Arnold (Ralph) Marine Specimen Drawings, approximately 1903-1906

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Summary

Title:
Ralph Arnold marine specimen drawings
Dates:
approximately 1903-1906
Creators:
Arnold, Ralph, 1875-1961
Abstract:
A collection of approximately 200 illustrations of marine specimens drawn by Ralph Arnold likely for use in his 1903 dissertation, "The Paleontology and Stratigraphy of the Marine Pliocene and Pleistocene of San Pedro, California," or possibly for use in his 1906 paper, "The Tertiary and Quaternary Pectens of California." Also includes a letter, envelope, and eleven additional illustrations addressed to his father, Delos Arnold.
Extent:
1.08 Linear Feet (1 binder)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Ralph Arnold marine specimen drawings, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of approximately 200 illustrations of marine specimens drawn by Ralph Arnold, likely for use in his 1903 dissertation, "The Paleontology and Stratigraphy of the Marine Pliocene and Pleistocene of San Pedro, California," or possibly for use in his 1906 paper, "The Tertiary and Quaternary Pectens of California."

The figures vary in size and depict various marine fossils. Illustrations likely depict: conch shells (Strombidae); cowrie shells (Cypraeidae); volute shells (Volutidae); miter shells (Mitridae); conus shells (Conidae); scallop and mussel shells (Pectinidae); clam shells (Mercenaria); and tusk shells (Dentalium). Illustrations are in black ink, with some showing original pencil outlines and notes. Some of the specimens are labeled, and almost all include typed figure numbers that have been pasted on. The numbers often repeat, and the order is unclear.

Also included is an accompanying letter, envelope, and set of eleven illustrations addressed to Ralph's father, Delos Arnold. In the letter, Ralph describes experimenting with illustration styles and mentions the brachiopod species, Terebratalia hemphilli. Ralph likely collaborated with his father in identifying the specimens, as his letter describes sending identified illustrations to him for review.

Biographical / historical:

American geologist and petroleum engineer Ralph Arnold (1875-1961) was born in Marshalltown, Iowa on April 14, 1875 to Delos Arnold (1830-1909) and Hannah Richardson Mercer Arnold (1827-1905). Delos was a lawyer and Iowa state senator who became interested in the study of fossils after the discovery of crinoids fossils in LeGrand, Iowa. The Arnolds moved to Pasadena, California in 1886, and Ralph attended both Pasadena High School and Throop Polytechnic School (now the California Institute of Technology) before receiving a B.A. in geology and mining from Stanford in 1899. He continued at Stanford to complete an M.A. (1900) and Ph.D. (1902) in geology and paleontology. In 1899, Arnold married Frankie Winninette Stokes (1879-1946). The couple had two daughters, Winninette, who married chemist Richard M. Noyes, and Elizabeth (McKee). Arnold worked for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from 1900 to 1909, and from 1903 to 1909 published a variety of paleontological articles. He was active in petroleum surveys throughout the United States and organized the Petroleum Branch of the United States Bureau of Mines.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Stanford University Libraries, December 2025.
Processing information:

Processed by Mari Khasmanyan in February 2026.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Mari Khasmanyan
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-06-05 15:36:08 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

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

Terms of access:

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]. Ralph Arnold marine specimen drawings, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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