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Lockwood de Forest papers, 1858-1980, bulk 1870-1930

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Series 1: Correspondence, 1858-1931
0.9 Linear feet
Boxes 1, 4

Lockwood de Forest's professional correspondence includes letters to and from friends and colleagues about de Forest's wood carving business in Ahmedabad, India, the export of carvings, and the sale of the operation to Tiffany Studios. Notable correspondents include M. D. C. Crawford, Stewart Culin, Alfred Korzybski, and Purushottam M. Hutheesing & Sons. Also included are two letter books which contain copies of letters De Forest sent to various people in chronological order. There is a fair amount of correspondence with family members, especially De Forest's parents, his brother Robert, and his wife Meta Kemble. In addition, there are a few folders of Meta Kemble de Forest's correspondence with her mother-in-law Julia Mary de Forest and her grandmother Margaretta Du Pont. Typed transcriptions of letters are scattered throughout the series.
Lockwood de Forest's correspondence is arranged alphabetically, followed by the 2 letter books in chronological order. His wife Meta Kemble de Forest's correspondence is grouped together at the end of the series.
The bulk of this series has been digitized, except for duplicates.
Description Container Select
A, Miscellaneous, 1883-1926
1
1
Bryn Mawr College, 1907-1919
1
2
B, Miscellaneous, 1880-1928
1
3
"Colles", 1869-1870
1
4
Crawford, M. D. C., 1918-1930
1
5
Culin, Stewart, 1918-1919
1
6
Culin, Stewart, 1922-1927
1
7
C, Miscellaneous, 1907-1924
1
8
De Forest, Alfred and Izette, 1898-1924
1
9
De Forest, Henry Grant, circa 1858-1884
1
10
De Forest, Henry Wheeler, circa 1869-1925
1
11
De Forest, Johnston, 1931
1
12
De Forest, Judith, 1890-1898
1
13
De Forest, Julia Brasher, 1875-1922
1
14
De Forest, Julia Mary, 1869-1892
1
15
De Forest, Meta Kemble, 1884-1885
1
16
De Forest, Meta Kemble, 1886-1927
1
17
De Forest, Robert Weeks ("Robin"), 1858-1931
1
18
Denig, Lynde, circa 1923
1
19
D, Miscellaneous, 1880-1922
1
20
Frohne, Henry W., 1918
1
21
F, Miscellaneous, 1928
1
22
Garrett, M. E., 1887
1
23
Gould, Arthur L., 1925
1
24
H, Miscellaneous, 1868-1925
1
25
Jacob, S. S., 1893-1894
1
26
J, Miscellaneous, 1893-1926
1
27
Kahil, A. A., 1911-1912
1
28
Korzybski, Alfred, 1921-1924
1
29
Korzybski, Alfred, 1926-1930
1
30
K, Miscellaneous, 1880-1914
1
31
Laufer, Berthold, 1922
1
32
L, Miscellaneous, 1880-1921
1
33
M-N, Miscellaneous, 1882-1925
1
34
Observatories Correspondence, 1923
Correspondence with various observatories about de Forest's observations of the solar corona.
1
35
Polzer, Ludwig, 1926-1927
1
36
Pratt, George D., 1928
1
37
Pritchett, Mr., 1920
1
38
Purushottam M. Hutheesing & Sons, 1911
1
39
P, Miscellaneous, 1876-circa 1930
1
40
Ravell, H., 1924
1
41
Robinson, Edward Stevens, 1925-1928
1
42
Roosevelt, W. E., 1876
1
43
R, Miscellaneous, 1912-1926
1
44
Simmonds, Barbara, 1922-1923
1
45
S, Miscellaneous, 1886-1928
1
46
T, Miscellaneous, 1921-1922
1
47
Warner, Langdon, 1921
1
48
Weeks, Arthur, 1865-1868
1
49
W-Z, Miscellaneous, circa 1923
1
50
Duplicates of Correspondence Transcriptions, circa 1918-1930
1
51
Miscellaneous Letter Fragments and Unidentified Correspondence, 1880-1931
1
52
Letter Book from India, 1881-1882
Oversized letter book housed in Box 4.
1
53
Letter Book, 1905-1918
1
54
De Forest, Meta Kemble
De Forest, Julia Mary (Undated Correspondence), circa 1879-circa 1893
1
55
De Forest, Julia Mary, 1879-1893
1
56
Du Pont, Margaretta (Mrs. Alfred), circa 1888-1892
1
57
Du Pont, Margaretta (Mrs. Alfred), 1893-1897
1
58
Typed Excerpts of Meta De Forest's Letters, 1892-1893
1
59
Oversized Letter Book digitized with Box 1, Folder 53, 1881-1882
4
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Series 2: Writings, 1881-1976
0.8 Linear feet
Boxes 1-2, OV 5

