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Last modified: October 20, 2009
© 2009 University of Delaware Library
Identification: MSS 557
Creator: Tatum, George B., 1917-2008.
Title: George B. Tatum papers
Inclusive Dates: 1900–1940
Extent: 6 linear feet (6 boxes)
Abstract: The George B. Tatum papers comprise the reference files of a noted American architectural historian who compiled and organized numerous architectural plans, diagrams, black-and-white illustrations, tear sheets, articles, and selected photographs for the period 1900 to 1940.
Language: Materials entirely in English.
MSS 557, George B. Tatum papers, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.
Boxes 1-6: Shelved in SPEC MSS record center cartons
Special Collections, University of Delaware Library / Newark, Delaware 19717-5267 / Phone: 302-831-2229 / Fax: 302-831-6003 / URL: http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/
Transfer from University of Delaware Art History Department, 1999.
Processed by Marina Dobronovskaya, April 2007. Encoded by Teresa K. Nevins, December 2008.
The collection is open for research.
Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library, http://www.lib.udel.edu/cgi-bin/askspec.cgi
George B. Tatum (1917–2008) was a nationally recognized architectural historian with special interest in the history of gardens and American architecture, particularly in the Philadelphia area.
Sources:
Biographical information supplied by the University of Delaware, University Archives.
The George B. Tatum papers comprise the reference files of a noted American architectural historian who compiled and organized numerous architectural plans, diagrams, black-and-white illustrations, tear sheets, articles, and selected photographs of architecture from the period 1900 to 1940. The 6 linear feet of material is composed primarily of published articles and pictures from architectural magazines and journals such as American Architect, American Architect and Building News, American Architect and Architecture, Architecture, Architectural Forum, Architectural Record, Architectural Review, House Beautiful, and Pencil Points.
The materials are organized into five series. The first three series reflect the original order and arrangement established by Tatum, offering insight into his research and organization methods. Series I. Styles, brings together examples of a variety of architectural styles arranged roughly chronologically. Series II. Buildings, illustrates a variety of building types that Tatum arranged by function, such as residential, commercial, educational, industrial, and others. Series III. Architectural details, focuses on individual structural and decorative features from many different architectural styles. Tatum arranged these in alphabetical order by subject (such as corbels, fireplaces, fountains, keystones, organ cases, roofs, spires, urns, windows, etc.) and included a few broader categories, such as details of construction, engineering and equipment, and sketches and rendering.
The last two series do not represent Tatum's original arrangement. Although he gathered information about individual architects and historical properties, Tatum only loosely organized these materials. Series IV. Architects, brings together Tatum's clippings and articles about specific architects and architectural firms working in the United States during the 1920s–1930s. Arranged alphabetically by name, several of the firms and architects found here illustrate Tatum's special interest in American architecture and the Philadelphia region, including Day & Klauder; Edmund B. Gilchrist; Mellor & Meigs; R. Brognard Okie; and Verna Cook Salomonsky. Of particular note is Homsey Architects, Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware, the architectural firm of Victorine and Samuel Homsey (F207). Their projects included the Wilmington Drama League Theater, a housing development in Seaford, Delaware, a shooting box at Cat Island Plantation in Georgetown, South Carolina, the Robertson residence in Centerville, Delaware, and their own home in Hockessin, Dealware. Tatum also collected materials about architects of national and international acclaim, like McKim, Mead & White; Cram, Goodhue & Ferguson; Benno Janssen (Janssen & Abbott); John Russell Pope; Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens; and Eliel Saarinen.
Series V. Historic Properties, incorporates clippings and articles collected by Tatum about several individual works of architecture, including the monastery of Mont-Saint-Michel in France, Williamsburg and Mount Vernon in Virginia, selected Louisiana plantations and architectural views of New Orleans. Notably, Tatum collected many installments of Records of Early American Architecture, a monographic series providing detailed research, measured drawings, and photographs of early American architecture, especially houses (F224 and F225). Tatum also kept several brochures, booklets, and trade catalogs pertaining to 1920s–1930s surburban housing developments, like Merion Park in Lower Merion Township and Forest Hills Gardens in Forest Hills, New York (F226).
While the George B. Tatum papers represent an important resource for the study of pre-World War II architecture, they also offer special insight into the research methods and organizational structure of an important American author and teacher of architectural and landscape design history.
