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  3. Series 5: Ivins Family Papers , circa 1878-1964

William Mills Ivins papers, 1878-1964

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Series 5: Ivins Family Papers , circa 1878-1964
(Boxes 16-20; 4.5 linear ft.)

The Ivins Family Papers consist mainly of correspondence between relatives and friends of the Ivins, 1878-1964, and also include drawings, clippings, genealogies, and miscellaneous items.
Correspondence between William M. Ivins, Jr., and his mother, Emma Yard Ivins, is extensive and wide-ranging. Included are letters from boarding school, c. 1890-1897, with childhood memorabilia such as grade reports, homework papers, a silhouette, and printed programs from school concerts and athletic events. His letters written while an undergraduate at Harvard, 1897-1901, and during his European trip of 1901-1902, reflect a growing interest in art. During some periods, mother and son corresponded almost daily. He frequently wrote in detail about progress with work, news of the museum, opinions about art, and activities of friends and colleagues, as well as commenting on daily life at home.
Florence Wyman Ivins (Mrs. William M. Ivins) also wrote to her mother-in-law regularly, mainly family news which often included details of her husband's professional activities.
The series is organized into eight subseries by individual:
  • 5.1: Genealogy, undated
  • 5.2: William M. Ivins, Jr., circa 1893-1964
  • 5.3: Barbara Ivins, circa 1923-1949
  • 5.4: Emma Yard Ivins, 1878-1940
  • 5.5: Florence Wyman Ivins, circa 1910-1948
  • 5.6: Katharine Ivins, 1890s-1962
  • 5.7: Margaret Ivins Holmes, 1890s-1954
  • 5.8: Sarah Mills Ivins, 1890s-1910
  • 5.9: William M. Ivins, Sr., 1885-1924

5.1: Genealogy, undated

Genealogy, notes on family history, and clippings about Ivins/Mills/Perrine families, and Ivins/Yard/Swift families.
Description Container
Ivins/Yard/Swift Familes, undated
16
1
Ivins/Mills/Perrine Families, undated
16
2

5.2: William M. Ivins, Jr., circa 1893-1964

Letters from relatives include those from Barbara Ivins [daughter]; Emma Yard Ivins [mother]; Florence Wyman Ivins [wife]; James Sterling Yard Ivins [brother]; Katharine Ivins [sister]; Margaret Ivins Holmes [sister]; Sarah Ivins [neice or cousin]; William M. Ivins, Sr., [father]; William T. Mills [grandfather]; Annie Perrine [cousin]; Loraine Wyman Painter [sister-in-law]; Walter C. Wyman [father-in-law]; and Addie Yard [grandmother].
Records concerning the estate of Ivins' estate include obituary, memorials and tributes; letters of condolence, A-Z (addressed to Barbara); and Ivins Collection of Prints and Illustrated Books, sales records and auction catalogs.
Description Container
Letters from Barbara Ivins, 1922-1956, undated
16
3
Letters from Emma Y. Ivins, undated, circa 1893-1939
16
4-24
Letters about Emma Y. Ivins Headstone, 1940
16
25
Letters from Florence M. Ivins, undated, 1908-1941
16
26-37
Letters from James S.Y. Ivins, undated, 1897-1959
16
38
Letters from Katharine Ivins, 1909-1946
16
39-42
Letters from Katharine Ivins, 1947-1961, undated
17
1-15
Letters from Margaret [Holmes] Ivins, 1890s-1954, undated
17
16
Letters from Sarah Ivins, 1947-1958
17
17
Letters from William M. Ivins, Sr., 1893-1915
17
18
Letters from William T. Mills, 1910
17
19
Letters from Annie Perrine, 1929-1932
17
20
Letters from Lorraine Wyman, 1922
17
21
Letters from Walter C. Wyman, 1916-1924
17
22
Letters from Addie Yard, 1898
17
23
Miscellaneous Greeting Cards, undated
17
24
Obituaries and Letters of Condolences, 1961
17
25
Tributes, Memorials, and Related Materials, circa 1964
17
26
Material Concerning the Estate of William M. Ivins, Jr., 1961-1964
17
27-30

5.3: Barbara Ivins, circa 1923-1949

Barbara Ivins (1913-), daughter of William M. Ivins, Jr., and Florence Wyman Ivins, was the donor of the William M. Ivins, Jr. Papers. She is sometimes addressed as Barbi, Bubbles, Bubsey. Letters found here include those from Florence Wyman Ivins [mother]; Katharine Ivins [aunt], undated; and William M. Ivins, Jr., [father].
Description Container
Letters from Florence Wyman, circa 1944
18
1
Letters from Katharine Ivins, circa 1923-1949
18
2
Letters from William M. Ivins, Jr. , circa 1923-1949
18
3
Watercolors, Pencil Sketches, and Prints by Barbara Ivins, circa 1923-1949
18
4

