Edward Hoit Nutter Papers: Finding Aid mssNutter

Kelly Kress
The Huntington Library
July 2022
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org


Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
Title: Edward Hoit Nutter papers
Identifier/Call Number: mssNutter
Physical Description: 3.46 Linear Feet (4 boxes and 1 oversize folder)
Date (inclusive): 1902-1964
Abstract: Materials related to the life and career of Edward Hoit Nutter, an American mining engineer who helped develop a flotation system important in the field of industrial mineral processing.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

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

Conditions Governing Use

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]. Edward Hoit Nutter papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Susan Nutter and Edward Nutter, May 2022.

Biographical / Historical

Edward Hoit Nutter was born May 24, 1876, in Healdsburg, California. He attended Stanford University and received a degree in mining and geology. Nutter worked for several mining companies around the United States before going to London in 1910 to work for Minerals Separation, Ltd., where he helped develop and introduce their flotation process to the United States and Canada. Through his work for the firm and its American subsidiary, the Minerals Separation American Syndicate Ltd., Nutter was involved in the evolution of the technology as well as efforts to control it by taking out multiple patents. Nutter married Gertrude Monier Allen in 1905, and the couple had three children: Edward Allen, Katherine Louise, and Sheldon Hoit. He remained connected to Stanford University throughout his life and after his retirement began to study Emanuel Swedenborg, the 18th century Swedish metallurgist and philosopher who founded a religion. Edward Hoit Nutter died March 1, 1960, in Los Gatos, California.

Scope and Contents

Materials related to the life and career of Edward Hoit Nutter, including personal and business correspondence, legal documents, business records, tax documents, scientific reports, stock certificates, patent filings, biographical papers, and photographs. Business materials include correspondence and legal documents regarding patents and patent litigation, the reorganization of Minerals Separation Ltd., and Nutter's other business investments and engineering enterprises. There is correspondence with prominent mining industry figures including John Casper Branner, Ralph Arnold, Herbert C. Hoover and his brother, Theodore Hoover. Other predominant subjects include politics and economics in the United States; Nutter's involvement with Stanford University, both as a mining engineer and as a donor; and his research and personal interest in the Swedenborgian faith.

Processing Information

Processed at the time of accessioning by Kelly Kress in July 2022.

Arrangement

Collection is arranged according to the existing order of the materials.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Business records
Mining engineering -- History
Photographs
Patent laws and legislation -- United States
Patents -- United States
Hoover, Herbert C.
Hoover, Theodore J. (Theodore Jesse), 1871-1955
Stanford University. Department of Geology and Mining
Swedenborg, Emanuel, 1688-1772

Box 1, Folder 1-3

Patents 1912-1929

Scope and Contents

Materials related to mineral flotation technology, including a copy of H.J. Stander's The Flotation Process; depositions from a court case; and copies of Edward Hoit Nutter's patents.
Box 2, Folder 1-9

Early correspondence 1909-1920

Scope and Contents

The contents of an accordion folder with both business and personal letters dated between 1909 and 1920, including correspondence from Theodore J. Hoover and other business contacts.
Box 3, Folder 1-29

Files 1911-1964

Scope and Contents

Primarily Edward Hoit Nutter's business files, including papers and correspondence related to Minerals Separation company and claims against them, other business ventures, and dealings with Stanford University. Also includes some collected files about American politics, as well as Nutter's personal remembrances, stock certificates, and other correspondence.

Processing Information

The majority of original folders have been replaced due to conservation concerns, but Nutter's original folder titles have been retained. Files are a mixture of business and personal, and were arranged alphabetically to facilitate use.
Box 4, Folder 1-9

Personal 1902-1957

Scope and Contents

Personal and biographical information about Edward Hoit Nutter, including resumes and family biographies, his Stanford diploma, and some photographs. There is also a 1906 notebook with Nutter's handwritten notes, some correspondence with his son Sheldon Nutter, and correspondence and papers related to Emanuel Swedenborg and the Swedenborgian faith.
Folder Oversize 1

American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers 1953

Scope and Contents

Award and invitation mounted on poster.