Helen S. Pratt and Edward S. Steele Collection: Finding Aid
mssPratt
Gayle M. Richardson
The Huntington Library
November 2022
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Helen S. Pratt and Edward S. Steele collection
Creator:
Pratt, Helen, -1965
Creator:
Steele, Edward Strieby,
1850-1942
Identifier/Call Number: mssPratt
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear Feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1839-1990
Abstract: A collection of material related to
Helen Steele Pratt, Southern California ornithologist, and Edward Strieby Steele, American
botanist.
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]. Helen S. Pratt and Edward S. Steele collection, The Huntington
Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gifts of Donna R. M. Adams, August-September, 1990.
Biographical / Historical
Helen Steele Pratt (1883-1965) was an American ornithologist, teacher, and botanical
collector. Pratt graduated from Oberlin College in 1906 and moved to Eagle Rock, California,
in 1914. She was an avid ornithologist and secretary for the state Audubon Society, who
helped write the section on birds in the Boy Scout handbook. Pratt also, along with Harriet
Myers, helped the children of the state of California choose the quail as the state bird.
Edward Strieby Steele (1850-1942) was an American botanist and an uncle of Helen S. Pratt.
He graduated from Oberlin College in 1872 and became a teacher and Professor of Philosophy.
He also worked as an editor and spent many years working for the United States government as
a botanical clerk in various positions. Steele moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1932,
and worked with Helen Pratt as botanical co-collectors. James Steele (1808-), the father of
Edward S. Steele, was involved with helping the Amistad captives return to Africa.
Scope and Contents
A small collection of family material related to Helen S. Pratt and Edward S. Steele; it
includes manuscripts, correspondence, and ephemera. The manuscripts include information on
the Amistad (Schooner), Alexander Steele, James Steele, Descanso Gardens (Los Angeles,
California), and biographical information for Helen S. Pratt and Edward S. Steele. The
correspondence includes a letter to Oberlin College, and family letters, one of which is a
copy of a letter written by John Steele from India in 1839. The ephemera includes
photocopies, clippings, and three leather wallets; one of the wallets contains German
papiermark bills issued from 1910 to 1919.
Processing Information
Processed by Gayle M. Richardson in November 2022.
Arrangement
Arranged in the following series: 1. Manuscripts; 2. Correspondence; 3. Ephemera.
Related Materials
Helen Pratt "My Grandfather's Story" (mssHM 58067); John Steele letters to James Steele
(mssHM 58068-58069).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Abolitionists -- United States
Antislavery movements -- United States
Missionaries -- United States -- 19th century
Missions, American -- India -- 19th century
Ornithologists -- California
India -- Description and travel
Ephemera -- Germany
Ephemera -- United States
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 20th century
Manuscripts (documents) -- United States
Steele, Alexander, 1802-
Steele, James, 1808-
Steele, John, active 1839-1841
Amistad
(Schooner)
Descanso Gardens (Los
Angeles, Calif.)
Oberlin College -- History
Manuscripts, correspondence, and ephemera
1839-1990
Box 1, Folder 1
Donna R. M. Adams Helen Steel Pratt: biographical sketch:
typewritten
approximately 1990
Box 1, Folder 2
Oberlin Evangelist The Amistad Africans: article: typewritten
copy
1841 December 22
Scope and Contents
Very fragile and brittle.
Box 1, Folder 3
Helen S. Pratt My Grandfather's Story: outline and notes: autograph and
typewritten
undated
Scope and Contents
Related material: mssHM 58067.
Box 1, Folder 4
Edward S. Steele E.S. Steele, Class of 1872, Oberlin College: autobiography:
autograph
undated
Scope and Contents
Stained and damaged, with some loss of text.
Box 1, Folder 5
Edward S. Steele Memoranda relating to Dr. Alexander Steele: autograph and
typewritten
1934 March 15
Box 1, Folder 6
Nelda Thompson 'Bird Lady' Memory Lives on at Descanso Gardens: article:
photocopy
1968 May 19
Box 1, Folder 7
Edward S. Steele letter to Oberlin Alumni Magazine
undated
Scope and Contents
Addressed to: "Dear Mr. Editor;" incomplete. Fragile and brittle.
Box 1, Folder 8
Edward S. Steele letter, Washington, D.C., to Helen S. Pratt
1930 April
Scope and Contents
In pencil.
Box 1, Folder 9
John Steele letter, Madura, India, to James Steele
1839 January 18
Scope and Contents
A typewritten copy, with a carbon copy.
Box 1, Folder 10
Printed articles and clippings: Oberlin College; Amistad; Helen
Pratt
1931-1940
Box 1, Folder 11
Leather wallet: Disconto-Gesellschaft / Kreditbrief / "Prescriptions:" with
Imperial Germany Papiermark bills (paper money)
1910-1919
Scope and Contents
Wallet contains nine bills, 5-50 marks.
Box 1, Folder 12
Two leather wallets
undated
