The Edwin Bliss Hill Collection houses correspondence, genealogical materials, diaries, personal mementos, business records, manuscripts, publications, printed items, and photographs collected and created by Edwin B. Hill and his daughter, Gertrude (Hill) Muir. Also included are items showing Hill's wife, Clara Ella (Hood) Hill; his father, inventor Alva Thomas Hill; his mother, Frances (Bliss) Hill; and his brother, Louis C. Hill.
Identification:
MS SC HI
Language:
Material in English
Repository:
Arizona State University Library. Rare Books and Manuscripts P.O. Box 871006 Tempe, AZ 85287-1006 Phone: (480) 965-4932 E-Mail: archives@asu.edu Questions? Ask An Archivist!
Biographical Note
Edwin Bliss Hill was born to Alva Thomas and Frances (Bliss) Hill in Michigan on August 17, 1866. He was one of four children, including Hattie Bliss (1863-1863), Louis Clarence (1865-1938), and Edith (1868-1868). By the age of 6, Hill had become interested in what became his life's work: printing. He acquired his first press, a Daisy Printing Press, in 1882.
At the age of eighteen, Hill became a "printer's devil" at the Michigan Christian Herald. He worked in Detroit newspapers for nineteen years while continuing to learn the printing trade. His greatest passion was the work of Henry David Thoreau, on whom he published an anthology of articles entitled Pertaining to Thoreau. Hill developed a tubercular condition in 1901 and spent seven years living in the Michigan woods to rest and recover.
In 1908 Hill married school teacher Clara Ella Hood and the couple moved to Mesa, Arizona, which offered the dry air believed to alleviate tuberculosis. Hill acquired a job with the U.S. Reclamation Bureau through his brother Louis and continued to operate his printing press. The couple had one daughter, Gertrude Frances (1909-1981), who married Robert Muir in about 1963.
In 1918, the Hill family moved to Ysleta, Texas so that Edwin Hill could continue his work for the Reclamation Bureau as the first gate-tender of the International Dam. Hill printed on a part-time basis until 1945, when he retired from government service. He planned to move back to Arizona, but before his presses could be sent they and many of his books were destroyed by fire. Hill acquired new presses and continued to print in Tempe, Arizona until his death on April 6, 1949. His signature (printer's mark) was a tiny cowboy hat. Hill's press is believed to be the longest running private press in American history.
In addition to his printing work, Edwin B. Hill wrote many biographical sketches and a collection of fictitious stories of the southwest entitled Range Tales. Hill was a member of several literary societies and served as President of the Frank Holme Memorial Group.
Scope and Content Note
The Edwin Bliss Hill Collection houses correspondence, genealogical materials, diaries, personal mementos, business records, manuscripts, publications, printed items, and photographs collected and created by Edwin B. Hill and his daughter, Gertrude (Hill) Muir. Also included are items showing Hill's wife, Clara Ella (Hood) Hill; his father, inventor Alva Thomas Hill; his mother, Frances (Bliss) Hill; and his brother, Louis C. Hill.
Arrangement
This collection consists of twenty-one boxes divided into fourteen series:
To view this collection, make an appointment at least five business days prior to your visit by contacting Ask an Archivist or calling (480) 965-4932. Appointments in the Wurzburger Reading Room at Hayden Library (rm. 138) on the Tempe campus are available Monday through Friday. Check the ASU Library Hours page for current availability.
Copyright
Arizona State University does not own the copyright to this collection. We recognize that it is incumbent upon the researcher to procure permission to publish information from this collection from the owner of the copyright.
