Scrapbooks and photographic prints Series 1.
1877-1927, undated, bulk dates 1877-1910
Physical Description: 1 Linear Feet
General Physical Description note: no content
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains one personal scrapbook reflecting Lummis' college years at Harvard, several scrapbooks of cyanotypes,
and some loose photographic prints. Lummis was an avid photographer who favored the inexpensive cyanotype process of development.
He often personally developed and printed his work. He assembled many scrapbooks of cyanotypes documenting his experiences
and often sent them to friends and family.
Arrangement
Scrapbooks are arranged chronologically. Photographic prints are arranged by topic.
Harvard years
1877-1884
Scope and Contents note
Contains personal mementos assembled by Lummis. The scrapbook primarily covers the years Lummis was at Harvard (1877-1881)
and includes scattered materials from 1882-1884. It contains event fliers, tickets, and programs, correspondence, circulars,
bills and a report card from Harvard, railroad tickets and schedules, calling cards, clippings, other ephemera, and a few
sketches. Materials reflect Lummis' interest in music and athletics, provide a glimpse of his academic performance at Harvard,
and document some early attempts to have his writing published. Lummis' interest in exploration is evinced by a pen and ink
map labeled "Silver Brook near Crawford House, White Mountain Notch, N.H., First explored above the Silver Cascades by Charles
F. Lummis and J.J. Donovan, Oct 1879. "The scrapbook also contains some personal budgets, Lummis' physical measurements and
exercise regimen, and passages (mostly poetry) quoted from Shakespeare, Byron, Cowper, Pascal, and others.
box 1
Bound scrapbook
General Physical Description note: Half bound in red leather with boards marbled in red and brown, 22 x 18 x 5 cm. Unnumbered lined pages. Several sequential
pages have been cut and removed from scrapbook midway through the book.
Conditions Governing Access note
Researchers should wear gloves when handling due to physical condition.
box 2, folder 1
Loose materials
Processing Information note
Clippings and ephemera were found between some pages. Loose materials were removed from bound scrapbook and housed separately
for preservation purposes.
box 2, folder 2
Burros
1890
General Physical Description note: 12 pages, bound with grosgrain ribbon, 13 x 21 cm.
Scope and Contents note
Contains cyanotypes of burros photographed by Lummis.
Christmas gifts to Mary Emerson Haskins
Scope and Contents note
Contains cyanotypes of Lummis, his family, and his home. Inscribed to Mary Emerson Haskins and signed by Lummis.
box 2, folder 3
1909
General Physical Description note: 17 pages bound with string, 18 x 25 cm.
box 2, folder 4
1910
General Physical Description note: 25 pages bound with string, 18 x 27 cm.
Scope and Contents note
Last page contains cyanotypes of Lummis as a boy.
Photographic prints
Scope and Contents note
Includes photographs both depicting and taken by Lummis.
box 2, folder 5
Lummis, Charles F.
1906-1927, undated
General Physical Description note: 13 images, various sizes
Scope and Contents note
Cyanotypes, black-and-white, and sepia-toned photographs. Most images are professional black-and-white portraits of Lummis
printed on card stock. Several are inscribed to Molly Haskins Gordon and signed by Lummis.
box 2, folder 6
Lummis family and friends
1907-1910, undated
General Physical Description note: 8 cyanotpes and 4 sepia photographs, various sizes
box 2, folder 7
Lummis home,
El Alisal
1899-1910
General Physical Description note: 12 cyanotypes, 5 x 7 inches each
box 2, folder 8
San Francisco
1898
General Physical Description note: 40 cyanotypes, 5 x 7 inches each
Scope and Contents note
Contains images of the San Francisco area, including city scenes, Mission Dolores, portraits, trees, and unidentified paintings
and sculptures.
Processing Information note
The set of photographs was wrapped in two layers of paper; handwritten on one paper is "Blueprints to bind, 1898," and handwritten
on the other paper is "2nd trip to San Francisco - this set is complete."
box 2, folder 9
Reproductions of Lummis' photographs
1900, undated
Family correspondence Series 2.
1904-1906, 1911-1914, 1923-1928
Physical Description: 0.4 Linear Feet
General Physical Description note: no content
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains correspondence to and from members of the Lummis family. It also contains correspondence between Charles
F. Lummis and the Borein family. Charles F. Lummis' outgoing letters consist almost exclusively of unsigned carbon copies
of typescripts; these may be duplicates of correspondence held by the Southwest Museum. Handwritten letters or typescripts
autographed by Charles F. Lummis are noted when present. Incoming letters are primarily originals, usually handwritten.
