Manuscript and printed textual material, photographic prints and negatives, slides, audio tapes, film, original and reproduction artwork, maps, scrapbooks, and historical and natural artifacts related to the history of African exploration and natural history, dating primarily from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Includes correspondence, drafts of publications, diaries, account books, ephemera, posters, newsclippings, biographies, memoirs, portraits, and the former personal property of selected explorers, big game hunters, missionaries, pioneers, and naturalists in Africa.
Scope and Contents note:
Manuscript and printed textual material, photographic prints and negatives, slides, audio tapes, film, original and reproduction artwork, maps, scrapbooks, and historical and natural artifacts related to the history of African exploration and natural history, dating primarily from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Includes correspondence, drafts of publications, diaries, account books, ephemera, posters, newsclippings, biographies, memoirs, portraits, and the former personal property of selected explorers, big game hunters, missionaries, pioneers, and naturalists in Africa. The Train Collection is particularly strong in archival materials on the following topics: the search for the source of the Nile and the progress of other exploring expeditions in Africa; the collecting of specimens of African animals, plants, and ethnological materials for zoos and museums (including a significant body of correspondence and photographs from the Smithsonian African Expedition in 1909-1910, led by President Theodore Roosevelt); and the growth of the African wildlife conservation movement. Besides Roosevelt, the major persons represented in the Collection include the journalist and explorer Henry Morton Stanley and members of his Emin Pasha Relief Expedition (Thomas Heazle Parke, Robert H. Nelson, James S. Jameson, John Rose Troup, William Bonny, William G. Stairs, Edmund Barttelot, and Arthur J. M. Jephson); the medical missionary Dr. David Livingstone and his father-in-law Robert Moffat; taxidermist Carl Akeley; zoologist Edmund Heller; hunter Frederick Courtenay Selous; artist and adventure writer A. Radclyffe Dugmore; explorers Samuel White Baker, Thomas Baines, Richard Francis Burton and E.J. Glave; anthropologist Paul Belloni du Chaillu; and royal traveler Edward VIII (later Duke of Windsor). Consult the finding aid for more specific information on materials relating to these persons and other people and organizations represented in the Collection.
Arrangement note:
Organized into ten series, primarily based on format or creator: I. Artifacts, 1663-1999; II. Works of Art, 1663-1999; III. Books, 1900-1986; IV. Edmund Heller personal papers, 1875-1939; V. Manuscripts, 1663-1992; VI. Maps, 1878; VII. Newspapers, 1888-1987; VIII. Robert Henry Nelson personal papers, 1795-1912; VIII. Photographs, 1874-1963; IX. Posters and broadsides, 1814-1955; X. Russell E. Train personal papers, 1956-2004.
Separated Materials note:
In addition to these archival and non-book materials, the Smithsonian Institution Libraries acquired more than 1500 printed books as part of the Russell E. Train Collection; these books are listed individually in the SIRIS (Smithsonian Institution Research Information System) online catalog.
Provenance:
Originally assembled by the Honorable Russell E. Train, a former judge, top administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and a past president of the World Wildlife Fund, this collection was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution Libraries in 2004.
Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Topic:
Zoological specimens -- Collection and preservation -- Africa Search this
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Correspondence, 8.5 x 11 in.)
Container:
Item HelUncat004
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1935 February 25
General note:
From the Heller archival collection.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Correspondence, 8.5 x 11 in.)
Container:
Item HelUncat005
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1935 February 25
General note:
From the Heller archival collection.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Correspondence, 4 x 7.5 in. - 8.5 x 11 in.)
Container:
Item HelUncat006
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1935 February 20, 26
Scope and Contents note:
Heller's inquiry concerning the position of educational director of the American Express Company's Zoological Tour of Europe. Includes inquiry, reply, and brochure.
General note:
From the Heller archival collection.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Correspondence, 8.5 x 11 in.)
Container:
Item HelUncat008
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1935 April 9
General note:
From the Heller archival collection.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Correspondence, 7.25 x 10.5 in.)
Container:
Item HelUncat009
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1875 - 1939
General note:
From the Heller archival collection.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
5 Pages (Manuscripts (document genre), 8.5 x 11 in.)
Container:
Item HelUncat010
Type:
Archival materials
Pages
Date:
1875 - 1939
General note:
From the Heller archival collection.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
37 Pages (Articles, 5.5 x 7 in. - 8.5 in.-14 in. (document), 12.5 x 9.5 in. (envelope))
Container:
Item HelUncat011
Type:
Archival materials
Pages
Date:
circa 1935
General note:
From the Heller archival collection.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
7 Pages (Annual reports, 8.5 x 14 in.)
Container:
Item HelUncat012
Type:
Archival materials
Pages
Date:
circa 1928 - 1935
General note:
From the Heller archival collection.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
7 Pages (Narratives (document genres), 8.5 x 14 in.)
Container:
Item HelUncat013
Type:
Archival materials
Pages
Date:
circa 1928 - 1935
General note:
From the Heller archival collection.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
12 Items (Black-and-white photographs, 6.5 x 8.5 in. - 12 x 10 in.)
Container:
Item M067
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1931 - 1935
Scope and Contents note:
One photo of an African native woman; one photo of (another?) African native woman; one photo of African elephant herd in woodland which appears (enlarged) in Theodore Roosevelt's African game trails, facing page 258. The caption states 'Taken by Kermit Roosevelt at a distance of about twenty-five yards; he was on the dead limb of a tree five or six feet from the ground.' One photo of a Philip Goodwin drawing (1910) that appears in African game trails, facing page 252.
