Guide to the Frank S. Streeter Papers
Title:
Frank S. Streeter Papers
OCLC No.:
843196007
Dates:
1914-2006
Bulk Dates:
1950-2006
Extent:
6.5 linear feet (7 boxes)
Abstract:
The Frank S. Streeter Papers represent the book collecting activities of Frank S. Streeter, and his father Thomas W. Streeter. The papers contain notes, catalog records, correspondence, inventories, and other materials related to the collection and disposition of rare book materials.
Access Restrictions:
Collection is open for research use. Copyright restrictions may apply; please contact repository for requests for copying and for authorization to publish, quote, or reproduce the materials.
Preferred Citation:
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Frank S. Streeter Papers, The Grolier Club of New York.
About the Finding Aid:
This finding aid was prepared by Alison Lotto in Microsoft Word at the Grolier Club, April 2013.
Provenance:
The collection belonged to the family of Thomas W. Streeter and Frank S. Streeter until it was brought into the Grolier Club with the assistance of Club member Jonathan Hill, in February of 2013.
Access Points:
Names
Streeter, Frank S., 1918-2006
Streeter, Thomas W. (Thomas Winthrop), 1883-1965
Subjects
Rare books--Catalogs--United States--20th century.
Rare books--Collectors and collecting--United States--20th century.
Exploration and discovery
Genres
Book catalogs
Auction catalogs
Newsletters
Letters
Biographical/Historical Note:
Thomas W. Streeter was born in 1883 in Concord, New Hampshire to a prominent family. He went to St. Paul’s School and Dartmouth College and then Harvard Law School. He worked as a lawyer in Boston from 1907 to 1917 and then moved to New York City to work for the American International Collection. According to his friends and family, he first became interested in book collecting during his time in Boston, but began collecting extensively around 1920 in New York.
During the 1920s, Thomas’s interests in book collecting became focused on the fifty-year period before Texas was annexed by the United States and became a state in 1845. He was particularly interested in exploration and settlement during this period and collected extensively in the history of the United States and the southwest in particular. By 1939, Thomas decided to retire and work full-time on his book collecting. He employed a full-time librarian and was active in the Bibliographical Society of America, the American Antiquarian Society, John Carter Brown Library, the Pierpont Morgan Library and the New-York Historical Society. Thomas Streeter was also active at the Grolier Club. He joined the club in 1921, and served on the council from 1943 to 1948. He was named an Honorary Member in 1962.
Streeter saw his collection as having three parts, the Texas Collection, the railroad collection and the Streeter Collection. He and sold the Texas collection to Yale University in 1956. The railroad collection was divided between the American Antiquarian Society, Dartmouth College and other institutions. The remainder of the collection was sold at auction at Parke-Bernet from 1966 to 1969. It was sold in seven sales over three years between October 25, 1966 and October 22, 1969 with 650 lots in each sale and organized by subject matter.
Frank S. Streeter was born in 1918 and raised in Morristown, New Jersey. Frank went to Harvard for his undergraduate education and then began working in or for financial firms, eventually spending many years as a financial advisor to John Jay Whitney and his family. He grew up with a book collector as a father but did not become interested in book collecting himself until the Streeter Sale in 1966.
When Thomas Streeter died in 1965, he gave all of his children a book of their choosing from his collection. Frank chose Henry J. Warre’s Sketches in North America and the Oregon Territory. Beginning with this book, Frank began bidding on other books in his father’s collection and over the course of the seven sales acquired a number of important volumes.
In 1970, Frank was admitted to the Grolier Club, and went on to become the President from 1982-1985, and oversaw the Club’s centennial celebrations. He was also active in the Walpole Society, the John Carter Brown Library and the New-York Historical Society. According to his biographers, 1970-1975 was the height of Frank’s collecting, and he purchased quite a few important volumes, all related to oceanography and exploration. During the 1980’s, Frank extended his collecting focus to include scientific and theoretical texts. He also continued to collect items from his father’s collection, purchasing The Atlantic Neptune in 1993.
