Finding Aid to the Seth C. Jones Biographical Collection MS.686

Holly Rose Larson
Library and Archives at the Autry
2012 November 8
210 South Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
rroom@theautry.org


Contributing Institution: Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: Seth C. Jones Biographical Collection
source: West, Nina M.
Creator: Hodge, Frederick Webb
Identifier/Call Number: MS.686
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Date (inclusive): 1947, 1970
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence regarding Seth C. Jones and his drawings of cliff dwellings from 1873-1874, typed copies of Jones's obituary, and an annotated manuscript by F. W. Hodge regarding Jones and his drawings, which were acquired by the Southwest Museum in 1947. Correspondence is dated 1947 and 1970.
Language of Material: English .

Scope and Contents

This collection contains correspondence regarding Seth C. Jones and his drawings of cliff dwellings from 1873-1874, typed copies of Jones's obituary, and an annotated manuscript by F. W. Hodge regarding Jones and his drawings, which were acquired by the Southwest Museum in 1947. Correspondence is dated 1947, except for a photocopy of a letter from one of the correspondents to Southwest Museum director Carl Dentzel, dated 1970. Correspondents with Hodge include Nina M. West, from whom Jones' drawings were acquired, 1947 May 20; Jesse L. Nusbaum, and various librarians. Nusbaum's correspondence is addressed to Teluli, a nickname used by Hodge. The manuscript by Hodge is numbered MS.686.1 and appears to be an unpublished manuscript for The Masterkey. The titled of the unpublished manuscript is "When Were The Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings 'Discovered'?" Jones' 46 drawings are catalogued individually in the Museum's collection.

Preferred Citation

Seth C. Jones Biographical Collection, 1947, 1970, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.686.

Processing History

Processed by Library staff after 1981. Finding aid completed by Holly Rose Larson, NHPRC Processing Archivist, 2012 November 8, made possible through grant funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commissions (NHPRC).

Acquisition

Acquired by the Library, circa July 1947.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Conditions Governing Access

Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives  and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

Biographical Note

Seth Corbett Jones (1853 July 15 - 1929 August 1) was born and died in Rochester, New York. Jones was a member of the Hayden Expedition which explored the Southwest and covered much of the ground now in the national parks. He was an assistant artist and entomologist with the United States Geographical and Topographical Survey of the Territories, of which his uncle, Dr. Ferdinand V. Hayden, was a director. He became familiar with old Spanish scenes, remnants of the early Spanish occupation on the Pacific coast. A painting of the famous Santa Barbara Mission hung at one time in the lobby of the Powers Hotel in Rochester. He was versatile, painting portraits as well as nature scenes. He studied with William B. Holmes and Thomas Moran.
In earlier years, Jones was much interested in photography. At one time he traveled all over the United States for the Eastman Kodak Company. A letter from the Historical Projects Section of the Eastman Kodak Company, dated 21 January 1963, to Dr. J.V. Howell who was collecting data on Seth's uncle F.V. Hayden, documents that Seth was one of the first salesmen to work for the Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company. In the period of 1885 to 1888, he traveled the country demonstrating the Eastman Roll Holder and Roll Film. When the No 1 Kodak Camera was introduced in 1888, he also sold and demonstrated it. He probably left Eastman around 1890.
Source: http://www.askart.com/askart/j/seth_corbett_jones/seth_corbett_jones.aspx

Related Materials

Drawings from Hayden Expedition, 1973-74, by Seth C. Jones, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, PORT.11

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Manuscripts
Drawings
Cliff dwellings -- Southwest, New
Pueblos -- Southwest, New
When were the Mesa Verde Cliff-Dwellings "Discovered?"
Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (U.S.)
Correspondence
Obituaries
Moran, Thomas
West, Nina M.
Holmes, William Henry
Jones, Seth Corbett