Lillian Bonham Hartmann papers

Finding aid prepared by Processing Archivist Andrew Lippert and Amy Roberts, Sadakichi Hartmann Processing Archivist.

Special Collections & University Archives

The UCR Library

P.O. Box 5900

University of California

Riverside, California 92517-5900

Phone: 951-827-3233

Fax: 951-827-4673

Email: specialcollections@ucr.edu

URL: http://library.ucr.edu/libraries/special-collections-university-archives

Descriptive Summary

Title: Lillian Bonham Hartmann papers

Date (inclusive): 1898-1944, undated

Collection Number: MS 012

Creator: Bonham, Lillian, 1883-

Extent: 14.93 linear feet (14 boxes)

Repository: Rivera Library. Special Collections Department.

Riverside, CA 92517-5900

Abstract: Materials created by Lillian Bonham including diaries, artwork, and correspondence. Content primarily pertains to her relationship with Sadakichi Hartmann and their family.

Languages: The collection is in English.

Access

This collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright Unknown: Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction, and/or commercial use, of some materials may be restricted by gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing agreement(s), and/or trademark rights. Distribution or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. To the extent other restrictions apply, permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable rights holder is also required. Responsibility for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [date if possible]. Lillian Bonham papers (MS 012). Special Collections & University Archives, University of California, Riverside.

Processing History

Processed by Andrew Lippert, Special Collections Processing Archivist, and Amy Roberts, Sadakichi Hartmann Papers Processing Archivist.

Biographical Note

Lillian Bonham was an artist who grew up in New Jersey in the late 19th century and spent some time with family in Colorado right after the turn of the century. Lillian met Sadakichi Hartmann in the summer of 1907 and came to live with him. They spent time in New York and settled in southern California.

Collection Scope and Contents

The Lillian Bonham papers are primarily comprised of correspondence between Lillian and various family and friends and her diaries kept between 1898 and 1935. The diaries provide an intimate glimpse into her daily life growing up in New Jersey, with ruminations on an assortment of current events and political topics of the era, and her relationship with Sadakichi Hartmann.

Collection Arrangement

The Lillian Bonham papers are arranged into five series as follows:

Series 1. Correspondence, 1908-1944
Series 2. Diaries, 1898-1935
Series 3. Diary facsimiles, 1908-1939
Series 4. Art and sketches, 1904-1936, undated
Series 5. Other documents, 1912-1939, undated

Related Materials

See also the Sadakichi Hartmann papers (MS 068) , Sadakichi Hartmann papers II (MS 230) , and Wistaria Hartmann Linton papers 9MS 013) .

Collection Background

The materials in this collection were previously a part of the Sadakichi Hartmann papers (MS 068), part of them were in the processed portion of the collection and some were in the unprocessed portion. Upon surveying the Hartmann papers and creating a processing plan in late 2018 and early 2019 several collections were identified under the umbrella of MS 068. After thorough deliberation, SCUA staff concluded that the disperate collections would be separated and processed. This led to the creation of the Lillian Bonham papers as a distinct collection.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Hartmann, Sadakichi, 1867-1944

Genres and Forms of Materials

Artwork

Correspondence

Diaries

Series 1. Correspondence 1908-1944

Series Scope and Contents

This series contains correspondence to Lillian Bonham. The bulk of the materials are from family members including Sadakichi, Lillian's parents, and children from her relationship with Sadakichi Hartmann.

Series Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically by correspondent.

Box 1, Folders 1-3

Correspondence to Lillian Bonham 1910-1938, undated

Box 1, Folder 4

Bonham, Lester P. to Lillian Bonham 1909-1910

Biographical

Father of Lillian Bonham

Box 1, Folder 5

Brinkler, G. H. to Lillian Bonham 1913-1914

Scope and Contents

Three letters from a self-proclaimed "food expert" G. H. Brinkler. An article from the American Medical Association was published in the October 1914 issue of JAMA and a 1915 book highlighting a federal investigation into Brinkler's fraudulant mail order business.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Mail Fraud

Box 1, Folder 6

City of Riverside Bureau of Welfare and Relief to Lillian Bonham 1933-1934

Box 1, Folder 7

Family to Lillian Bonham 1908, 1932-1939, undated

Scope and Contents

This folder contains correspondence from a number of Lillian's children. Some folders include several pieces of correspondence that were all mailed together in one envelope. These remain together in groups and have notes on the outside.

