Finding Aid for the E Clampus Vitus Records LSC.1796
Finding aid prepared by Dan Luckenbill; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé
UCLA Library Special Collections
© 1999
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
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Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: E Clampus Vitus Records
Creator:
E Clampus Vitus (Fraternal order)
Identifier/Call Number: LSC.1796
Physical Description:
2 boxes
(1 linear ft.)
Physical Description:
1 oversize box
Date (inclusive): 1935-1970
Abstract: The revival of E Clampus Vitus was begun by Carl I. Wheat and others around 1931 as a parody of mining fraternities of the
nineteenth century. E Clampus Vitus events were organized around historical anniversaries or in a place of historical significance.
The collection consists of correspondence, membership rosters, and artifacts related to events and activites of the California
chapters of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus.
Physical Location: Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Restrictions on Access
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained
by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue
the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
- Gift of Lindley Bynum.
- Gift of Andrew Horn.
- Gift of Ward Ritchie, 1957.
- Gift of Estate of W.W. Robinson.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], E Clampus Vitus Records (Collection 1796). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research
Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
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Biography
Revival of E Clampus Vitus was begun by Carl I. Wheat and others around 1931 as a parody of mining fraternities of the nineteenth
century; E Clampus Vitus almost always organized its events around historical anniversaries or in a place of historical information;
a history of the organization can be found in the book,
Credo Quia Absurdum (Placerville, California: Onager Press, 1949).
Biographical Narrative
The history of the Ancient & Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus is given in the book
Credo quia absurdum (Placerville, California, 1949). The present social organization is a revival of mining fraternities of the nineteenth century,
parodies of the then-popular mysterious fraternal orders. The present organization delights in the mock-serious aspects of
the originals.
E Clampus Vitus almost always organizes its events around historical anniversaries or in a place of historical importance,
so that keepsakes and announcements offer historical information, as well as providing records of the club's activities. Often
the keepsakes are printed by noted California printers, such as Lawton Kennedy.
Prominent Californians were involved with the revival of the organization in the early nineteen-thirties, so that the history
and papers of the organization are important in a study of California. Carl I. Wheat was one of the first to start the revival,
around 1931. The present collection is made up of items donated by Lindley Bynum, Andrew Horn and Ward Ritchie; and of items
from the W.W. Robinson collection.
note: Because of the completeness of materials collected by W.W. Robinson held in the Department of Special Collections, items
taken from that collection have been stamped with his name. Other items not pertaining to the individuals above have been
distributed throughout this collection without indicating the donor.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of correspondence, membership rosters, and artifacts related to events and activites of the California
chapters of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus.
Organization and Arrangement
Arranged in the following series:
- Materials with notes to or by W.W. Robinson, Lindley Bynum, Andrew Horn, and Ward Ritchie (Box 1)
- Statewide (Box 1)
- Platrix (Los Angeles) chapter (Box 1)
- Other chapters (Box 2)
- Events (Box 2)
- General publications and newsletters (Box 2)
- Oversize documents and keepsakes (Box 3)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
E Clampus Vitus (Fraternal order)--Archives.
Materials (Memorabilia, Notes, Correspondence, etc.)
General note
With notes to or by the following:
box 1, folder 1
W.W. Robinson,
1949-51 and n.d.
box 1, folder 2
Lindley Bynum (Officer of Platrix Chapter),
1949-57 and n.d.
box 1, folder 3
Lindley Bynum. Correspondence, much of it dealing with the workings of the organization,
1943-58 and n.d.
box 1, folder 4
Andrew Horn,
1950 and n.d.
box 1, folder 5
Ward Ritchie. Early membership mailings,
1935-36.
box 1, folder 6
Ward Ritchie,
1949-50 and n.d.
box 1, folder 8
Printed items, reports, announcements, etc.
1947, 1955, mostly n.d.
box 1, folder 9
Clippings.
1940, 1948, 1953 and n.d.
Platrix (Los Angeles) Chapter
box 1, folder 10
Rosters. Printed,
1953, 1956, 1960, 1963.
box 1, folder 11
Rosters. Mimeographed,
1950-51 and n.d.
box 1, folder 12
Draft:
Initiatory ceremonies of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E.C.V., for May 21, 1949 conclave. 8 leaves. Carbon typescript. Initiatory Ceremonies of the Ancient & Honorable Order of E.C.V., Platrix Chapter. 10 leaves.
Mimeograph. Initiatory ceremonies of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E.C.V., Platrix Chapter. 3 leaves. Incomplete carbon
typescript.
n.d. n.d.
box 1, folder 13
Petition for membership forms.
n.d.
box 1, folder 14
Letterhead samples, printed envelopes.
n.d.
box 1, folder 15
Letterhead mailings,
1949-57.
box 1, folder 16
Announcements of events, mimeographed or small.
1935-49 and n.d.
box 1, folder 17
Announcements of events,
1949-58 and n.d.
General Physical Description note: Legal size or larger.
box 1, folder 18
Announcements of events, using old newspaper mastheads,
1954-61 and n.d.
box 1, folder 19
Reservation forms for events,
1950-55 and n.d.
box 1, folder 20
Miscellaneous enclosures sent with announcements. Mimeographed maps, historical notes relevant to sites visited, etc.
n.d.
box 1, folder 21
Postcard announcements,
1936-39.
box 1, folder 22
Postcard announcements,
1941-44; 1946-49.
box 1, folder 23
Postcard announcements,
1950-55.
box 1, folder 24
Postcard announcements,
1956- and n.d.
box 1, folder 25
Keepsakes.
1960-61, 1970.
box 2, folder 1
Hangtown (Placerville). Printed roster, letterhead sample, announcements, etc.
1938-58 and n.d.
box 2, folder 2
Yerba Buena (San Francisco). Letterhead samples, newsletters, keepsakes, etc. Includes items printed by Lawton Kennedy.
1936-57, 1962.
box 2, folder 3
Las Plumas del Oro. Announcement, (County Centennial) and
1954 1956.
box 2, folder 4
Downie. Membership application,
n.d.
box 2, folder 5
Matuca. Announcement,
1949.
box 2, folder 6
Coloma celebration, 100th anniversary of the discovery of gold, Announcements, programs, newspaper, etc.
1948.
box 2, folder 7
Mariposa Centennial. Announcement, reservation forms, brochures, newspapers.
1954.
box 2, folder 8
Fresno. 100th anniversary of Fresno County, Announcements.
1956.
General Publications, Newsletters
box 2, folder 9
Announcements of E Clampus Vitus publications.
1935, 1937(?) 1949, 1956.
box 2, folder 10
The Clamper: Official Publication of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus. Stockton, California,
1961- .
Scope and Contents note
vol.1 no.1-6; vol.2 no.1-5; vol.3 no.1-4; vol.4 no.1,2,4.
box 2, folder 11
The Hewgag Brays. Cedar Springs,
1962(?)-May 5, 1962; September 29, 1962.
box 2, folder 12
Mariposa Gazette. Mariposa, vol.83 no.1. Has headline: Official Organ of E Clampus Vitus.
June 4, 1936.
box 2, folder 13
The Placer Herald: Official Organ, Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus. Auburn, Placer County, California, Saturday, vol.83 no.40.
June 1, 1935.
box 3
The Pony Express: Stories of Pioneers and Old Trails. Placerville,
1934(?)- .
Scope and Contents note
vol.16 no.8-9; vol.17 no.2,8-9; vol.18 no.2,11; vol.20 no.3 (These issues 1950-53).
Oversize Announcements, Keepsakes, etc.