The Planetary Society records, 1910-2016, bulk 1980-2016

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Summary

Creators:
Planetary Society
Abstract:
This collection consists of material created by and related to The Planetary Society since its beginning in 1980 and up to 2016.
Extent:
76.6 Linear Feet (175 boxes and 2 oversize folders)
Language:
The material is primarily in English but there is some Russian and Japanese.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], The Planetary Society records, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of material created by and related to The Planetary Society since its beginning in 1980 and up to 2016 (although there is also some material earlier than 1980). It contains Board of Directors correspondence, memorandums, and meeting minutes; material related to public relations, events, fundraising and membership; copies of The Planetary Report (not a complete set); NASA photo files; material related to the Solar Sail and the Mars Rover program; NASA, JPL, and space exploration in general; Apollo reports; the Hubble Telescope; and US and Russian cooperation in space (including Planetary Society staff's trips to Russia). The collection also contains photographs and negatives; video cassette tapes and film; clippings; T-shirts, posters, badges, stickers, memorabilia; artwork; and miscellaneous material. There is material both about and by: Carl Sagan (including his 265-page curriculum vitae), Bruce Murray, Louis Friedman, Bill Nye, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Buzz Aldrin. There is artwork by space artists Ron Miller, Michael W. Carroll and Mark Paternostro among others. Although there are series entitled "Clippings," "Photographs," "Mars," "Carl Sagan," etc., those formats and the topics can be found in other series in the collection.

Biographical / historical:

The Planetary Society was founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman. Its initial purpose was to demonstrate that the public strongly supported planetary exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life. As the group expanded its membership, it began sponsoring research projects, publishing a magazine and a website, holding events to celebrate exploration, and educating young people. The Planetary Society is the largest and most influential public space organization group on Earth. It is based in Pasadena, California.

Acquisition information:
Gift of The Planetary Society, June 2016.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in the following series: Apollo Program Reports (Boxes 1-5); Board of Directors (Boxes 6-12); Clippings (Boxes 33-52); Mailings (Boxes 53-60); Photographs (Boxes 61-86); The Planetary Report (Boxes 87-89); Public Relations and Events (Boxes 90-109); Solar Sail (Boxes 110-135); Subject and Presentation Slides (Boxes 136-139); Mars (Boxes 140-141); Miscellaneous and Ephemera (Boxes 142-145); Negatives (Sets) (Boxes 146-147); Audio-Visual (Boxes 148-165); Merchandise/Memorabilia (Boxes 166-168); and Rolled/Oversize and Artwork (Boxes 169-175 and 2 oversize folders).

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department.

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 permission rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], The Planetary Society records, 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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