Writings include handwritten and typescript drafts of Lockwood de Forest's book Indian Domestic Architecture, as well as essays and notes. Published and unpublished essays by de Forest are on assorted topics such as biographical sketches, art, education, museums, furniture construction, the study of nature and psychic research. There is a typescript draft of a Lockwood de Forest biography by Anne Lewis.
Drafts of Indian Domestic Architecture are at the beginning of the series, followed by essays in alphabetical order by title or subject, then notes, and finally a draft of a biography about Lockwood de Forest.
The bulk of this series has been digitized, except for duplicates.
Description Container Select
Indian Domestic Architecture Handwritten Draft (1 of 4), circa 1919
1
60
Indian Domestic Architecture Handwritten Draft (2 of 4), circa 1919
1
61
Indian Domestic Architecture Handwritten Draft (3 of 4), circa 1919
1
62
Indian Domestic Architecture Handwritten Draft (4 of 4), circa 1919
1
63
Indian Domestic Architecture Typescript Draft (1 of 3), circa 1919
1
64
Indian Domestic Architecture Typescript Draft (2 of 3), circa 1919
1
65
Indian Domestic Architecture Typescript Draft (3 of 3), circa 1919
1
66
Indian Domestic Architecture Book, 1885
Oversized book housed in OV 5.
2
1
Auditorium Description, circa 1910
2
2
Biographical Essays, circa 1912
2
3
"Collecting", 1919
2
4
"Definition of Terms", 1909
2
5
Education and Training Essays, 1919-1923
2
6
Furniture Construction Essay, circa 1900-circa 1910
2
7
George Baker Portrait Essay, circa 1919
2
8
Landscape Architecture Essay, 1919
2
9
"Museum Arrangement", 1919
2
10
Museum Collections Essays, 1919-1922
2
11
"Museum Management", 1919
2
12
"Natural History and Ethnological Museums, Art Museums", 1919
2
13
"Notes for Art School" and "Suggestions for the Normal Art School Course", 1918
2
14
"Observations on the Sun's Corona", 1923
2
15
"Psychic Research", 1919
2
16
"Review of Count Korzybski's Manhood of Humanity", circa 1919
2
17
"Study of Nature", 1919
2
18
"What is Art?", 1919
2
19
Miscellaneous Essays, 1920-1924
2
20
Handwritten Itinerary of Nepal and India Trip, circa 1881
2
21
Notes on Panama-Pacific Exposition, 1915
2
22
Miscellaneous Notes, circa 1919-circa 1924
2
23
Typescript of Lockwood de Forest Biography by Anne Lewis, circa 1976
2
24
Oversized Indian Domestic Architecture digitized with Box 2, Folder 1, 1885
OV 5
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Series 3: Diaries and Journals, 1868-1890
0.2 Linear feet
Box 2

Diaries and journals kept by Lockwood de Forest and his wife Meta chronicle their travels abroad. De Forest's entries cover trips to the Middle East and countries in Europe, such as France and Italy. Lockwood de Forest's letters from 1875-1876, and the accompanying transcriptions, describe his travels abroad to study painting and are considered a journal even though they take the form of correspondence. Meta Kemble de Forest's journals and diaries are mostly on travels in India.
Lockwood de Forest's diaries and journals are grouped together at the beginning of the series and arranged chronologically, followed by Meta Kemble de Forest's diaries and journals.
The bulk of this series has been digitized, except for duplicates.
Description Container Select
Diary of Trip to France and Italy, 1868
2
25
Diary of Trip to Turkey, Austria, Italy, and France, circa 1869
2
26
Diaries, 1871-1873
2
27
Travel Journal for Europe and the Middle East, 1875-1876
2
28
Typescript 1 of Travel Journal in Europe and the Middle East, 1875-1876
2
29
Typescript 2 of Travel Journal in Europe and the Middle East, 1875-1876
2
30
Meta Kemble de Forest's India Travel Journal Pages, circa 1880
2
31
Meta Kemble de Forest Diary, 1890
2
32
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Series 4: Lockwood de Forest Exhibition Files, 1974-1978
0.1 Linear feet
Box 2

