Clay Burton Vance astrology reading collection
Collection Scope and Contents
The collection consists of correspondence and an astrological life reading created by Clay Burton Vance, a conman in the early 20th century who became well known internationally for selling false astrological readings. Vance, which was the pseudonym of Elmer Sidney Prather, would sell personal "Complete Life Readings" to people for a large fee, but provided them with a mass produced reading instead. Materials in the collection include a letter from Vance to a Miss E.B. Bell of Nunthorpe, England written in 1911, selling her the reading, as well as the actual "Complete Life Reading" for Miss Bell sent shortly thereafter.
Dates
- Creation: November 1911
Creator
- Prather, Elmer Sidney, 1872- (Person)
Languages
The collection is in English.
Access
This collection is unprocessed. Please contact Special Collections & University Archives regarding the availability of materials for research use.
Publication Rights
Material is in the public domain. No restrictions on use.
Extent
0.21 Linear Feet (1 box)
Abstract
The collection consists of correspondence and an astrological life reading created by Clay Burton Vance, a conman in the early 20th century who became well known internationally for selling false astrological readings. Vance, which was the pseudonym of Elmer Sidney Prather, would sell personal "Complete Life Readings" to people for a large fee, but provided them with a mass produced reading instead. Materials in the collection include a letter from Vance to a Miss E.B. Bell of Nunthorpe, England written in 1911, selling her the reading, as well as the actual "Complete Life Reading" for Miss Bell sent shortly thereafter.
Acquisition Information
Purchased in 2020.
- Title
- Clay Burton Vance astrology reading collection
- Status
- Collection Level
- Date
- 2020
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscript Collections Repository
University of California
Rivera Library
P.O. Box 5900
Riverside 92517-5900 USA
specialcollections@ucr.edu