Gerald John Kane Literary Collection, 1571-1951

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Summary

Creators:
Kane, Gerald John, 1901-1957.
Abstract:
This collection, compiled by collector Gerald John Kane (1901-1957), consists of 1,520 documents written by or containing the signatures of notable individuals. The material dates from 1571 to 1951 and includes accounts, letters, photographs, poems, government papers and royal proclamations signed by, among others, actors and actresses, authors, explorers, kings, magicians, queens, politicians, scientists, singers, and soldiers.
Extent:
1,520 pieces. 30 boxes.
Language:
English with some pieces in French and German.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection is what is known as an autograph collection compiled by Gerald John Kane, who spent years, not only collecting autographs of famous people on his own, but also acquiring the collections of other autograph seekers. This material spans multiple centuries and formats: from a 15th century manuscript on vellum to a 1951 typewritten letter. The collection includes accounts, letters, photographs, poems, government papers and royal proclamations, signed by, among others, actors and actresses, authors, explorers, kings, magicians, queens, politicians, scientists, singers and soldiers. Many of the “famous” people in this collection are also to be found in other manuscript collections in the Huntington Library. The majority of the material consists of manuscripts, letters and documents written, or signed, by famous people from the 17th-early 20th centuries; some of the material consists of only fragments or signatures, collected for the autograph value only. Some pieces are in French and German.

The papers consist of the following series:

1. Manuscripts, Correspondence & Documents (Boxes 1-27) are arranged alphabetically by author and title. The majority of the material consists of manuscripts, letters and documents written, or signed, by famous people from the 17th-early 20th centuries; some of the material consists of only fragments or signatures, collected for the autograph value only. Among the authors and correspondents are: Lyman Abbott, Zoë Akins, Henry Mills Alden, Lawrence Alma- Tadema, John Douglas Sutherland Campbell (Duke of Argyll), Charles Babbage, Joanna Baillie, Alice Stone Blackwell, John Bright, Richard Temple Brydges (Duke of Buckingham and Chandos), José Francisco Correia da Serra, Rebecca Harding Davis, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Annie Fields, J.T. Fields, Richard Watson Gilder, W.E. Gladstone, Grace Greenwood, Anna Maria Hall, Samuel Carter Hall, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Henry Irving, Julia Marlowe, Thomas Power O’Connor, Arthur Wellesley Peel (Viscount Peel), Kate Sanborn, Sir Walter Scott, Upton Sinclair, Herbert Beerbohm Tree, Queen Victoria, and Arthur Wellesley (Duke of Wellington).

2. Ecclesiastical, Financial, Legal, Military & Misc. Documents (Boxes 28-30) are arranged by subject, then by date. This series includes a small number of Ecclesiastical and Financial documents, and a larger amount of Legal, Military, and Misc. documents. The documents include accounts, certificates, commissions, Letters Patent, marriage settlements, receipts, special marriage licenses, wills, and warrants. One of the documents is related to Queen Victoria, and others are signed by various kings of France.

3. Ephemera (Box 30) is arranged by subject. This series includes five folders (numbered 14-18), which includes Dealer’s catalogue descriptions, Dealer’s and Owner’s notes, and Misc. printed material.

Biographical / historical:

Gerald John Kane (1901-1957), was a collector of material related to Nevada, mining, and the American West, as well as being an autograph collector.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from William P. Wreden, January 5, 1961.
Processing information:

1. A large number of the letters and documents were originally pasted down or mounted into albums by previous owners. The letters and documents, in most cases, have been removed from the original pages and mountings; but some evidence of the original locations (old glue, tabs, etc.) remain on the letters. It was decided that, unless it was a paper mounted letter, this original evidence would not be noted on the folders.

2. A large number of the letters and documents also retain the pencilled (and sometimes ink) notations and notes made by dealers and previous owners; these notations and notes were not removed nor noted on the folders.

3. A large number of the letters, documents and photographs also have printed biographical information, photographs, pictures, and engravings collected by previous owners. This printed material was retained and noted as enclosures on the front of the folders.

Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  • Manuscripts, Correspondence & Documents (Boxes 1-27)
  • Ecclesiastical, Financial, Legal, Military & Misc. Documents (Boxes 28-30)
  • Ephemera (Box 30)

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

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