MACKAY SCHOOL OF MINES <<
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA
RENO, NEVADA
DEPARTMENT OF GEoLoey ~CGeography
March 21, 1957
Professor Paul W. Leser
The Hartford Seminary Foundation
55 Elisabeth Street
Hartford 5, Connecticut
Dear Professor Lesers
I have just had a communication from Mr. Peter Michelsen from
Copenhagen in which he asked me to send you a copy of my manuscript,
Distributions of Primitive Tillage, I am quite delighted that it should
be you who is to pass judgment on this paper since your monograph on the
origin and dispersal of the plow was one of the early works that I read
and came to admire when I first became interested in this topic.
My manuscript represents my doctoral dissertation done under the
supervision of Professor Sarl 0. Sauer at Berkeley. Professor Wolfram
Eberhart, whom you undoubtedly know, also gave me considerable help in the
early stages of the research.
I hope you will forgive me that I cannot send you, at the moment,
a better copy of the manuscript than the present rather poorly reproduced
one. The original is at Berkeley.
Only a short while ago Professor Eberhart sent me a microfilm
copy of the manuscript of Wolfgang Kaiser that you had referred to not too
long ago in a review in Anthropos. I wish that I could have seen Kaiser's
paper earlier.
My manuscript will reach you in a few days. Please feel free to
make any notations in it that you think are needed.
Very sincerely yours,
Fritz Lye Kramer
Instructor
FIK:ee a
Mawoh 86, L057
Pee ees te oe Loay-c ny
leper tment 0 Bog yap.
Magkay Sehool of Minas 8
University of Nevada
Rene, Nevada
Dear Dey Eeamert
Thank pees pogeks for your are! or
Mayob 81 while! ba! oe moe Tt am Looking
forward with, pads ani retard on, to receiving
and reading your monograph.
As soon ap T have studied it T shall
weite you agains
Very sinverelyys
_ PL fash Pan), Loser
MACKAY SCHOOL OF MINES
“A School of Mineral Industry”?
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA
RENO, NEVADA
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY-GEOGRAPHY
July 12, 1957
Professor Paul Leser
The Hartford Seminary Foundation
55 Hlisabeth Street
Hartford 5, Connecticut
Dear Professor Leser:
Professor Carl Sauer's secretary has just forwarded
to me the Newsletter from the International Secretariat
in Copenhagen, ‘There I see that at the Congress last
year in Philadelphia Professor Heydrich read a paper
on the origin and distribution of digging stick and
hoe, Do you know whether this paper will be published
or whether a transcript is available? I am very curious
to know Professor Heydrich's findings and ideas on this,
I trust that the manuscript of my "Distributions
of Primitive Tillage" has reached you and hope that you
don't find the reading too dull,
Wishing you a good summer I am very sincerely
yours
ma i Cee
, Fritz L. Kramer
MACKAY SCHOOL OF MINES
“A School of Mineral Industry”
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA
RENO, NEVADA
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY-GEOGRAPHY
September 8, 1957
Professor Paul Leser
Hartford Seminary Foundation
55 Elisabeth Street
Hartford 5, Conn,
Dear Professor Leser:
It has been some months since I have had a
word from you. This worries me and I am wondering
whether my manuscript "Distributions of Primitive
Tillage" has ever reached you. I sent it to you
during the last week of March.
If you would be so kind as to drop me a
line concerning the MS it woyld put my mind at ease,
Very sincerely yours
Ant L. Kame
Fritz L. Kramer
Septeniber 12, Loy
Dre Frits L. Kramer
Mackay School of Mines
University of Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Deer De. Kramers
Today I received your letter of September 8 and
LT should Like to tel) you that I am both terribly
embarrassed ond upset. I never have anawered the letter
in which -you asled me about the paper which Heydrich read
at the International Congress in Philadelphia, Please
leb ma express my apologies,
I have been terribly busy these last few weeks
weparing for a year overseas (my sabbabival, moet of which
plan to spend in Africa), Mowever, after having recelved
your manusoript many monthe ago T dmediately wrote you
and acknowledged the receipt and told you how impressed
I was with your work and how delighted I was to have an
occasion to atudy it. T also semly several monthy ago, a
statement to our friends in Copenhagen recomending your
manuscript for publication, I have kept your manuscript here
and have not yat returned 1b to -you because f thought it
possibla that the committee in Copenhagen might have additional.
