ANSP Membership Nomination Records and Ballot Boxes

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: ANSP-Coll-0115

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Nominations, as shown on the stubs of the book of records, appear in 5 volumes, 1817-1929. Two books of proposals, possibly a duplication of entries in the nomination book also record the names from Feb. 15, 1814 to Dec. 27, 1853.

Also Two ballot boxes, one gavel, one plastic box containing seven white balls and four black balls. One folder containing two notes that accompanied the ballot box and gavel. Another box containing sixty-eight white balls and fourteen black balls.

Dates

1817-1929

Historical note

After the founders' meeting, it was decreed that every new member must be nominated by two active members, his name read before the group and voted on at the next business meeting. A single black marble in the voting box kept the nominee out. It was presumed that the prospective member knew nothing of his nomination, so that the insult of being rejected would not be known by him. If black-balled, the nomination blank was destroyed to remove any record of the outcome of the election.

Extent

2 linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

General

This ballot box and gavel belong to collection 115 which also includes 12.5 linear inches or three manuscript boxes. The manuscript boxes include handwritten nominations, a small nomination book, and five large nomination books that account for all members and nominees present at the Academy meetings.