MS 270 Andreas Brown Collection
Table of Contents
- Summary Information
- Biographical / Historical Notes
- Scope and Content
- Arrangement
- Administrative Information
- Related Materials
- Controlled Access Headings
- Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
- Collection Inventory
- San Diego City and County
- Business
- Transportation
- Tourism
- Schools
- Organizations and Activities
- Literature, Music, and Entertainment
- Original Documents
Summary Information
- Repository
- San Diego History Center Document Collection
- Creator
- Brown, Andreas
- Title
- Andreas Brown Collection
- ID
- MS 270
- Date [inclusive]
- 1683-1984
- Extent
- 5.5 Linear feet (9 boxes)
- Language
- English
- Language of Materials
- Collection materials are in English and Spanish.
- Abstract
- The collection is comprised of San Diego related materials collected by Andreas Brown, a San Diego native and one-time owner of Gotham Book Mart in New York City.
Preferred Citation
Andreas Brown Collection, MS 270, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.
Biographical / Historical Notes
Andreas Brown grew up in Coronado, San Diego. He graduated from Hoover High School in 1951and then earned a degree in economics from San Diego State University. After graduating, he pursued law school at Stanford University, but quickly abandoned the idea after a brief stint with the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General Corps. After returning to San Diego where he taught speech at SDSU for 3 years, he moved to San Francisco, where he started working as an appraiser for rare books and manuscripts.
Brown frequently visited New York on business, and became a regular at Gotham Book Mart and friends with the bookstore’s owner, Frances Steloff. Steloff later sold the store to Brown in 1967. Brown went on to run the Gotham Book Mart until it closed in 2007. Throughout his tenure there, Brown collected a large variety of materials related to his hometown, much of which he passed on to San Diego Historical Society.
Scope and Content
The collection consists primarily of ephemera related to San Diego history, events, people, and organizations, but also includes original documents, including correspondence. There are maps related to specific San Diego neighborhoods, like Coronado, and advertisements for prominent businesses. Administrative materials regarding San Diego city departments are present, as are documents about transportation, including the San Diego Trolley and the major San Diego railways. There are also publications and announcements of local school activities.
A large portion of the collection relates to tourist information, especially the two major exhibitions held in San Diego: the Panama-California Exposition (1916-1916) and the California Pacific International Exposition (1935-1936). Other tourism materials include guidebooks, travel maps, and pamphlets about local attractions, including the San Diego Zoo.
Of particular interest are original documents Brown collected, including an 1846 inventory of the San Diego Mission and a copy of a 17th century map of California by famous map maker Alain Manesson Mallet.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into eight series:
Series I: San Diego City and County
Series II: Business
Series III: Transportation
Series IV: Tourism
Series V: Schools
Series VI: Organizations and Activities
Series VII: Literature, Music, and Entertainment
Series VIII: Original Documents
Items in each series are arranged by subject.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
San Diego History Center Document Collection May 21, 2012
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accession numbers 840519A, 860703B, 870113A, 880329A, 900724, 910612, 971201, 980909a-h.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Lauren Rasmussen on May 21, 2012.
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Related Materials
Separated Materials
Map of Rancho San Vicente (1869) previously separated to Map Collection.
Items separted to the Object Collection:
Golden Hill pharmacy bottle
San Diego transit token
San Diego Exposition (1935) souvenir penny
San Diego Gas & Electric pin
San Diego Exposition (1935) pendent
San Diego Gas & Electric lighter
Point Loma lighthouse necklace
2 San Diego Gas & Electric pens
La Jolla souvenir spoon
Tijuana, Mexico souvenir spoon
“S.D.A.C.” spoon
San Diego pennant
12 souvenir matchbooks
Panama souvenir coin
2 San Diego Exposition (1935) spoons
Lindbergh commemorative coin
20 souvenir matchbooks
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- California Pacific International Exposition (1935-1936 : San Diego, Calif.).
- Conair, Inc..
