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Finding Aid to the Chester C. Lamb papers MVZA.MSS.0166
MVZA.MSS.0166  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Administrative Information
  • Biographical/historical note
  • Scope and contents note
  • Arrangement note

  • Descriptive Summary

    Title: Chester C. Lamb papers
    Identifier/Call Number: MVZA.MSS.0166
    Contributing Institution: Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives
    Language of Material: English
    Physical Description: 14.0 Volumes
    Date (inclusive): 1925-1955
    Abstract: The Chester C. Lamb papers consist of field notes and correspondence. The field notes span the years 1925-1932, during which Lamb took on the roles of field assistant and Assistant Curator of Mammals at the MVZ. The correspondence dates from 1931-1955, during which he spent a significant amount of time collecting in Mexico for Dr. Robert T. Moore, an independent ornithologist.
    Creator: Lamb, Chester Converse, 1883-

    Administrative Information

    Conditions governing access

    The collection is open for research.

    Conditions governing use

    Copyright restrictions may apply. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted to the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives in writing for approval. Please contact the Museum Archivist for further information.

    Preferred citation

    [Identification of item], Chester C. Lamb papers, MVZA.MSS.0166, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives, University of California, Berkeley.

    Biographical/historical note

    Born in 1883, Chester C. Lamb’s tenure with the MVZ lasted from 1925-1932, during which he served as a field assistant and Assistant Curator of Mammals. While with the MVZ, Lamb collected birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The majority of his fieldwork occurred in the Western U.S. and Lower California, where his Spanish language skills served him well. Having completed his work with the MVZ, Lamb collected and prepared over 40,000 specimens from 1933-1955 while in Mexico. Dr. Robert T. Moore, a businessman and independent ornithologist, funded Lamb’s work. The specimens that Lamb collected eventually became part of Occidental College’s Moore Laboratory of Zoology, which opened in 1952.
    Sources Consulted:
    Correspondence 1931-1955, Chester C. Lamb papers, MVZA.MSS.0166, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives, University of California, Berkeley.
    DeMaria, Richie. "Rare Birds, Sweet Rats and a Magic School Bus." The Occidental Weekly. March 22, 2010. Accessed December 11, 2013. http://occidentalweekly.com/uncategorized/2010/03/22/rare-birds-sweet-rats-and-a-magic-school-busbr-2/ 
    "MVZ Biographies." Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. Accessed December 11, 2013. http://mvz.berkeley.edu/Biographies.html 

    Scope and contents note

    The Chester C. Lamb papers include fourteen standard-bound volumes of field notes with map sketches. These volumes cover the years 1925-1932 and feature localities in Arizona, California, Mexico, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. The 1925-1932 dates coincide with Lamb's time at the MVZ, where he served as a field assistant and Assistant Curator of Mammals. Also included in this collection are two folders of correspondence spanning the years 1931-1955, which cover both his MVZ tenure and his years in Mexico collecting specimens that eventually became part of Occidental College's Moore Laboratory of Zoology.

    Arrangement note

    The collection has been arranged in the following series: Field notes and Correspondence. There are no subseries.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Biological specimens--Collection and preservation.
    Biological specimens--Identification
    Biology Fieldwork
    Cataloging--Specimens.
    Correspondence
    Field notes
    Mammalogy--Fieldwork.
    Scientific expeditions--Arizona
    Scientific expeditions--California
    Scientific expeditions--Mexico
    Scientific expeditions--Nevada
    Scientific expeditions--New Mexico
    Scientific expeditions--Texas
    Scientific expeditions--Utah
    University of California (1868-1952). Museum of Vertebrate Zoology