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Collection Guide

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Charles Sumner Greene Collection, 1862-1956

1959-1

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Table of contents

Series Description

I. Personal Papers, 1862-1956

Physical Description: Boxes 1-12, 19-20, 22-23, Flat Files

A. Family Correspondence

B. Personal Correspondence

C. Education

Scope and Content Note

Contains childhood books and material from C.S. Greene's studies at M.I.T. consisting principally of rendering exercises. Does not include material from his years at Woodward's Manual Training School.

D. Travel

Scope and Content Note

Consists of two folders of material on C.S. Greene's travels: one on his 1909 European trip and one on various trips between 1890 and 1909.

E. Photographs

Scope and Content Note

Includes a variety of personal photographs of C.S. Greene, his family, Greene family residences and several of the Panama Pacific Exposition. Also includes one folder of photographs of trees, possibly used as studies for carving designs or paintings.

F. Creative Works: Art and Fiction

Scope and Content Note

Contains both literary and artistic works most likely created during C.S. Greene's years at Carmel after his architectural practice declined. Written materials are in various stages of completion, from notes to typed drafts. Although the Subseries includes autobiographical works and writings on art and architecture, the majority of the material is fictional and a large portion incorporate his interest in Eastern philosophies.

G. Notebooks and Calendars

Scope and Content Note

This subseries is comprised primarily of address books and notebooks which cover a large time period, although there are gaps.

H. Philosophy

Scope and Content Note

Contains a substantial amount of material (2 boxes) collected by C.S. Greene in the 1930s and 40s on Eastern philosophies, as represented in the lectures and writings of G. Gurdjieff and the Orage lecture group. Some of the notes appear to be Greene's own notes while others are copies borrowed from other members. This Subseries also includes material on Buddhism and clippings on philosophical and "pseudo-scientific" subjects.

I. Financial Records

Scope and Content Note

Contains a motley collection of financial materials including cancelled checks, correspondence, investments, and traffic tickets.

J. Professional Papers

Scope and Content Note

Contains one folder consisting primarily of correspondence with the A.I.A. Includes telegrams from journal editors and architects such as Bernard Maybeck and William Wurster congratulating the Greenes on the A.I.A. exhibition of their work in March of 1948. Also includes one folder of material on the city of Carmel, probably collected during C.S. Greene's residency in Carmel from 1916-1957.

K. Ephemera

Scope and Content Note

Comprised of mementos, tickets, programs and menus.

L. Collected Works on Art and Architecture

M. Asian Influences: Art and Artifacts

Scope and Content Note

Contains Japanese prints and photographs and Japanese and Chinese books on wood carving.

II. Office Records, 1901-1946

Physical Description: Box 13

Arrangement

Arranged hierarchically, then alphabetically.

A. Professional Correspondence, Business Records

Scope and Content Note

Contains financial records, correspondence (including letter from Frank Lloyd Wright) and office forms.

B. Vendors

Scope and Content Note

Contains correspondence between vendors of architectural material and services and builders such as Park Abbott. In addition there are two folders of catalogs and/or samples of materials such as fabric, paint color, wood and wrought iron.

III. Project Records (including furniture), 1903-1946

Physical Description: Boxes 14-18, 20-22, Flat Files

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by project.

A. Files

Scope and Content Note

Project files vary greatly in the completeness of the records. Most contain some, but not all of the following: correspondence between architect and client, correspondence between architect and vendor, specifications and small sketches of architectural or furniture designs. The D.L. James residence is by far the most well-documented. Unidentified material is located at the end of the Subseries.

B. Presentation Drawings

Scope and Content Note

Contains a set of pencil drawings of furniture probably created for presentation.

C. Photographs

Scope and Content Note

Contains photographs of architectural furniture and projects. Several photographs of the office staff are located at the end of the Subseries.

D. Drawings

IV. Additional Donations, n.d., 1905-1907

Physical Description: Boxes 21-22, Flat Files

A. Thorsen House Drawings

Scope and Content Note

Contains large drawings of the Thorsen House.

B. Roy Flamm Photographs of C. S. Greene Studio

Scope and Content Note

Contains photographs of the C.S. Greene studio taken by Roy Flamm. The photographs were commissioned by the U.C. Berkeley Department of Architecture in 1959.

C. Reproductions of Greene and Greene House Plans at the Avery Library

Scope and Content Note

Comprised of photographic reproductions of drawings housed at the Avery Library.

Series Description

I. Personal Papers, 1862-1956

A. Family Correspondence

B. Personal Correspondence

C. Education

D. Travel

E. Photographs

F. Creative Works: Art and Fiction

G. Notebooks and Calendars

H. Philosophy

I. Financial Records

J. Professional Papers

K. Ephemera

L. Collected Works on Art and Architecture

M. Asian Influences: Art and Artifacts

II. Office Records, 1901-1946

A. Professional Correspondence, Business Records

B. Vendors

III. Project Records (including furniture), 1903-1946

A. Files

B. Presentation Drawings

C. Photographs

D. Drawings

IV. Additional Donations, n.d., 1905-1907

A. Thorsen House Drawings

B. Roy Flamm Photographs of C. S. Greene Studio

C. Reproductions of Greene and Greene House Plans at the Avery Library