In the 2000’s as Frank aged, he began making plans for the disposition of his collection. He commissioned a number of inventories, and in 2006 received proposals to sell the collection at auction. Frank decided to sell the books at Christie’s, but he died the day they were to be picked up so he was not able to see the sales. Christie’s held the sales April 16-17, 2007, and they were an enormous success.
Related Materials:
There are materials related to the Thomas W. Streeter portion of the collection at the following repositories.
Yale University
Thomas W. Streeter Papers, WA MSS S-1312
Thomas W. Streeter Collection of Hudson Book Company, Edward Eberstadt, and Edward Eberstadt & Sons Catalogs, WA MSS S-2588
Thomas W. Streeter Collection of Texas Manuscripts, WA MSS S-498-500
American Antiquarian Society
Thomas W. Streeter Papers
Scope and Content Note:
The Frank S. Streeter papers contain correspondence, notes, catalog pages, inventories in paper and notecard form, publications, including some Grolier Club publications, and diaries related to the book collecting activities of Frank and Thomas Streeter. If a folder is labeled “Book collecting” it contains correspondence, notes, catalog pages and diary entries. The papers also contain materials including correspondence and proposals related to both the Frank S. Streeter and Thomas Streeter book sales. The collection contains copies of the sale proposals, and the sale catalogs can be found in the Grolier Club’s Auction Catalogs collection.
The bulk of the Frank S. Streeter papers document his work as a collector, with one series covering the disposition of his father’s collection and some of his father’s papers. Because of the strong influence Thomas Streeter’s collection had on Frank’s collecting and writing, many of the same interests and volumes come up in both of their papers.
Arrangement Note:
The Streeter papers appear to have no original order, and were brought into the Grolier Club Archives in a variety of bags and boxes that do not represent how they were originally stored. After a survey, it was clear that many things were mixed together, including items that have different provenance and are from different time periods in Thomas W. and Frank S. Streeter’s careers. Because of this mixed provenance, the collection was separated into series based on Frank Streeter’s collecting and professional activities, with another series for his father’s materials. The folders were created by pulling together items that were adjacent to one another, and then sorted for papers that clearly belonged in another series. After being separated by series, the materials were organized roughly in date order, but many folders span a large date range and most materials are undated.
Series I: Thomas W. Streeter Papers
Series II: Frank S. Streeter Collecting Correspondence and Research
Series III: Collection inventories
Series IV: Other organizations
Series V: Papers related to auctions
Series VI: Publications
Container List:
|
Box #
|
Folder #
|
Series
|
Folder Title
|
Date
|
|
1
|
1
|
I
|
Thomas Streeter Book collecting
|
1914-1979
|
|
1
|
2
|
I
|
American Antiquarian-Auction
|
1920-1949
|
|
1
|
3
|
I
|
The Boston Athenaeum
|
1943-1964
|
|
1
|
4
|
I
|
The Century Association
|
1947-1959
|
|
1
|
5
|
I
|
Harvard College and Harvard University Library
|
1948-1965
|
|
1
|
6
|
I
|
Streeter, T.W.-Book Collection Disposal
|
1949-1963
|
|
1
|
7
|
I
|
Streeter, T.W.-Book Collection Disposal
|
1949-1963
|
|
1
|
8
|
I
|
McLean, Malcolm D. and Margaret S. Correspondence, Mexico Trip
|
1951
|
|
1
|
9
|
I
|
American Antiquarian Society Meetings
|
1952
|
|
1
|
10
|
I
|
Americana-Beginnings (see also Hroswitha)
|
1952-1953
|
|
1
|
11
|
I
|
T.W. Streeter Publications
|
1957-1961
|
|
1
|
12
|
I
|
American Heritage
|
1957-1962
|
|
1
|
13
|
I
|
John Carter Brown Library Associates
