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Barringer Family 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
Daniel Moreau Barringer (1860-1928) is perhaps best known for his work with the Meteor Crater in Arizona. After graduating from Princeton University in 1879 and then from law school at University of Pennsylvania in 1882, Barringer began to study geology and minerology, first at Harvard University and then at the University of Virginia. In the early 1890s Barringer put his geology and minerology skills to work as he entered the mining business. It was after his mining career took off that he became aware of the crater in Arizona that would later make him famous. Before Barringer stepped in, the Meteor Crater was known as "Coon Mountain." Barringer proposed the theory that Coon Mountain was actually caused by the collision of meteoric material, most likely a small comet, with the earth. After proposing his theory Barringer founded a variety of mining, exploration, and iron companies in order to further explore the crater, which he studied in depth for a large portion of his remaining career. His theory has proven to be correct.
Brandon Barringer (1899-1991) led a busy career as an investment advisor and Chartered Financial Analyst, working for many corporations and institutions. After graduating from Princeton University in 1921, he joined the First Pennsylvania Company for Banking and Trusts, serving as Vice President for Trust Investments from 1933 to his departure from the company in 1949. He then began a more concentrated association with the Curtis Publishing Company, publishers of The Saturday Evening Post and other magazines. Barringer worked for Curtis until 1962, having served as a Director and Treasurer. He also served as President of the Barringer Crater Company and the East Texas Iron Company, in addition to acting as a director of the Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company, Bantam Books, and the New York and Pennsylvania Company. He was a longtime member of the Finance Committee of the Wellington Fund.
Brandon Barringer was also active in many civic and scientific institutions, often serving as a financial advisor, trustee or manager. These organizations include the University of Pennsylvania Museum, Jefferson Medical College, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Franklin Institute, the Nature Conservancy, The National Mental Health Association, the United Fund, and the Meteoritical Society, among others. He participated in archaeological expeditions to Ireland and Libya, and maintained active interests in such subjects as economics, politics, geology, meteoritics, and anthropology.
The collection consists of material from Daniel Moreau Barringer (Princeton University Class of 1879) and his son, Brandon Barringer (Princeton University Class of 1921). Material regarding the careers of the two men includes correspondence, documents, ledgers, photographs, maps, and printed matter. A large section of the material focuses on the Arizona Meteor Crater, the studying of which Daniel Moreau Barringer devoted much of his time and career. The collection also contains material relating to Brandon Barringer's careers both in finance and in the Army Air Force Office of Statistical Control. In addition to providing insight into their careers, the collection documents their personal lives through correspondence with family and friends, as well as their shared interests in science through organizational and institutional activities.
The Barringer Meteorite Crater website was consulted during preparation of the biographical notes.
The Daniel Moreau Barringer material was given by Brandon Barringer over a number of years, 1961-1973.
The Brandon Barringer material was given by the University of Wyoming in 2008.
Other accessions have been added to this collection over the years.
For the most part, the collection is arranged as it was received: unprocessed. The finding aid was written by Christine Call in December 2008.
No appraisal information is available.
People
Organization
- Federal Exploration Company
- Barringer Crater Company
- Eastern Exploration Syndicate.
- Texas Iron Association
- Standard Iron Company
- Hanover Bessemer Iron and Copper Company
- Meteor Crater Exploration & Mining Company
- Palmarito Leasing Company
Subject
- Geologists --United States --20th century --Correspondence
- Meteorite craters -- Arizona
- Meteorites
- Mining engineers --United States --20th century --Correspondence
- Mining corporations --United States
- Mining geology --United States --20th century
- Mining industry and finance --United States --20th century
- Archaeology -- West (U.S.) -- 20th century
Place
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Author
- Christine Call
- Finding Aid Date
- 2008
- Access Restrictions
-
The collection is open for research use.
- Use Restrictions
-
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
Consists of correspondence, documents, ledgers, photographs of the Meteor Crater (Ariz.) site, and printed matter of Barringer (Princeton University Class of 1879). The correspondence contains letters which deal with scientific and business activities in mining and meteorology, including those of several companies which Barringer founded or developed, such as the Hanover Bessemer Iron and Copper Company, El Palmarito Leasing Company, the Texas Iron Association, and the Meteor Crater Exploration & Mining Company (general manager, George M. Calvocorresses, a major correspondent). The collection reflects Barringer's accomplishment in being the first to advance the theory that Meteor Crater was caused by the fall of a meteoric cluster, probably a small comet. There are a number of photographs, including over 100 cyanotypes and 6 lantern slides, mainly concerned with illustrating various craters and aspects of meteor study, mining equipment, and aerial surveys. There are also letters by fellow college classmate Woodrow Wilson, whose correspondence indicates that Barringer was not only a friend but also a personal adviser on mining and geological matters. In addition, the correspondence includes letters by Theodore Roosevelt, Owen Wister, General Leonard Wood, and Elihu Thomson.
Arranged in the order that it was collected.