questions concerning it, which they might ask me. Not having
heard from them I now wondex whether the statement which I
sent them might have gone astray also. J am writing to Copan«
hagen today In omer to Pind. oute
* Now, back to the Heydrich papers Heydrich did not road
a formal paper, but spoke more or less off the cuff. It was,
in my opinion, a very interesting presentation and I should
like to suggest that you contact him directly and ask him
whether he would be willing ta give you some details about what.
he gaid, Perhaps you could urge him to write something sboub
the subject matter, Tan sure i+ would be mogt worthwhile.
With all good wishes, I am
Very sincerely yours,
Paul. Leser
PL/osh
MACKAY SCHOOL. OF MINES
“A School of Mineral Industry”
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA
RENO, NEVADA
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY~GEOGRAPHY
September 16, 1957
Professor Paul Leser
Department of Anthropology
The Hartford Seminary Foundation
Hartford 5, Connecticut
Dear Professor Leser:
Your letter arrived today and I am very happy
to have it. It was with reluctance that I wrote you
earlier, since I did not want to press you, thinking
that you are busy and perhaps away for the summers
but I also suspected that something might have gone
amiss as indeed it had. I am very sorry that your
earlier letter never reached me. But now, that this
is cleared up, please do not feel badly about it,
Let me thank you for taking the time to read
my manuscript and for your kind recommendation, If
I can contribute a little to this extremely interesting
topic I will feel gratified, Thank you also for the
information concerning Professor Heydrich, I shall
write to himas you recommend,
If your travels in Africa take you to Ethiopia
you might be interested to know about Frederick Simoons,
Dept. of Geography, University of Wisconsin, who spent
some 18 months there in 1953 and 1954, He collected
a good deal of ethnographic information and wrote his
dissertation on the "Cultural Geography of the North-
western Ethiopian Highlands" under Sauer at Berkeley.
. Many thanks again and best wishes for an en-
joyable and profitable year.
Very sincerely yours
Fritz L. Kramer
October 9» 1957
Dr. Frita by Kramer
Mackay School, of Mines
University of Nevada.
Beno, Nevada
Tear Dry Kramer
As I mentioned in my previous letter to you, I wrote to
Copenhagen the same day I wrote to yous Agains I have not heard
from our friends there, I hope that I may interpret their
silence that they have received the statement which I sent
several months ago,
However, I feel that now I should uot keep your manuscript
amy longer. I will be leaving for Europe and Africa next wook
andy therefore, I am returning the manugeript to you inmediately.
Thank you for the privilege of reading it.
In the event there should be additional questions from our
frienda in Copenhagen (for which reason T held your manuscript
until, now), I would not be able to answer them due to my
imminent departure »
tn the letter which I wrote to the International Secretariat
(and which I still am not sure whether they have received it or
not), I made the auggestion that the statement which I wrote
about the book should be communicated to you. Not having heard
from themy I now feel I might make a few remarks about your work
,to you directly,
There is no list of figures and no list of maps contained
iin your manuscript. I feel that it would help greatly if you
would add such lista, Also, of cow'ses an index, to be added to
the book would greatly increase the ease with which it could be used,
Of all the many thinge which I admive in your study, pavhaps
those which I admire most ave your maps. However, I feel that
your magnificent Map #13 “World Distribution", on page 251, would
be easier to read if Africa and Burope would be on thé extreme left
side and the Amricas on the extreme right side of the map.
Your Map #15 "Distribution of Crook Plows", page 265, 1s based
on the data from 1931, This is very flattering to m,. In the
Dr, Frite Le Kramer em
meantime an enormous amount of material has been published
making the data published 1n my book quite incomplete. For
example, the crook plow very definitely exieta in wide parte
of Boandinavia,
Thie leads to what might be the main eriticiom: I sna
afraid that you have nob used all the pertinent literature
and i+ geeme to ma that you may have misaed some rather important
publications. You do not mention the following in your biblio»
graphy: Bratanic, Dias, Erison, Veilbergs nor Jivlow.
