Edward C. Tabler, Diaries, Photographs, and Other Material regarding Africa

Access and use

Location of collection:
West Virginia and Regional History Center
West Virginia & Regional History Center
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6069
1549 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26506
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lori Hostuttler
Phone: (304) 293-3536
Restrictions:

No special access restriction applies.

Researchers may access digitized materials by visiting the link attached to each item or by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Edward C. Tabler, Diaries, Photographs, and Other Material regarding Africa, A&M 4077, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
1 Linear Feet 11 1/2 in. (2 document cases, 5 in. each); (1 large flat storage box, 1 1/2 in.)
Abstract:
Papers of Edward C. Tabler (1916-1977) relating to the history of and hunting in South Africa. The journals, photographs, and maps in the collection document Tabler's travels throughout numerous regions in South Africa, and also his research into the history of the country. Tabler was educated as an engineer at West Virginia University and held various positions with Union Carbide. He was also the author of many books on the history of South Africa and big game hunting. For additional material regarding Tabler's book, refer to A&M 819.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Edward C. Tabler, Diaries, Photographs, and Other Material regarding Africa, A&M 4077, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Papers of Edward C. Tabler (1916-1977) relating to the history of and hunting in South Africa. The journals, photographs, and maps in the collection document Tabler's travels throughout numerous regions in South Africa, and also his research into the history of the country. Tabler was educated as an engineer at West Virginia University and held various positions with Union Carbide. He was also the author of many books on the history of South Africa and big game hunting. For additional material regarding Tabler's book, refer to A&M 819.

There is a contents list for this collection (see control folder).

The collection is divided into five series as follows:

Series 1. Journals; 1957-1973; box 1, folders 1-11.
Series 2. African History Material; 1830-1975; box 1, folders 12-15.
Series 3. Photographs; 1872-1973 and undated; box 2, folders 1-22.
Series 4. Certificates; undated; box 2, unfoldered.
Series 5. Maps and Charts of South Africa; 1866-1964 and undated; box 3 (oversized), folders 1-5.

For additional materials related to Edward C. Tabler, please see A&M 819.

In addition, Yale University Libraries also maintains a Tabler collection: MS 1317.

Biographical / historical:

Edward C. Tabler (1916-1977) was educated as an engineer at West Virginia University where he received his B.S. degree in 1938 and his M.S. in 1940.

He lived in South Charleston, West Virginia, and held various positions with Union Carbide. In addition to engineering, Tabler also maintained a fascination with the history of South Africa. He dedicated 25 years to researching the topic which resulted in his 1955 book, "The Far Interior: Chronicles of Pioneering in the Matabele and Mashona Countries, 1847-1879."

After over two decades of research, Tabler made his first trip to South Africa in 1957, and he visited many of the locations about which he had written. He also met with several individuals and visited several institutions to further his research. After this initial visit, Tabler returned to southern Africa in 1965, 1967, 1971, and 1973, and he also visited eastern Africa in 1963 and 1969.

Acquisition information:
Purchase from Bookworm and Silverfish, 2015 February 23
Physical location:
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard