Series 1. Correspondence
1908-1944
Series Scope and Contents
This series contains correspondence to Lillian Bonham. The bulk of the materials are from family members including Sadakichi,
Lillian's parents, and children from her relationship with Sadakichi Hartmann.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
Box 1, Folders 1-3
Correspondence to Lillian Bonham
1910-1938, undated
Box 1, Folder 4
Bonham, Lester P. to Lillian Bonham
1909-1910
Biographical
Father of Lillian Bonham
Box 1, Folder 5
Brinkler, G. H. to Lillian Bonham
1913-1914
Scope and Contents
Three letters from a self-proclaimed "food expert" G. H. Brinkler. An article from the American Medical Association was published
in the October 1914 issue of JAMA and a 1915 book highlighting a federal investigation into Brinkler's fraudulant mail order
business.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Mail Fraud
Box 1, Folder 6
City of Riverside Bureau of Welfare and Relief to Lillian Bonham
1933-1934
Box 1, Folder 7
Family to Lillian Bonham
1908, 1932-1939, undated
Scope and Contents
This folder contains correspondence from a number of Lillian's children. Some folders include several pieces of correspondence
that were all mailed together in one envelope. These remain together in groups and have notes on the outside.
Box 1, Folder 8
Hartmann, Robert to Lillian Bonham
1932 & 1934
Biographical
Son of Lillian Bonham
Box 2, Folders 1-3
Hartmann, Sadakichi to Lillian Bonham
1909-1927, 1934, undated
Box 2, Folder 4
Hartmann, Tansy to Lillian Bonham
1931-1939
Biographical
Daughter of Lillian Bonham
Box 2, Folder 5, Box 3, Folder 1
Kennedy, Mary D. to Lillian Bonham
1912-1913, undated
Box 3, Folders 2-4, Box 4, Folder 1
Linton, Wistaria to Lillian Bonham
1924-1928, 1930-1938, undated
Biographical
Daughter of Lillian Bonham
Box 3, Folder 5
Lopez Canyon Oil Company to Lillian Bonham
1931
Scope and Contents
Eviction notice sent to Lillian Bonham.
Box 4, Folders 2-3
Mother to Lillian Bonham
1909-1913, undated
Box 4, Folder 4
Unidentified correspondence
1934 & 1944
Box 4, Folders 5-6
Vogel, Virginia D. Hyde to Lillian Bonham
1917-1932, undated
Box 4, Folder 7
Williams, Mrs. P. to Lillian Bonham
1921-1926
Box 4, Folder 8
Various correspondence to Lillian Bonham
1922 & 1935
Scope and Contents
This correspondence includes a letter from a teacher reporting on Jonquil Hartmann's schoolwork.
Series 2. Diaries
1898-1935
Series Scope and Contents
Lillian Bonham ruminates on a wide range of topics in her diaries. The bulk of the content pertains to her day to day life,
family, and, after their meeting in 1907, her relationship with Sadakichi Hartmann. Periodically there are reflections on
books she has read, comments on national politics (e.g. 1900 presidential election) or global affairs (e.g. Spanish American
War).
Series Arrangement
The diaries are arranged chronologically.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
New York (N.Y.)
Colorado Springs (Colo.)
Shiloh (N.J)
California, Southern
Box 5, Item 1
Lillian Ro. Bonham. Shiloh, N.J. #1
1898-1899
Physical Description:
1 volume
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Spanish American War
Box 5, Item 2
Diary of Lillian and Lester Bonham. #2
1900-1901
Physical Description:
1 volume
1900 Presidential Election
Entry of September 26th reflects on the presidential election and seeing Roosevelt speak.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Presidential Election
Box 5, Item 3
Diary of Lillian Russell Bonham. Colorado Springs. #3
1901
Physical Description:
1 volume
Historic Events
September 7th entry ruminates on President McKinley's assassination. Oct 12th entry reflects on an array of international
events.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
McKinley, James. Assassination in America. Selections
Spanish American War
Box 5, Item 4
Diary of Lillian Russel Bonham. #4
1902
Physical Description:
1 volume
Box 5, Item 5
Lillian Russell Bonham. Colorado Springs. #5
1902-1903
Physical Description:
1 volume
Box 5, Item 6
#6
1903-1904
Physical Description:
1 volume
Box 5, Item 7
The Diary of Lillian R. Bonham. Colorado Springs. #7
1904-1906
Physical Description:
1 volume
Box 5, Item 8
#8
1906-1907
Physical Description:
1 volume
Scope and Contents
Final entries talk about meeting Sadakichi Hartmann in July 1907.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Hartmann, Sadakichi, 1867-1944
Box 5, Item 9
#9
1907-1908
Physical Description:
1 volume
Scope and Contents
Early entries about the initial interactions and conversations between Lillian Bonham and Sadakichi Hartmann.
