Theos-Talk Archives (September 2004 Message tt00127)

Dear Anton, 

I can only speak anecdotally and describe the high and low points of 
my experience with research in Theosophical archives. In London and 
Paris, I was given free access to the archives and full cooperation 
from the members in charge of them. I never needed to use the 
Olcott Library but Elizabeth Trumpler was fully cooperative and 
helpful with the photo on the cover (and inside) Initiates-- the 
first foldout illustration in a SUNY Press book. Had minor help 
from Pasadena but didn't really call on them so cannot comment 
meaningfully.

In Adyar, though, I was restricted from the archives even while non-
Theosophist researchers there at the same time (Nancy Fix Anderson, 
Joy Dixon) were being given access. Reason "we have no archivist on 
duty." Why that reason applied to a longtime member but not to non-
members perplexed me. Stephen Prothero got full cooperation for his 
Olcott bio later. It's "sensitivity" of subject matter and not 
staff issues that determine who gets access.

Greg T can speak for himself and I hope will. Coats was fully 
cooperative, Burnier fully uncooperative, to him in his researches 
as I recall him saying. I have also heard one prominent Theosophist 
archivist from Europe describe being denied archives access by Radha 
and not knowing why.

Daniel has actually published with TPH so ought to know a lot more 
than I do about their practices.

Cheers,

Paul

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Anton Rozman" 
<anton_rozman@y...> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi Paul, Daniel and all,
> 
> my appreciation for your work and my sympathy for your 
professional 
> pain and concern in front of the impenetrable wall, for there is 
> inside me also this string that sounds when the note of hidden 
> treasures echoes. In search of the magic formula: "Open
> Sesame!" 
> could you tell us some more about:
> 
> What is the status of these archives?
> Are there any laws about archives theosophical organizations have 
to 
> apply?
> If yes, how the theosophical organizations respect these laws?
> 
> Kind regards,
> Anton
> 
> 
> 
> --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Daniel H. Caldwell" 
> <danielhcaldwell@y...> wrote:
> > Paul,
> > 
> > Yes, I do share your concern with this issue. It is a troubling
> > problem and is not confined just to the Adyar T.S.
> > 
> > Daniel
> > 
> > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "kpauljohnson" 
> <kpauljohnson@y...> 
> > wrote:
> > > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Daniel H. Caldwell"
> > > <danielhcaldwell@y...> wrote:
> > > 
> > > > I'm sure there must be some hidden away in the Adyar archives
> > > > or the archives of the E.S.
> > > > 
> > > Hi Daniel,
> > > 
> > > Do you mean that as a comment on the Adyar archives? As a 
fellow
> > > professional librarian, I'd hope you share my concern on that 
> > subject.
> > > 
> > > Paul