Finding Aid to the Philatelic Collection MS.518

Holly Rose Larson
Library and Archives at the Autry
2012 September 28
210 South Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
rroom@theautry.org


Contributing Institution: Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: Philatelic Collection
Creator: Tufts, Charlotte
Identifier/Call Number: MS.518
Physical Description: 1.3 Linear Feet (3 albums, 1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1861-1983
Abstract: Items in this collection date from 1861-1983 and include stamps, covers or envelopes, newspaper clippings, typed articles, and correspondence. Materials include an envelope collection of covers from 1861 that mostly deal with politics, race relations, and the Civil War; stamps, covers, articles, and clippings spanning 1961-1969 and regarding mostly the American West, Native Americans, and Mexico. Materials in this binder originate from the Czech Republic, Mexico, and the United States.
Language of Material: English .

Scope and Contents

This collection of stamps, envelopes, and related items was started by Southwest Museum librarian, Charlotte Tufts in 1966. Items in the collection were accessioned between 1954 and 1983. Items in the collection date from 1861-1983 and include stamps, covers or envelopes, newspaper clippings, typed articles, and correspondence.
The collection consists of four loose-leaf binders and one separate vertical file. Three of the binders hold an envelope collection of covers from 1861 that mostly deal with politics, race relations, and the Civil War. One binder contains stamps, covers, articles, and clippings spanning 1961-1969 and regarding mostly the American West, Native Americans, and Mexico. Materials in this binder originate from the Czech Republic, Mexico, and the United States. The vertical file contains one stamp produced in 1953 depicting the 1853 Gadsden Purchase, and was donated to the Southwest Museum by Dr. B. Sacks, 1954 June.

Processing History

Processed by Glenna Schroeder, circa 1977-1981. Finding aid completed by Holly Rose Larson, NHPRC Processing Archivist, 2012 September 28, made possible through grant funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commissions (NHPRC).

Preferred Citation

Philatelic Collection, 1861-1983, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.518; [folder number] [folder title][date].

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Conditions Governing Access

Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives  and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

Acquisition

Donations from Dr. B. Sacks, 1954 June; Dr. V. S. Karpenko, 1966 June; Dr. Emil Holub; E. St. Vraz; and Southwest Museum Librarian Charlotte Tufts.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Collectibles
Indians of North America
Clippings
Correspondence
Stamp collections
Mexico -- History -- Collectibles
Indians of North America -- History
Envelopes
Stamps
United States -- Politics and government

 

Notebook 1

Scope and Contents

Sheet of Mexican 10 cent stamps of various ships, 50 stamps, all different, 1967-8 Sheet of Mexican 10 cent stamps of coats of arms of Mexican states (?), 50 stamps, all different, 1966-7 Sheet of Mexican 10 cent stamps of different Mexican products, 50 stamps, all different, 1968-9 Mexican numbered souvenir sheets pre-Olympic stamps 1965, for Olympics in Mexico 1968 (2) 5 stamps, the ones displayed in the preceding entry Newspaper clippings re: Mexican pre-Olympic stamp souvenir sheet Marconi's Monthly Stamp News, re: archaeology on stamps "American Indians on Czech stamps" June 1966, by B. Hlinka in Tropical Time, typed copy Article on same from Western Stamp Collector 19 July 1966 Article on same from Linn's Weekly Stamp News 7 stamps as discussed above Envelope with all 7 cancelled stamps Article "Indians on postage stamps" by Charlotte Tufts from Masterkey, 1967 Chief Joseph 6 cent stamp Article on Chief Joseph stamp Linn's Weekly Stamp News, 7 Oct 1968 "Where the West begins" "Where the West begins" cover with 5 cent "Jerked down" by Charles M. Russell stamp, 1966 Article regarding picture "Where the West begins" from Philately, 30 July 1966 Article on sale of Henry H. Clifford Western Postal History Collection for $80,000 plus Western Stamp Collector, 25 Feb 1969 1st day of issue California 200th Anniversary of settlement and cover, 16 July 1969 Cover 200th Anniversary Calif. missions—San Diego Cover 200th Anniversary Calif. missions—San Gabriel Cover 200th Anniversary Calif. missions—San Buenaventura Cover 200th Anniversary Calif. missions—map Cover 200th Anniversary Calif. missions—Santa Barbara Cover 200th Anniversary Calif. missions—San Luis Rey Cover 200th Anniversary Calif. missions—Santa Inez Cover 200th Anniversary Calif. missions—San Fernando Cover 200th Anniversary Calif. missions—San Juan Capistrano (all with California Centennial 1950 stamps) Article Linn's Stamp Weekly, 7 July 1969, on American Legion stamp with Fremont Flag 3 covers, different Apache pictures 3 covers, Cocopah pictures Airmail postcard with pictures & ad. "visit the USA" "Last pack mail run" cover Article on above cover WSC, 23 Nov 1965 "Visit the USA" aircard article Philately, 26 Apr 1966 Cover with "Ishi in 2 worlds" stamped on Cover with "America's Tribute to the Indian" 8-11 Aug 1968 Alaska purchased Centennial covers, 1967 Seward Day, 30 March 1867 Copper day in Cordova, 8 Apr 1911 1st air mail to Nome, 18 May 1927 Cenpex, 5 July Golden spike completing Alaska railroad, 15 July 1923 Train links Skagway & Whitehorse, 29, July 1908 Wickersham Day, 24 Aug 1912—Alaska became territory Amundson at Nome, 1 Sept 1096 Discovery of gold on Anvil Creek, 20 Sept 1898 Russian territory becomes American—Sitka, 18 Oct 1867 Honoring early pilots, 9 Nov 1929 Article on Alaska Purchase stamp Western Stamp Collector, 12 Jan 1967 Cover 100th birthday of Frederick Remington, 1961 Cover Charles Marion Russell, 1964 Cover Cal Poly Pony Express ride, 1967 British postage meter stamp Jeff Dykes Western books Envelope
 

Notebook 2, 3, box

Scope and Contents

292 Envelopes total. They have cartoon pictures and poetry, most often unmailed (all except 1 or 2 were not). Mostly Northern and appear to be from 1861. The dated ones all are and none of the things being commented upon occurred after 1861.
Source uncertain. With them as a letter from Lummis to Colgrove (1910) which mentions book of War envelopes. Also advertisement from a 1968 catalogue regarding a collection of over 800 being sold for $400.
34 covers—Animals 71 covers—Biographical Genernal Benjamin F. Butler (2) Jefferson Davis (22) Elmer Ellsworth (11) George B. McClellan (3) Winfield Scott (10) George Washington (8) single envelopes: Robert Anderson Nathaniel P. Banks P.G.T. Beauregard John Brown W.G. "Parson" Brownlow Abraham Lincoln Gen. Lyon Wm. S. Rosecrans Franz Siegal Silas H. Stringham John E. Wool multiple biography (4) Cotton (4) Death symbols (13) Devils (9) Equipment (6) Flags (58) secession (7) with eagles (10) with Miss Liberty (13) with people (16) U.S.A. only (12) Negroes (17) State Emblems (24) Uniforms and Military (18) Women (9) Miscellaneous (30) Non-Civil War (1)