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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Eugene L. Armbruster Literary Manuscripts
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Armbruster, Eugene L., 1865-1943 | |
| Title | Eugene L. Armbruster Literary Manuscripts | |
| Dates: | 1909-1929 | |
| Abstract: | Eugene Armbruster (1865-1943) had a long and colorful career as an historian of Long Island. The items in this collection consist of manuscripts (most of them apparently final drafts) of his published works, as well as at least one unpublished work. | |
| Extent: | 1.9 cubic feet, 3 boxes | |
| Identification: | A-2 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
Eugene Armbruster (1865-1943) had a long and colorful career as an historian of Long Island. The items in this collection consist of manuscripts (most of them apparently final drafts) of his published works, as well as at least one unpublished work.
As a result of his historical inquiries, Mr. Armbruster began to write (in the old Brooklyn Eagle), a column devoted to antiquarian interests. It may be said, perhaps, that Eugene Armbruster typified in many ways the local historian. No time was too great to spend in gathering available facts by making personal visits to locales in question, or by pouring over newspaper and history books of the period, or by taking photographs whenever possible to buttress with pictorial material, the written evidence he was compiling.
Mr. Armbruster is buried in Lutheran Cemetery in Queens County.
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Scope and Content Note
The manuscripts in this collection, as far as can be determined are all in Mr. Armbruster hand. Unless otherwise noted, there are no typescripts at all, and all manuscripts are handwritten and all written in ink.
Apparently, nearly all manuscripts are final drafts since little or no corrections have been inserted on them. In some instances a proof sheet of the title page has been inserted, as well as a note perhaps, intended for the printer. Seldom will any kind of date be found. No full-scale attempt has been made to compare these manuscripts against the published works. However, cursory examinations reveal that these manuscripts read identically with the published works. For this reason, as well as the reason stated above (very few corrections), we believe that these manuscripts are the completed final drafts as submitted to the printer. Most were probably written between 1918 and 1930.
By and large, Mr. Armbruster was his own publisher. Most of his works were pamphlet size, rather than full length books and were published in limited editions usually 300 to 500 copies. Though no attempt has been made to compile a bibliography of Mr. Armbruster's published works, the manuscripts found in this collection probably comprise virtually all of the writings he undertook in the local history field which eventually saw publication, save articles or columns appearing in newspapers or periodicals.
Unbound Manuscripts Nearly all of the following manuscripts have title pages. These titles are identical to the final printed version.
Bruijkleen Colonie, Borough of Brooklyn, 1638-1918 21 sheets, measuring approximately 7½x10 ½” This manuscript was published in 1918. It consists of 12 pages.
Coney Island 38 sheets, measuring approximately 8x10½”. This manuscript was published in 1924. It consists of 14 pages.
The Ferry Road on Long Island 285 sheets, measuring approximately 8xl0½” This manuscript was published in 1919. It consists of 40 pages.
Indians of Long Island, Manhattan Island and Staten Island 107 sheets, measuring approximately 8 x l2½”. As far as is known, this manuscript was never published.
The Indians of New England and New Netherlands 15 sheets, measuring approximately 8x10½” This manuscript is a typescript. There are many corrections on this manuscript and may not have been the final draft. This manuscript was published in 1918. It consists of 11 pages.
Landmarks on the Montauk Highway and Long Island Directory 73 sheets, measuring approximately 8x10½”. Lacks title page. This manuscript was published in 1925. It consists of 45 pages.
Bound Volumes Also included in this collection are six bound manuscripts volumes of some of Armbruster works. These, however, are not in his hand, and apparently were copied by someone else. Only three of the volumes have title pages and judging from these titles and an examination of some of the contents of the volumes, it would appear that they are largely manuscripts of Armbruster published works, The Eastern District of Brooklyn and Brooklyn’s Eastern District. There also may very well be copies of some of the unbound manuscripts listed on previous pages, or at least portions of them. The numbering of the volumes indicated below serve simply to differentiate one from another and in no way indicate any sequence. All volumes measure approximately 9xl4½”, except volume 6 which is only 8¼xl3”.
Title page reads History of the Town of Bushwick, The City of Williamsburg and The Eastern District of Brooklyn. 192 pages
Title page reads the same as Vol. 1 except that the year 1909 and the place of publication, New York, as well as the author's name appear on title page. 300 pages
Title page reads The Dutch Settlements on the Western End of Long Island. 1909. 299 pages, two loose sheets inserted.
No title page. First chapter heading is en titled “New Netherlands.” Other chapter headings include “Greenpoint”, “Williamsburg Churches”, “The Ferries”, “Long Island City”, “Town of Flushing”, “Town of Huntington”. 251 pages, three loose sheets inserted.
No title page. First chapter heading is titled “New Netherlands.” However, it differs from Vol. 4. Other chapter headings include “Bergen”, “Long Island”, “Town of New Utrecht”, “Fordham”, “Pioneer Settlers.” 292 pages, three loose sheets inserted.
No title page. First chapter heading is titled “The Town of Brooklyn—The Ferry”. Very few other chapter headings. 122 pages.
Long Island Landmarks, Part I, The Town of Newtown Including Long Island City 120 sheets, measuring approximately 8xl0½”. This manuscript was published in 1923. It consists of 53 pages. {Missing November 4, 1995}
Montauk 14 sheets, measuring approximately 8x10½”. This manuscript was published in 1923. It consists of 8 pages.
The Olympia Settlement in Early Brooklyn, New York 84 sheets, measuring approximately 8xl0½”. This manuscript was published in 1929. It consists of 35 pages.
The Wallabout Prison Ships, 1776-1783 197 sheets, measuring approximately 8x10”. Several sheets written in pencil, not ink. Several pages have been redrafted two or perhaps three times. Apparently there is more than one draft herein. Also included are several scraps of papers containing notes. This manuscript was published in 1920. It consists of 29 pages.
Untitled Manuscript About 1500-2000 sheets ranging in size from approximately 8xl0” to 8x13”, (about 100 sheets in typescript included). Though lacking a title page, this manuscript is probably a draft of what was to become one of Armbruster major works, The Eastern District of Brooklyn (published in 1912, 205 pages). Intermingled may be parts of the manuscript for what most people consider the most important piece of writing, Brooklyn's Eastern District (published in 1942, 400 pages). Though the two titles are almost identical, they should not be confused as one and the same work. The former deals with and usually stresses the earlier history of such Brooklyn towns or villages as Bushwick, Greenpoint and Williamsburg. The latter though dealing with similar area is noted for its inclusion of brief historical notes of several hundred streets all listed in alphabetical order.
Miscellaneous Notebook bearing title page, Inventory of Eugene L. Armbruster Collection of Americana taken at cost January 18, 1923. In it are found listed several hundred books and other materials. Prices for each and every item are given. Apparently, this notebook lists a collection of books and other materials which Mr. Armbruster sold. There is no indication to whom the collection was sold. There is no information how Mr. Armbruster acquired the collection. This notebook measures approximately 4x6½”.
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Arrangement
The files are grouped into series:
| Unbound Manuscripts | |
| Bound Volumes | |
| Miscellaneous |
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Eugene L. Armbruster Literary Manuscripts, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Provenance
The division does not know the provenance of the records.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Names:
- Armbruster, Eugene L., 1865-1943
Subject Topics:
- Church
- Colonization
- Indians of North America
Subject Places:
- Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
- Coney Island (New York, N.Y.)
- Long Island City (New York, N.Y.)
- Montauk (N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