Box numbers are preceded by the series number and a period.
Physical Description80 boxes
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miscellaneous newspaper clippings, business and legal documents, correspondence
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Also includes business documents.
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Also includes blueprint for Hanway-Vein and general balance sheet.
Physical Description1 folder
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Also includes samples, newspaper clippings, telegram, report on Tailings Dump.
Physical Description1 folder
Also includes descriptions of samples from shafts and tunnels.
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Also includes magazine clippings and journal article.
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Also includes statement of donations.
Physical Description2 folders
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Woodrow Wilson Papers, with letters to and from Daniel Moreau Barringer, Tumulty, and Samuel Isham
Physical Description5 folders
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Writing greatly obscured by damage.
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Contains 15 photographic prints in two forms: 6 prints measuring 30 x 19 cm. are actually composed of a number of images of meteoric rock and mineral samples, mounted on boards in preparation for publication; 9 additional loose prints (measuring 8 x 10 cm. to 10 x 25.5 cm.), two of which are cyanotypes, again relate to mining, minerals, and the building of a mining camp near Meteor Crater, Arizona. The photographs were source material for an article written in 1909, for which related plates are included.
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5 aerial photographs of Meteor Crater, Arizona, taken in 1981 and measuring 26 x 35 cm.
Physical Description1 folder
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Bessener, Fleetham
Physical Description3 folders
Descriptions of letterbooks.
Physical Description1 folder
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1 ALS, 17 TLsS to Daniel Moreau Barringer.
Physical Description3 folders
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Primarily letters to and from Quincy A. Shaw and F.R. Moulton, with some letters to and from others who are also related to the Meteor Exploration and Mining Company.
Physical Description3 folders
Paper written by D.M. Barringer and read before the National Academy of Sciences at Princeton University.
Physical Description1 folder
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Envelopes contained letters that are now filed chronologically throughout the files in box 45.
Physical Description1 folder
Clipping is a photo of a crater at Myrtle Beach, SC with a note from B. Barringer.
Physical Description1 folder
Writing greatly obscured by damage.
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Writing greatly obscured by damage.
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Writing greatly obscured by damage.
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Writing greatly obscured by damage.
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contains letters written by Moulton, Barringer, Shaw and Thompson.
Physical Description1 folder
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Also contains some by-laws and agreements.
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Writing greatly obscured by damage, some have missing or damaged spines.
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Spine missing
Physical Description1 box
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Title reflects original file label; actually D. M. Barringer.
Physical Description1 folder
10 folders
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Miniature book.
Physical Description1 folder
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Bulletin 902 Plate 1.
Physical Description1 folder
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engraving
Physical Description1 folder
engraving
Physical Description1 folder
engraving
Physical Description1 folder
booklet
Physical Description1 folder
Article.
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Legal papers and technical data also.
Physical Description1 folder
Legal papers and technical data also.
Physical Description1 folder
Legal papers and technical data also.
Physical Description1 folder
Legal papers and technical data also.
Physical Description1 folder
Legal papers and technical data also.
Physical Description1 folder
Legal papers and technical data also.
Physical Description1 folder
Legal papers and technical data also.
Physical Description1 folder
Legal papers and technical data also.
Physical Description1 folder
Legal papers and technical data also.
Physical Description1 folder
Legal papers and technical data also.
Physical Description1 folder
Legal papers and technical data also.
Physical Description2 folders
Arkansas and Okalhoma coals.
Physical Description1 box
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Letterbook labeled as beginning February 1902, but actual start date is March 1901.
Physical Description1 box
1 folder
4 folders
file is empty
Physical Description1 folder
Cartoon of D. M. Barringer, Zoological Society of Philadelphia membership card (D. M. Barringer).
An article in booklet form by Brandon Barringer about his father and his work with the crater, published in the journal Meteoritics in 1964 (Vol. 2, No. 3). Includes a photograph of D.M. Barringer on the front cover.
Physical Description1 folder
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17 folders
10 folders
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Contain 17 photographs of craters, geological features, mining equipment, and Native American hogans. Prints include cyanotypes, collodion prints, one photographic postcard and one photomechanical print.
Physical Description1 folder
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booklet
Physical Description1 folder
bound photograph album. Contains 102 cyanotype photographs (measuring 13 x 17 cm. and 12 x 33 cm.) with 7 silver prints laid-in.
Physical Description1 box
Contains 49 prints (10 x 12.5 cm.) as illustration for a report or descriptive summary of mining operations. Likely collodion or gelatin printing-out paper.
Physical Description1 box
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The collection covers a period primarily from 1817 to 1979, and includes a large amount of business and personal correspondence from Brandon Barringer's life and career, along with financial reports, memoranda, minutes of meetings, and copies of legal documents; plus clippings, periodicals and other printed materials compiled by Barringer regarding his associations with various businesses and scientific and medical organizations (up to 1979). Other materials in the collection such as field notes, maps, manuscripts and clippings reflect Brandon Barringer's various scientific interests, including archaeology. Research materials and correspondence for a book of family history he co-authored with his cousin, L. Wethered Barroll, The Whethered Book is included, along with correspondence, reports, orders and other papers regarding his military career in the Army Air Force Office of Statistical Control (1942-1948). Photographs, newspaper clippings, and other miscellaneous items regarding Brandon Barringer's personal and family matters add to the significant amount of personal correspondence.