"Catalog Six" by Herbert West, Bookseller and "American Book Collector: Edwin Bliss Hill, Pioneer Private Printer of the Southwest" by Gertrude Hill Muir,
1967
1A
2
Miscellaneous Biographies,
Undated
Includes:
Handwritten biographical poem by Frank C. Lockwood
"Silhouette of the Spectator" by E. A. Edkins
"Edwin B. Hill: Printer and Personality" by Rheinhart Kleiner
Biographical notes
1A
3
Bibliographical Information and Chronological Lists Compiled by Edwin B. Hill,
Undated (Typewritten and Handwritten)
1A
4
Biography of Edwin B. Hill by Gertrude Hill Muir,
Undated (Handwritten Notes; Rough Drafts; Typescripts)
1A
5
University of Arizona Exhibit honoring Edwin B. Hill,
Undated
Includes:
Photo of display
Photo of printer
Chronology of life of Edwin B. Hill
Caption cards
Write up on exhibit (rough copy)
1A
6
Northern Illinois University Private Press Exhibit Materials and Correspondence,
1973
1A
6A
Tribute to E. B. Hill by Herbert F. West: "The Alchemy of Books"
Printing Samples Collected by Edwin B. Hill,
1929-1936, Undated
3
10
Address books,
Undated (2 Small Books)
3
11
Notebook and Address Book,
Undated
3
12
Miscellaneous Clippings Collected by Edwin B. Hill,
1911-1948, Undated
3
13
Clippings Collected by and about Edwin B. Hill,
1934-1956
3
14
Bibliographic Notes, Rough Drafts, and List of Presses Owned,
Undated (Handwritten and Typed)
3
15
List of Holdings of Books and Manuscripts (Handwritten and Typed)
3
16
Edwin B. Hill's Southwestern Collection,
Undated (3 x 5 Card File; Incomplete)
Box
Folder
4
1-2
Miscellaneous Printed Matter by and about Printers and Printing,
1876-1966
4
3-4
Newsletters, Pamphlets, Journals, Clippings, Magazines, Bulletins, and Play Programs Collected by Edwin B. Hill,
1886-1948
Includes some early Arizona periodicals.
4
5
Society Memberships, Publications and Related Materials
Box
Folder
5
1
Handwriting Analysis of Edwin B. Hill,
1932-1933
5
2
Pencil Drawings of Portage Lake area near Lakeland, Michigan by Louis C. Hill,
1885
5
3
Profile of Edwin B. Hill Titled "Daddy" with Initials G.H.,
Undated
5
4
Almanac and Lesson Book (undated) Belonging to Edwin B. Hill,
1826, Undated
5
5
Poetical works of Dowson edited by Desmond Flower,
1949
Mentions Edwin B. Hill on page 286. Includes note to Gertrude Hill Muir.
5
6
Catalogs collected by Edwin B. Hill,
1922-1944
Includes William Winter catalog and bookplate.
5
7
Notes, Sayings, Poetry, Addresses of Members of Various Book Lovers' Clubs, and List of "Historic Slides of Dan R. Williamson's Collection" Collected by Edwin B. Hill,
Undated (Handwritten and Typewritten)
5
8
Washburn Miniatures Collected by Edwin B. Hill,
1940, Undated
5
9
Mementos, Miscellaneous Autographs, Flowers, Ration Stamps, U.S. Flag, Original and Printed Drawings, and Tributes to Edwin B. Hill,
1944, Undated
5
10
Leather Book Covers (2 Items)
5
11
Horseshoes (2 Items)
5
12
Tweezer in Leather Case and Pocket Knife
5
13
A. T. Hill Nameplate, Scribe, and U.S. Uniform Button
5
14
Copperplate Photo of Edwin B. Hill, Wax Stamp, Bookplate Ink Stamp
Business Records, Receipts, Cancelled Checks, Reports, Agreements, Stock Certificates, Permits, Passports, Daily Expense Record (1917-1921), and El Paso Valley Water Users Association Account Book (1905 June-1911),