Box 1, Folder 8

Hartmann, Robert to Lillian Bonham 1932 & 1934

Biographical

Son of Lillian Bonham

Box 2, Folders 1-3

Hartmann, Sadakichi to Lillian Bonham 1909-1927, 1934, undated

Box 2, Folder 4

Hartmann, Tansy to Lillian Bonham 1931-1939

Biographical

Daughter of Lillian Bonham

Box 2, Folder 5, Box 3, Folder 1

Kennedy, Mary D. to Lillian Bonham 1912-1913, undated

Box 3, Folders 2-4, Box 4, Folder 1

Linton, Wistaria to Lillian Bonham 1924-1928, 1930-1938, undated

Biographical

Daughter of Lillian Bonham

Box 3, Folder 5

Lopez Canyon Oil Company to Lillian Bonham 1931

Scope and Contents

Eviction notice sent to Lillian Bonham.

Box 4, Folders 2-3

Mother to Lillian Bonham 1909-1913, undated

Box 4, Folder 4

Unidentified correspondence 1934 & 1944

Box 4, Folders 5-6

Vogel, Virginia D. Hyde to Lillian Bonham 1917-1932, undated

Box 4, Folder 7

Williams, Mrs. P. to Lillian Bonham 1921-1926

Box 4, Folder 8

Various correspondence to Lillian Bonham 1922 & 1935

Scope and Contents

This correspondence includes a letter from a teacher reporting on Jonquil Hartmann's schoolwork.

Series 2. Diaries 1898-1935

Series Scope and Contents

Lillian Bonham ruminates on a wide range of topics in her diaries. The bulk of the content pertains to her day to day life, family, and, after their meeting in 1907, her relationship with Sadakichi Hartmann. Periodically there are reflections on books she has read, comments on national politics (e.g. 1900 presidential election) or global affairs (e.g. Spanish American War).

Series Arrangement

The diaries are arranged chronologically.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

New York (N.Y.)

Colorado Springs (Colo.)

Shiloh (N.J)

California, Southern

Box 5, Item 1

Lillian Ro. Bonham. Shiloh, N.J. #1 1898-1899

Physical Description: 1 volume

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Spanish American War

Box 5, Item 2

Diary of Lillian and Lester Bonham. #2 1900-1901

Physical Description: 1 volume

1900 Presidential Election

Entry of September 26th reflects on the presidential election and seeing Roosevelt speak.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Presidential Election

Box 5, Item 3

Diary of Lillian Russell Bonham. Colorado Springs. #3 1901

Physical Description: 1 volume

Historic Events

September 7th entry ruminates on President McKinley's assassination. Oct 12th entry reflects on an array of international events.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

McKinley, James. Assassination in America. Selections

Spanish American War

Box 5, Item 4

Diary of Lillian Russel Bonham. #4 1902

Physical Description: 1 volume

Box 5, Item 5

Lillian Russell Bonham. Colorado Springs. #5 1902-1903

Physical Description: 1 volume

Box 5, Item 6

#6 1903-1904

Physical Description: 1 volume

Box 5, Item 7

The Diary of Lillian R. Bonham. Colorado Springs. #7 1904-1906

Physical Description: 1 volume

Box 5, Item 8

#8 1906-1907

Physical Description: 1 volume

Scope and Contents

Final entries talk about meeting Sadakichi Hartmann in July 1907.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Hartmann, Sadakichi, 1867-1944

Box 5, Item 9

#9 1907-1908

Physical Description: 1 volume

Scope and Contents

Early entries about the initial interactions and conversations between Lillian Bonham and Sadakichi Hartmann.

Box 5, Item 10

#10 1908

Physical Description: 1 volume

Box 5, Item 11

#11 1908

Physical Description: 1 volume

Box 5, Item 12

Untitled Diary 1909

Physical Description: 1 volume small red leather pocket journal with two inserts

Language of Material: English.

art

Volume includes a watercolor sketch of Hartmann and Bonham.

Box 5, Item 13

Diary of L. "Dreamy" Bonham. New York. #12 1909-1910

Physical Description: 1 volume

Box 5, Item 14

Diary of Lillian Bonham. New York City. #13 1910

Physical Description: 1 volume

Scope and Contents

This diary includes entries after the death of Lillian Bonhams first child, Roderick.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Jeffries-Johnson world's championship boxing contest (Motion picture)

Box 6, Item 1

Dreamy's Diary Concerning Herself, Sadakichi, and Wistaria. #14 1912

Physical Description: 1 volume

Box 6, Item 2

#15 1915-1916

Physical Description: 1 volume

Scope and Contents

This volume includes a handful of tabs denoting points of interest in the diary.

