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Kunz (George Frederick) Papers
mssKunz  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Preferred Citation
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Scope and Contents
  • Processing Information
  • Arrangement
  • General

  • Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
    Title: George Frederick Kunz papers
    Creator: Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932
    Identifier/Call Number: mssKunz
    Physical Description: 2.34 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
    Date (inclusive): 1837-1958
    Abstract: The professional correspondence and papers of American mineralogist and author George Frederick Kunz.
    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

    [Identification of item]. George Frederick Kunz papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    Purchased from Dawson's Book Shop, May 1964.

    Biographical / Historical

    George Frederick Kunz (1856-1932) was a mineralogist and author, who served for many years as a gem expert at Tiffany and Co., the New York jewelers. Kunz wrote numerous books and articles on gems and coins, traveled widely, maintained an active business correspondence with members of the American and international diplomatic corps, and served as an adviser to various governmental agencies. He was a research curator of precious stones at the American Museum of Natural History and founded the American Museum of Peaceful Arts, New York, which later became the New York Museum of Science and Industry.

    Scope and Contents

    A collection of 587 items from 1837 to 1958, it consists chiefly of letters, but also includes a small number of documents, poems, speeches, four photographs, and ephemera related to the life and interests of George F. Kunz. Subject matter includes: routine business and professional affairs; international mines and mining and the world gem market; reflections on public health, international expositions, preservation of national parks and scenic sites; New York City's economy, civic affairs, and Republican politics. Please note: there is virtually no information about Tiffany and Co.

    Processing Information

    Processed by Huntington Library Staff, circa 1970. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the finding aid derived from a legacy summary report. In 2022, Melissa Haley enhanced description of the presidential material present in the collection as part of the American Presidential Papers Project.

    Arrangement

    Arranged alphabetically.

    General

    Former call number: mssKunz papers.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Gems -- Collectors and collecting
    Mineral industries -- United States
    Mineralogists -- New York (State) -- New York
    Mineralogy
    Precious stones
    New York (N.Y.) -- Civic leaders
    New York (N.Y.) -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
    New York (N.Y.) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century
    Ephemera -- New York (State) -- New York
    Letters (correspondence) -- New York (State) -- New York
    Professional papers -- New York (State) -- New York
    Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919