- March 10, 2008
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- Dear Reader:
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- I have been operating The Granger Papers Project
regarding the American paleontologist Walter Granger
(1872-1941) since 1993. I am now contemplating putting
it in the care of an appropriate institution.
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- The Project's primary source material includes the
original of the only firsthand account of the American
Museum of Natural History's (AMNH) 1907 Fayum
expedition; the same regarding the AMNH's famed
Central Asiatic Expeditions to China and Mongolia
(CAE), as well as correspondence from same;
photographs from Granger's American West expeditions
(1894-1941), the 1907 Fayum expedition and the CAE;
and a small amount of memorabilia.
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- The collection itself includes original
materials--diaries, letters, photographs (in albums
and loose) and memorabilia--that might constitute 4-6
normal-sized storage boxes. My research probably is
another 8-11 boxes. My research library would fit a
floor to ceiling bookcase of normal office-use
width--perhaps 1 1/2 bookcases.
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- The output of this Project has been modest in
light of its potential and in comparison to similar,
institutionally-based, projects. Nevertheless, it has
produced truly significant results. The primary source
material has been preserved and extensively
researched. The first biographical sketch of one of
vertebrate paleontology's finest scientists and
collectors, Walter Granger, is now published (New
Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (NMMNH)
Bulletin 19). Among many other points, Granger's
family and childhood background are introduced, his
significant role with the AMNH is restored, his
expedition and publication history is set forth, the
discovery of the famous Bone Cabin Quarry (Wyoming) is
corrected and the formulation of the CAE is addressed.
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- In addition, the only firsthand account of
America's first overseas fossil hunting expedition,
the AMNH's Fayum of Egypt expedition in 1907, is now
published (NMMNH Bulletin 22). This publication adds
considerably to the understanding of this expedition,
previously known about only through very sketchy,
inaccurate references. In addition, because of this
Project's web site on the Fayum, Australian and Dutch
relatives of the relatively unknown Fayum collector
Richard Markgraf have discovered him, his daughter
Leopoldine, and each other.
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- A manuscript is currently in progress presenting
the only firsthand account of the CAE from 1921 to
1930. Much new information on the CAE is held by this
Project in the form of Walter's, and his wife Anna's,
personal CAE field diaries and letters to his father.
They are the only contemporary record of the CAE. Our
understanding of these expeditions and their
participants will be greatly enlightened by
publication of this material.
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- Despite these accomplishments, I have been
constrained throughout the course of my work by
inadequate funding, resources and access. My entire
effort has been self-funded and solo. It is not
finished. I would like at least a two-year research
post to complete my work on this material. I also have
an idea or two for courses that could arise from it.
Other approaches to fulfilling these provisos will be
considered.
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- My immediate goal remains to complete a popular
work on Granger and the CAE. I would then like to
annotate the Grangers' CAE papers and photographs.
That is where institutional access and support would
be especially helpful. The third major goal, as said,
is to find a home for the collection, and a place for
me during the transition of this collection and
research. I have a lot to pass along regarding this
material.
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- I am open to all suggestions. I am willing to
relocate within the US or abroad. The time has come
for this Project to change in nature. The collection
needs to be properly archived, permanently cared for
and made more accessible to others.
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- I look forward to your thoughts.
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- Sincerely,
-
- /s/Vin Morgan
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- Vincent L. Morgan, J.D.
- Managing Director
- The Granger Papers Project
- granger.nh.ultranet@rcn.com
- backup:
yanjingou@yahoo.com
- (Phone and mail upon request)
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