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Glass (John B.) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-2016-008

Scope and Contents

In 2016, both the John B. Glass collection of rare books and his papers were donated to Cal State LA Special Collections and Archives. The rare books were separated from the papers and integrated into the Mesoamerica and Colonial Mexico Rare Book Collection. The collection consists of two other book collections, which belonged to Scholar of the Aztecs, H.B. Nicholson and book collector, Wayne Ruwet.

Series I: Publications Inclusive Dates: 1547-2014 Arrangement: Alphabetical

This series is comprised of four subseries: a. Photocopies of Publications, 1547- 2014; b. Original Publications, 1856-2011; c. Glass Publications, 1949-2005; d. Oversized Publications, 1738-1981.The bulk of this collection is composed of publications that have been photocopied for purposes of Glass’s own research. Photocopies range from books to journal articles and labels of exhibits. Some titles of photocopies include; “La Aparición de Santa María de Guadalupe,” “Nature of Horizon Makers in Middle American Archeology,” “Peregrinación Mexicana”, “Two Lost Mexican Books of the Sixteenth Century” etc. Prominent photocopies include articles composed for the Handbook of Middle American Indians (HMAI).

Series II: Notes Inclusive Dates: 1594-2012 Arrangement: Alphabetical

This series is dated from 1594-2012. Notes in this series include annotations of reading materials; edits of personal articles and that of his colleagues; notes on various codices including Boturini, Colombino, Huetamo, Nuttall, Peresianus, Matritenses, Osuna, and Florentine.

Series III: Visual Materials Inclusive Dates: 1525-2002 Arrangement: Alphabetical

This series is comprised of four subseries: a. Photocopies of Images, 1525-1963; b. Negatives, 1812-1967; c. Microfilm, 1579-2002; d. Oversized Materials, 1567- 1971. This series includes visual materials of codices, maps, artifacts, and publications.

Series IV: Catalogs Inclusive Dates: 1892-2012 Arrangement: Alphabetical

This series includes two subseries: a. Catalog Cards, 1991; b. Inventory Lists, 1892-2012. Subseries a. Catalog Cards contains printed and handwritten bibliographies of books and articles used by John B. Glass for research purposes. Loose catalog cards are organized in A4 International Hollinger Boxes. Catalog cards already in card files were maintained in their original format and placed in two separate record storage boxes. Subseries b. Inventory Lists contains lists of catalogues from research institutions including the Peabody Museum.

Series V: Correspondence Inclusive Dates: 1927-2012 Arrangement: Chronological and thereunder alphabetical

This series dated from 1927-2012. The majority of correspondence covers efforts in the completion of various volumes for the “Handbook of Middle American Indians.” Folders focused in these efforts are titled by the same name and are dated 1960-1969. Those in communication with John B. Glass include Howard Cline, Charles Gibson, Henry B. Nicholson, Alfonso Caso, Robert Wauchope, etc. More correspondence on the “Handbook of Middle American Indians” can be found in folders arranged in chronological order as maintained in the original order of Glass’s collection. Beyond correspondence based on the “Handbook of Middle American Indians,” the series also includes correspondence amongst Dave Warren, Louis Barron, Charles E. Ronan, plus request for consultations, and postcards from colleagues on travel.

Dates

  • Creation: 1525 - 2014

Conditions Governing Use

John B. Glass Papers is the physical property of California State University, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Special Collections and Archives.

Biographical / Historical

John B. Glass (1929-2015) was born in Hawaii. He majored in economics at Yale and earned a Ph.D. in archaeology at Harvard. He became an authority on PreColumbian hieroglyphics manuscripts, publishing numerous papers and books on the subject.

The bulk of the collection includes publications/papers and notes by John B. Glass related to his research on Mesoamerica.

Extent

94.67 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The bulk of the collection includes publications/papers and notes by John B. Glass related to his research on Mesoamerica.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into five series: I. Publications; II. Notes; III. Visual Materials; IV. Catalogs; V. Correspondence. Series I. Publications is organized into four subseries: a. photocopies of Publications; b. Original Publications; c. Glass Publications; and d. Oversized Publications. Series III. Visual Materials is organized into four subseries: a. photocopies of Images; b. Negatives; c. Microfilm; and d. Oversized Materials. Series IV. Catalogs is organized into two subseries: a. Catalog Cards and b. Inventory Lists. Series V. Correspondence does not include any subseries.

Title
Glass (John B.) Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Stephany Bravo
Date
2018
Language of description
English
Script of description
English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives Repository

Contact:
Library South, Room 2079, 5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles CA 90032
(323)343-3960