Arrangement
Letters are arranged by family member. Within folders, letters are arranged chronologically.
box 3, folder 1-5
Lummis, Eve
1904-1906, 1911
Scope and Contents note
Contains 37 handwritten letters to Lummis from his second wife, Eve. One handwritten letter to Lummis' son, Quimu, written
by Eve on behalf of their seven-year-old son Keith.
box 3, folder 6-7
Lummis, Turbesé
1912-1914
Scope and Contents note
Primarily contains carbon copies of typescript letters by Lummis to his daughter Turbesé. One autographed typescript from
Turbesé to Lummis and one handwritten letter from Turbesé to Lummis.
box 3, folder 8
Concerning birth of Keith Lummis
1904
Scope and Contents note
Contains handwritten letters from William Keith, California landscape painter, for whom Keith Lummis was named. Also contains
congratulatory letters from others, including a clipping of the birth announcement, and carbon copies of outgoing responses
from Charles F. Lummis.
box 3, folder 9
From Charles F. Lummis to son, Keith
1912, 1914, 1924
box 3, folder 10
Lummis, Bertha Page
1924
Scope and Contents note
Contains one carbon copy of typescript addressed to "My Precious First-Born," soliciting her signature on legal documents
intended to safeguard Lummis' gift of the family home,
El Alisal, to the Southwest Museum.
box 3, folder 11-12
Sisters of Charles F. Lummis
1912, 1914
Scope and Contents note
Contains correspondence between Charles F. Lummis and his sisters. Most correspondence are outgoing carbon copies from Lummis
to his sister Louise "Lulie" and his half sisters, Harriet (Mrs. William M. Smith or "Hattie"), Katherine "Katie," and Laura
(Mrs. Charles F. Schutz). There are also 3 handwritten letters to Lummis, one each from Katherine, Harriet, and Laura, but
no letters to or from Lummis' other siblings, Harry or Gertrude.
box 3, folder 13-14
Other relatives of Charles F. Lummis
1912, 1914
Scope and Contents note
Carbon copies of outgoing correspondence from Lummis to aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces.
box 3, folder 15-21
Borein, Ed and Lucile
1923-1928, undated
Scope and Contents note
There is no indication of a blood relationship between Lucile Borein and Charles F. Lummis, but Lummis regarded Lucile as
family and closed letters to her, "Your Devoted Dad." Lucile opened her letters to Lummis with greetings such as "Daddy Dearest."
Letters from Lucile are handwritten. Letters from her husband, artist Ed Borein, are autographed typescripts.
Personal and professional papers Series 3.
1889-1928, bulk dates 1905-1914
Physical Description: 3.4 Linear Feet
General Physical Description note: no content
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains substantial documentation on Lummis' career at the Los Angeles Public Library and scattered information
on his volunteer activities with other organizations and his career as an author. Lummis' personal and professional acquaintances
and interests overlapped; he often discussed business and pleasure in the same letter.
Arrangement
Arranged in five subseries:
Los Angeles Public Library
Other personal and professional correspondence
Other personal papers
Other professional papers
Publishing files
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
Arrangement note
Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic. For the most part, items within folders are arranged chronologically.
box 4, folder 1-12
Administration and operation
1901, 1906-1910, undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains materials reflecting Lummis' oversight of the LAPL and its day-to-day operations, including entrance exams for employees,
financial reports, statistics, policies and procedures, and statistics on circulation and staffing. Materials also reflect
Lummis' efforts to improve library staffing, salaries, patron services, and the library's physical space. Includes carbon
copies of many undated, typed reports presumably presented by Lummis to the LAPL Board of Library Directors. Many notes are
written in Lummis' hand, and several internal memos bear Lummis' autograph.
box 4, folder 13-17
Form letters
1906-1909, undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains drafts of outgoing typed circulars and form letters used in mass mailings, often annotated by Lummis with the date
and number of copies he requested. Letters to the LAPL community include matters such as overdue books, library promotion,
request for autographs, photos and biographical information, thank you notes, and a letter advising the recipients of the
correct pronunciation of the city name, "Los Angeles." Letters to professional librarians request information about their
local practices, policies, and statistics about their libraries and staff.
box 5, folder 1-11, box FB-065, folder 1
General
1905-1912
Scope and Contents note
Primarily contains incoming letters from librarians around the United States, including Melvil Dewey and Librarian of Congress,
Herbert Putnam. The majority of letters concern Lummis' requests for advice and statistics, other librarians' interest in
his technique of branding books to prevent theft, and notes of thanks for LAPL annual reports. Two letters related to library
business postdate Lummis' tenure as librarian. One letter included an oversized sheet of "Comparative Statistics for 1908
of Public Libraries in the Thirty-three largest Cities in the United States."
