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Henry Fairfield Osborn papers

 Collection
Identifier: VPA 125

Scope and Contents

Series 1 (Boxes 1 to 6) contain Osborn’s correspondence, both general and relating to specific publications including “Age of Mammals” 2nd edition, “Ape Man,” and “Men of the Old Stone Age.” This series also contains accession information for the entire Henry Fairfield Osborn Papers collection. It is arranged alphabetically and thematically, then chronologically.

Series 2 (Boxes 6 to 21) contains materials related to Osborn’s published papers, articles, and unpublished manuscripts, including substantial works like “Age of Mammals” and his Titanotheres monograph, as well as other writings on horses, Proboscidea, evolution, fauna, flora, vertebrate paleontology, and other subjects. Materials include notes, revisions, correspondence, illustrations, photographs, notebooks, and more. It is arranged alphabetically, then chronologically.

Series 3 (Boxes 22 to 24) contains memorabilia related to Osborn, including a photo album of students from Princeton, Columbia University, and the American Museum of Natural History, an illustrated text composed by Christina D. Matthew and Elisabeth M. Fulda, obituaries, biographies, and other materials. Most of the materials are in English, with some German- and Italian-language materials, as well. It is arranged chronologically.

Series 4 (Boxes 24 to 27) contain several of Osborn’s bibliographies, presented in various formats (bound, index cards, and card file). It is arranged alphabetically and by subject.

Series 5 contains press clippings written by or about Osborn. They are collected mainly from newspapers, but also include clippings from other periodicals. It is arranged chronologically.

Series 6 contains Osborn’s administrative materials. It is arranged chronologically.

Box Contents

Box 1
Age of Mammals 2nd edition correspondence
Box 2
Ape Man correspondence
Box 3
Men of the Old Stone Age correspondence
Box 4
Accession info & correspondence, 1904 – 1947
Box 5
Correspondence 1892 – 1942
Box 6
Addresses, AMNH-related, & Age of Mammals, 1888 – 1933
Box 7
Age of Mammals, 1908 – 1936
Box 8
Age of Mammals, 1911 – 1931
Box 9
Age of Mammals, 1916 – 1934
Box 10
Age of Mammals, 1931 – 1933
Box 11
Bibliography, Columbia University, & Evolution, 1897 – 1942
Box 12
Evolution, 1920 – 1945
Box 13
Fauna, 1872 – 1881
Box 14
Fauna & Flora, 1887 – 1935
Box 15
Geologic correlations & Horses, 1873 – 1930
Box 16
Horses, 1901 – 1942
Box 17
Horses, 1905 – 1942
Box 18
Horses, 1897 – 1913
Box 19
Proboscidea, 1924 – 1935
Box 20
Titanothere, 1870 – 1920
Box 21
Titanothere, Tributes, & Vertebrate Paleontology, 1886 – 1938
Box 22
Photo album, 1911
Box 23
Illustrated text, 1920
Box 24
Memorabilia & Bibliography (series 3 and 4), 1905 – 1949
Box 25
Bound bibliographies A – Osb (Adams – Osborn)
Box 26
Bibliographic index cards, Age of Mammals 2nd edition, 1883 – 1935
Box 27
Bibliographic card file
Box 28
Clippings on evolution and miscellaneous topics, 1916 – 1935
Box 29
Building-related projects, 1918 – 1932

Dates

  • 1870-1949

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed in the Division of Paleontology. Please contact the collection manager for access; materials are sometimes restricted. https://www.amnh.org/research/paleontology/collections/vertebrate-paleontology-archives

Extent

12.25 Linear Feet (29 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Related Materials

The AMNH Library Special Collections has Henry Fairfield Osborn papers (Mss .O835) and Henry Fairfield Osborn research papers, circa 1888 (Mss .O8352)

General

Historic Call Number: originally 5:6 later 6:7; 5:2. Formerly VPA 39, VPA 69

Title
Henry Fairfield Osborn papers, 1870-1949
Author
Melissa Silvestri, Allyson Mellone, Alana Gishlick, 2021; Maya Naunton, 2022; Amanda Raquel Dorval 2023
Date
2022 May
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Sponsor
This finding aid was created with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America grant, 2020.

Repository Details

Part of the Vertebrate Paleontology Archives Repository

Contact:
200 Central Park West
New York NY 10024-5192