Descriptive Finding Guide for the Louis Marsellis Seeman Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10128

Alan Renga

San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives

11/12/2014

2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park

San Diego 92101

URL: http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/

Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives

Title: Louis M. Seeman Personal Papers

Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10128

Physical Description: 0.43 Cubic Feet one box, 15” x 5” x 10”

Date (inclusive): 1888-1978

Abstract: Louis M. Seeman was trained and taught at the Curtiss School of Aviation in San Diego, CA, until being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant for the U.S. Army Air Service, where he saw service in WWI.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to researchers by appointment.

Conditions Governing Use

Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.

Preferred Citation

[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum Library & Archives”]

Biographical / Historical

Louis Marsellis Seeman, a World War I veteran, was born June 13, 1888. He received a diploma from the Curtiss School of Aviation in San Diego, CA, on April 8, 1916, and received his Fédération Aéronautique Internationale certificate April 12 of that year. During this time until his graduation from the U.S. School of Military Aeronautics November 3, 1917, he worked for the Glen L. Martin Company as a plane motor mechanic. He was subsequently commissioned as a Second Lieutenant for the U.S. Army Air Service, serving in the in the Aviation Section of the American Expeditionary Forces in France. He was honorably discharged in 1919 and passed away in Whittier, CA, on January 1, 1978.

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of one box, 15” x 5” x 10”. It contains mostly paper materials, documents, travel and military records and certificates, newspaper and magazine clippings, a notebook, handwritten slips, and similar items. A small box containing military buttons and insignia is included.

Related Materials

Related SDASM Resources: Various collections relating to WWI servicemen and aviators as well as the Curtiss School in San Diego, CA.

Box 01

Folder 01 – Correspondence

Physical Description: Four (4) documents, two corresponding envelopes, including job application reference letters for, and from, The Glenn L. Martin Company.

Folder 02 – U.S. Military Information

Physical Description: Eight (8) documents, not including duplicates, including special orders, orders from the G.H.Q. American Expeditionary Forces, and a War Risk Insurance certificate.

Folder 03 – French Military Information

Physical Description: Twenty-eight (28) documents mostly in French language, regarding Seeman’s time with the French military, including paperwork certifying his ability to fly for the French Ministry of War, French “temporary pilot’s log,” and handwritten notes requesting Seeman be given supplies, and other forms.

Folder 04 – French Travel Miscellaneous

Physical Description: Thirty-four (34) documents. Materials largely regarding travel and entertainment events in France, including show and travel tickets (some with military discounts), pamphlets and programs, concert information, calling cards, hotel information, receipts, and various handwritten notes.

Folder 05 – Magazines and Pamphlets

Physical Description: Seven (7) documents. Magazine clippings and pages, including an order request form for “Pat Crowe, Aviator” which is a collection of letters, flying school ad and comic clips, U.S. Army Flying Corps pamphlets “Rules of the Air: How to Fly Your Plane” and “Fighting in the Air.”

Folder 06 – Newspaper

Physical Description: Five (5) documents. Newspaper pages and clippings from 1918-1919, aviation and military news, including an ad for Aero Passenger service, pages from Plane News the Air Serve Paper of AEF.

Folder 07 – Certificates and Awards

Physical Description: Six (6) documents. Diploma from the Curtiss School of Aviation April 8, 1916, signed by Raymund Morris, active duty notice from the War Department, education, Pilot’s License, and Pilot’s certificate from the French Ministry of War.

Folder 08 – Photographs

Physical Description: Twenty-nine (29) photographs, depicting Seeman, family, aircraft, in San Diego and Rocky Ford, Colorado.

Folder 09 – Papers and Scrapbook

Physical Description: One (1) large notebook containing several newspaper clippings, drawings, memorandum, luggage tags, sheet music, railroad tickets, business cards, flyers, images, and various other items dated from 1917-1919.

00 – Envelope

Physical Description: Envelope contains 30 items, including military uniform buttons, pins, and fabric insignia.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Curtiss Aviation School

Curtiss JN-4 Jenny

World War, 1914-1918

Curtiss, Glenn Hammond

Martin, Glen L.

Seeman, Louis Marsellis

United States. Army. Air Service