Box 6, Item 3

#16 1917-1921

Physical Description: 1 volume

Box 6, Item 4

#17 1922-1923

Physical Description: 1 volume

Language of Material: English.

Box 6, Item 5

Lillian Bonham. Beaumont, Cal. #18 1924-1925

Physical Description: 1 volume

Box 6, Item 6

#19 1925-1926

Physical Description: 1 volume

Scope and Contents

July 4th entry reflects on stealing potatoes with Wistaria.

Box 6, Item 7

#20 1927-1929

Physical Description: 1 volume

Box 6, Item 8

#21 1929-1935

Physical Description: 1 volume

Box 6, Item 9

Diary Excerpt 1935

Physical Description: 1 folder

Series 3. Diary facsimiles 1907-1939

Series Scope and Contents

Most of these folders are facsimiles of the original volumes. There are several folders that have content different from the original diaries: the two folders of transcripts and the final folder dated up to 1939.

Series Arrangement

The diary facsimiles are arrnaged chronologically.

Box 7, Folder 1

Lillian Bonham Diary (transcript) 1907

Box 7, Folder 2

Lillian Bonham Diary (transcript) 1913-1917

Box 7, Folder 3

Lillian Bonham Diary 1907-1908

Box 7, Folder 4

Lillian Bonham Diary 1908-1909

Box 7, Folder 5

Lillian Bonham Diary 1909

Box 7, Folder 6

Dreamy's diary concerning herself, Sadakichi, and Wistaria 1912

Box 7, Folder 7

Lillian Bonham Diary 1912

Box 7, Folder 8

Lillian Bonham Diary 1912-1913

Box 7, Folder 9

Lillian Bonham Diary 1914

Box 7, Folder 10

Lillian Bonham Diary 1915-1916

Box 8, Folder 1

Lillian Bonham Diary 1917-1921

Box 8, Folder 2

Lillian Bonham Diary 1922-1923

Box 8, Folder 3

Lillian Bonham Diary 1924-1925

Box 8, Folder 4

Lillian Bonham Diary 1927-1929

Box 8, Folder 5

Lillian Bonham Diary 1937-1939

Scope and Contents

Final entry describes illness related to a cancerous tumor.

Series 4. Art and sketches 1904, 1936, undated

Series Scope and Contents

Series contains artwork, mostly sketches, by Lillian Bonham.

Box 13, Item 1

"A.(Astor)" undated

Physical Description: Mixed medium possibly colored pencil and pastels. Dimensions are 10 x 12.3."

Scope and Contents note

"A. (Astor). Would have preferred his name to be Ashley." Text written on the back.

Box 13, Item 9

"A Study of Values" undated

Physical Description: Drawing in graphite. Dimensions are 9.85 x 14"

Scope and Contents note

"Low Light, Middle, High Dark" is written on the front."Lillian Bonham in art school" is written on the back.

Box 12, Item 2

"Apparition" undated

Physical Description: Matted pastel. Dimensions are 13" x 17."

Box 13, Folder 3

"Art in Denver is a rarity. This Sadakichi saw with clarity…" undated

Physical Description: Ink and white-out. Dimensions are 8 x 13.2"

Scope and Contents note

Text is part of the artwork.

Box 9, Folder 1

Book Plate Designs undated

Physical Description: 1 folder

Scope and Contents

Bookplate graphics designed by Lillian Bonham

Box 13, Folder 8

"Cyclamen flowers of crimson height" undated

Physical Description: Drawing in graphite. Dimensions are 10 x 11.8"

Scope and Contents note

Written on the front of the drawing: "Lillian in art school. Cyclamen flowers of crimson height 10 inches."

Box 9, Folder 3

Drawings and Artwork undated

Physical Description: 1 folder

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Sketches, cartoons, and drawings by Lillian Bonham. Some sketches are of Sadakichi Hartmann.

Box 9, Folder 4

Ex Libris Sadakichi Hartmann undated

Physical Description: 1 folder

Box 9, Folder 5

The Faded Lily undated

Physical Description: 1 folder

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Unfinished pastel self-portrait of Lillian Bonham. Reverse has a crayon sketch of two cats.

Box 9, Folder 8

"The Grape Juice Smile" undated.

Physical Description: Ink drawing on fiberboard.

Scope and Contents

Drawing of a profile of an older man with glasses and geometric facial features.

Box 14, Item 2

"Hopi Thunderbird" undated

Physical Description: Ink and watercolor painting.