Blandy case
Scope and Contents note
Contains materials related to the legal case filed by Julia W. Blandy, LAPL Superintendent of Branches, against Celia Gleason,
LAPL Assistant Librarian.
box 5, folder 12-13
Correspondence
1905-1909
Scope and Contents note
Contains a nine-page, autographed letter from Lummis to the Civil Service Commission. Also contains correspondence between
Blandy and Lummis, including an autographed letter from Lummis to Miss Blandy notifying her that her "usefulness to this library
has ceased."
box 5, folder 14-15
Court proceedings and findings
undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains unofficial transcripts of questions asked of witnesses during the legal proceedings, but does not include their answers.
Also contains the court findings.
box 5, folder 16
Lummis' notes
1910, undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains carbon copies of Lummis' opinions on the case, which he presented to the LAPL Board of Library Directors.
box 5, folder 17-19
"Library Investigation"
1906
General Physical Description note: 3 volumes
Scope and Contents note
Official transcripts of the proceedings of the Los Angeles City Council's investigation of the LAPL conducted January 24,January
31, and February 1, 1906. Investigation centered on a motion to remove four members of the LAPL Board of Library Directors.
Board members were accused of having unjustly removed LAPL librarian Mary L. Jones to replace her with Charles F. Lummis.
box 6, folder 1-2
"Western History-Material" questionnaires
1909-1910, undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains completed questionnaires providing name, date and place of birth, genealogical information, education, occupation,
marital status, religion, political affiliation, and other biographical information on individuals. Lummis sent questionnaires
to "prominent citizens of the Southwest" with the intention of building a collection of profiles of his contemporaries. Also
included is a blank questionnaire and a copy of the form letter Lummis sent out with each questionnaire.
Arrangement note
Arranged alphabetically by respondents surname.
Other personal and professional correspondence
Scope and Contents note
Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic. Letters within folders are arranged chronologically.
box 6, folder 3
Form letters
1911, undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains blank form letters that Lummis regularly used as invitations to his dinner parties. Includes "Subpoena" invitation
to an old Spanish California style dinner party in the "Court of El Alcalde Mayor" (the courtyard at
El Alisal
) for guests accused of "not knowing an old California good time when you see it." Also includes handwritten poem and printed
invitation to the meeting of the mad March hares, Lummis' annual birthday party for himself and friends born in March.
General
Scope and Contents note
Contains original incoming correspondence and carbon copies of outgoing correspondence from 1889, 1907-1914, and 1921-1928
(bulk 1912-1914). The vast majority of Lummis' outgoing correspondence are unsigned drafts, often typed upon recycled letterhead
from the Southwest Museum and other institutions. Lummis often includes both personal and professional concerns in the same
letter. Letters include references to family issues, Southwest Society activities, Southwest Museum activities, the Landmarks
Club efforts to repair the old missions, letters of introduction, questions on Southwest history and Spanish language usage,
and issues related to the maintenance of
El Alisal.
Other personal papers
Arrangement note
Folders are arranged alphabetically by type of material. Items within folders are arranged chronologically.
box 10, folder 16
General
1909-1910, undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains biographical information, carbon copies of typed excerpts from Lummis' diary, a list of camping equipment, and handwritten
notes.
box 10, folder 17
Invoices and receipts
1912-1915, undated
Other professional papers
Arrangement note
Folders are arranged alphabetically by topic. Items within folders are arranged chronologically.
Scope and Contents note
Contains isolated items concerning Lummis' professional interests outside of the LAPL.
box 10, folder 18
"By-Laws of the Artist's Guild"
undated
box 10, folder 19
Request for historical information on the Santa Fe Railroad
undated
box 10, folder 20
Sequoya League and Committee on Indian Affairs
1907, 1912, undated
Southwest Society and Southwest Museum
Scope and Contents note
Contains materials concerning the Southwest Museum and its parent body, the Southwest Society.
box 10, folder 21
Brochure of "The Southwest Museum Expedition to Spanish America and the South Seas"
1914-1915
box 10, folder 22
Circulars and form letters
1908, 1910, undated
box 10, folder 23
Draft of Lummis' bequest to the museum (unsigned)
undated
box 11, folder 1
Indexes (of operational files?)
undated
box 11, folder 2
Mailing lists and new members lists
1907, 1908, undated
Publishing files
Arrangement note
Folders are arranged alphabetically by format. Items within folders are arranged chronologically.
box 11, folder 4-9
Correspondence and agreements
1879-1914
Scope and Contents note
Contains letters and agreements concerning the editing and publishing of Lummis' writings and photography. Includes a handwritten,
signed agreement "relative to the song, 'My Cigarette' -- words by C. F. Lummis and music by F. R. Burton" from 1882.
box 11, folder 10
Promotional materials
1910-1912, 1921, 1928, undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains advertisements and book reviews intended to attract readers to Lummis' work. Includes a signed booklet listing his
publications.