I am enclosing on a separate sheet a list of the most
indispensable publications.
There are minor flawa withoub importance which you will
cateh in proéf reading; for exampley on page 295, the "e" is
missing on line 12, after Trancaia(e).
Again I wish to congratulate you on your excellent study
which Tenjoyed tremendously reading and from which I learned
& great deal. I am sure solence will be greatly indebted to you
and our colleagues will. find your work most instructive and
ADumi nating»
With very best wishes, I am
Most cordially yours,
Paul Leser
PL/esh
PS. Aa I wrote you previously, I am leaving Hartford Thuradays
Ootober 17th and there ia no time to have the list which
I intended to enclose typed before my departure, It will
be gent to you from here within the next few days.
Pele
Polkeliv. Stookholmy, 19381957.
Fetaburen, Nordiska Musests ooh Skansens Ursbok, Stockholm, 1931~1957«
Gruddbo, pa Solleron, Stockholm, 1935.
Laog. Uppsala, 1950-1955.
ca ae! % a co
Balaswa, T. Der Maiebaun in Ungarn. IN: Acta Ethnographica Academiaa
Sclentiarum Hungaricasy Toms Vy 1956.
Bratanie, Branimir, ORACE SPRAVE U HRVATA, Publikacije Btnoloskoga
Seninara Svevuallista u Zegrebu 1, Zagreb 1939.
Bratanie. ON THE PROBLEM OF IMMIGRATION OF THE SOUTHERN SLAVS TO
SOUTH-EASTERN RUROPE, Sveuciliste u Zagrebu Miogofski Fakultet
Zoornik Redova, Zagreb 1951.
Bratanio, GINIGE MOGLICHKBITEN ZUR FORTFUHRUNG DER PFLUGGRRATEVORSCHUNG «
IN: Procesdinga of ‘tha lith International. Congress of Anthropological
and Bthnological Selences, Vienns 1952, Vol. II.
Bratanio, NESTO O STAROSTT PLUGA KOD SLAVENA, INs @bornika radova
Fllogofekog fakultetay knjiga Il. 9S. gods
Conkling Harold C. AN BTHNORCOLOQICAL APPROACH TO SHIFTING AGRICULTURE,
IN: Transactions of the New York Academy of Gelenoee, Bers IT,
Vols L?s Noe 2) December, 195.
Curvany B. Ceol and Gudaund Hatt. PLOUGH AND PASTURE. ‘ew York, 1953.
Dias Jorge. OS ARADOS DO CONCELHO DES GATA. Tnabituto Para a alba
Cultura, Cenbro de Betudos de Btrologla Peningular. Portos 1b.
Dida, Jorge. OS ARADOS PORTUQUESES HAS SUAS PROVAVEIS ORTGENS.
Revista da Universidade de Coimbra.
Dittmer, Kung. VOM GRABSTOGK ZUM PFLUC, Braunschweig (19)9).
Erlxons Sigurd. SVENSKA ARDER. INs Liv och Folkkultury Vol. Iy
Stockholm, 198.
Erixony Sigurd, KULTURGHOGRAFISKA SYNPUNKTER PA VAR ALDSTA AKERBRUKSKULTUR «
aM eee av aanfundet for Svensk folkliveforeknings
Vole Vie 199.
Fetlborgs Carl Gunnar. Bidrag til de afrikanske agoxbrugsredskabere
Kalturhletorie, IN: (Danish) Geogvafisk Tideskrift. Vol. 37) 193h.
Jivlow, Ragnar’. PLOUGH MODELS PROM THE LOTH CMNTURY, Jordbruketekniska
Institutet. ULbunay Uppsala, Meddelande Mr, 213. 190.
Jivlow, Ragnar. PLOGAR I GAVLE MUSEUM. INs Fren Gastrikland, 197.
Jivlow, Ragnay. PLOG) ARDER OCH RIST T VASTERBOTTENS LAN.
INs Vasterbotten 1951.
Uivlow. ALORE PLOGAR OOH ARDBR I KUNGL. lantbruksakademlens museum,
‘The Royal, Swedish Academy of Agriculture. Technical Section,
Report No» 65 Uppaalas 1951.
