C. Hart Merriam Collection 1891-1925

Summary

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Overview

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Abstract

Consists of a fragment of the Merriam archive on the Harriman Alaska Expedition (1899) as well as other materials relating to documentation of Alaskan wildlife and native peoples in the early 1890s. Most of the material is the result of proofing the illustration of a series of published papers documenting the expedition and its findings.

Description

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Description

The collection contains approximately 300 gravures of Alaska and 103 silver gelatin and albumen photographs (ranging from 5x8 to 38x28 cm.), the majority of which are attributed to Merriam. Other photographers include Walter D. Wilcox, O.J. Murie, and Donald R. Dickey. There are also a number of maps, diagrams, some correspondence, and typewritten manuscripts related to publication.

Collection Creator Biography

C. Hart Merriam was an American zoologist, ornithologist, entomologist, and ethnographer. In 1886, he became the first chief of the Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy of the United States Department of Agriculture, predecessor to the National Wildlife Research Center and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. He was one of the original founders of the National Geographic Society in 1888. In 1899, he helped railroad magnate E. H. Harriman to organize an exploratory voyage along the Alaska coastline. He died in Berkeley, California in 1942.

Collection History

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Acquisition

Purchased from Gary Edwards in 1997 (WA1997-92).

Processing Information

Finding aid updated by Valerie Addonizio in 2009.

Access and Use

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Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Associate University Librarian for Rare Books and Special Collections. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Preferred Citation

C. Hart Merriam Collection; 1891-1925, Manuscripts Division, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Find More

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Topics

• History of science
• Photography
• Travel
• Western Americana

Subject Terms

• Alaska
• American
• Arctic regions
• California
• Dickey, Donald R. (Donald Ryder), 1887-1932, photographer
• Discovery and exploration
• Maps
• Murie, O.J., photographer
• Research
• Wilcox, Walter D., photographer

Genre Terms

• Black-and-white prints (prints on paper)
• Color prints (prints)
• Photographs
• Photogravures (prints)

Contents and Arrangement

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Arrangement

Arranged in four boxes.

	Title	Date	Container
	Box 1	undated	Explore Multiple Containers
	Box 2	undated	Explore Multiple Containers
	Box 3	undated	Explore Multiple Containers
	Box 4	undated	Explore Multiple Containers