Conditions Governing Access

Painting is extremely fragile and cannot be handled.

Box 9, Folder 9

Ink Sketch of Sadakichi Hartmann undated

Physical Description: 1 folder

Material Specific Details: Black ink on tissue

Box 12, Item 5

"Marigold II" undated

Physical Description: Uncertain medium.Pastel or colored pencil. Matted. Dimensions are 12.5 x 15.25"

Conditions Governing Access

Fragile.

Box 9, Folder 10

"Our New Secretary of State" undated

Physical Description : Ink based artwork on paper.

Scope and Contents

Artwork depicts a balding man with a beard and prominent eyebrows. "Mrs. Lillian B. Hartmann, Gillette, New Jersey" is written on the back.

framed-artwork 15, Item 6

"Portrait of Wistaria as a teen" undated

Physical Description: Framed pastel. Dimensions are 20H x 16W x 0.75"D.

Scope and Contents note

Title and description are written on the back of the artwork.

Box 9, Folder 14

Sadakichi on a Saturday Night undated

Physical Description: 1 folder

Box 12, Item 6

"San Jacinto Mountain" undated

Physical Description: Matted pastel and graphite. Dimensions are 11.7 x 14.5."

Scope and Contents note

Title written on the back.

Box 13, Item 15

"Self Portrait" undated

Physical Description: Pen and ink photo reproduction. Dimensions are 12.7 x 15.6"

Box 9, Folder 17

"Snow on Fuji" undated

Physical Description: 1 folder

Physical Description : Pastel on paper with matted frame. Artwork is loose from the matting.

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Pastel portrait of Sadakichi Hartmann by Lillian Bonham.

Box 9, Folder 16

"Social Lion" undated

Physical Description: 1 folder

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

Ink sketch of Sadakichi Hartmann by Lillian Bonham. Notes on paper were added by an unknown third party.

Box 13, Item 13

"Trailing arbutus" 1904

Physical Description: Matted watercolor and ink. Dimensions are 11.75 x 15.25"

Scope and Contents note

Title is written on the back. Artwork is unfinished.

Untitled artwork 13 June 1936

Physical Description: Unmatted oil painting. Dimensions are 17.6"x 11.7."

Scope and Contents note

Signed "L. Hartmann" on the back. Front of item has "Robert Hartmann. From mother."

Conditions Governing Access

Item being treated by preservationist.

Box 14, Item 1

Untitled artwork 3 undated

Physical Description: Matted pastel. Dimensions are 8.75 x 14.6."

Scope and Contents note

Pastel depicts a pussy willow.

Box 9, Folder 6

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Mounted photographic reproduction.

Scope and Contents note

Depicts a figure imitating dancing women. See also framed artwork Box 15, Item2.

Box 12, Item 1

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Matted pastel. Dimensions are 14 x 16.7."

Scope and Contents note

Pastel of a house and trees. "Lillian did not understand why her pastels did not sell like her husband's."

Box 12, Item 4

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Matted pastel. Dimensions are 13.3 x 16."

Scope and Contents note

Pastel depicts a bell with a crack; similar to the Liberty Bell.

Box 11, Item 3

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Mounted pastel. Dimensions are 8.75 x 11."

Scope and Contents note

Pastel of a house and trees.

Conditions Governing Access

Fragile. Handle carefully.

Box 13, Item 14

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Watercolor, gouache, and pastel. Dimensions are 13.1 x 17.75."

Scope and Contents note

Painting of gray and white flower.

Box 13, Item 4

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Watercolor and ink. Dimensions are 7.75 x 10.8."

Scope and Contents note

Painting depicts women playing tennis. Signed LB.

Box 13, Item 5

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Watercolor and pencil. Dimensions are 8.25 x 10.5."

Scope and Contents note

Red flowers on a branch.

Box 13, Item 12

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Mounted gouache and watercolor.Dimensions are 11.5 x 15.7."

Scope and Contents note

Painting of bright green shoe. Signed "B" in lower left.

Conditions Governing Access

Fragile.

Box 13, Folder 7

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Pen, ink, and white-out. Dimensions are 8 x 9.75"

Scope and Contents note

Depiction of a sleeping baby.

Box 12, Item 3

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Matted pastel. Dimensions are 15.85 x 13.5."

Scope and Contents note

Depicts a woman, rainbow, and water.

Box 11, Folder 2

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Matted. Pastel and graphite. Dimensions are 8.9 x 11.2"

Scope and Contents note

Artwork depicts a flower.