Jirlow. HALSINGLANDS PLOGAR, INs Ganmal, Haledngekultur, 1952.
Jixlow. FRAN SVEDJANDE TELL PLOGBRUK., IN: Upplands fornminnesforenings
araboke Uppland, 1953,
Jixlow, dJORDBROKET %, ‘VASTERGOTLAND QENOM TIDERNA. IN: Fran Boras ooh
de ojo haradarna, 1953.
aaa ARDER OCH PLOG I SKANG, IN: Skanee heubygdaforbunds arsbok,
9
.
dirlow, VASTSVENSKA PLOGDON, INi Goteborga Histordeka museum arstryelk,
195345. Goteborg, 1955.
XHaudvicourty Andre G. and Mariel Jean-Brunhos Delamarre, L'HOMME EY LA
CHARRUE, Paris, 1955,
Sellnows Ivmgard, DIE GRUNDPRINZIPLEN SINGR PERTODISLERUNG DER
URGHSCHICHTE, IN? Volkerforschungs Deutsche Akademie dev wissen»
sohaften au berlin veroffentlishungen des institutes fur deutache volke~
.., Kunde, Vole 5. Berliny 195),
Steensberg, Axel. MED BRAGENDE MLAMMER., INs KUML. Arbog for jysk
arke ologisk selekab, 1955,
Steensberg, BRUGEN AP KORTLE 0G LAVKNIV I JERNALDEREN, IN: Aarodger
for nordiek oldkyndighed og histories 1939.
é Steensberg. GONGRAPISKE FAKTORERS INDFLYDELSS PAA SEGLENS BLLER
\ LEBNS ANVENDELSE TIL KORMHGST., Ne (Danish) Geografisk TMdeskrift.
Vol, h2. Decewber 1939,
Trotulg, Dag, SLAGAN OCH ANDRA TROGKREDSKAP, Nordiaka Muaseta Handlingar +
17%. Stockholm 1913. .
Fromt Paul Leser .
55 Migabeth Street
Hartford 5, Connectiout
coPY
May 11, 1961
Dr. Fritz L, Kramer
Department of Geography
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Dear Dr. Kramers
thank you for your reprint which I was very happy to
receive. Obviously we share not only an interest in agricultural
implements but also. in the history of our sciences,
One man was famous a hundred years ago and who now
seems to have been almost entirely forgotten is Moritz Wagner, the
teacher of Ratzel, I should like to suggest that someday you
write an article on him. Not only do I think that the work of
Wagner fully merits it, but I feel that it would be of real worth
to draw the attention of “merican scholars to him, Toward the end
of the 19th century his name was constantly linked with that of
Darwin, and as Germans used to refer to Goethe "and" Schiller,
scholars at the time used to refer to Wagner "and" Darwin and to
the Darwin-Wagner theory.
Howéver, the above is not at all what I intended to
write in this letter, You may have seen from the recent Fellow
Newsletter of the American Anthropological Asseciation that the
Society for the History of Technology will hold its annual meeting
in Washington in late December, together with the American His-
torieal Association, and will devote two sessions to anthropology
and technology.
I am charged with the responsibility for those portions
of the program dealing with anthropological and sociological
aspects of technology and at present I am in the process of try-
ing to assemble papers which might be inoluded in the program.
Would you be willing to read a paper, and if so, will you be kind
enough to let me have your suggestions? I should be most grateful
for your participation,
With my best wishes,
Yours most sincerely,
Plies
Paul Leser
May 11, 1961
Dy. Fritz 1. Kramer
Departinent of Geography
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oragon
Dear Dr. Kramer:
Thank you for your reprint which I waa very happy to receive.
Obviously we share not only an interest in agricultural implements
but algo in the history of our selences,
One man who was famous a hundred years ago and who now seems
to have been almost entirely forgotten is Morita Wagner, tha teacher
of Hatzel. I should Like to suggest that some day you write an article
on him, Not only do I think that the work of Wagner fully merits it,
but I feel that 1b would be of real worth to draw the attention of
American scholars to him. Toward the end of the 19th century his name
was aonstantly linked with that of Darwin, and ae Germans used to refer
to Goethe "and" Schiller, scholars at the time used to refer to Wagner
"and" Daxwin and to the Darwin-Wagner theory,
Rewever, the above ig not at all what I intended to write in
this letter. You may have seen fromthe recent Fellow Newsletter of
the American Anthropologioal, Association that the Soclety for the
History of Technology will hold ite annual meeting in Washington in
late December, together with the American Historical Assoclation, and
will devote two sessions to anthropology and technology.
