Ferdinand J. Dreer papers, 1719-1936, bulk 1840-1890

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Summary

Creators:
Dreer, Ferdinand J. (Ferdinand Julius), 1812-1902
Abstract:
A collection of correspondence, documents, photographs, and family material of American jewelry manufacturer and philanthropist Ferdinand Julius Dreer.
Extent:
2.7 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English and German.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Ferdinand J. Dreer papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of 274 items which contains personal and family papers of Ferdinand J. Dreer. Included are: a typescript biography of Dreer (approximately 1895), fifty letters and documents addressed to him (including a few letters from Benson John Lossing), letters addressed to Edwin Greble Dreer, grandson of Ferdinand J. Dreer, papers related to the Wichtermans, the family of his grandparents, miscellaneous tributes in verse written in memory of Dreer family members. Also included are family photographs, memorabilia, newspaper clippings, and ephemera. There are a few miscellaneous documents relating to Jonathan Dickinson, first President of Princeton, and genealogies of Dreer, Annin, Miller, and Dickinson families.

Biographical / historical:

Ferdinand Julius Dreer (1812-1902), was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a jewelry manufacturer, philanthropist, and autograph collector. Dreer was a member of the firm Annan and Dreer, assayers and manufacturers of gold chains, and also the founder of the firm Dreer and Hayes. Dreer was actively involved in the Philadelphia Academy of Music, Howard Hospital, and Philadelphia Female Medical College.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mrs. Otto J. Zahn, September 1960.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library Staff, July 1975. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the finding aid derived from legacy in-house summary report.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Ferdinand J. Dreer papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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