Collection inventory


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Adirondacks Collection

An inventoryof the collection at Syracuse University


Finding aid created by: MRC
Date: 26 Oct 2007



Biographical History

Regarding the lithographs in the collection, according to a letter (included with the collection) dated November 5, 1973 from then-curator of the Adirondack Museum William Verner, "this series was originally intended to provide illustrations for New York State Assembly Document No. 200 (1838). Copies of that...document...usually come with the plates bound in the back." However, Verner mentions having also seen sets bound alone in colored paper wrappers. Whether the prints attributed to "E. Emmons" were done originally by Professor Emmons, geologist for New York's northern district, or his son Ebenezer Emmons is unknown. The Report of E. Emmons, Geologist of the 2d Geological District of the State of New York, contains Emmons' suggestion that the high mountains of the region be called the Adirondack Group, and is the first use in print of this name applied to this region.

The lithographs were printed by John H. Bufford and according to Verner are "among the most important relative to the iconography of the Adirondack region."


Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Adirondacks Collection consist of a assorted material relating to the Adirondacks area of New York. The most significant item in the collection is a set of 15 plates, most relating to the survey of northern New York undertaken by Ebenezer Emmons. Some are maps (e.g. "Map of the Tertiary of Essex County"), others are illustrations of various Adirondack locations such as "Rossie Lead Vein" and "Trap Dyke at Avalanche Lake." Also included in the collection are two letters; one of these, from Adirondack Museum Curator William Verner, gives detailed information about the history of the prints based on Verner's research at the New York Public Library.


Arrangement of the Collection

The lithograph material is foldered separately from other material.


Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.


Subject Headings

Persons

Emmons, Ebenezer, 1799-1863.
Bufford, John Henry, 1810-1870.

Subjects

Lithography, American -- 19th century.
Lithography, American -- Specimens.
Prints, American -- 19th century.

Places

Adirondack Mountains (N.Y.) -- History.
Adirondack Mountains (N.Y.) -- Pictorial works.

Genres and Forms

Correspondence.
Lithographs.
Maps (documents)
Photographs.
Postcards.

Occupations

Geologists.
Surveyors.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Adirondacks Collection,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Lithographs gift of David Tatham and Cleota Reed.

Lithographs of mountain ranges, gift of William Leach, 2017.


Table of Contents

Photographs

Prints


Inventory