I am charged with the responsibility for those portions of the
program dealing with anthropological and sociological aspests of tech~
nology and at present I am in the process of trying to assemble papers
which might be inclided in the program. Would you be willing to read
a paper, and Lf so, wlll you be kind enough to let me have your suggas-
tions? [ should be most grateful for your partiolpation.
With my best wishes,
Yours most sincerely,
Plies
Paul, Leser
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
EUGENE, OREGON
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
June 13, 1961.
Professor Paul Leser
Department of Anthropology
Hartford Seminary Foundation
55 Elizabeth Street
Hartford 5, Conn.
Dear Professor “eser:
Many thanks for your kind letter and apologies for the delay
in answering it.
Yes, I should like to accept your invitation to give a paper
at the meeting of the Society for the History of Technology. For
such an audience I should, I suppose, spend about half the time on
the historical background of research on the distribution of hoes
and other primitive agricultural tools <= although there will
hardly be anything new to say -- and the rest on my own investi-
gation. Would this about be right? Since I know little about the
specific interests of the Society I am tapping in the dark and would
welcome any suggestions you'd care to make. How much time may I
take up?
A big problem is how to get to Washington. My institution
is rather stingy when it comes to out-of-state travel funds. My
department chairman indicated that he would see what he could do.
Unfortunately I cannot do the trip on my own purse. In the fall
I will know better where I stand.
Of Moritz Wagner I know mostly through Carl Sauer's occa~
sional references. I must confess, however, that I have read
very little of Wagner's own writings. That shall be remedied.
From what little I do know I agree with you that her certainly
deserves to be revived in the minds of geographers and others
as well.
Many thanks again for your flattering invitation. With
best wishes,
very sincerely yours
Sahl. Mea
Fritz L. Kramer
Auguat 23, 1961
Dr, Frits L, Krener
Department of Geography
Univeraity of Oregon
Bagene, Oregon
Tear Dy, Kramer:
T am afvaid I have been remias in answering your letter of dune 15,
My apeioetens T have been terribly overburdened, Of coursa T
should have written you right away.
The Society for the History of Technology publishes a periodical
called "Technology and Culture" (Bayne State University Prees)
which you may have a chance to sae in your library, 1% will give
you an impression of the specific Interests of the Soolety,
Although T did not reply to vour letter, I wrote, a long time ago,
to the Society asking them whebher 1t might be possible to soare up
some money for your twip., So far T have not had an answer, which
ig probably due to the summer vacation season, Thus I have nothing
to report in that connection,
Tf -you still are willing to vead a paper in Washington, 1+ should be
ag ghort as possible, If you ean cut it dow to ten minubes, that
would be fine, It should be ag specific and ay "deep" as possible,
which means it should deal exclusively with your om investigations,
The Soolety for the History of Technology ia » young organisation and,
therefore, does nob wart te ba talked down bo,
Tn our last letters we mentioned Wagner, I understand that in 1951
a thesis on Vagner was aceepted by the University of Marburg, The
author ie a man by the name of Hanno Beck and the title ls "Moritz
Wagner in der Geshiehte der Geographie", Alas, I had no chance to
fee lt, The thesle has been praised greatly, o.g. by Johannes
Steluietsler in his "Die Anthropogeographie Friedrich Retsele und
ihre ideengeschichtlichen Wurzein",
My very beat wishes,
Yours most sincerely,
PLamk Paul, Lesor
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
EUGENE, OREGON
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
11. November 1961
Professor Paul Leser
Department of Anthropology
The Hartford Semigary Foundation
Hartford 5, Connecticut
Dear Professor Leser:
My institution has finally gotten around to making up
its mind and has just notified me that I can have travel money
to go to Washington. If you still want me on your program I
shall be happy and able to come.
