Gerald John Kane Autograph Collection mssHM 29330-30299
Gayle Richardson
The Huntington Library
May 2020
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Note
Finding aid last updated on March 26, 2024 by Kelly Kress.
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Gerald John Kane autograph collection
Creator:
Kane, Gerald John, 1901-1957
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 29330-30299
Physical Description:
43.03 Linear Feet
(37 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1666-1953
Abstract: A group of autographs from American politicians, soldiers, clergyman, and actors, collected by Gerald John Kane; the collection
covers the years 1666 to 1953.
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
mssHM 29330-30299. The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from William P. Wreden, 1961.
Biographical / Historical
Gerald John Kane (1901-1957) was an American collector of autographs and western lore. Kane was born in Chicago but spent
most of his life in Nevada. He was interested in the history and development of Nevada and the American West and amassed a
large collection of miscellaneous papers, from various sources, dealing with the business, industry, and daily life of its
people. Kane was also interested in collecting autographs of famous people; to further his interests, he established and operated
a small shop in San Francisco called "The Trading Post." He later moved to Reno, Nevada, and died there in 1957.
Scope and Contents
A collection of approximately 2000 manuscripts, chiefly individual letters, documents, and notes collected by Gerald John
Kane for their autograph value. Also included in the collection is a group of letters addressed to the autograph collector
Howes Norris.
Processing Information
Processed by Huntington Staff, circa 1965. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the finding aid derived from a legacy in-house
summary report.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Related Materials
The Gerald John Kane autograph collection (mssHM 29330-30299) is part of a larger collection of material acquired from William
Wreden that was separated into three distinct collections. The other two collections are: Gerald John Kane literary collection
(mssKAL), and Gerald John Kane collection (mssKane); the three collections are now cataloged separately with linked provenance.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Autographs -- Collectors and collecting -- United States
Manuscripts, American -- Collectors and collecting -- United States
Autographs -- United States
Collections (object groupings) -- United States
Letters (correspondence) -- United States
Norris, Howes
Box 32
Ephemera and illegible letters
Box 33
Musical scores, indentures, etc.
Box 34
Additional autographs A-Z
Box 35
Card Index to Autographs - As filed by Kane
Box 36
Index to names in autograph collection
Box 37, Folder 1
Miscellaneous documents executed in the state of New York which include deeds, indentures, contracts, receipts, affidavits,
and memorandas.
HM 34948
1772-1871
Box 37, Folder 2
Miscellaneous documents executed in the state of New Hampshire which include warrants, quit claim deeds, indentures, and appointments HM 34949
1755-1823
Box 37, Folder 3
Miscellaneous papers including documents of Massachusetts Commonwealth (deeds, contracts, etc.); Massachusetts Historical
Society; other receipts, permits and stock certificates executed in the state of Massachusetts
HM 34950
1793-1918
Box 37, Folder 4
Two Indentures executed in the state of Delaware HM 34952
1775-1793
Box 37, Folder 5
Miscellaneous papers executed in the state of Pennsylvania which include a deed and indentures HM 34953
1774-1823
Box 37, Folder 6
Miscellaneous documents executed in the state of Pennsylvania which include contracts, deeds, and indentures HM 34969
1774-1880
Box 37, Folder 7
"Permits to Pass" issued by the State Department and envoys extraordinary, Washington, D.C. HM 34970
1859-1910
Box 37, Folder 8
Diplomas awarded by Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut HM 34971
1795-1843
Box 37, Folder 9
Miscellaneous documents executed by the state of New York including requests, certifications, licenses (to practice law),
approval of wills, a court order, promissory note, warrant, and notary appointment
HM 34973
1800-1881
