roycroft-hubbard_papers
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Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester Rush Rhees Library Second Floor, Room 225 Rochester, NY 14627-0055 [email protected] URL: https://www.library.rochester.edu/spaces/rbscp roycroft-hubbard_papers
Table of Contents
Summary Information ...... 3 Biographical/Historical note ...... 3 Scope and Contents note ...... 4 Administrative Information ...... 5 Controlled Access Headings ...... 5 Collection Inventory ...... 6 Series I: Correspondence ...... 6 Series II: Manuscripts and essays ...... 7 Subseries I: Manuscripts written by Elbert Hubbard ...... 7 Subseries II: Manuscript essays by others about E. Hubbard and Roycroft ...... 9 Subseries III: Miscellaneous related material ...... 9 Series III: Printed ephemera ...... 10 Series IV: Photographs and engravings ...... 12
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Summary Information
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester Creator: Roycroft Shop Creator: Hubbard, Elbert, 1856-1915 Title: Roycroft-Hubbard papers ID: D.77 Date [inclusive]: 1887-1965 Physical Description: 4 boxes, 1 package, 1 boxed bound volume Language of the English Material: Language of the English Material:
Preferred Citation
(Name of item, if applicable), Roycroft-Hubbard Papers, 1887-1965. Dept. of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester.
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Biographical/Historical note
Elbert Hubbard was born in Bloomington, Illinois in 1856, the second son and third child of Silas Hubbard, a doctor. He was educated in the district school, and at the age of 16 began selling soap for his cousin Justus Weller. In 1875 Weller split the business with his partner John Larkin, and Hubbard followed Larkin to Buffalo, where he became the junior partner in the Larkin Soap Company and was responsible for introducing the system of credit and premiums used to sell products. He married Bertha Crawford in 1881, and they had three sons and one daughter. In 1884 the Hubbard family moved to East Aurora, New York. Hubbard was very successful in business, but in 1892 he decided to leave Larkin in order to write novels. He had published his first novel in 1891, which was followed by three others in 1893 and 1894. The following year he attended Harvard University as a special student for a term, then in 1894 went to England for the summer.
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In England he met William Morris and was impressed by Kelmscott printing and by Morris' ideas on design. Upon his return he wrote a series of "Little Journeys" based on places he had visited during his English trip. These were published by Putnam, at the rate of one per month. In June 1895 Hubbard began to publish "The Philistine," which was issued monthly until his death in 1915. At the same time, Hubbard began to print a book, The Song of Songs, in his barn, on a handpress. By the end of 1895 he owned a print shop, where for the next 20 years he produced The Philistine, the series of 15 "Little Journeys," and about 30 individual books. The Roycroft venture expanded rapidly into a semi-communal business with an inn for paying guests, a large force of employees, and a line of products that included handcrafts, furniture, gifts and candy. A Roycrofter's Annual Convention was held every summer.
In 1899 he published in The Philistine the essay which became his best known, "A Message to Garcia" , and which doubled the circulation of his periodicals. Hubbard became a public figure, and began to make lecture appearances, speaking about the Roycroft Community.
About 1889 Hubbard had met Alice Moore, an East Aurora school teacher. Their daughter Miriam was born in 1894, and in 1901 Bertha Hubbard obtained a divorce. Alice Moore and Elbert Hubbard were married in 1904, and thereafter Alice Hubbard was a partner in managing the Roycroft enterprises.
In 1908 Hubbard began to publish The Fra, which was a large format monthly magazine with a roster of contributors and regular commercial advertising pages. At about this time he became more and more identified with large business interests in his writings, and the last series of "Little Journeys" was to the Homes of Great Business Men.
Elbert and Alice Hubbard were lost on board the Lusitania, May 1915. After their deaths, Elbert Hubbard II carried on the Roycroft enterprise until the Depression. The shops were sold in 1938. Elbert Hubbard II died in 1970.
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Scope and Contents note
The collection consists of correspondence, manuscript essays by and about Elbert Hubbard, printed ephemera relating to Roycroft enterprises and photographs and engravings of the Hubbards, Roycroft personalities, and the subjects of "Little Journeys." The correspondence is in four series. The first consists of letters from Elbert Hubbard, Alice Hubbard and Elbert Hubbard II to various people. The second series consists of 85 letters from Lyman Chandler, who was Hubbard's secretary, to Miss Florence Irvine. The letters concern events at Roycroft, visitors and residents, as well as Hubbard himself. The third series consists of 145 letters exchanged between the Hubbards and William Morris Delsher of Reading, Pennsylvania. Delsher was an insurance agent who admired Hubbard. He arranged two speaking engagements in Reading for him. The final series consists of correspondence between George Ferrell of Liberty, Missouri, a Hubbard collector and admirer, and Elbert Hubbard II, from 1962 to 1965.