I have my paper in fair shape at this moment. It will
be short as you requested, and I will have one map on a small
slide (2 x 2). If you like I could send you an advance copy.
Could you also tell me on which day your part of the
program is scheduled?
On the Moritz Wagner matter: I have asked our library
to get a Microfilm copy of Hanno Beck's thesis. It has, however,
not yet arrived.
Very sincerely yours
Art. aey
Fritz L. Kramer
Sewer 16, 100)
Protecsor Trite La Reaeer
rinent of Ceagreghy (CC to Dr. Melvin Kranzberg and
buesretty © Cen Dr» Thomas Hughes)
Eugene, Onegan
thank you wory wagh for your leteer of Dovasher Lith. fh de a enmt dhe
wppointomn ty ma the 16 444 net errive maehier bosaundy wefortwenily, Mh te
wow Sou Lote, Ger erage hae boon Mawd ead ia de pede
Opdimekiy thie siuetion wuld net bo dapoweihle ty evexgone, bub de polad
ie thet we howe Give papers on the program and & nutor of wy sotfengicn feel that
already Shia de sure Chen we should lwwee planed for thee te a)
Fou tower how wna 2 wold howe wanted to dewjedw your paper on aur program T
do hope, kwsver, thet tn apite of Uhiv you will some te Tadhinghon te partial pate
in eur mectiug, Your presen will be Levelueble end we ceed yous Tour agourline
pions to mur dinoueelons, in ay oplileny WA) emidghten ek of a6 and whl grootly
strengthen au ondeneorny :
in actdon, we urge Bhat you be overenh fer aie aye emll benedae af gue
beaene you ara one of the few archesologlate and anthenpelogiete ta thie soanbry
sie heve @ genulse foheresh in tovmolegy, In ay horny £0 Le dnd ie hom
the foture of our tenlety whet you meet in person mon $0 oe Soaleny, ant therefore
T do hope that you WZ) lu present in Vachingtens
Re de uenstekeary for me to add Get There a deep popmyanl intorert in the rete &
i bewe been Leolieg forwerd for amh & long (lew te seoting oom thet Ae nod be @
great ond reed GLeappedueeeas to ae OF 2 were te be foeed te focege Ghbe pleasures,
7 wor very hawt whaheey
Yours moet eduowraly,
Pheee
Poul Lower
PF
. ” wan gory inbarenbed te ried That you have asked yous Mbrwty to grb am
Hevtothie supe of Dewkete heal), and am areas te leew whet you Bedok of ite
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS:
EUGENE, OREGON
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
17 November 1961
Dear Professor Leser:
It did not come unexpected to find myself off the program.
Not much is lost thereby for the Society. I shall submit my
paper to the journal. Nevertheless, I am planning to come to
Nashington at any rate to meet you and to learn.
Your letter is flattering indeed, not the least my pro-
motion to archaeologist and anthropologist. While I have
dabbled in both (even have a cave named for me in Nevada) I
have to consider myself hardly more than a simple-minded
geographer, fortunately one of the Carl Sauer school. Such kind
words, noch dazu von Ihnen, geehrter Herr Professor, tend to do
to my ego what should not be done.
Am I correct in assuming that the meeting is on-December
26 and 27? Homer Barnett here did not know and I am not certain.
I would appreciate a note from you verifying the date so that I
» can make plane reservations as soon as possible. I also don't
know where in Washington the meeting is to take place.
I am looking forward to the too long ‘postponed pleasure of
meeting you. With best regards,
very sincerely yours
Fritz L. Kramer
P.S, Do you by chance know Ulrich Berner's address?
November 27, 1961
Dre Teta Ly Kramer
University of, Oregon
Department of Geography
Bugene, Oregon
Dear Dye Kramers
Thenk you very much for your lebber of November 17th whieh I
enjoyed very mths
My lottery waa nob intended te be a bit flattering «» 1 simply
said whet f feel, Perhaps T could even pat 1% in enether way pe
wyen 10 14 wore not you, suyone of the Carl Sauer school, in my
opinion, is a hotter antvhropologiat than the vast mjorbiy af
anthropologiets who vogelwo thelr weiniug anychore else. (Dents
tall Homer Baract) »= he might become provoked with me.)
