Painting of waterfall by Oscar Cesare, circa 1920s, bulk: 1920 - 1929

This collection consists of illustrations, photographs, artifacts, and other visual materials collected by New York Zoological Society Curator of Ornithology and Department of Tropical Research Director William Beebe. Although the items were created between approximately 1749 and 1960, the bulk of the collection dates from between the 1920s and 1940s and was likely collected by Beebe during this time. It is possible that the items were kept in his Department of Tropical Research Laboratory office at the Bronx Zoo.

The collection features a wide range of subjects, from animals to Beebe’s acquaintances and his own fame. A significant portion of the collection includes illustrations and other artworks, particularly of animals, in many cases likely given to Beebe by the artists. Also within the collection are several caricatures and busts of Beebe. Among the identified artists represented in this collection are Isabel Cooper, Dwight Franklin, Robert Horsfall, Marguerite Kirmse, Charles Knight, and Walter King Stone. This collection additionally includes photographs, many of Beebe’s acquaintances, as well as one of a seahorse taken and signed by Jean Painlevé. Rounding out the collection are ephemera such as bookplates, honorary diplomas, and autographs from two authors Beebe admired, Rudyard Kipling and Lord Dunsany.

Please note that this collection does not include the specimen illustrations created by Department of Tropical Research staff artists under Beebe’s direction; these are found in WCS Archives Collection 1039.