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Administrative Information
Publication Statement Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Rush Rhees Library Second Floor, Room 225 Rochester, NY 14627-0055 [email protected] URL: https://www.library.rochester.edu/spaces/rbscp
Restrictions on Access The Roycroft-Hubbard Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note Gift of Robert L. Volz, June 1977.
Purchased from The Rendells, May 19, 1978, NEH Fund.
Postcards purchased at Swann Auction, April 29, 1993, Bowerman Fund.
Restrictions on Use In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.
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Controlled Access Headings
• Correspondence • Photographs - Page 5- roycroft-hubbard_papers • Roycroft Shop • Hubbard, Elbert, 1856-1915
Collection Inventory
Series I: Correspondence, 1895-1965 Title/Description Instances Hubbard correspondence, 1895-1898 Box 1 Folder 1
Hubbard correspondence, 1899-1915 Box 1 Folder 2
Hubbard correspondence, 1916-1968 Box 1 Folder 3
Lyman Chandler correspondence, January-April 1900 Box 1 Folder 4
Lyman Chandler correspondence, May-June 1900 Box 1 Folder 5
Lyman Chandler correspondence, July-August 1900 Box 1 Folder 6
Lyman Chandler correspondence, September-December 1900 Box 1 Folder 7
Lyman Chandler correspondence, January-February 1901 Box 1 Folder 8
Lyman Chandler correspondence, March 1901 Box 1 Folder 9
Lyman Chandler correspondence, April-May 1901 Box 1 Folder 10
Lyman Chandler correspondence, June-October 1901 Box 1 Folder 11
Deisher-Hubbard correspondence, 1902-1909 Box 1 Folder 12
Deisher-Hubbard correspondence, 1910-1911 Box 1 Folder 13
Deisher-Hubbard correspondence, January-March 1912 Box 1 Folder 14
Deisher-Hubbard correspondence, April-December 1912 Box 1 Folder 15
Deisher-Hubbard correspondence, 1913-1914 Box 1 Folder 16
Deisher-Hubbard correspondence, 1915-1942 Box 1 Folder 17
George Ferrel correspondence, 1962 Box 2 Folder 1
George Ferrel correspondence, January-May 1963 Box 2 Folder 2
George Ferrel correspondence, June-September 1963 Box 2 Folder 3
George Ferrel correspondence, October-December 1963 Box 2 Folder 4
George Ferrel correspondence, January-March 1964 Box 2 Folder 5
George Ferrel correspondence, April-July 1964 Box 2 Folder 6
George Ferrel correspondence, August-December 1964 Box 2 Folder 7
George Ferrel correspondence, 1965 Box 2 Folder 8
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Series II: Manuscripts and essays
Subseries I: Manuscripts written by Elbert Hubbard Title/Description Instances The Roycrofter's dictionary Box 2 Folder 9
Life in abundance Box 2 Folder 10 Physical Description: 8 pages.
[California and John Brown] Box 2 Folder 11 Physical Description: 22 pages on 22 leaves. Holograph manuscript, extensively revised. About 370 lines, 1400 words. Scope and Contents
Observations on Riverside agriculture as developed by Chase of Monroe County, N.Y. State, on people in Pasadena, and on John Brown, whose daughter, Ruth Thompson, lived in the area and attended Hubbard's lecture.
[Canned life] Box 2 Folder 12 Physical Description: 15 pages on 15 leaves. Holograph manuscript, extensively revised. About 240 lines, 1000 words. Related Materials: Related Materials
Published in The Philistine, Vol. 12, No. 5, April 1901, p. 129-134, in the regular feature, "Heart to Heart Talks with Philistines by the Pastor of His Flock."
[College Freshmen] Box 2 Folder 13 Physical Description: 1 page on 1 leaf. Typed manuscript, with extensive holograph additions. 23 lines, 90 words. Scope and Contents
One page only from a longer manuscript on moral dangers to college freshmen.
[The flight of time] Box 2 Folder 14 Physical Description: 1 page on 1 leaf. Holograph manuscript, with one revision. 6 lines, 22 words.
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Scope and Contents
"Orators, people asleep, dead ones, and women in the toilet of a Pullman car know nothing of the flight of time."
Help yourself by helping the house Box 2 Folder 15 Physical Description: 13 pages on 13 leaves, with extra title leaf. Typed manuscript, signed by Hubbard at end. 210 lines, 1000 words. Probably a retained carbon. Related Materials: Related Materials
Published as a pamphlet in 1917, in the New York American, and in Vol. 1 of Selected Writings in 1927. First published in The Philistine, Vol. 25, No. 4, September 1907.