1910-1948
Holme, Frank: Bookplates, Clippings, Bandar Log Press Materials, Bibliographies, and Rough Drafts,
1968, Undated
8
4
Index to the Frank Holme Collection,
Undated (3 x 5 Cards; Handwritten)
Box
Folder
9
1
Holme Memorial Group Membership List, Lists of Books of Frank Holme, and Collected Quotes of Various Persons,
1936 June 4, Undated (Bound Volume)
9
2
Lamb, Charles: Articles, Publications, Materials from a Lamb Display, and Photo of Lamb's Home,
1848-1935
9
3
Lockwood, Frank C.: Portrait Inscribed to Edwin B. Hill, Poetry, Publications, and Thesis on Emerson,
1896, Undated
9
4
Stevenson, Robert Louis: Portrait, Typescripts of Speeches on Stevenson, and Article by Stevenson,
1880-1928
9
5
Thoreau, Henry D.: Society Bulletins, Membership Lists, Articles, Monographs, Booklet, Quotes, Poetry, Articles, Checklist, Portraits, List of S. A. Jones' Thoreau Collection, and Bibliographic Information,
1839-1963
9
6
"April Days. Extracts from the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau" in The Atlantic Monthly,
1878 April
9
7
"Henry David Thoreau" by John Burroughs in The Chautauquan,
1889 June
9
8
"Thoreau: A Glimpse" by S. A. Jones in The Unitarian,
1890 January
9
9
"Winter Rambles In Thoreau's Country" by Herbert W. Gleason in The National Geographic Magazine,
1920 February
Notes, Articles, Poetry, Research Notes, and Essays Collected by and Written by Edwin B. Hill and Others,
Undated (Typewritten and Handwritten)
9
12
Lists, Notes, and Collected Sayings,
Undated (Typewritten and Handwritten)
9
13
Notes, Drafts, and Book Reviews,
Undated (Handwritten)
Box
Folder
10
1
Biography of James J. O'Connell,
Undated (Typescript)
10
2
Poetry of Edwin B. Hill,
1938 (Handwritten and Typewritten)
10
3-4
Rough Drafts of Articles Possibly by Edwin B. Hill and Published Articles on Various Subjects,
Undated (Handwritten and Typewritten)
10
5
Article on Bruce Frederick Cumings,
Undated (Rough Drafts and Typescripts)
10
6
Piece concerning Robert Louis Stevenson Dedicated to Gertrude Frances Hill with a Note from Edwin B. Hill,
Undated (Typescript)
10
7
Detroit Recollections,
1840-1939 (Handwritten)
10
8
Lakeland Recollections,
1933, Undated (Handwritten and Typewritten)
10
9
Possible Journal of Edwin B. Hill,
1927-1932 (Handwritten)
10
9
Autobiographic Recollections,
1930-1933 (Handwritten and Typewritten)
10
10
Granite Reef Recollections, Construction of Roosevelt Dam, Arizona Rangers, Stories about Louis C. Hill, Ranchers, Mexicans, Indians, Lynchings, and Cowboys,
Undated (Handwritten and Typewritten)
An Arizona Childhood, 1909-1918, Recollections of Gertrude Hill Muir (Typescript)
Includes some biographical information on Gertrude Hill Muir.
13
23
Notes on Granite Reef Government Area
Taken from an interview with Gertrude Hill Muir by Patricia Eyring Brown for the report entitled "An Historic Camp on the Banks of the Salt River Maricopa, Arizona" (1978 March). Available in the Arizona Historical Foundation (FE EPH A-12) and F817.M3 B76x.
American Book Collector (Vol. SVIII, No. 2),
1967 October
Includes bibliography of Edwin B. Hill's printed work by Gertrude Hill Muir. Notes items contained in this collection and lists additional materials printed by Edwin B. Hill.
