Finding aid to the Herbert N. Lowe Papers LA.1966.0816

Finding aid prepared by Marie Myers

San Diego Natural History Museum Research Library

2018-05-09

1788 El Prado, Balboa Park

San Diego, CA 92101

library@sdnhm.org

URL: http://sdnhm.org/science/research-library

Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: San Diego Natural History Museum Research Library

Title: Herbert N. Lowe Papers

Creator: Lowe, Herbert N. (Herbert Nelson), 1879-1936

Identifier/Call Number: LA.1966.0816

Physical Description: .25 Linear Feet. Four folders of material including correspondence, checklists, manuscripts, and photographs.

Date (bulk): 1896-1934

Abstract: The Herbert N. Lowe Papers, 1896-1934 consist of four folders of conchological research material including correspondence, checklists, manuscripts, and photographs.

Container: Box 300

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of four folders including correspondence and research material (collected 1930-1934) regarding Lowe's manuscript for publication, New Species of Mollusks from Gulf of California and West Mexico; correspondence with H. A. Pilsbry of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia (bulk 1896-1934); information on the Lowe endowment in support of the Lowe Conchological Collection, Marine Invertebrates Department of the San Diego Natural History Museum; b/w photographs of Lowe and others on collecting trip to Sonora, Mexico in 1934; also includes a few personal photographs of Lowe (15 photographs total).

Biographical / Historical

Herbert Nelson Lowe was born on July 2, 1879 in Lake City, Minnesota. The son of farmers, Lowe moved to California in the late 1890s where he started collecting shells and began a long correspondence with Henry A. Pilsbry, Curator of Marine Invertebrates at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Lowe operated a flower shop in Long Beach and in 1908 married Margaret Louise Fitts; they later divorced. Lowe traveled extensively on collecting trips to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. He financed and participated in a San Diego Natural History Museum collecting trip to Porto Libertad and George's Bay, Sonora, Mexico in February, 1934, under the direction of Laurence M. Huey. Lowe died on June 10, 1936 in Long Beach, California. He bequeathed his extensive shell collection and library to the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to researchers by appointment. Contact the Research Library Director, San Diego Natural History Museum.

Conditions Governing Use

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Herbert N. Lowe Papers, 1896-1934. San Diego Natural History Museum Research Library, San Diego, CA.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Conchology

Manuscripts for publication

Mollusks

Shells

Pilsbry, Henry Augustus, 1861-1957

Box 300, Folder 1

Research material 1930-1934

Scope and Contents

One folder of research material including handwritten checklist, typescript manuscript of New Species of Mollusks from Gulf of California and West Mexico (collected 1930-1934). Includes illustrations and photographs of shells in preparation for inclusion in manuscript.

Box 300, Folder 2

Letters of H. A. Pilsbry 1896-1934

Scope and Contents

One folder of letters from H. A. Pilsbry regarding collection and identification of mollusks.

Box 300, Folder 3

Letter regarding Lowe Endowment 1987

Scope and Contents

One folder containing second page only of letter to Dr. Richard Brusca, dated June 4, 1987, regarding the Lowe Endowment of the Marine Invertebrates Department; signed by Richard S. Bundy, President, San Diego Society of Natural History and Frederick R. Schram, Acting Executive Director, San Diego Natural History Museum.

Box 300, Folder 4

Photographs 1880-1936

Scope and Contents

One folder containing 15 b/w photographic prints. Includes views of February 1934 collecting trip to Sonora, Mexico with Laurence M. Huey, Lorenzo H. Cooke et al. Locations include Porto Libertad, Punta Penasco (Sonora, Mexico); Lowe's Conchological Museum at his residence in Long Beach, California; Lowe's Flower Shop in Long Beach; and one cabinet card photograph of Lowe as a child (1892-1893).