Exhibition files consist of materials related to an exhibition of Lockwood de Forest's art travelling from the Heckscher Museum in Huntington, New York to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art in California, probably compiled by the collection donor, Mrs. Lockwood de Forest III. The series includes correspondence between the museums and Elizabeth de Forest, exhibition lists, inventories, and loan forms.
The materials in this series are grouped together by document type, then arranged chronologically within those groupings.
The bulk of this series has been digitized, except for duplicates.
Description Container Select
Correspondence, 1974
2
33
Correspondence, 1975
2
34
Correspondence, 1976
2
35
Correspondence, 1977
2
36
Correspondence, 1978
2
37
Exhibition Inventories and Lists, 1975-1978
2
38
Loan Forms, 1976-1978
2
39
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Series 5: Personal Business Records, 1869-1931
0.3 Linear feet
Box 2, OV 6

Personal business records include a wide range of financial and legal records. Financial records consist of ledgers, account records, receipts, invoices, and other material mostly related to Lockwood de Forest's businesses. Legal records contain contracts and agreements on the management of properties and businesses.
This series is arranged as 2 subseries, reflecting the original order.
  • 5.1: Financial Records, 1869-1923
  • 5.2: Legal and Other Records, 1880-1931
The bulk of this series has been digitized, except for blank pages and duplicates.

5.1

Financial Records, 1869-1923
Financial records consist of ledgers, account records, bills, receipts, invoices, and shipping records. Some of the material in this series is related to Lockwood de Forest's business designing furniture and importing objects from India, notably the records related to his business partner, philanthropist Muggunbhai Hutheesing.
Description Container
Ledger, 1880
Ledger possibly belongs to Meta Kemble de Forest.
2
40
Meta Kemble de Forest Ledger, 1881
2
41
Ewart Latham & Co. Account Records, circa 1882
2
42
General Account Records, 1911-1912
2
43
Muggunbhai Hutheesing Account Records, 1881
2
44
Muggunbhai Hutheesing Account Records, 1882
2
45
Muggunbhai Hutheesing Account Records, 1886
2
46
Muggunbhai Hutheesing Invoices (1 of 3), circa 1880-circa 1889
Oversized invoices housed in OV 6.
2
47
Muggunbhai Hutheesing Invoices (2 of 3), circa 1880-circa 1889
2
48
Muggunbhai Hutheesing Invoices (3 of 3), circa 1880-circa 1889
2
49
Receipts and Invoices, 1869-1879
2
50
Receipts and Invoices, circa 1882-circa 1889
2
51
Receipts and Invoices, 1904-1922
2
52
Shipping and Transportation Costs, 1882-1923
2
53
Inventory of Purchases in India, circa 1880-circa 1889
2
54
Miscellaneous Financial Records, circa 1880-circa 1920
2
55
Oversized Muggunbhai Hutheesing Invoices digitized with material from Box 2, Folder 47, circa 1880-circa 1889
OV 6

5.2

Legal and Other Records, 1880-1931
Legal records include contracts, agreements, certificates, and deeds related to assets, properties, and business. There is documentation related to the management of several properties, mostly de Forest's houses in New York City and Santa Barbara, in the form of leases and inventories of contents.
Description Container
Agreement with Warren, Fuller & Lange, 1883
2
56
Deed on the Sale of Stocks, 1931
2
57
Deeds and Other Documents for Santa Barbara Property, 1917-1921
2
58
Inventory of Items at 335 4th Avenue, New York, circa 1882-circa 1900
2
59
Inventory of Contents at 7 East 10th Street, New York, circa 1890-circa 1915
2
60
Inventory of Objects Loaned or Stored at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, circa 1912-circa 1914
2
61
Legal Contract with Muggunbhai Hutheesing, 1882
2
62
Legal Contract with Louis C. Tiffany, 1882
2
63
Legal Contract Regarding a Trust Fund, 1890
2
64
Memorandum on Burial, 1930
2
65
New York City Apartment Leases, 1883
2
66
Record of Sale of 7 East 10th Street, New York, 1922
2
67
Shipping Insurance Policy, 1881-1883
2
68
Wedding Certificate Signed by Witnesses (Photocopy), 1880
2
69
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Series 6: Printed Material, 1867-1980
0.5 Linear feet
Boxes 2-3

