George D. Smith Papers: Finding Aid mssHM 49652-49686
Brooke M. Black
The Huntington Library
March 2022
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: George D. Smith papers
Creator:
Smith, George D. (George Dallas), 1870-1920
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 49652-49686
Physical Description:
1.50 Linear Feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1910-1912
Abstract: Letters and documents of New York book dealer George D. Smith dealing with the formation of the George D. Smith Book Co.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more
information.
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
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[Identification of item]. George D. Smith papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Argonaut Book Shop, January 1962.
George D. Smith (1870-1920) was a New York book dealer. He was born in Brooklyn in 1870. He began his career in the book business
as a stock boy in a publishing house. In 1885, he joined William E. Benjamin who had begun his own rare book business. In
time Smith created the George D. Smith Book Co., to accommodate Robert La Rose's financial backing when Smith purchased large
amounts at the Robert Hoe Sale. Later, La Rose would accuse Smith of dishonest and fraudulent tactics. George D. Smith also
acted as chief buyer and advisor of Henry E. Huntington. Smith died in 1920.
Letters and documents relating to the formation of the George D. Smith Book Co. as well as La Rose's accusations against George
D. Smith. There is also some material related to Henry E. Huntington and his purchases.
Processed by Huntington Library staff in March 1984. In 2022, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.
Arranged chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Antiquarian booksellers -- New York (State) -- New York -- Archives
Book collectors -- United States
New York (N.Y.) -- Commerce -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
Business records -- New York (State) -- 20th century
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 20th century
Professional papers -- New York (State) -- 20th century
Hoe, Robert, 1839-1909 -- Library
Huntington, Henry Edwards, 1850-1927 -- Friends and associates -- Archives
Huntington, Henry Edwards, 1850-1927 -- Library
La Rose, Robert
George D. Smith Book Co.
Box 1
George D. Smith papers HM 49652-49686 1910-1912