Box 5, Item 10
#10
1908
Physical Description:
1 volume
Box 5, Item 11
#11
1908
Physical Description:
1 volume
Box 5, Item 12
Untitled Diary
1909
Physical Description:
1 volume
small red leather pocket journal with two inserts
Language of Material: English.
art
Volume includes a watercolor sketch of Hartmann and Bonham.
Box 5, Item 13
Diary of L. "Dreamy" Bonham. New York. #12
1909-1910
Physical Description:
1 volume
Box 5, Item 14
Diary of Lillian Bonham. New York City. #13
1910
Physical Description:
1 volume
Scope and Contents
This diary includes entries after the death of Lillian Bonhams first child, Roderick.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Jeffries-Johnson world's championship boxing contest (Motion picture)
Box 6, Item 1
Dreamy's Diary Concerning Herself, Sadakichi, and Wistaria. #14
1912
Physical Description:
1 volume
Box 6, Item 2
#15
1915-1916
Physical Description:
1 volume
Scope and Contents
This volume includes a handful of tabs denoting points of interest in the diary.
Box 6, Item 3
#16
1917-1921
Physical Description:
1 volume
Box 6, Item 4
#17
1922-1923
Physical Description:
1 volume
Language of Material: English.
Box 6, Item 5
Lillian Bonham. Beaumont, Cal. #18
1924-1925
Physical Description:
1 volume
Box 6, Item 6
#19
1925-1926
Physical Description:
1 volume
Scope and Contents
July 4th entry reflects on stealing potatoes with Wistaria.
Box 6, Item 7
#20
1927-1929
Physical Description:
1 volume
Box 6, Item 8
#21
1929-1935
Physical Description:
1 volume
Box 6, Item 9
Diary Excerpt
1935
Physical Description:
1 folder
Series 3. Diary facsimiles
1907-1939
Series Scope and Contents
Most of these folders are facsimiles of the original volumes. There are several folders that have content different from the
original diaries: the two folders of transcripts and the final folder dated up to 1939.
Series Arrangement
The diary facsimiles are arrnaged chronologically.
Box 7, Folder 1
Lillian Bonham Diary (transcript)
1907
Box 7, Folder 2
Lillian Bonham Diary (transcript)
1913-1917
Box 7, Folder 3
Lillian Bonham Diary
1907-1908
Box 7, Folder 4
Lillian Bonham Diary
1908-1909
Box 7, Folder 5
Lillian Bonham Diary
1909
Box 7, Folder 6
Dreamy's diary concerning herself, Sadakichi, and Wistaria
1912
Box 7, Folder 7
Lillian Bonham Diary
1912
Box 7, Folder 8
Lillian Bonham Diary
1912-1913
Box 7, Folder 9
Lillian Bonham Diary
1914
Box 7, Folder 10
Lillian Bonham Diary
1915-1916
Box 8, Folder 1
Lillian Bonham Diary
1917-1921
Box 8, Folder 2
Lillian Bonham Diary
1922-1923
Box 8, Folder 3
Lillian Bonham Diary
1924-1925
Box 8, Folder 4
Lillian Bonham Diary
1927-1929
Box 8, Folder 5
Lillian Bonham Diary
1937-1939
Scope and Contents
Final entry describes illness related to a cancerous tumor.
Series 4. Art and sketches
1904, 1936, undated
Series Scope and Contents
Series contains artwork, mostly sketches, by Lillian Bonham.
Box 13, Item 1
"A.(Astor)"
undated
Physical Description: Mixed medium possibly colored pencil and pastels. Dimensions are 10 x 12.3."
Scope and Contents note
"A. (Astor). Would have preferred his name to be Ashley." Text written on the back.
Box 13, Item 9
"A Study of Values"
undated
Physical Description: Drawing in graphite. Dimensions are 9.85 x 14"
Scope and Contents note
"Low Light, Middle, High Dark" is written on the front."Lillian Bonham in art school" is written on the back.
Box 12, Item 2
"Apparition"
undated
Physical Description: Matted pastel. Dimensions are 13" x 17."
Box 13, Folder 3
"Art in Denver is a rarity. This Sadakichi saw with clarity…"
undated
Physical Description: Ink and white-out. Dimensions are 8 x 13.2"
Scope and Contents note
Text is part of the artwork.
Box 9, Folder 1
Book Plate Designs
undated
Physical Description:
1 folder
Scope and Contents
Bookplate graphics designed by Lillian Bonham
Box 13, Folder 8
"Cyclamen flowers of crimson height"
undated
Physical Description: Drawing in graphite. Dimensions are 10 x 11.8"
Scope and Contents note
Written on the front of the drawing: "Lillian in art school. Cyclamen flowers of crimson height 10 inches."
