James Stillman papers, 1830-1955

Creator:

Stillman, James, 1850-1918

Extent:

5.5 linear feet (11 boxes)

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

Papers of Stillman include over 100 items pertaining to the business enterprises of his father, Charles Stillman of Brownsville, Texas, who was engaged in shipping and trade, real estate, and railroad investment. A large portion of the collection documents of James Stillman's activities in banking, in railroad financing, and in other of his business and industrial interests. The letters, legal documents, and miscellaneous papers are representative of the entire span of his career. Included in the correspondence are letters from many prominent financiers and industrialists of his day, including many from William Rockefeller; letters from President Grover Cleveland, some personal in nature and some concerned with business transactions; nine letter books of James Stillman, covering the years 1886-1897, 1906-1918; letter books of his secretary Miss K. Bredin, 1908-1916; journals for the years 1889, 1891, 1898, 1899; bank book recording Stillman's drafts, 1911-1914, on the London firm of Baring Brothers; four diaries, 1881-1884; six notebooks; one cash and journal and one ledger, 1868-1871.

1991 Addition: 2 vols. of typescript copies of business letters, 1867-1879; 1 vol. of photostats of obituary clippings, 1918; & 1 vol. scrapbook of book reviews & letters re. A.R. Burr's biography of James Stillman, 1927-1928 & misc. family items, 1923-1955.

Biographical / historical:

American financier.

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--Stillman, Calvin. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--11/--/57. Accession number--[-57-11.

4 volumes: Source of acquisition--Stillman, John S. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--11/20/91. Accession number--M-91-11-20.

Custodial history:

Gift of Calvin Stillman, 1957.

Gift of John S. Stillman, 1991.

Processing information:

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 09/--/89.

4 volumes Processed HR 05/26/92.

Arrangement:

Selected materials cataloged; remainder arranged. This collection is arranged into five series.

Accruals:

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); James Stillman papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

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Collection