Arrangement

Indexing Terms

Series 1. Correspondence.

Scope and Content:

There is one container of material (100+ files) concerning the identification of fungi, specimen exchange, taxonomy, fieldwork, and the operation of Mycologia. Correspondents range from Nathaniel Lord Britton to Clark Rogerson, spanning the first half-century of NYBG history. Three files ("Bermuda Dept. of Agriculture") pertain to fieldwork in Bermuda with correspondence primarily with J. M. Waterston. "Fungi of Bermuda" is a collection of letters from Dr. Seaver's collaborators on the Bermuda project (except Waterston) arranged and tabbed alphabetically within the file. Other files, e.g. "Genera of Fungi by Clements & Shear" and "International Rules of Nomenclature" also contain letters from a number of mycologists. Additional correspondence is located in Series 2: Research Papers; Series 3: Manuscripts & Typescripts; and Series 6: Personal Papers (see reminiscences and scrapbook material).

Series 2. Research Papers.

Scope and Content:

There are 16 files consisting of collection catalogues, fieldwork data, reports, maps, and annotated books. One bound volume, Catalogue of the Mycological Library of Howard A. Kelly, contains notes and inserts. The notebook of Howard J. Banker contains collection data on the Hydnaceae (1888-1914), accompanied by a transmission letter relating to the deposit of the Banker herbarium at the NYBG (see also Banker file in Series 1: Correspondence). The NYBG Cryptogamic Herbarium reports contain detailed information on the status of collections in1939 and 1940 and Mycologia financial reports.

Series 3. Manuscripts & Typescripts.

Scope and Content:

There are 8 files that include North American Cup-Fungi (Operculae) (1928), the section on Discomycetes for the North American Flora, a corrected proof of North Amiercan Cup-fungi (Inoperculates) (1951), and an unpublished typescript, The Fungi of Porto Rico by Seaver and Carlos Chardon.

Series 4. Lectures & Course Outlines.

Scope and Content:

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Series 5. Photographic Material.

Scope and Content:

This series consists of photographic prints (mounted and unmounted), negatives, Kodachrome slides, and lantern slides. There are 2 glass negatives and a small selection of photo postcards. The photographic record documents fungi specimens and fieldwork locations, as well as personal and group portraits. One sequence (6 files) consists of mounted and captioned plates of cup-fungi, some with watercolor enhancement. There are several portraits of Dr. Seaver alone and with colleagues including Bernard O. Dodge, H. M. Fitzpatrick, Cornelius Shear, and others. There are two photos of Seaver with Nathaniel Lord Britton, et al in St. Croix (1923). There is one box (Box 10) of lantern slides which holds 6 separate boxes within, labeled 10a through 10f. Two envelopes of oversize photos are located in Box 11 with Exhibit Material (Series 7).

Series 6. Personal Papers.

Scope and Content:

There are 14 files consisting of correspondence, memorabilia, reminiscences, a scrapbook, and genealogical material. Three files contain biographical writing, two of which are reminiscences with attached correspondence and photos. These deal with Seaver’s boyhood and early career as a Columbia University fellow and professor at the State University of North Dakota, including details of his career decision to move from Fargo, North Dakota to the NYBG. This material contains attached letters of Nathaniel Lord Britton and Lucian Marcus Underwood. One file contains a paperbound volume entitled The Seaver Genealogy by Jesse Seaver with inserted notes and correspondence from Clark Rogerson to Bernice Seaver Blackmon, Dr. Seaver’s daughter.

Series 7. Exhibit Material.

Scope and Content:

There are 15 files of oversize multi-media material illustrating the life cycles of the Uredinales (rust fungi) and Ustilaginales (smut fungi). Each exhibit is mounted on poster board with captioned pencil and watercolor illustrations of fungus and host along with actual specimen material attached and integrated into the life cycle representation.

Series 8. Degrees & Certificates.

Scope and Content:

There are six oversize items, including a high school diploma, higher education degrees (B.S., M.S., Ph.D., and D.Sc.), and a certificate of the Society of Sigma Xi.

Series 9. Artwork.

Scope and Content:

In Box 13 of Series 9: Artwork are watercolor illustrations, one of macrofungi and cup-fungi by Mary E. Eaton and George E. Morris. Two items are reprints by Charles Horton Peck and C. Fausel. Box 14 contains unsigned illustrations, primarily of cup-fungi, artist unknown. This series has been removed to the NYBG Art & Illustration Collection #55.