5.4: Emma Yard Ivins, 1878-1940

Emma Yard Ivins (1857-1940) was the mother of William M. Ivins, Jr. She was an amateur photographer whose work was exhibited at the turn of the century. She was active in the woman's suffrage movement from circa 1900 to 1915. She was sometimes addressed as Nem or Bammie.
Correspondence between William M. Ivins, Jr., and his mother, Emma Yard Ivins, is extensive and wide-ranging. Included are letters from boarding school, c. 1890-1897, with childhood memorabilia such as grade reports, homework papers, a silhouette, and printed programs from school concerts and athletic events. His letters written while an undergraduate at Harvard, 1897-1901, and during his European trip of 1901-1902, reflect a growing interest in art. During some periods, mother and son corresponded almost daily. He frequently wrote in detail about progress with work, news of the museum, opinions about art, and activities of friends and colleagues, as well as commenting on daily life at home.
Material relating to the woman's suffrage movement includes letters from Susan B. Anthony, with a photographic portrait and a printed silhouette. Also included are letters from Ida Husted Harper and Anna H. Shaw. In addition, there is miscellaneous printed matter and undated impressions of the suffrage movement in England by an author unknown.
Miscellaneous records include Christmas lists; constitution and by-laws of the Wednesday Afternoon Club, with lists of officers and programs since its establishment in 1888; a certificate from the Woodrow Wilson Foundation; and clippings about Emma Yard Ivins.
Letters from relatives include those from James S. Y. Ivins [son]; Katharine Ivins [daughter]; Margaret Ivins Holmes and Jonathan Holmes [daughter and grandson]; Sarah Mills Ivins [mother-in-law]; William M. Ivins, Jr. [son]; and William M. Ivins, Jr., and Florence Wyman Ivins [son and daughter-in-law].
Description Container
Miscellaneous Letters, 1906-1935
18
5-6
Re: Financial Matters, 1920-1930
18
7
Letters from Susan B. Anthony, 1900-1906
18
8
Letters from Ida Harper, 1909
18
9
Letters from Anna H. Shaw, 1906-1915
18
10
Printed Material about Women's Suffrage Movement, circa 1900-1906
18
11
Impressions of Suffrage Movement in England, circa 1900-1906
18
12
Christmas Lists, 1900-1929
18
13
Wednesday Afternoon Club, 1917-1918
18
14
Certificate from Woodrow Wilson Foundation, 1922
18
15
Clippings, 1921, 1924, circa 1921-1924
18
16
Letters from James S.Y. Ivins, circa 1897-1937
18
17
Letters from Katharine Ivins, circa 1917-1937
18
18
Letters from Margaret [Ivins] Holmes and Jonathon Holmes, 1909-1937
18
19
Letters from Sarah M. Ivins (mother-in-law), circa 1910s
18
20
Letters from William M. Ivins, Jr. , 1889, circa 1880-1940
18
21
Letters from William M. Ivins, Jr. from Boarding School (Stamford, Conn.), circa 1890-1893
18
22-26
Letters from William M. Ivins, Jr. from Boarding School (Concord, N.H.), circa 1893-1897
18
27-32
Letters from William M. Ivins, Jr. from St. Paul's School- Reports and Event Programs, 1893-1894
18
33
Letters from William M. Ivins, Jr. from Harvard, circa 1897-1901
18
34-38
Letters from William M. Ivins, Jr. from European trip, 1901-1902
18
39-40
Letters from William M. Ivins, Jr. , circa 1903-1910
18
41
Letter from William and Florence W. Ivins, 1910
18
42
Letters from William M. Ivins, Jr. , 1911-1913
18
43-45
Letters from William and Florence W. Ivins, circa 1914-1924
18
46-59
Letters from William and Florence W.Ivins, 1925-1940
19
1-17
Letters from William M. Ivins, Sr., circa 1883-1915
19
18-20
Letter from James S. Yard, 1878
19
21