A little journey to the home of Charles Henry Fox Box 2 Folder 16 Physical Description: 1 page on 1 leaf. Typed manuscript, with extensive holograph additions. 29 lines, 150 words. 1 page. Scope and Contents
One page only from a longer manuscript on the Fox floral business, undoubtedly one of Hubbard's advertising Little Journeys.
Marshall P. Wilder impersonating Fra Elbertus in Vaudeville Box 2 Folder 17 Physical Description: 1 page on 1 leaf. Clipped magazine photograph of Wilder in his impersonation, pasted to larger sheet, with Hubbard's manuscript caption in ink.
A message to printers Box 2 Folder 18 Physical Description: 14 pages on 14 leaves, with extra title leaf. Typed manuscript, with some holograph revisions. 282 lines, 1400 words. Accompanied with a 1-page note on Hubbard's writing method, by his son, Elbert Hubbard II.
[Rosamund Tales by Cuyler Reynolds] Box 2 Folder 19 Physical Description: 1 page on 1 leaf. Typed manuscript, with one holograph revision, signed by Hubbard at end. 13 lines, 90 words. Scope and Contents
A short appreciation of Reynolds' children's book. Bears manuscript notation "Copy sent to Page & Co."
Rustic Hickory, An appreciation Box 2 Folder 20 Physical Description: 20 pages on 20 leaves. Typed manuscript, with extensive holograph revisions and additions. 380 lines, 2100 words.
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Scope and Contents
The first four pages discuss successful Irishmen in America, the next eight the Irishman, Andrew Jackson, or "Old Hickory", and the last eight the Rustic Hickory Furniture Co. of La Porte, Indiana.
Proofs of articles, March, 1901, March, 1901 Box 2 Folder 21 Scope and Contents
Subseries II: Manuscript essays by others about E. Hubbard and Roycroft Title/Description Instances May A. Philo, A little journey to Sun Up - the home of Elbert Box 2 Folder 22 Hubbard Physical Description: 9 pages on 9 quarto leaves. Carbon of typed manuscript. Scope and Contents
Contents indicate this was written about 1905. Written under the pseudonymn of Brother Ambrosius.
A little journey to the home of Little Journeys Box 2 Folder 23 Physical Description: 15 pages on 15 quarto leaves. Carbon of typed manuscript. Scope and Contents
Contents indicate this was written about 1904-05. Contains extensive details on Hubbard and his speaking style.
Glen Buck, [Hubbard and Shakespeare] Box 2 Folder 24 Physical Description: 1 page on 1 quarto leaf. Copy of typed manuscript. Scope and Contents
Dated with cover letter to Lew Sarett, September 4, 1934.
George Ferrel, [Elbert Hubbard of East Aurora] Box 2 Folder 25 Physical Description: title: Bulletin
Robert L. Volz, Elbert Hubbard and the Roycrofters: makers of Box 2 Folder 26 fine books
Subseries III: Miscellaneous related material Title/Description Instances Carl Ahrons, She of the golden eyes Box 2 Folder 27
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Physical Description: 1 page on 1 leaf. Typed manuscript, possibly copied out by Lyman Chandler (cf. Chandler's letter to Florence C. Irvine, Aug. 5, 1900, p.6). Biographical / Historical
Ahrens was an artist associated with the Roycrofters.
Wilet Hubbard, Birthday sentiment book, June 7, 1910 Box 2 Folder 28 Physical Description: 74 leaves, bound in full suede, with label lettering in gilt. Scope and Contents
Birthday sentiment book, for Wilet Hubbard's 21st birthday, June 7, 1910. Contains inscriptions by Elbert Hubbard, C.H. Kingsbury, Dard Hunter, Edith C. Hunter, and Felix Shay, among others.
Wells' new descriptive chart, for the use of examiner, giving a Box 2 Folder 29 delineation of the character of Mr. E.G. Hubbard as given by Prof. Wm. C. Pike, September 22, 1874 Physical Description: Contains 2 pages of charts, with 53 conditions delineated in manuscript. Published: New York, Samuel R. Wells, c1869.
Ali Baba testimonial, July 22, 1923 Box 2 Folder 30 Scope and Contents
Ali Baba Get-Well Testimonial, July 22, 1923. Resolved by participants of the 1923 Roycrofters Convention and sent to Anson Blackman, affectionately known as "Ali Baba." Signed by 27 parties.