|
1957-1965
|
|
1
|
14
|
I
|
Thomas Streeter Article and Inventory
|
1958-2006
|
|
1
|
15
|
I
|
Thomas Streeter Memo regarding sale of books
|
1959
|
|
1
|
16
|
I
|
British Museum
|
1963
|
|
1
|
17
|
I
|
American Antiquarian
|
1964-1966
|
|
1
|
18
|
I
|
List of items intended as gift by T.W. Streeter to American Antiquarian Society, appraisal by E.E. & Sons
|
1965-1966
|
|
1
|
19
|
I
|
Parke-Bernet Contract
|
1965
|
|
1
|
20
|
I
|
Parke-Bernet Early Correspondence
|
1961-1964
|
|
1
|
21
|
I
|
Parke-Bernet Correspondence
|
1964-1965
|
|
1
|
22
|
I
|
Parke-Bernet Press Releases
|
1965-1966
|
|
1
|
23
|
I
|
Bancroft Library Bequest, Tahiti Imprints
|
1965-1966
|
|
1
|
24
|
I
|
Legacies, including Tahiti Imprints
|
1965-1966
|
|
1
|
25
|
I
|
R.A.L. Tree
|
1965-1966
|
|
1
|
26
|
I
|
Mr. Walsh
|
1965-1966
|
|
1
|
27
|
I
|
Lists
|
1965-1966
|
|
1
|
28
|
I
|
Thomas Streeter Collection
|
1965-1980
|
|
1
|
29
|
I
|
T.W. Streeter Americana Sale
|
1965-1967
|
|
1
|
30
|
I
|
Fines Arts Policy Summary
|
1966
|
|
1
|
31
|
I
|
Libraries and Book Dealers
|
1966
|
|
1
|
32
|
I
|
Thomas Streeter Clippings
|
1971
|
|
1
|
33
|
I
|
Thomas Streeter Publications
|
1971-1989
|
|
2
|
1
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1969-1977
|
|
2
|
2
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1969-1990
|
|
2
|
3
|
II
|
Notes based on a reading of The Golden Antilles
|
1970
|
|
2
|
4
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1970-1985
|
|
2
|
5
|
II
|
Catalog clippings
|
1971-1982
|
|
2
|
6
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1972-1979
|
|
2
|
7
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1973-2006
|
|
2
|
8
|
II
|
Book collecting, prices in mid-June 1974
|
1974
|
|
2
|
9
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1975-1998
|
|
2
|
10
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1976-1986
|
|
2
|
11
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1976-1986
|
|
2
|
12
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1977-1987
|
|
2
|
13
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1978-1998
|
|
2
|
14
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1978-2003
|
|
2
|
15
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1979-1993
|
|
2
|
16
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1982-1999
|
|
2
|
17
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1983-2006
|
|
3
|
1
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1983-2001
|
|
3
|
2
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1984-2002
|
|
3
|
3
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1986-2000
|
|
3
|
4
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1987-1993
|
|
3
|
5
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1988-1993
|
|
3
|
6
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1988-1999
|
|
3
|
7
|
II
|
Book notes and prices
|
1992
|
|
3
|
8
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1992-1997
|
|
3
|
9
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1992-2000
|
|
3
|
10
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1993-1996
|
|
3
|
11
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1994-1995
|
|
3
|
12
|
II
|
Book collecting, book notes and diaries
|
1994-2000
|
|
3
|
13
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1995-2004
|
|
3
|
14
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1994-1995
|
|
3
|
15
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1998-2004
|
|
3
|
16
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
1998-2004
|
|
3
|
17
|
II
|
Frank T. Siebert Library Notes
|
1999
|
|
3
|
18
|
II
|
Frank T. Siebert Library Auction Information (1 of 2)
|
1999
|
|
3
|
19
|
II
|
Frank T. Siebert Library Auction Information (2 of 2)
|
1999
|
|
3
|
20
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
2004
|
|
4
|
1
|
II
|
Book prices
|