Classic (Greek and Roman) [Box 1 F1]
Romanesque and Byzantine [Box 1 F2]
Gothic [Box 1 F3]
Renaissance, French [Box 1 F4]
Renaissance, English [Box 1 F5]
Renaissance, Dutch and Swedish [Box 1 F6]
American Colonial [Box 1 F7]
Modern, European and American [Box 1 F8]
Colonial [Box 1 F9]
Early American [Box 1 F10]
Georgian [Box 1 F11]
Adam [Box 1 F12]
English (British work), USA [1 of 2] [Box 1 F13]
English (British work), USA [2 of 2] [Box 1 F14]
English (British work), England [Box 1 F15]
English Cotswold [Box 1 F16]
English (British work), Interiors [Box 1 F17]
French [Box 1 F18]
Italian [Box 1 F19]
Dutch [Box 1 F20]
Spanish [Box 1 F21]
Spanish. Patios, interiors [Box 1 F22]
Modern [Box 1 F23]
Small [Box 1 F24]
Town Houses [Box 1 F25]
Group Houses [Box 1 F26]
Garden, Summer, Tea Houses, Studios [Box 1 F27]
California Houses [Box 1 F28]
European Houses [Box 1 F29]
Country Clubs [Box 2 F30]
City Clubs [Box 2 F31]
Clubs, Interiors [Box 2 F32]
YMCA Buildings [Box 2 F33]
Lodge & Fraternal [Box 2 F34]
Charity & Community Building [Box 2 F35]
Schools [1 of 4] [Box 2 F36]
Schools [2 of 4] [Box 2 F37]
Schools [3 of 4] [Box 2 F38]
Schools [4 of 4] [Box 2 F39]
Colleges [1 of 2] [Box 2 F40]
Colleges [2 of 2] [Box 2 F41]
Libraries [1 of 2] [Box 2 F42]
Libraries [2 of 2] [Box 2 F43]
Auditoriums [Box 2 F44]
Museums [Box 2 F45]
Office Buildings [1 of 3] [Box 2 F46]
Office Buildings [2 of 3] [Box 3 F47]
Office Buildings [3 of 3] [Box 3 F48]
Office Buildings, Modern [Box 3 F49]
Banks [1 of 2] [Box 3 F50]
Banks [2 of 2] [Box 3 F51]
Banks, Interiors [Box 3 F52]
Stores [Box 3 F53]
Industrial [Box 3 F54]
Hotels [Box 3 F55]
Hotels, Interiors [Box 3 F56]
Apartment Buildings [Box 3 F57]
Restaurants [Box 3 F58]
Power Plants [Box 3 F59]
Farms [Box 3 F60]
Institutions [Box 3 F61]
Broadcasting Studios [Box 3 F62]
Churches [I of 4] [Box 3 F63]
Churches [2 of 4] [Box 3 F64]
Churches [3 of 4] [Box 3 F65]
Churches [4 of 4] [Box 3 F66]
Churches, English [1 of 2] [Box 4 F67]
Churches, English [2 of 2] [Box 4 F68]
Churches, Modern [Box 4 F69]
School and College Chapels [Box 4 F70]
Hospitals [1 of 2] [Box 4 F71]
Hospitals [2 of 2] [Box 4 F72]
Sanitoria [Box 4 F73]
Mausoleums [Box 4 F74]
Memorials [Box 4 F75]
Crematoria [Box 4 F76]
Rail Road Buildings [Box 4 F77]
Airports [Box 4 F78]
Bridges [Box 4 F79]
Garages [Box 4 F80]
Gas Stations [Box 4 F81]
Altars [Box 4 F82]
Arcades [Box 4 F83]
Balconies [Box 4 F84]
Balustrades [Box 4 F85]
Bank Interiors [Box 4 F86]
Bars, Residence [Box 4 F87]
Bathroom Design [Box 4 F88]
Buttresses, Gothic [Box 4 F89]
Belt Courses [Box 4 F90]
Bookcases, Built-in [Box 4 F91]
Brickwork [Box 4 F92]
Carving [Box 4 F93]
Ceilings, Plaster, Wood [Box 4 F94]
Chancel Furniture [Box 4 F95]
Chimneys [Box 4 F96]
Clocks [Box 4 F97]
Closets [Box 4 F98]
Conservatories [Box 4 F99]
Corbels [Box 4 F100]
Cornices [Box 4 F101]
Cupboards, Built-in [Box 4 F102]
Cupolas [Box 4 F103]
Curtain Treatment [Box 4 F104]
Details of Construction [Box 4 F105]
Doors, Church [Box 4 F106]
Doors, Exterior [Box 4 F107]
Doors, Garage [Box 4 F108]
Doors, Gothic [Box 4 F109]
Doors, Hardware [Box 4 F110]
Doors, Interior, Over-doors [Box 4 F111]
Drafting, Geometry [Box 4 F112]
Drawings, Measured [Box 4 F113]
Engineering and Equipment [Box 4 F114]
Entrances, Apartments [Box 5 F115]
Entrances, Bank & Office Buildings [Box 5 F116]
Entrances, Byzantine [Box 5 F117]
Entrances, Classical [Box 5 F118]