13
25-26
Press Items from Detroit Period,
1882-1884
Box
14
Pre-Press, Detroit: Pamphlet of Poe's poems, pc, and Letter to Hill from Mulford
14
1
"The Stylus"
14
2
"The Lakeland Gazette" (Samples)
14
3
"Peradventure" (Samples)
14
4
"The Frank Holme Memorial Group Bulletin" (Samples)
14
5
"The Back Number"
14
6
Gerner, Richard. "The Terrible Snow". Detroit,
1887
14
7
Antisdel, Will R. "The Siege of Gicacho". Detroit,
1889
14
8
Edkins, Ernest A. "Amenophra and other Poems". Detroit,
1889
14
9
Jones, Samuel A. "Pertaining to Thoreau". Detroit,
1901
14
10
Salt, Henry S. "Pertaining to Thoreau". Detroit,
circa 1901
14
11
Hill, Edwin B. "Frank Holme: A Friend". Lakeland,
1904
14
12
Emerson, Ralph W. "Henry D. Thoreau: Emerson's Obituary". Lakeland,
1904
14
13
Carlyle, Thomas. "Letters of Thomas Carlyle". Lakeland,
1907
14
14
Lebrun, Jean M. "Henry Thoreau's Mother". Lakeland,
1908
14
15
Woollen, Frank D. "The Child". Lakeland,
1908
14
16
Burroughs, John. "Waiting". Lakeland,
Undated
14
17
Antisdel, Will R. A. "Spenserian Sonnet and Rondeau". Mesa,
circa 1914 (Spectator Broadside)
14
18
Clemens, Samuel Langhorne. "How to Reach the Age of Seventy"
14
19
Lamb, Charles. "A Letter to Thomas Manning"
14
20
F.D.W. (?) and D.B.S. "Charles Lamb". Mesa,
1915
14
21
F.D.W., H.D.T. (and) Phillips, George S. "George S. Phillips on Walden". Mesa,
circa 1915 (Spectator Broadside)
14
22
Thoreau, Henry David. "The Seasons"
14
23
Neal, John. "John Neal to Edgar Allan Poe" and Dowson, Ernest, "The Passing of Tennyson". Mesa,
1916 (Spectator Broadside)
14
24
Thoreau, Henry David. "Two Thoreau Letters"
14
25
Raleigh, Walter. "Farewell Letter of Sir Walter Raleigh to His Wife". Mesa,
1916
14
26
Thoreau, Henry David. "Expectation"
14
27
Starrett, Vincent. "Ballad of Brobdingnag"
14
28
Press of Edwin B. Hill. "A Spring Book of Festival, April 1 to 6" (Leaflet Printed for the El Paso Library)
14
29
"The Arcadians". Ysleta,
1926 (4 Pages; 2 Variations)
Page 4 contains a list of brochures printed for "The Arcadians".
14
30
"This Book". Ysleta,
circa 1926 (Broadside for The Arcadians)
14
31
Hill, Edwin Bliss. "In Friendship"
14
32
Starrett, Vincent. "Fifteen More Poems"
14
33
Carson, Hilda R. "R.L.S."
14
34
Johnson, Lionell. "Three Poems". Ysleta,
1928
14
35
Fr. Jerome. "To the Faithful Charles Lamb". Ysleta,
1928 (Broadside #1)
14
36
Houseman, A.E. "R.L.S". Ysleta,
1928
14
37
Johnson, Lionel Pigot. "Two poems"
14
38
Starrett, Vincent. "What's o'Clock?"
14
39
Kennedy, Thomas T. "Vincent Starrett"
14
40
Lamb, Charles. "Humble Guests"
Box
Folder
15
1
Hunt, Leigh. "To Shelley"
15
2
Russell, Arthur J. "The Rough-Barked Tree"
15
3
Woollen, Frank David. "Brittle Sticks"
15
4
Barrie, Jim. "Epilogue to the Admirable Crichton". Ysleta,
1931
15
5
Seymour, George S. "Wide Spreading Piony". Ysleta,
1932
15
6
Conrad, Joseph. "Letter on Stephen Crane". Ysleta,
1932
15
7
Seymour, George Steele. "Minor Cadence"
15
8
De La Mare, Walter. "Song of shadows". Ysleta,
1933