Undated
|
|
4
|
2
|
II
|
Engraving of bookplate
|
Undated
|
|
4
|
3
|
II
|
Book collecting remarks, notes
|
Undated
|
|
4
|
4
|
II
|
Notebooks on book collecting
|
Undated
|
|
4
|
5
|
II
|
Book collecting
|
Undated
|
|
4
|
6
|
III
|
Associates of the John Carter Brown Library
|
1966-1974
|
|
4
|
7
|
III
|
The Oliver Institute Collection
|
1968
|
|
4
|
8
|
III
|
N-YHS Annual Reports
|
1973-1974
|
|
4
|
9
|
III
|
N-YHS Library
|
1974
|
|
4
|
10
|
III
|
Notes for a LaPerous Exhibit at the Grolier Club
|
1978
|
|
4
|
11
|
III
|
The Hakluyt Society
|
1979-1980
|
|
4
|
12
|
III
|
Grolier Club
|
1983-1994
|
|
4
|
13
|
III
|
Century Association
|
1983
|
|
4
|
14
|
III
|
The Library Company of Philadelphia
|
1983
|
|
4
|
15
|
III
|
Grolier Club Centennial Mark
|
1984
|
|
4
|
16
|
III
|
Grolier Club
|
1990
|
|
4
|
17
|
III
|
Yale Medical Library Board of Trustees
|
1990
|
|
4
|
18
|
III
|
Boston Athenaeum Trustees Visit
|
1995
|
|
4
|
19
|
III
|
Walpole Society
|
1995
|
|
4
|
20
|
III
|
Exhibitions-Yale
|
1996
|
|
4
|
21
|
IV
|
Publications
|
1969-1977
|
|
4
|
22
|
IV
|
Publications
|
1975-1982
|
|
4
|
23
|
IV
|
Publications
|
1975-1991
|
|
5
|
|
IV
|
Publications
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Grolier Club, 1884-1984
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Library of Jean Grolier
|
|
|
|
|
|
Book Decorations by Grosvenor Goodhue
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Grolier Club, 1884-1967
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 copies Grolier 2000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grolier 75
|
|
|
|
|
|
Four Oaks Farm, Four Oaks Library
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Grolier Club, Iter Italicum
|
|
|
|
|
|
One Hundred Books before 1900, Grolier Club
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Grolier Club Centennial Bibliography
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew Oliver, 1906-1981
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 copies Members of the Grolier Club 1884-1984
|
|
|
5
|
|
II
|
Frank Streeter Bookplate drawing
|
|
|
6
|
1
|
V
|
Inventory and appraisal
|
1970-2008
|
|
6
|
2
|
V
|
Inventories
|
1988-2001
|
|
6
|
3
|
V
|
Notes related to inventory
|
2002
|
|
6
|
4
|
V
|
Inventory
|
2002
|
|
6
|
5
|
V
|
Inventory, items not located
|
2003
|
|
6
|
6
|
V
|
Inventory
|
2003
|
|
6
|
7
|
V
|
Inventory
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
8
|
V
|
Inventory (most valuable books marked)
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
9
|
V
|
Inventory
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
10
|
V
|
Book list
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
11
|
V
|
Inventory
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
12
|
V
|
Inventory
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
13
|
V
|
Catalogue Descriptions (1 of 2)
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
14
|
V
|
Catalogue Descriptions (2 of 2)
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
15
|
V
|
Working Library
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
16
|
V
|
Cards
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
17
|
V
|
Cards A-J
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
18
|
V
|
Cards K-Z
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
19
|
V
|
Cards
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
20
|
V
|
Cards A-G
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
21
|
V
|
Cards H-Z
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
22
|
V
|
Supplementary Cards Transcribed
|
Undated
|
|
6
|
23
|
VI
|
Mr. Frank S. Streeter Book Appraisal
|
2004
|
|
6
|
24
|
VI
|
Book sale
|
2005
|
|
6
|
25
|
VI
|
Legal agreement
|
2006
|
|
7
|
|
VI
|
Thomas Streeter Parke Bernet Appraisals
|
1966
|
|
7
|
|
VI
|
Christie’s Proposal
|
2006
|
|
7
|
|
VI
|
Sotheby’s Proposal
|
2006
|