Charles Irving Clay Papers, Letters 1892-1918 (date span) 1904-1910 (bulk dates); Photographs 1932-1968
Collection context
Summary
Background
- Scope and content:
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The collection comprises 14 folders containing 144 letters, 4 postcards and 39 photographs. There are three series: PROFESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE includes an abundance of letters sent to Charles Irving Clay from 1894-1917. Included are letters requesting specimens, inquiries from organizations requesting C.I. Clay for specific jobs as well as letters informing him of his publications or requests for him to join clubs through memberships. PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE includes a wide variety correspondence ranging from 1892-1918 with J.A. Clay (C.I. Clay’s father), “Frankie” (C.I. Clay's wife) and various additional family members and close friends. PHOTOGRAPHS range from 1932-1968 and depict some specimens as well as living birds, various people and locations from travel. Many photos have written descriptions on the back.
- Biographical / historical:
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Charles Irving Clay worked in the field of ornithology, more specifically oology (the study of bird eggs, nests and breeding behaviors). He lived in Humboldt County but often worked for organizations that sent him elsewhere in the country to collect specimens.
- Acquisition information:
- This collection was donated by Ray Hillman to the University of Pacific. The University of Pacific donated the material to Cal Poly Humboldt’s Special Collections in 2023, as it relates to the C.I. Clay Oological Collection, which is open for research at Humboldt.
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- Letters 1892-1918 (date span) 1904-1910 (bulk dates); Photographs 1932-1968
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
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Open for research by appointment.
- Terms of access:
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Copyright has not been assigned to Cal Poly Humboldt. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce in any format please contact the Special Collections Librarian.
- Preferred citation:
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Charles Irving Clay Papers. Cal Poly Humboldt, Library Special Collections and Archives
- Location of this collection:
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Third Floor, Room 3031 Harpst StreetArcata, CA 95521-8299, US
- Contact:
- (707) 826-3419