- Hotel del Coronado (Coronado, Calif.).
- Marston’s Department Store.
- Panama-California Exposition (1915 : San Diego, Calif.).
- Panama-California International Exposition (1916 : San Diego, Calif.).
- San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railway Company.
- San Diego Electric Railway.
- San Diego Mission.
- San Diego State College.
- San Diego Trolley.
- San Diego Zoo.
- Theosophical Society in America.
- Zoological Society of San Diego.
Genre(s)
- Correspondence
- Maps
Geographic Name(s)
- Balboa Park (San Diego, Calif.)
- California — Maps
- Coronado (Calif.)
- El Cajon (Calif.)
- Escondido (Calif.)
- La Jolla (San Diego, Calif.)
- Point Loma (San Diego, Calif.)
- Ramona (Calif.)
- San Diego (Calif.)
Personal Name(s)
- Alvarado, Francisco Maria
- Arguello, Santiago
- Estudillo, Jose Antonio
- Harbison, J. S. (John S.)
- Jackson, Helen Hunt, 1830-1885
- Jacobs-Bond, Carrie, 1862-1946
- Lindbergh, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1902-1974
- Martin, Fernando, Father
- Pumphrey, Margaret B. (Margaret Blanche), b. 1872
- Remondino, Peter Charles, 1846-1926
- Sanborn, S. S.
- Tingley, Katherine Augusta Westcott, 1847-1929
- Wright, Allen Henry
Subject(s)
- Advertising
- Associations, institutions, etc.
- Clubs
- Poetry
- Postcards
- Sheet music
- Tourism
- Tourist maps
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Some paper documents are fragile. (May 3, 2012)
Collection Inventory
Series I: San Diego City and County |
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| Box-folder | ||||
| Cabrillo, Juan Rodriguez, 1968 | 1:1 | |||
| Coronado, 1903–1927 and undated | 1:2 | |||
| El Cajon, 1899 January 26 | 1:3 | |||
| Escondido, undated | 1:4 | |||
| Guidebooks, 1888-1909 | 1:5 | |||
| La Jolla properties map, undated | Oversize Collections D6 | |||
| Little Landers, undated | 1:6 | |||
| Logan Heights “Southlook” subdivision, undated | Oversize Collections D6 | |||
| Miscellaneous maps, 1910 and undated
Includes: California State map (in Oversize Collections D6) Julian District map (in Oversize Collections D6) Lower California map (in Oversize Collections D6) Riverside County map (in Oversize Collections D6) San Diego County map (in Oversize Collections D6) |
1:7 | |||
| Mission Bay, 1939 | 1:8 | |||
| Obituaries and announcements, 1921 May 24–1936 August 3 and undated | 1:9 | |||
| San Diego Mission, 1919 | 1:10 | |||
| San Diego Police, 1927
Includes: “Police Relief Association: Sixth Annual Souvenir, 1927” (book) |
1:11 | |||
| San Diego Post Office, 1901 | 1:12 | |||
| San Diego Public Library, undated
Includes: Outline printed for “The Architectural Review” |
1:13 | |||
| “The Silver Gate” magazine, 1899 August-December | 1:14 | |||
| Water, circa 1910 | 1:15 | |||
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Series II: Business |
||||
| Box-folder | ||||
| Directories, 1874–1946 and undated | 1:16 | |||
| Marketing ephemera, 1894–1958 and undated | 1:17 | |||
| Stock certificates, 1879 October 6–1935 March 22 | 1:18 | |||
| Chamber of Commerce, undated | 1:19 | |||
| Consolidated Aircraft Corportation / Convair, 1940 March 25–1942 February 19 and undated
Includes: Employee handbook Instruction booklet on air raids Business card |
1:20 | |||
| Marston Company, undated | 1:21 | |||
| Port of San Diego, 1930 | 1:22 | |||
| Restaurants, 1927 October 30–1955 December 13 and undated | 2:1 | |||
| Hotels, 1931 July 4–1939 June 13 and undated
Includes: U.S. Grant Hotel coffee shop menu and wine list (in Oversize Collections D6) |
