Do Abstract Articles Exist?

[Mark Van Winkle]

In the back of Volume 1, Number 1 (I just have a reprint), there is an abstract of the minutes beginning with February 17, 1888. Some of the later addresses from April and May were integrated into Volume 1, Number 1. But what about the earlier ones beginning in February? I don't see them listed in my 1888-1946 index. Were they perhaps printed by NGS as a one-subject paper, maybe in a limited run? I've never heard of them or seen them listed. Does anyone know about transcriptions of these addresses?

Thanks

Mark

[George Thomas Wilson]

Mark,

I don't know if this will be helpful or not but, as a rule, professional society do not publish the minutes of their meetings.  They sometimes publish abstracts and reports on those meetings.

If you look in your 1888-1946 cumulative index you will find, on page 412: NGS Meetings.  Under "First meeting:" you will see that in the Apr. 1889 (Vol. I, No. 2) issue, on page 164 and 165, abstracts of the earlier meetings are presented in the "Annual Report of the Secretaries".

If you'd like to read some text from those meetings, you will find it in the Jan. 1936 issue within the article "The National Geographic Society and Its Magazine", written by Gilbert Grosvenor.

If you are specifically referring to the "papers" referenced in these abstracts, (if they were any good) they would appear as articles in the magazine.

Tom Wilson

[Mark Van Winkle]

Tom,

I'll look that up tomorrow. It would just be a shame if the transcripts of those earlier addresses were not recorded and published.

Thanks

Mark

[Mark Van Winkle]

Tom,

I read Gilbert's article and it's something. As he recites the highlights of his career, you can just about make a reading list of the articles that are best to read.

Mark