This series consists of correspondence documenting the history and operation of the Division of Mollusks and the research interests of the professional staff, from
its establishment in 1880 until 1982. A small amount of material pre-dating the official creation of the Department is found. Correspondence prior to 1937 is mostly incoming.
After that date both incoming and outgoing letters are present. See Series 3 for outgoing letters, 1885-1937.
Correspondents include domestic and foreign malacologists; shell collectors and avocational conchologists; Smithsonian administrators, curators, and staff; staff of museums,
universities, and research organizations; editors and staff of scientific publications; and officers and members of professional organizations.
Included is correspondence concerning the acquisition, identification, exchange, and loan of specimens; malacological research and the publication of results; museum and
divisional administration; professional activities, especially the early history of the American Malacological Union; and expeditions and field work.
A small number of photographs and specimen lists are found with the correspondence and are noted in the folder list.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 73, National Museum of Natural History, Division of Mollusks, Records