Box 9, Folder 3
Drawings and Artwork
undated
Physical Description:
1 folder
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
Sketches, cartoons, and drawings by Lillian Bonham. Some sketches are of Sadakichi Hartmann.
Box 9, Folder 4
Ex Libris Sadakichi Hartmann
undated
Physical Description:
1 folder
Box 9, Folder 5
The Faded Lily
undated
Physical Description:
1 folder
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
Unfinished pastel self-portrait of Lillian Bonham. Reverse has a crayon sketch of two cats.
Box 9, Folder 8
"The Grape Juice Smile"
undated.
Physical Description: Ink drawing on fiberboard.
Scope and Contents
Drawing of a profile of an older man with glasses and geometric facial features.
Box 14, Item 2
"Hopi Thunderbird"
undated
Physical Description: Ink and watercolor painting.
Conditions Governing Access
Painting is extremely fragile and cannot be handled.
Box 9, Folder 9
Ink Sketch of Sadakichi Hartmann
undated
Physical Description:
1 folder
Material Specific Details: Black ink on tissue
Box 12, Item 5
"Marigold II"
undated
Physical Description: Uncertain medium.Pastel or colored pencil. Matted. Dimensions are 12.5 x 15.25"
Conditions Governing Access
Fragile.
Box 9, Folder 10
"Our New Secretary of State"
undated
Physical Description : Ink based artwork on paper.
Scope and Contents
Artwork depicts a balding man with a beard and prominent eyebrows. "Mrs. Lillian B. Hartmann, Gillette, New Jersey" is written
on the back.
framed-artwork 15, Item 6
"Portrait of Wistaria as a teen"
undated
Physical Description: Framed pastel. Dimensions are 20H x 16W x 0.75"D.
Scope and Contents note
Title and description are written on the back of the artwork.
Box 9, Folder 14
Sadakichi on a Saturday Night
undated
Physical Description:
1 folder
Box 12, Item 6
"San Jacinto Mountain"
undated
Physical Description: Matted pastel and graphite. Dimensions are 11.7 x 14.5."
Scope and Contents note
Title written on the back.
Box 13, Item 15
"Self Portrait"
undated
Physical Description: Pen and ink photo reproduction. Dimensions are 12.7 x 15.6"
Box 9, Folder 17
"Snow on Fuji"
undated
Physical Description:
1 folder
Physical Description : Pastel on paper with matted frame. Artwork is loose from the matting.
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
Pastel portrait of Sadakichi Hartmann by Lillian Bonham.
Box 9, Folder 16
"Social Lion"
undated
Physical Description:
1 folder
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
Ink sketch of Sadakichi Hartmann by Lillian Bonham. Notes on paper were added by an unknown third party.
Box 13, Item 13
"Trailing arbutus"
1904
Physical Description: Matted watercolor and ink. Dimensions are 11.75 x 15.25"
Scope and Contents note
Title is written on the back. Artwork is unfinished.
Untitled artwork
13 June 1936
Physical Description: Unmatted oil painting. Dimensions are 17.6"x 11.7."
Scope and Contents note
Signed "L. Hartmann" on the back. Front of item has "Robert Hartmann. From mother."
Conditions Governing Access
Item being treated by preservationist.
Box 14, Item 1
Untitled artwork 3
undated
Physical Description: Matted pastel. Dimensions are 8.75 x 14.6."
Scope and Contents note
Pastel depicts a pussy willow.
Box 9, Folder 6
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Mounted photographic reproduction.
Scope and Contents note
Depicts a figure imitating dancing women. See also framed artwork Box 15, Item2.
Box 12, Item 1
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Matted pastel. Dimensions are 14 x 16.7."
Scope and Contents note
Pastel of a house and trees. "Lillian did not understand why her pastels did not sell like her husband's."
Box 12, Item 4
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Matted pastel. Dimensions are 13.3 x 16."
Scope and Contents note
Pastel depicts a bell with a crack; similar to the Liberty Bell.
Box 11, Item 3
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Mounted pastel. Dimensions are 8.75 x 11."
Scope and Contents note
Pastel of a house and trees.
Conditions Governing Access
Fragile. Handle carefully.
Box 13, Item 14
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Watercolor, gouache, and pastel. Dimensions are 13.1 x 17.75."
Scope and Contents note
Painting of gray and white flower.
Box 13, Item 4
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Watercolor and ink. Dimensions are 7.75 x 10.8."
Scope and Contents note
Painting depicts women playing tennis. Signed LB.
Box 13, Item 5
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Watercolor and pencil. Dimensions are 8.25 x 10.5."
Scope and Contents note
Red flowers on a branch.
Box 13, Item 12
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Mounted gouache and watercolor.Dimensions are 11.5 x 15.7."
Scope and Contents note
Painting of bright green shoe. Signed "B" in lower left.
Conditions Governing Access
Fragile.