Material has been organized into 14 subseries, 2A-2N.
Physical Description33 boxes
Consists of biographical files for Brandon Barringer as well as Daniel Moreau and Felicity Barringer and other family members.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Physical Description1 box
Includes newspaper and magazine clippings, biographical sketches, correspondence, photographs, certificate, high school and college notes and papers by Brandon Barringer, and a reading list as compiled by Brandon.
Physical Description1 box
Includes biographical sketches, photographs, correspondence, accounts, newspaper and magazine clippings, personal legal documents, programs, invitations, certificates, newsletters, passport, railway passes, identification and membership cards, and other material.
Physical Description1 box
Includes copies of broadcast transcript, biographical account, citation.
Physical Description1 box
Includes newspaper clippings, photocopies of articles, character sketch, photograph.
Physical Description1 box
Includes photographs, newspaper clippings, photocopy of article, correspondence, notes, biographical sketches and data, speeches.
Physical Description1 box
Brandon Barringer, in recognition of service, membership and / or appreciation; includes one in the name of Meteor.
Physical Description1 box
Consists primarily of Brandon Barringer's personal and professional correspondence, filed alphabetically by name, organization or subject, followed by "general" files. They include attachments such as financial statements, newspaper and magazine clippings
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Physical Description16 boxes
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Consists of bonds, mortgages, and stock certificates.
Arranged alphabetically by genre.
Physical Description1 box
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Galley for letter by D. Moreau Barringer to the editor of Science.
Physical Description1 box
Consists of lectures, addresses, and speeches by Daniel Moreau Barringer as well as "International Considerations of a Modern Air Logistics System" by John Paul Barringer.
Arranged alphabetically by genre.
Physical Description1 box
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Consists of a statement by Brandon Barringer concerning a fireball sighting.
Not arranged according to any arrangement scheme.
Physical Description1 box
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Consists of manuscripts of works primarily by Brandon or Daniel Moreau Barringer.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
Physical Description1 box
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Consists of four maps.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
Physical Description1 box
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Consists of some papers of Dorothy Barringer and Richard Barringer.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
Physical Description1 box
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Consists of clippings related to Daniel Moreau Barringer.
Arranged by author.
Physical Description1 box
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Includes 18 prints (measuring 7 x 5.5 cm. to 20 x 25 cm.) of scenes of meteor craters, sink holes, etc. (5); Wyoming Delegation Democratic National Convention of 1936; snapshots identified as Little Oakes, Birch Lodge, lumber and mill operations, (7); unidentified mountains & lake, and an unidentified woman standing on top of a hill (2); and a lantern slide (3 ¼" x 4"), "A bright Geminid meteor."
Not arranged according to any arrangement scheme.
Physical Description1 box
Includes 18 prints (measuring 7 x 5.5 cm. to 20 x 25 cm.) of scenes of meteor craters, sink holes, etc. (5); Wyoming Delegation Democratic National Convention of 1936; snapshots identified as Little Oakes, Birch Lodge, lumber and mill operations, (7); unidentified mountains & lake, and an unidentified woman standing on top of a hill (2); and a lantern slide (3 ¼" x 4"), "A bright Geminid meteor."
Physical Description1 box
Consists of correspondence, minutes of meetings, memoranda, reports, financial statements, legal documents, newspaper and magazine clippings, data, graphs, and other miscellaneous items compiled by Brandon Barringer in connection with his service with various organizations, usually as a financial advisor.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Physical Description9 boxes
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Consists of reprints of works by Daniel Moreau, Brandon, and Richard Barringer.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Physical Description2 boxes
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Consists of correspondence, newspaper and magazine clippings, photographs, periodicals, memoranda, lists, maps, notes, papers and other miscellaneous items compiled by Brandon Barringer concerning personal, scientific, civic and professional matters.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Physical Description4 boxes
Includes a photographically illustrated report on a 1925 Peabody Museum archaeological expedition to New Mexico to uncover the physical and material remains of an Indian pueblo. Included are 14 prints (measuring 8 x 14 cm.) of the site and its yield.
Physical Description1 box
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Boxes 28 through 33 contain pamphlets and other material concerning meteor craters, meteoritics, archaeology, anthropology, geology and general science topic. Others concerning Brandon Barringer / Meteors. All arranged chronologically with some by decades.
Arranged by subject.
Physical Description6 boxes
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Contains 6 lantern slides of scientific illustrations and photographs, which apparently accompanied a lecture on meteors. 6 photographic prints (measuring 8.5 x 11.5 cm.) of petroglyphs, presumably from the American West.
Physical Description1 box
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