2:2 | |||
| Hotel del Coronado, 1906 February 6–1927 March 20 and undated | 2:3 | |||
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Series III: Transportation |
||||
| Box-folder | ||||
| San Diego Trolley, undated | 2:4 | |||
| San Diego and Coronado Ferry Company, 1969 August 11 and undated | 2:5 | |||
| San Diego and Arizona Railway, undated
Includes: Information related to San Diego/Arizona Railway, the Santa Fe Railway, and the San Diego Electric Railway |
2:6 | |||
| J.D. and A.B. Spreckels Company scrapbook (1 of 3), 1918-1961
Includes: San Diego Electric Railway Company historical data and operations information Citizens’ Traction Company history and valuation San Diego street cars Architectural diagrams Newspaper articles |
2:7 | |||
| J.D. and A.B. Spreckels Company scrapbook (2 of 3), 1930-1955
Includes: San Diego Electric Railway Company San Diego and Coronado Ferry Company Street cars and buses Newspaper and magazine articles |
2:8 | |||
| J.D. and A.B. Spreckels Company scrapbook (3 of 3), 1924-1955
Includes: San Diego and Arizona Railway J.D. and A.B. Spreckels Company Hotel del Coronado Spreckels family in newspaper articles and photographs Ticket passes for San Diego and Coronado Ferry and the San Diego Electric Railway |
2:9 | |||
| Railroad timetables and tickets, 1900-1949 | 2:10 | |||
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Series IV: Tourism |
||||
| Box-folder | ||||
| Guidebooks, brochures, and souvenirs, 1912–1937 and undated
Includes: San Diego Daylight Ocean Trip flyer (in Oversize Collections D6) San Diego’s Sights Balloon Route Excursion flyer (in Oversize Collections D6) |
2:11 | |||
| Guidebooks, brochures, and souvenirs, undated | 3:1 | |||
| Guidebooks, brochures, and souvenirs, undated | 3:2 | |||
| Tourist maps, undated | 3:3 | |||
| Panama-California Exposition, 1915-1916
Includes: Exposition handbook |
3:4 | |||
| California Pacific International Exposition, 1935-1936 | 3:5 | |||
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Series V: Schools |
||||
| Box-folder | ||||
| Fallbrook Union High School, 1898 May 27 | 3:6 | |||
| Francis Parker High School, 1920 November 15–1936 October 3 | 3:7 | |||
| Hoover High School, 1951 June 13
Includes: Andreas Brown’s commencement invitation |
3:8 | |||
| Memorial Junior High School, 1933 February 2 | 3:9 | |||
| Point Loma High School, 1954–1957
Includes: Football game schedule Basketball game schedule |
3:10 | |||
| San Diego Junior High School, 1929 June 20 | 3:11 | |||
| San Diego High School, 1892-1909
Includes: Commencement invitation and program Copies of “The Russ”, 1903–1909 Graduation diploma for Lois M. Fenn (in Oversize Collections D6) |
3:12 | |||
| San Diego High School, 1910-1914
Includes: Copies of “The Russ”, 1910–1914 |
4:1 | |||
| San Diego State College, 1935-1953
Includes: Student directories |
4:2 | |||
| School of Arts and Crafts, undated | 4:3 | |||
| Sweetwater Union High School, 1921-1922 | 4:4 | |||
| Sweetwater Union High School, 1923-1939 | 4:5 | |||
| Woodrow Wilson Junior High School, 1928-1930 | 4:6 | |||
| Academic publications, 1908 May 28–1910 March 30 | 5:1 | |||
| Academic publications, 1911 November 30–1933 March 14 | 5:2 | |||
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Series VI: Organizations and Activities |
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| Box-folder | ||||
| Churches and religious groups, 1873 and undated