Box 13, Folder 7
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Pen, ink, and white-out. Dimensions are 8 x 9.75"
Scope and Contents note
Depiction of a sleeping baby.
Box 12, Item 3
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Matted pastel. Dimensions are 15.85 x 13.5."
Scope and Contents note
Depicts a woman, rainbow, and water.
Box 11, Folder 2
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Matted. Pastel and graphite. Dimensions are 8.9 x 11.2"
Scope and Contents note
Artwork depicts a flower.
Box 14, Item 3
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Photographic reproduction. Dimensions are 15.7 x 19.9"
Scope and Contents note
Sadakichi Hartmann depicted with pagoda head. "LB" initials, the signature of Lillian Bonham are incoporated into the art.
Box 9, Folder 15
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Ink and paint on brown paper.
Scope and Contents
Ink and paint used to depict Sadakichi Hartmann with pagoda head. "LB, I think. WL. '92" is wrtten by Wistaria Linton in the
lower right corner.See also Box 14, Item 3.
Box 11, Item 1
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Pastel. Dimensions are 9 x 12"
Scope and Contents note
Depiction of a bell that has a crack in it.
Box 13, Folder 6
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Watercolor, gouache and graphite. Dimensions are 6.4 x 11.85"
Scope and Contents note
Depiction of a flower. "Lillian in art school is written on the back."
Box 13, Item 2
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Drawing and watercolor on paper. Dimenisons are 9" x 12".
Scope and Contents note
Drawings of flower petals that are partially painted. "May Apple" is written in the lower right hand corner.
Processing Information
Attributed to Lillian Bonham by processing archivist.
Box 9, Folder 12
Untitled drawing
undated
Physical Description: Drawing in pen ink on lined notebook paper.
Scope and Contents
A profile of herself drawn by Lillian Bonham. "Lillian Russel Bonham H" is written by the bottom.
Box 13, Item 10
Untitled drawing
undated
Physical Description: Drawing in charcoal and pencil.
Scope and Contents note
"White Light middle. Middle Dark Black." is written on the front of the drawing.
Conditions Governing Access
Fragile.
Box 13, Item 11
Untitled photographs
Physical Description: Two black and white photographs. One mounted photograph is 10.7 x 15.75." The unmounted photograph is 11 x 15.75"
Scope and Contents note
Two photographs of a relief of Walt Whitman.
framed-artwork 15, Item 2
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Framed photographic reproduction. Dimensions are 15.5H x 12.5W x 0.5"D.
Scope and Contents note
Depicts a figure imitating dancing women in the background.
framed-artwork 15, Item 3
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Framed pastel. Dimensions are 16.75H x 19.5W x 1"H.
Scope and Contents note
Pastel of desert plants with a mountain in the background.
framed-artwork 1, Item 5
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Framed pastel. Dimensions are 23.5H x 16W x 1"D.
Scope and Contents note
Artwork depicts clothing draped on a chair.
framed-artwork 15, Item 1
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Framed pastel. Dimensions are 13.5H x 10W x 0.75"D.
Scope and Contents note
Pastel depicts a mountain with a fire, smoke, and clouds in the background.
framed-artwork 15, Item 4
Untitled artwork
undated
Physical Description: Framed pastel. Dimensions are 15H x 12W x 0.75"D.
Scope and Contents note
Pastel of flowers.
Box 14, Item 4
Untitled reproduction
undated
Physical Description: Mounted reproduction on paper with in-painting. Dimensions are 14 x 17.5"
Scope and Contents note
Reproduction of Leonardo DaVinci self-portrait.
Box 12, Item 7
"Young girl"
undated
Physical Description: Mounted pastel. Dimensions are 13.75 x 16.75."
Scope and Contents note
"Young Girl" written on the back.
Conditions Governing Access
Fragile.
Series 5. Other documents
1912-1939, undated
Series Scope and Contents
Series contains assorted materials including a photo album, poem, and other documents.
Box 9, Folder 2
Cedric baby momentos
1934
Box 9, Folder 7
"The Flower Smeller"
1917
Scope and Contents
Facsimile of
The Little Review, Vol 111, No 10, April 1917 which includes a poem by Lillian Bonham
Box 9, Folder 19
Various notes
1913 & 1915
Scope and Contents
Handwritten notes by Lillian Bonham.
Box 9, Folder 20
WPA field transfer notice
1939
Physical Description: Photocopy
Scope and Contents
A field transfer notice for Lillian Bonham from the Works Progress Administration.
Box 10
Photo album
undated
Physical Description:
1 volume
Scope and Contents
A book titled
God's Heroes repurposed as a photo album. Pictures are primarily of Sadakichi and Lillian's children: Astor, Wisteria, Tansy, Jonquille,
and Robert, with a few pictures of Lillian and Sadakichi.