Terse but worse verse [to A. Fournier], July 14, 1937, July 14, Box 2 Folder 31 1937 Physical Description: 1 1/2 pages on 2 leaves. Typed manuscript. Scope and Contents
By Steve and Aitcheff. Dated Bostwick Island, July 14, 1937. Testimonial light verse, written in dialect, addressed to Alexis J. Fournier, long-time Roycroft artist.
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Series III: Printed ephemera Title/Description Instances Books and periodicals Box 3 Folder 1
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Miscellaneous Box 3 Folder 2
Book design, Illumination Box 3 Folder 3
Book design, samples of French marbled papers Box 3 Folder 4
Christmas cards Box 3 Folder 5
Small mottoes Box 3 Folder 6
Medium and large mottoes Box 3 Folder 7
Roycroft foods Box 3 Folder 8
Lecture notices Box 3 Folder 9
American Academy of Immortals Box 3 Folder 10
Roycroft fraternity Box 3 Folder 11
Programs, Roycroft events Box 3 Folder 12
Roycroft stock certificate, June 4, 1902 Box 3 Folder 13 Scope and Contents
Stock certificate No. 51, for two shares of Roycrofter capital stock, June 4, 1902, issued to Hubbard's father, Dr. Silas Hubbard. Contains genuine signatures of Dr. Silas Hubbard, Elbert Hubbard, Elbert Hubbard II, Lyman Chandler, Andrew Andrews, and Ellen Grant. With a penned note of Elbert Hubbard II at bottom, dated 2-15-1964.
Memorial programs for Elbert and Alice Hubbard Box 3 Folder 14
Elbert Hubbard's birthday celebration, to be held at Roycroft in Box 3 Folder 15 East Aurora N.Y., June 19 to 22, 1930 Scope and Contents
Four copies of printed 8-page program, one signed in ms. on page [3] by participants in the unveiling of a more- than-lifesize statue of Elbert Hubbard on the Roycroft grounds on Thursday afternoon, June 19: H. [i.e. Harry] W. Mead, superintendent of East Aurora High School, reading Hubbard's "An Invocation to Man" (printed on page [2]; Irving L. Price, Mayor of East Aurora, greetings; Elbert Hubbard II, remarks; Elbert Hubbard III, unveiling of statue; Jerome Connor, sculptor; Joe Mitchell Chapple, eulogy; and Clarence Darrow, principal speaker. Guest list and seating locations, 3 pages, carbon of typescript. Tinted printed photograph of the Hubbard statue, flanked by Elbert Hubbard II, Elbert Hubbard III, and the sculptor, Jerome Connor, and signed by all three, in purple and black ink.
Roycroft Health Home Box 3 Folder 16
Roycroft Inn Box 3 Folder 17
Roycroft Inn, post, 1915 - Page 11- roycroft-hubbard_papers
Box 3 Folder 18
Newspaper clippings about Elbert Hubbard Box 3 Folder 19
Larkin Soap Co., Buffalo, Premium list, 1887 Box 3 Folder 20
Roycroft Annual Convention, programs, 1917-1922 Box 3 Folder 21
Promotional literature, post - books, 1915 Box 3 Folder 22
Promotional literature, post - handcrafts, 1915 Box 3 Folder 23
Elbert Hubbard Library-Museum, East Aurora, N.Y. Box 3 Folder 24
Elbert Hubbard II Box 3 Folder 25
25 large illuminated mottoes package 1
Poster for Elbert Hubbard lecture, Turn Hall, Rochester, N.Y., package 1 May 3, 1908
Poster for Hubbard-Roycroft Show at Rochester Institue of package 1 Technology, May 17-23, [1967]
A message to Garcia Volume 1 Physical Description: date: June 5, 1900
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Series IV: Photographs and engravings Title/Description Instances Ali Baba (Anson Blackman) Box 4 Folder 1
C.H. Kinabury album, presented to Anson Blackman, 1916 Box 4 Folder 2 Scope and Contents
Pictures of Hubbards, Roycrofters, Dard Hunter's paper mill
Bookbinding Box 4 Folder 3
Buildings and views Box 4 Folder 4
Alice Hubbard Box 4 Folder 5
Elbert Hubbard, snapshots Box 4 Folder 6
Elbert Hubbard, portrait engravings Box 4 Folder 7
Elbert Hubbard, portrait photo gravures Box 4 Folder 8
Elbert Hubbard, portrait photographs Box 4 Folder 9
Elbert Hubbard, watermark portrait Box 4 Folder 10
Elbert Hubbard II and family Box 4 Folder 11
Engraved portraits for Little Journeys, A-M - Page 12- roycroft-hubbard_papers
Box 4 Folder 12
Engraved portraits for Little Journeys, N-Z Box 4 Folder 13
Postcards Box 4 Folder 14
Pictures of Roycrofters Box 4 Folder 15
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