Ephemera Series 4.
1909-1928, undated
Physical Description: 0.2 Linear Feet
General Physical Description note: no content
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains printed ephemera reflecting Lummis' interest in the Southwest and one metal button stating "Remember
the Maine."
Arrangement
Materials are arranged alphabetically by format.
box 11, folder 11
Art exhibition catalogues
1917, 1928
box 11, folder 12
Drawings (unsigned)
undated
box 11, folder 13
Fliers and brochures
1896, 1906-1915, undated
box 11, folder 14
Miscellaneous
1928, undated
box 11, folder 15
Musical scores
undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains one untitled, handwritten score with adhered, typed lyrics and one published score for "Hopi Indian Snake Dance."
box 11, folder 16
Postcards
1909-1912, 1927, undated
Clippings Series 5.
1891-1926, undated
Physical Description: 0.4 Linear Feet
General Physical Description note: no content
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains newspaper and magazine clippings collected by Charles F. Lummis. Lummis subscribed to various clipping
bureaus that sent him clippings on selected topics.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by topic.
box 13, folder 1-11
Articles about and by Charles F. Lummis
1891-1926
Conditions Governing Access note
Articles which were not identified in Mary Sarber's
Charles F. Lummis: A Bibliography (1977) or not available online were retained. Access restricted due to fragility. Photocopies were not made for these items;
special permission is required to use them. Photocopying is not permitted.
box 11, folder 17
Articles about Eve Lummis
1910-1911
Scope and Contents note
Contains clippings collected by Charles F. Lummis concerning his divorce from Eve. Also contains clippings concerning Eve's
English translations of Spanish literature.
box 11, folder 18
Articles about Henry Lummis
1905
Scope and Contents note
Contains clippings collected by Charles F. Lummis concerning the death of his father, Dr. Henry Lummis.
Publications Series 6.
1884-1914
Physical Description: 0.2 Linear Feet
General Physical Description note: no content
Series Scope and Content Summary
Contains publications collected by Lummis. The majority of the publications contain articles about or by Lummis. Other publications
reflect his interests.
Arrangement
Alphabetical by title of the publication.
box 12, folder 1
Colorado Chautauqua Bulletin (vol. 3, no. 4, February 14, 1914)
1914
box 12, folder 2
The Critic, A Weekly Review of Literature and the Arts (March 19, 1895; October 30, 1897)
1895, 1897
box 12, folder 3
Extension, An Advocate of the Missionary Spirit Published by the Catholic Church Extension Society of the United States of
America
(vol. 2, no. 2, June 1907)
1907
box 12, folder 4
General Catalogue and Garden Guide for the South, Southern California Acclimatizing Association, Santa Barbara, California, (no. 5, May 1897)
1897
box FB-065, folder 1
Homes of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Investment Company (July 1910, April 1912, June 1912)
1910, 1912
box 12, folder 5
The Inner Circle, A Quarterly Magazine, published by Louise Radford Wells (vol. 3, no. 1, November 1911)
1911
box 12, folder 6
The Lutheran Witness, Official Organ of the English Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri & Other States (vol. 16, no. 20, March 21, 1898)
1898
box 12, folder 7
The Santa Clara, Central California Landmarks Club Edition (Fifth year, No. 9, November 1897)
1897
box 12, folder 8
The Southwest Society of the Archaeological Institute of America, Something About Its Aims and Its First Year's Work (booklet reprinted from Out West, September 1904)
1904
box 12, folder 9
Travelers Record, (vol. 30, no. 11, vol. 31, no. 5, 9) (Hartford, Connecticut: Travelers Insurance Company)
1895
box FB-065, folder 1
Values of Property in, and Indebtedness of, each County for the Year, chart from the Controller's Department, State of California
1903, 1905
box 12, folder 10
The Western Critic, (vol. 1, no.2-3) (Columbus, Ohio)
1884
