Glass (John B.) Papers
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
Library South, Room 2079, 5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles CA 90032
(323)343-3960
SpecialCollections@calstatela.edu