Box 14, Item 3

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Photographic reproduction. Dimensions are 15.7 x 19.9"

Scope and Contents note

Sadakichi Hartmann depicted with pagoda head. "LB" initials, the signature of Lillian Bonham are incoporated into the art.

Box 9, Folder 15

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Ink and paint on brown paper.

Scope and Contents

Ink and paint used to depict Sadakichi Hartmann with pagoda head. "LB, I think. WL. '92" is wrtten by Wistaria Linton in the lower right corner.See also Box 14, Item 3.

Box 11, Item 1

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Pastel. Dimensions are 9 x 12"

Scope and Contents note

Depiction of a bell that has a crack in it.

Box 13, Folder 6

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Watercolor, gouache and graphite. Dimensions are 6.4 x 11.85"

Scope and Contents note

Depiction of a flower. "Lillian in art school is written on the back."

Box 13, Item 2

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Drawing and watercolor on paper. Dimenisons are 9" x 12".

Scope and Contents note

Drawings of flower petals that are partially painted. "May Apple" is written in the lower right hand corner.

Processing Information

Attributed to Lillian Bonham by processing archivist.

Box 9, Folder 12

Untitled drawing undated

Physical Description: Drawing in pen ink on lined notebook paper.

Scope and Contents

A profile of herself drawn by Lillian Bonham. "Lillian Russel Bonham H" is written by the bottom.

Box 13, Item 10

Untitled drawing undated

Physical Description: Drawing in charcoal and pencil.

Scope and Contents note

"White Light middle. Middle Dark Black." is written on the front of the drawing.

Conditions Governing Access

Fragile.

Box 13, Item 11

Untitled photographs

Physical Description: Two black and white photographs. One mounted photograph is 10.7 x 15.75." The unmounted photograph is 11 x 15.75"

Scope and Contents note

Two photographs of a relief of Walt Whitman.

framed-artwork 15, Item 2

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Framed photographic reproduction. Dimensions are 15.5H x 12.5W x 0.5"D.

Scope and Contents note

Depicts a figure imitating dancing women in the background.

framed-artwork 15, Item 3

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Framed pastel. Dimensions are 16.75H x 19.5W x 1"H.

Scope and Contents note

Pastel of desert plants with a mountain in the background.

framed-artwork 1, Item 5

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Framed pastel. Dimensions are 23.5H x 16W x 1"D.

Scope and Contents note

Artwork depicts clothing draped on a chair.

framed-artwork 15, Item 1

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Framed pastel. Dimensions are 13.5H x 10W x 0.75"D.

Scope and Contents note

Pastel depicts a mountain with a fire, smoke, and clouds in the background.

framed-artwork 15, Item 4

Untitled artwork undated

Physical Description: Framed pastel. Dimensions are 15H x 12W x 0.75"D.

Scope and Contents note

Pastel of flowers.

Box 14, Item 4

Untitled reproduction undated

Physical Description: Mounted reproduction on paper with in-painting. Dimensions are 14 x 17.5"

Scope and Contents note

Reproduction of Leonardo DaVinci self-portrait.

Box 12, Item 7

"Young girl" undated

Physical Description: Mounted pastel. Dimensions are 13.75 x 16.75."

Scope and Contents note

"Young Girl" written on the back.

Conditions Governing Access

Fragile.

Series 5. Other documents 1912-1939, undated

Series Scope and Contents

Series contains assorted materials including a photo album, poem, and other documents.

Box 9, Folder 2

Cedric baby momentos 1934

Box 9, Folder 7

"The Flower Smeller" 1917

Scope and Contents

Facsimile of The Little Review, Vol 111, No 10, April 1917 which includes a poem by Lillian Bonham

Box 9, Folder 11

Poem Scrap undated

Box 9, Folder 13

Publishing Balance 1912

Box 9, Folder 18

"That's Me" undated

Box 9, Folder 19

Various notes 1913 & 1915

Scope and Contents

Handwritten notes by Lillian Bonham.

Box 9, Folder 20

WPA field transfer notice 1939

Physical Description: Photocopy

Scope and Contents

A field transfer notice for Lillian Bonham from the Works Progress Administration.

Box 10

Photo album undated

Physical Description: 1 volume

Scope and Contents

A book titled God's Heroes repurposed as a photo album. Pictures are primarily of Sadakichi and Lillian's children: Astor, Wisteria, Tansy, Jonquille, and Robert, with a few pictures of Lillian and Sadakichi.