Entrances, Colonial [Box 5 F119]
Entrances, English [Box 5 F120]
Entrances, Georgian [Box 5 F121]
Entrances, Gothic [Box 5 F122]
Entrances, Greek Revival [Box 5 F123]
Entrances, Italian [Box 5 F124]
Entrances, Spanish [Box 5 F125]
Entrances, Seats [Box 5 F126]
Entrances, Porches, Driveways [Box 5 F127]
Fences, Metal [Box 5 F128]
Fences, Wood [Box 5 F129]
Fireplaces [1 of 2] [Box 5 F130]
Fireplaces [2 of 2] [Box 5 F131]
Flagpole Holders [Box 5 F132]
Fleshes [Box 5 F133]
Floors [Box 5 F134]
Fountains [Box 5 F135]
Furniture [Box 5 F136]
Gable Ends [Box 5 F137]
Gables, Gambrel [Box 5 F138]
Garages, Attached [Box 5 F139]
Garden Architecture [Box 5 F140]
Gateways [Box 5 F141]
Glass Structural and Decorative [Box 5 F142]
Hardware [Box 5 F143]
Keystones [Box 5 F144]
Kitchen Design [Box 5 F145]
Leader Heads [Box 5 F146]
Lighting Fixtures, Church [Box 5 F147]
Lighting Fixtures, Modern [Box 5 F148]
Lighting, Doorway [Box 5 F149]
Lobbies [Box 5 F150]
Mail Chute Boxes [Box 5 F151]
Mantels (Over Mantel Treatment) [Box 5 F152]
Marquises [Box 5 F153]
Medallions [Box 5 F154]
Metal [Box 5 F155]
Niches, Gothic [Box 5 F156]
Organ Cases [Box 5 F157]
Ornament, Modern [Box 5 F158]
Palladian Motives [Box 5 F159]
Paneling [Box 5 F160]
Parapets [Box 5 F161]
Pediments [Box 5 F162]
Pergolas [Box 5 F163]
Pew Ends [Box 5 F164]
Piers [Box 5 F165]
Plaster Work, Exterior [Box 5 F166]
Porches [Box 5 F167]
Quoins [Box 5 F168]
Radiator Enclosures [Box 5 F169]
Radio, Built-in [Box 5 F170]
Railings [Box 5 F171]
Roofs [Box 5 F172]
Roofs, Trusses [Box 5 F173]
Rustication [Box 5 F174]
Sculpture, Eagles [Box 5 F175]
Seating [Box 5 F176]
Shutters and Blinds [Box 5 F177]
Signs [Box 5 F178]
Sketches and Rendering [Box 5 F179]
Spandrels [Box 5 F180]
Spires [Box 5 F181]
Stairway Design [Box 5 F182]
Stairways, Exterior [Box 5 F183]
Stairways, Interior [Box 5 F184]
Stonework [Box 5 F185]
Terra-cotta [Box 5 F186]
Urns [Box 5 F187]
Vanes, Weather [Box 5 F188]
Verandas [Box 5 F189]
Walls Sheathing [Box 5 F190]
Window Grills [Box 5 F191]
Window Heads [Box 5 F192]
Windows [Box 5 F193]
Windows, Gothic, Romanesque [Box 5 F194]
Wood [Box 5 F195]
Albro & Lindeberg [Box 6 F196]
Baum, Dwight James, 1886–1939 [Box 6 F197]
Bullard, Roger H. [Box 6 F198]
Carrère & Hastings [Box 6 F199]
Cram, Goodhue, and Ferguson [Box 6 F200]
Davis, Dunlap & Barney [Box 6 F201]
Day & Klauder [Box 6 F202]
Delano & Aldrich [Box 6 F203]
Eyre, Wilson, 1858–1944 [Box 6 F204]
Gilbert, Cass, 1859–1934 [Box 6 F205]
Gilchrist, Edmund Beaman, 1885–1953 [Box 6 F206]
Homsey, Victorine & Samuel [Box 6 F207]
Janssen & Abbot [Box 6 F208]
Lindeberg, H. T. (Harrie Thomas), b. 1879 [Box 6 F209]
Lutyens, Edwin Landseer, Sir, 1869–1944 [Box 6 F210]
McGoodwin, Robert Rodes, 1886–1967 [Box 6 F211]
McKim, Mead & White [Box 6 F212]
Medary, Milton Bennett, 1874–1929 [Box 6 F213]
Mellor & Meigs [Box 6 F214]
Okie, R. Brognard (Richardson), 1875–1945 [Box 6 F215]
Platt, Charles A. (Adams), 1861–1933 [Box 6 F216]
Pope, John Russell, 1874–1937 [Box 6 F217]
Saarinen, Eliel, 1873–1950 [Box 6 F218]
Salomonsky, Verna Cook, b. 1890 [Box 6 F219]
Wills, Royal Barry, 1895–1962 [Box 6 F220]
Abbaye du Mont-St-Michel, France [Box 6 F221]
Williamsburg, Louisiana Plantations, Mount Vernon [Box 6 F222]
New [Box 6 F223]
Records of Early American Architecture [1 of 2] [Box 6 F224]
Records of Early American Architecture [2 of 2] [Box 6 F225]
Brochures, Booklets, Magazines [Box 6 F226]
