Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Prather, Elmer Sidney, 1872-
- Abstract:
- The collection consists of correspondence and an astrological life reading created by Clay Burton Vance, a conman in the early 20th century who became well known internationally for selling false astrological readings. Vance, which was the pseudonym of Elmer Sidney Prather, would sell personal "Complete Life Readings" to people for a large fee, but provided them with a mass produced reading instead. Materials in the collection include a letter from Vance to a Miss E.B. Bell of Nunthorpe, England written in 1911, selling her the reading, as well as the actual "Complete Life Reading" for Miss Bell sent shortly thereafter.
- Extent:
- 0.21 linear feet (1 box)
- Language:
- The collection is in English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], [date if possible]. Clay Burton Vance astrology reading collection (MS 079). Special Collections & University Archives, University of California, Riverside.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection consists of correspondence and an astrological life reading created by Clay Burton Vance, a conman in the early 20th century who became well known internationally for selling false astrological readings. Vance, which was the pseudonym of Elmer Sidney Prather, would sell personal "Complete Life Readings" to people for a large fee, but provided them with a mass produced reading instead. Materials in the collection include a letter from Vance to a Miss E.B. Bell of Nunthorpe, England written in 1911, selling her the reading, as well as the actual "Complete Life Reading" for Miss Bell sent shortly thereafter.
- Acquisition information:
- Purchased in 2020.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is unprocessed. Please contact Special Collections & University Archives regarding the availability of materials for research use.
- Terms of access:
-
Material is in the public domain. No restrictions on use.
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], [date if possible]. Clay Burton Vance astrology reading collection (MS 079). Special Collections & University Archives, University of California, Riverside.
- Location of this collection:
-
University of California, Riverside - Special Collections and University ArchivesP.O. Box 5900Riverside, CA 92517-5900, US
- Contact:
- (951) 827-3233