities, the Landmarks Club efforts to repair the old missions, letters of introduction, questions on Southwest history and Spanish language usage, and issues related to the maintenance of El Alisal.

Box : Folder 6 : 4-19

1889, 1907-1912

Box : Folder 7 : 1-22

1912-1914

Box : Folder 8 : 1-13

1914

Box : Folder 9 : 1-20

1914

Box : Folder 10 : 1-15

1914-1928, undated

Other personal papers

Arrangement

Folders are arranged alphabetically by type of material. Items within folders are arranged chronologically.

Box : Folder 10 : 16

General 1909-1910, undated

Scope and Content Note

Contains biographical information, carbon copies of typed excerpts from Lummis' diary, a list of camping equipment, and handwritten notes.

Box : Folder 10 : 17

Invoices and receipts 1912-1915, undated

Other professional papers

Arrangement

Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic. Items within folders are arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Contains isolated items concerning Lummis' professional interests outside of the LAPL.

Box : Folder 10 : 18

"By-Laws of the Artist's Guild" undated

Box : Folder 10 : 19

Request for historical information on the Santa Fe Railroad undated

Box : Folder 10 : 20

Sequoya League and Committee on Indian Affairs 1907, 1912, undated

Southwest Society and Southwest Museum

Scope and Content Note

Contains materials concerning the Southwest Museum and its parent body, the Southwest Society.

Box : Folder 10 : 21

Brochure of "The Southwest Museum Expedition to Spanish America and the South Seas" 1914-1915

Box : Folder 10 : 22

Circulars and form letters 1908, 1910, undated

Box : Folder 10 : 23

Draft of Lummis' bequest to the museum (unsigned) undated

Box : Folder 11 : 1

Indexes (of operational files?) undated

Box : Folder 11 : 2

Mailing lists and new members lists 1907, 1908, undated

Box : Folder 11 : 3

Miscellaneous undated

Publishing files

Arrangement

Folders are arranged alphabetically by format. Items within folders are arranged chronologically.

Box : Folder 11 : 4-9

Correspondence and agreements 1879-1914

Scope and Content Note

Contains letters and agreements concerning the editing and publishing of Lummis' writings and photography. Includes a handwritten, signed agreement "relative to the song, 'My Cigarette' -- words by C. F. Lummis and music by F. R. Burton" from 1882.

Box : Folder 11 : 10

Promotional materials 1910-1912, 1921, 1928, undated

Scope and Content Note

Contains advertisements and book reviews intended to attract readers to Lummis' work. Includes a signed booklet listing his publications.

Series 4. Ephemera 1909-1928, undated

Physical Description: 0.2 linear feet

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains printed ephemera reflecting Lummis' interest in the Southwest and one metal button stating "Remember the Maine."

Arrangement

Materials are arranged alphabetically by format.

Box : Folder 11 : 11

Art exhibition catalogues 1917, 1928

Box : Folder 11 : 12

Drawings (unsigned) undated

Box : Folder 11 : 13

Fliers and brochures 1896, 1906-1915, undated

Box : Folder 11 : 14

Miscellaneous 1928, undated

Box : Folder 11 : 15

Musical scores undated

Scope and Content Note

Contains one untitled, handwritten score with adhered, typed lyrics and one published score for "Hopi Indian Snake Dance."

Box : Folder 11 : 16

Postcards 1909-1912, 1927, undated

Series 5. Clippings 1891-1926, undated

Physical Description: 0.4 linear feet

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains newspaper and magazine clippings collected by Charles F. Lummis. Lummis subscribed to various clipping bureaus that sent him clippings on selected topics.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by topic.

Box : Folder 13 : 1-11

Articles about and by Charles F. Lummis 1891-1926

Access Information

Articles which were not identified in Mary Sarber's Charles F. Lummis: A Bibliography (1977) or not available online were retained. Access restricted due to fragility. Photocopies were not made for these items; special permission is required to use them. Photocopying is not permitted.

Box : Folder 11 : 17

Articles about Eve Lummis 1910-1911

Scope and Content Note

Contains clippings collected by Charles F. Lummis concerning his divorce from Eve. Also contains clippings concerning Eve's English translations of Spanish literature.

Box : Folder 11 : 18

Articles about Henry Lummis 1905

Scope and Content Note

Contains clippings collected by Charles F. Lummis concerning the death of his father, Dr. Henry Lummis.

Series 6. Publications 1884-1914

Physical Description: 0.2 linear feet

Series Scope and Content Summary

Contains publications collected by Lummis. The majority of the publications contain articles about or by Lummis. Other publications reflect his interests.

Arrangement

Alphabetical by title of the publication.

Box : Folder 12 : 1

Colorado Chautauqua Bulletin (vol. 3, no. 4, February 14, 1914) 1914

Box : Folder 12 : 2

The Critic, A Weekly Review of Literature and the Arts (March 19, 1895; October 30, 1897) 1895, 1897

Box : Folder 12 : 3

Extension, An Advocate of the Missionary Spirit Published by the Catholic Church Extension Society of the United States of America (vol. 2, no. 2, June 1907) 1907

Box : Folder 12 : 4

General Catalogue and Garden Guide for the South, Southern California Acclimatizing Association, Santa Barbara, California, (no. 5, May 1897) 1897

Box : Folder FB-65 : 1

Homes of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Investment Company (July 1910, April 1912, June 1912) 1910, 1912

Box : Folder 12 : 5

The Inner Circle, A Quarterly Magazine, published by Louise Radford Wells (vol. 3, no. 1, November 1911) 1911

Box : Folder 12 : 6

The Lutheran Witness, Official Organ of the English Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri & Other States (vol. 16, no. 20, March 21, 1898) 1898

Box : Folder 12 : 7

The Santa Clara, Central California Landmarks Club Edition (Fifth year, No. 9, November 1897) 1897

Box : Folder 12 : 8

The Southwest Society of the Archaeological Institute of America, Something About Its Aims and Its First Year's Work (booklet reprinted from Out West, September 1904) 1904

Box : Folder 12 : 9

Travelers Record, (vol. 30, no. 11, vol. 31, no. 5, 9) (Hartford, Connecticut: Travelers Insurance Company) 1895

Box : Folder FB-65 : 1

Values of Property in, and Indebtedness of, each County for the Year, chart from the Controller's Department, State of California 1903, 1905

Box : Folder 12 : 10

The Western Critic, (vol. 1, no.2-3) (Columbus, Ohio) 1884

Collection Contents