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Cythna Lindenberg Letty (1895–1985) letters from Alain White

 Collection
Identifier: HIBDARC-0073

Scope and Contents

These letters from taxonomist Alain White (1880–1951) refer to Letty’s illustrations in the journal Flowering Plants of South Africa, the use of her drawings of Stapelia Linnaeus from that journal in White and Boyd L. Sloane’s The Stapelieae (Pasadena, Abbey San Encino Press, 1937, 3 vols.), and the preparation and publication of the book, in which she is listed as a collaborator. White's letters also cover the use of Letty's drawings in White, Sloane, and R. Allen Dyer’s The Succulent Euphorbieae (Pasadena, Abbey Garden Press, 1941, 2 vols.). References are made by White to Sloane, Inez Verdoorn of Summerville, South Carolina, and M. E. Connell of Litchfield, Connecticut. White’s letter of 10 July 1935 contains some autobiographical data as well.

Also included is one letter (22 June 1937) from Sloane to Letty, written after the publication of The Stapelieae.

Dates

  • Creation: 1934–1945, n.d.

Biographical / Historical

Botanical artist Cythna L. Letty (Mrs. Oscar Forssman; 1895–1985) was employed at the Division of Plant Industry, Pretoria, South Africa (1927–1938 and 1945 until retirement) and at the Botanical Research Institute, Pretoria (after retirement).

Extent

.25 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Other Finding Aids

This finding aid is in progress. For links to the digitized material, please see the external document linked below.

Processing Information

This collection was digitized by G. Boardman in 2015.

Title
Cythna Lindenberg Letty (1895–1985) letters from Alain White
Status
Completed
Author
Chad Denton
Date
16 July 2025
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation Archives Repository

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