Printed material consists of exhibition catalogs, auction catalogs, magazines, books, announcements, event invitations, and clippings. Most of the material is about Lockwood de Forest, but there are some clippings and publications about his brother Robert and his friend Alfred Korzybski.
Printed material by or about Lockwood de Forest is at the beginning of the series. The rest of the material is grouped together by document type.
Description Container Select
Illustrations by Design by Lockwood de Forest, 1912
2
70
Lockwood de Forest Clippings, 1904-1978
2
71
John Taylor Johnston Collection Annotated Auction Catalog, 1876
2
72
Paintings by Frederic E. Church: Special Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1900
2
73
Lockwood de Forest Collection Annotated Auction Catalogs, 1922
3
1
Lockwood de Forest Memorial Exhibition Catalogs, 1933-1935
3
2
Robert de Forest Collection Auction Catalog, 1936
3
3
Handicraft, 1910
3
4
Magazines, 1890-1894
3
5
Magazines, 1900-1913
3
6
Magazines and Other Publications, 1925-1980
3
7
Alfred Korzybski Printed Material, 1921-1926
3
8
Robert de Forest Clippings, circa 1928-circa 1942
3
9
Clippings, circa 1918-circa 1924
3
10
Event Invitations and Exhibition Announcements, circa 1867-1977
3
11
Miscellaneous Printed Material, circa 1917-circa 1924
3
12
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Series 7: Sketchbooks and Drawings, 1869-1881
0.4 Linear feet
Box 3

There are numerous sketchbooks of places de Forest visited in Europe and the Middle East, often depicting landscapes, cities, and people. A few loose sketches and drawings and one design for a wood carving are in this series as well.
The sketchbooks are arranged chronologically, followed by the sketches and drawings.
The bulk of this series has been digitized, except for blank pages.
Description Container Select
Sketchbooks, 1869
3
13
Sketchbook, 1871-1872
3
14
Sketchbook, 1872
3
15
Sketchbooks, 1875
3
16
Sketchbook, 1875-1876
3
17
Sketchbooks, 1876 January-March
3
18
Sketchbooks, 1876 March-June
3
19
Sketchbook, 1877-1878
3
20
Sketchbooks, 1878
3
21
Sketchbooks, 1880-1881
3
22
Sketches, circa 1870-circa 1880
3
23
Drawing of Woodwork Pattern "Plan for Tracing #1", circa 1980
3
24
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Series 8: Photographs, circa 1870-circa 1932
0.2 Linear feet
Box 3

Photographs are of Lockwood de Forest, his wife, family, friends, colleagues, landscape paintings, his house on 7 East 10th Street in New York City, houses in Maine and California, wood carvings, and various objects he collected or sold, such as decorative tiles, rugs, weapons, and tools. There are a few negatives scattered throughout the series, but all of them have been developed into prints that can be found in the same folder.
Photographs of Lockwood de Forest are at the beginning of the series. The rest of the photographs are grouped by subject.
The bulk of this series has been digitized, except for duplicates and blank versos of photographs.
Description Container Select
Lockwood de Forest, circa 1870-circa 1930
3
25
Family Photographs, circa 1870-circa 1890
3
26
Friends and Colleagues in India, circa 1879-circa 1890
3
27
Mary Garrett, 1916
3
28
Muggunbhai Hutheesing and Wife, circa 1879
3
29
Unidentified People, circa 1882-circa 1900
3
30
Landscape Paintings, circa 1880-circa 1930
Paintings probably by Lockwood de Forest
3
31
7 East 10th Street, New York City, circa 1887-circa 1900
3
32
Houses in Maine, California, and Sicily, circa 1915-circa 1926
3
33
Wood Carvings, circa 1879-circa 1900
3
34
Objects, circa 1880-circa 1930
3
35
Annotated Photographs of Weapons and Tools, circa 1879-circa 1932
3
36

Make a Request

  • To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
  • To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.