General note:
A few photos captioned on back in Heller's hand. M067 is accession number in the Russell E. Train inventory list of the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Lantern slides, 3.25 x 4 in.)
Container:
Item M068
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1909 or 1910
Scope and Contents note:
Theodore Roosevelt is shown heading for a tent in the background. A young white male, presumably Kermit Roosevelt, sits on the ground in the right foreground. The photo appears in African game trails, facing page 254. It is captioned "Camping after death of the first bull." The photo is credited to Edmund Heller.
General note:
The slide is cracked. M068 is accession number in the Russell E. Train inventory list of the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
6 Items (Black-and-white photographs, 3.5 x 3.75 in. - 6.5 x 12.25 in.)
Container:
Item M069b
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
circa 1900 - 1939
Scope and Contents note:
The collection includes: 1. Uncaptioned photo of Theodore Roosevelt and unidentified man viewing the Grand Canyon. 2. Mrs. Edmund Heller with pigmy mother and child in Africa. 3. Photo portrait of native African woman. 4. Unidentified white woman in bathing suit by water's edge. 5. Heller (?) with dead mountain gorilla; Heller holds rifle. 6. Heller with land iguana.
General note:
M069b is accession number in the Russell E. Train inventory list of the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
2 Items (Manuscripts (document genre), 5.75 x 9 in. - 8.5 x 11 in.)
Container:
Item M069c
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
circa 1908 - 1911
General note:
Typed article with extensive pencil and pen corrections in Heller's hand. There are two copies. One is 5 pages long (single -spaced on letter size paper) with two smaller pages in Heller's hand in ink, pinned to page 5. The other copy comprises only the first two pages with some of the same and some different corrections than appear on the longer copy. M069c is accession number in the Russell E. Train inventory list, of the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
8 Pages (Manuscripts (document genre), 8.75 x 6.5 in. - 8.5 x 14 in.)
Container:
Item M069d
Type:
Archival materials
Pages
Date:
1909 - 1939
Scope and Contents note:
Recounts Roosevelt's elephant hunt. Describes the natives and others who accompanied Roosevelt.
General note:
Typed article, double-spaced untitled and marked '2nd carbon'. Two of the 8 pages are separately numbered 1 and 2. M069d is accession number in the Russell E. Train inventory list of the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
20 Pages (Manuscripts (document genre), 6 x 9.5 in. - 7.25 x 10.25 in.)
Container:
Item M069e
Type:
Archival materials
Pages
Date:
1909 - 1939
Scope and Contents note:
The notes appear to relate to Heller's typed article on the Roosevelt elephant hunt.
General note:
M069e is accession number in the Russell E. Train inventory list of the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Manuscripts (document genre), 5.5 x 8.5 in. - 8.5 x 11 in.)
Container:
Item M069f
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1912 - 1939
Scope and Contents note:
Autobiographical sketch submitted for "The Explorers Club" (345 Amsterdam Avenue, New York City) application. Application instruction included.
General note:
Carbon copy, corrected and signed by Heller. M069f is accession number in the Russell E. Train inventory list of the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Correspondence, 8.5 x 11 in.)
Container:
Item M069g
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1934 January 30
Scope and Contents note:
No references to Africa. Heller was seeking advice on support for his research.
General note:
Retained carbon copy of a typed letter. Signed, with corrections in Heller's hand. M069g is accession number in the Russell E. Train inventory list of the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Correspondence, 8.5 x 11 in.)
Container:
Item M069i
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1934 November 13
Scope and Contents note:
Discusses animal cruelty amongst animal trainers.
General note:
Retained carbon copy of a typed letter. Unsigned but with a number of corrections in Heller's hand. M069i is accession number in the Russell E. Train inventory list of the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Correspondence, 8.5 x 11 in.)
Container:
Item M069j
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1934 June 15
Scope and Contents note:
Refers to the plans of someone named Sage to capture a giant panda alive. Offers advice on the feeding of nursing monkeys (and pandas). The autograph draft pages present refer to Frank Buck and his 'cruel' film 'Bring 'Em Back Alive.' He calls Buck a 'faker' who never went into the wild to capture an animal but always purchased them from natives on the coast. Describes Buck's two books as 'chiefly lies and fake experiences...'
General note:
Retained carbon copy of a typed letter. Unsigned but with a number of corrections in Heller's hand. Attached is a 2 page autograph draft of a letter, signed by Heller. These are pages 2 and 3. No copy of page 1. M069j is accession number in the Russell E. Train inventory list of the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