Includes: Progressive Church postcard listing public services Speech by Thomas L. Nesmith, Senior Warden of Holy Trinity Church Cavalry Temple flyer on revival, “The Brooks Ministers” First Methodist Church notecard (blank) Concert flyer for First Methodist Church |
5:3 | |||
| San Diego First Congregational Church 1940 and undated | 5:4 | |||
| San Diego Theosophical Society, 1919-1928 | 5:5 | |||
| Historical groups, 1919–1958 and undated
Includes: Sons of the American Revolution 49er club San Diego Mission Group “Felicita” pageant decal San Diego Railway Historical Society newsletters, “The Dispatch” |
5:6 | |||
| Sports clubs, 1957–1958 and undated
Includes: Coronado Yacht Club Seniors Golf Association Jai Alai Association |
5:7 | |||
| Masonic organizations, 1874, 1927 | 5:8 | |||
| Horse racing, 1927–1940 and undated
Includes: Tijuana Racing Club Baja Racing Club Aqua Caliente Racing Club Del Mar Turf Club |
5:9 | |||
| Social clubs, 1927, 1934 and undated
Includes: Coronado Social Club |
5:10 | |||
| Wednesday Club, 1895-1903 and undated | 5:11 | |||
| San Diego Zoological Society, undated | 5:12 | |||
| San Diego County Federation of Women’s Clubs radio program transcripts, 1949 July 21–1950 March 9 | 5:13 | |||
| San Diego County Federation of Women’s Clubs radio program transcripts, 1950 April 27–December 23 | 6:1 | |||
| San Diego County Federation of Women’s Clubs radio program transcripts, 1951 January 9–1953 April 16 | 6:2 | |||
| San Diego County Federation of Women’s Clubs radio program transcripts, 1953 October 27–1954 March 2 | 6:3 | |||
| San Diego County Federation of Women’s Clubs radio program transcripts, 1954 March 16–December 29 | 6:4 | |||
| Social events and ceremonies, 1888 May 8–1931 September 16 and undated
Includes: Carmen’s Relief Association Second Annual Ball Ford Sedan auto drawing 12th Annual Apartment House Association of California Convention El Cajon Community Men’s Club Jolly Boys Dinner San Diego Choral Union parlor concert Coronado Spanish fiesta Cabrillo celebration Third Supervisorial District elections Czechoslovak Day Datus E. Coon memorial Mission Beach Roller derby Pacific Skating Rink Roller derby Woman’s Home flower festival benefit “Wenzell for Mayor” campaign Colonial Theatre “Broken Idols” production Automobile Club of Southern California Run Lindbergh Reception Junipero Serra and Thomas Starr King statues unveiling |
6:5 | |||
| Miss San Diego Pageant Scrapbook, 1961–1970 and undated
Scope and Content: Personal scrapbook for Margaret “Peggy” Arnhym, Miss San Diego 1962. Materials in the scrapbook consist of photographs, letters, personal notes, and newspaper clippings. |
9:1 | |||
| Miss San Diego Pageant Scrapbook, loose photographs, undated | 9:2 | |||
| Miss San Diego Pageant Scrapbook, loose materials, 1962 | 9:3 | |||
| Miss San Diego Pageant Scrapbook, loose materials, 1962 | 9:4 | |||
| Military organizations and events, 1913 July 21–1929 December and undated
Includes: U.S. Naval Hospital Christmas program Camp Kearny construction press pass Camp Kearny visitor entrance pass Naval Reserve social club officers list Machine Gun Company, 82 Infantry of Camp Kearny Thanksgiving program Torpedo Flotilla and Bosbyshell Company banquet Coronado Bay and San Pedro submarine torpedo practice Naval Reserve retirement of the Portsmouth |
6:6 | |||
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Series VII: Literature, Music, and Entertainment |
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| Box-folder | ||||
