Collection Guide
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Dreer (Ferdinand J.) Papers
mssDreer
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Ferdinand J. Dreer papers
Creator:
Dreer, Ferdinand J.
(Ferdinand Julius), 1812-1902
Identifier/Call Number: mssDreer
Physical Description:
2.7 Linear Feet
(2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1719-1936
Date (bulk): 1840-1890
Abstract: A collection of correspondence,
documents, photographs, and family material of American jewelry manufacturer and
philanthropist Ferdinand Julius Dreer.
Language of Material: Materials are in English and
German.
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, 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.
[Identification of item]. Ferdinand J. Dreer papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino,
California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mrs. Otto J. Zahn, September 1960.
Ferdinand Julius Dreer (1812-1902), was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a
jewelry manufacturer, philanthropist, and autograph collector. Dreer was a member of the
firm Annan and Dreer, assayers and manufacturers of gold chains, and also the founder of the
firm Dreer and Hayes. Dreer was actively involved in the Philadelphia Academy of Music,
Howard Hospital, and Philadelphia Female Medical College.
A collection of 274 items which contains personal and family papers of Ferdinand J. Dreer.
Included are: a typescript biography of Dreer (approximately 1895), fifty letters and
documents addressed to him (including a few letters from Benson John Lossing), letters
addressed to Edwin Greble Dreer, grandson of Ferdinand J. Dreer, papers related to the
Wichtermans, the family of his grandparents, miscellaneous tributes in verse written in
memory of Dreer family members. Also included are family photographs, memorabilia, newspaper
clippings, and ephemera. There are a few miscellaneous documents relating to Jonathan
Dickinson, first President of Princeton, and genealogies of Dreer, Annin, Miller, and
Dickinson families.
Processed by Huntington Library Staff, July 1975. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the
finding aid derived from legacy in-house summary report.
Arranged chronologically.
Former call number: mssDreer papers.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Philadelphia (Pa.) -- History
Family papers -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
Genealogies -- United States -- 19th century
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 19th century
Personal papers -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
Photographs -- United States -- 19th century
Dickinson, Jonathan,
1688-1747
Dreer, Edwin Greble
Lossing, Benson John,
1813-1891