5.5: Florence Wyman Ivins, circa 1910-1948

Florence Wyman Ivins was the wife of William M. Ivins, Jr., and an illustrator, primarily of children's books, and a painter of children's portraits. Many of her letters to family members are illustrated with pen and ink drawings or watercolors. She was addressed as Flossie of Flo.
Letters from family and friends include those from Emma Yard Ivins [mother-in-law]; Katharine Ivins [sister-in-law]; Sarah Ivins; William M. Ivins, Jr. [husband]; Margaret Orr; Margaret Wind; Helen and Herbert Winlock; Wyman Family [letters from FWI to her father and sister].
Artwork includes a sketchbook, Southold [L. I.], from the summer of 1922, containing watercolor and pencil sketches of local scenery, Barbara, WMI, Jr., Loraine Wyman, and Paderewski. Also found here are portraits of William M. Ivins, Jr, (2), Bruce Rogers, and Marion Stone; miscellaneous prints and drawings; Christmas and other greeting cards designed by FWI, circa 1910-1937, including a 1937 New Year's greeting, "A Parable of Artists and Art Critics" by Hans Christian Andersen, illustrated by FWI with calligraphy by WMI, Jr.
Miscellaneous material includes notes about E.S. [Elizabeth Sears?]; a flyer advertising children's portraits by FWI, with snapshots of children [used for paintings?]; a marriage announcement and related clippings, 1910; and Wyman family obituaries, including FWI.
Writings include childhood reminiscences and principles of art instruction at Brearly School.
Description Container
Letter to Wyman Family, circa 1911- 1914
19
22
Letter from William M. Ivins, Jr. , circa 1917- circa 1928
19
23
Letter to H.E. Winlock, 1937
19
24
Letters from Family and Friends, 1940s, 1910s
19
25
Southold [L.I.] Sketchbook, 1922
19
26
Portraits of William Ivins, Jr., Marion Stone, and Bruce Rogers , 1925, 1938, 1911
19
27
Miscellaneous Drawings and Prints, circa 1911-1948
19
28
Special Occasion Cards Designed by Florence Ivins, circa 1910-1937
19
29-30
Miscellaneous, circa 1911-1948
19
31
Marriage Announcements and Clippings, 1910
19
32
Clippings of Wyman Family Obituaries, circa 1911- circa 1948
19
33
Childhood Reminiscences, circa 1911-1948
19
34
Principles of Art Instruction at the Brearly School, circa 1911-1948
19
35

5.6: Katharine Ivins, 1890s-1962

Katharine Ivins (circa 1888-) was the sister of William M.Ivins, Jr. A music teacher, she lived with mother in the Yard family home, in Freehold, N.J. She was addressed as Kate or Katti.
Letters from relatives include those from Barbara Ivins [niece] Florence Wyman Ivins [sister-in-law]; Margaret Ivins Holmes [sister]; and William M. Ivins, Jr. [brother]. Writings include an essay [school homework], and a notebook, including childhood reminiscences with mention of mother's photography, schooling etc.
Description Container
Letters from Barbara Ivins, 1926, 1962
19
36
Letters from Florence W. Ivins, 1918-1947
19
37
Letters from Margaret Ivins, circa 1890s-1962
19
38
Letters from William M. Ivins, Jr., circa 1890s-1962
19
39-48
Letters from Friends and Business Letters, circa 1890s-1962
19
49
Miscellaneous Writings by Katharine Ivins, circa 1890s-1962
19
50
Notebook, circa 1890s
19
51

5.7: Margaret Ivins Holmes, 1890s-1954

Margaret Ivins Holmes, (1882-1954), sister of William M. Ivins, Jr., lived in Freehold, N.J. and ran an antique store there with her husband, William Holmes. She was addressed as Margie or Peggy. Letters from relatives include those from Florence W. Ivins [sister-in-law]; William M. Ivins, Jr. [brother]; and William M. Ivins, Sr. [father].
Description Container
Letters from Relatives, 1890s-1954
19
52

5.8: Sarah Mills Ivins, 1890s-1910

Description Container
Letters from Emma Yard Ivins [daughter-in-law], and William M. Ivins, Jr. [grandson], 1890s-1910
19
53

5.9: William M. Ivins, Sr. , 1885-1924

William M. Ivins, Sr., (1851-1915), father of William M. Ivins, Jr., was a lawyer and politician and was addressed as Will. He spent a great deal of time in Europe and South America as a corporate lawyer. In 1905, he ran unsuccessfully for mayor of New York City. Business correspondence includes a letter from Mme. Blavatsky, with clippings and photographic portrait. Letters from relatives include those from Emma Yard Ivins [wife]; Katharine Ivins [daughter]; Margaret Ivins Holmes [daughter]; Sarah Mills Ivins [mother]; William M. Ivins, Jr. [son]; Annie Perrine [cousin]; James S. Yard [father-in-law]. Miscellaneous material includes biographical notes; clippings by and about WMI Sr., including an obituary; and miscellaneous notes copied from an unidentified publication.
Description Container
Business- Copies of William M. Ivins, Sr. Letters, 1897-1901
19
54
Blavotsky, circa 1891-1924
19
55
Letters from Emma Ivins, circa 1891, 1924, 1904
20
1
Letter from Katharine Ivins, 1901
20
2
Letter from Margaret Ivins, 1901
20
3
Letters from William M. Ivins, Jr. from Boarding School, 1891-1897
20
4
Letters from William M. Ivins, Jr. from Harvard, 1897-1901
20
5
Letters from William M. Ivins, Jr. from European Trip, 1901-1902
20
6
Letters from Relatives, 1885-1904
20
7
Biographical Notes, circa 1891-1924
20
8
Clippings, circa 1891-1924
20
9
Miscellaneous, circa 1891-1924
20
10
Estate Correspondence, 1914-1924
20
11

Make a Request

  • To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
  • To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.