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Hereward Carrington Papers
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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Hereward Carrington was a well-known British investigator of psychic phenomena. Born in 1880, he joined the Society for Psychical Research in 1900, later working as assistant to James Hyslop with the American Society for Psychical Research until 1908. In 1921, Carrington was the American delegate to the first International Psychical Congress in Denmark. In the same year, he founded the American Psychical Institute and Laboratory, which operated for two years and was reconstituted in 1933 in New York City. His best known investigations were in the case of Mina Stinson Crandon ("Margery") in 1924 by the Committee of The Scientific American (Carrington, Harry Houdini, Malcolm Bird, William McDougall, Walter Franklin Prince, and Daniel Frost Comstock) and that of Eusapia Palladino in 1908.
Carrington's published works include The Physical Phenomena of Spiritualism (1907), Eusapia Palladino and her Phenomena (1909), and The Problems of Psychical Research (1914). Carrington died in 1959.
This collection consists of Carrington's papers on spiritualism, including correspondence with literary and scientific figures of the day, such as William Barrett, Ernesto Bozzano, Gustave Geley, Stanley Hall, Joseph Jastrow, Sinclair Lewis, Eusapia Palladino, and Mrs. A. W. Verrall. Also included are photographic documentation of psychic phenomena, stills from the film series "The Mysteries of Myra," several short Carrington manuscripts, and two of his diaries (1923, 1930). In addition, there is a group of approximately 30 letters (1931-1940) to Carrington from a broad group of American and European psychical researchers, as well as typed transcripts of responses from many of them supporting his proposed Psychical Laboratory and agreeing to be on its International Council.
Biography at SurvivalAfterDeath.org consulted during preparation of biographical note.
Purchased from Bonhams and Butterfields in 2006 (AM2007-39). Additional correspondence was the gift of Susan Burmeister-Brown in 2013.
This collection was processed by Traci Ballou and Danielle Ford in February 2007. Finding aid written by Danielle Ford on March 15, 2007.
No appraisal information is available.
People
Subject
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Author
- Danielle Ford
- Finding Aid Date
- 2007
- Access Restrictions
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The collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
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Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
Collection Inventory
Includes four manuscripts by Carrington concerning the investigation of mediums, as well as manuscripts by unidentified writers, some of which consist of notes on séances and psychic phenomena.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
Physical Description1 box
TMs relating to a cousin of Mina Stinson Crandon ("Margery").
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Incomplete TMs relating to Eusapia Palladino.
Physical Description1 folder
AMsS by Carrington
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TMs by Carrington
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1 folder
Consists of correspondence between Carrington and a variety of notable spiritualists, psychic researchers, and others.
Arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
Physical Description3 boxes
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A roup of approximately 30 letters to Carrington from a broad group of American and European psychical researchers, as well as typed transcripts of responses from many of them supporting his proposed Psychical Laboratory and agreeing to be on its International Council.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
This series includes photographs of mediums and demonstrations of psychic phenomena, as well as stills from the film series "The Mysteries of Myra," written by Carrington, and autographed pictures inscribed to Carrington by the principal actors.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Physical Description2 boxes
Signed photograph inscribed to Hereward Carrington.
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Includes photographs of Carrington demonstrating various yoga positions.
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Includes photographs from séances.
Physical Description1 folder
Includes several prints of signed photograph.
Physical Description1 folder
Signed photograph inscribed to Hereward Carrington.
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Includes photographs from séances.
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Includes signed photograph inscribed to Carrington.
Physical Description1 folder
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Signed photograph inscribed to "Mr. and Mrs. Carrington."
Physical Description1 folder
Signed photograph inscribed to Hereward Carrington.
Physical Description1 folder
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Still photographs from the filming of the serial.
Physical Description1 folder
Includes photographs of experimental apparatus and drawings of phenomena reported during séances.
Physical Description1 folder
Signed photograph inscribed to Hereward Carrington.
Physical Description1 folder
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Signed photograph.
Physical Description1 folder
Two signed photographs inscribed to Hereward Carrington.
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One photograph signed on reverse; other includes Harry Houdini.
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No apparent arrangement scheme.
This series consists of postcards and various pamphlets, membership cards, and other printed items.
Physical Description1 box
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Two diaries of Hereward Carrington.
Physical Description1 folder