| Poetry, 1875-1923
Includes: “The Path o’ Life” by Carrie Jacobs Bond “Glimpses of San Diego” by Rev. O.W. Gates “Memories” by Allen Henry Wright “Wild Mustard and Other Poems” by Lillian Pray-Palmer “San Diego and Vicinity: Tributes Paid by Well Known Poets”, edited by Allen H. Wright “Have You a Garden of Allah?” by Fred Rawson |
6:7 | |||
| “The Journey of the Flame” by Antonio de Fierro Blanco, 1933 | 7:1 | |||
| “Etcheonda: End of the Road” by D. Pryse-Jones, undated | 7:2 | |||
| “Under Three Flags” by Margaret B. Pumphrey, 1939 | 7:3 | |||
| “The Gods Await” by Katherine Tingley, 1894 March | 7:4 | |||
| “Here and There” by P.C. Remondino, 1894 | 7:5 | |||
| “Un-American Activities: The Campaign Against the Underground Press” by Geoffrey Rips, 1981 | 7:6 | |||
| “Ramona” by Helen Hunt Jackson, 1885-1928
Includes: 2 volume copy of “Ramona” Pamphlet “Ramona’s Homeland” by Margaret Allen Helen Hunt Jackson funeral program “Ramona” sheet music by L. Wolfe Gilbert and Mabel Wayne |
8:1 | |||
| Sheet music, 1926-1961
Includes: “California’s San Diego” by Durward Johnson and Lottie Hicks “When I Sit and Dream at Evening” by Ruth Ottinger and Paul F. Anderson “Lovely San Diego: Heaven on Earth” by Agnes Patterson |
8:2 | |||
| Movie posters, undated
Includes: “Down in San Diego” (3 posters) “San Diego I Love You” (1 poster) |
Oversize Collections D6 | |||
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Series VIII: Original Documents |
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| Box-folder | ||||
| San Diego Mission inventory, 1846 January 5 | 8:3 | |||
| Legal papers, 1876–1942 and undated
Includes: Court transcripts, case No. 9205 – The County of San Diego vs. California Southern R.R. Co. Court transcripts, case No. 5493 – Jared W. Tyson vs. Juan M. Luco Court transcripts, case No. 5459 – Sophia Porter vs. Joseph Coyne Report of Committee on Public Lands Civilian order No. 4 regarding removing people of Japanese descenet (in Oversize Collections D6) Marriage certificate for Chas L. Kimball and Lois M. Fenn (in Oversize Collections D6) |
8:4 | |||
| S.S. Sanborn “Letters” book, 1874 May 16–1875 February 1 and undated
Scope and Content: Correpondence was originally contained in bound letter book held by S. S. Sanborn, an attorney and partner in the C. A. Wetmore and S. S. Sanborn Land Agency. The letter book’s index lists names with the corresponding letter(s)’s number (Box 8 folder 5). Correspondence includes business transactions, such as land values, ownership, and management, property taxes, and power of attorney, as well as business advice and financial disputes. |
8:5, 8:6, 8:7, 8:8 | |||
| Miscellaneous correspondence, 1821 May 1–1984 July 5
Includes: Letter of Father Fernando Martin, May 1, 1821 Letter from John S. Harbison to Mr. Goodrich regarding bee business, July 2, 1877 Letter from Francisco Maria Alvarado to Santiago Arguello, September 19, 1845 Letter from Jose A. Estudillo to Santiago Arguello, July 21, 1846 |
8:9 | |||
| Miscellaneous envelopes, undated
Includes: Various business decals First issue stamps |
8:10 | |||
| Map, 1683
Scope and Content: “De L’Amerique: Nouveau Mexique et Californie” map by Allain Manesson-Mallet from a copy of Description de l’Univers, Volume V |
8:11 | |||
| Miscellanea, 1891–1928 and undated
Includes: Crystal Filter Co. receipt Commercial Bank check First National Bank of San Diego cancelled check Hartwell Electric Co. invoice |
8:12 | |||
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