The moobing of the Soglety for the Hietory of Technology
will take place from December 86 bo 30th, at the Shovehum Hotel.
The Shorehan Hotel,
£500 Calvert Stroot, NaWa,g
heuhington 8, De Oe
A preliminary program tas been published In Teohnology & Culture,
Pall, 186s Agsuming from your Letter that the porlodioal is sot
available in your Mbrary, Tem enclosing a cepy of the pages in
quest Lone
May I diveot your atiention sspeolally to the paragrayh converning
hotel reservations,
With wy kindeet regards, ond looking forward to seelng you in
Wedhing ton»
Yours most sincercly,y
Plies
Engg»
Paul Loser
December 6, 1961
Professor Prive Ly Krawor
Department of Geography
University of Oregon
Bugona, Oregon
Desay Professor Kronors
LT hope 1% won't be too mush of a shook to you when you resolve
this letter e# bub, the pieture bad ohanged, One of tho speakers for the
exnual mocting of the Society for the Hletory of Tevhnology is in 111
health and will be unable to come to Vashington, We wld thus havo
time for your papory
T have comtacted my colleagues and 11 of us would be delighted
af you would consent to reading ite Simee your manuscript ia ready and
since you aro pleming to come to Neshingbon in any cause, I am boping
that 2b 1s not too much of an imposition te ask thet you do us this
favor, even at wo leave a deta,
the bah ahve of course, has alrecdy been printed and because
these are laetemlauto changes, no correction in 4) san now be mado,
Thus the veme of Hunt will eppoar on tha program, al-vhough his paper
will not be read, and to our rogret wo will not be able to have your
name on the prinked progrem, If you showld do us the favor of reading
your paper. Of course the substitution will be announsed in Mashingtons,
Under these olroumptances I: feel that I cannot foreseo your
decision as to whothor you will be willing to read your paper, bub do
please let mo know, I wlll understand, however you may dvolde wu
although I do hope it wili be in the affirmative,
With my very best wisheg,
Yours most sincerely,
Plses
Poul Lesor
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
EUGENE, OREGON
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
December 9, 1961
Dear Professor Leser:
I have your letter and I shall be glad to read my paper.
I only hope that the slide of my map around which the paper is
written will be processed in time.
Have I written to you that I have sent the manuscript
of my paper to Melvin Kranzberg for publication in "Technology
and Culture"? I hope that that will not prejudice my reading
of the paper at the meeting.
My phane reservations are confirmed - I will arrive in
the Washington area early on the 29th ~ and I have written for
hotel reservations at the Shoreham.
The rather uninspired title of my paper is "On the Dis-
tribution of Some Primitive Agricultural Implements."
T am looking forward to seeing you in Washington.
Very sincerely yours
Fritz L. Kramer
December Ll, 1961
Dee Frity Ly Kramer
Departmont of Geography
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon.
Deay Drs Keenan
So far as T gan seo from the Liat of
Fellows of tho American Anthropologie Assoolation, you are
not a Follow.
Would you permit me to sponsor your
election to besoming « Fellow?
If you are in agreement, please £112
in the enclosed form and roturnit te mee
With my very Leet wishes,
Yours most snuerely,
Paul Leser
December 13, 1961
Dry Frite be Kremer
Department of Geography
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Dear Dre Kramer?
thank you for your recent letter, T am
dolighted that you will vead your paper at the forvhoowlng necting
of the Soctety for the History of Technology.
Sinee you intond to show slides, « or at loast
that one slide of your map » you will need a sereen and a projector.
X should approoiate Lv if you would inform Dr, Rajph Sendors
4116 Bubtorworth Place, Nae,
: Vieshingtou 16y De Ce
immediately, of the size of your slide or slides, tolling him of your
wishes conserning needed equi pment. Dry Batders ia tho local arrange»
ments chadrman, therefore J suppose ho is in charge of such requests,
You might ask him to convey your requost bo the proper porson Lf he
is not the one designated to attend to thease needa,
With wy very best wished,
Yours moet sincerely,
PLIe8
Paul Leser
Docombor 14, 1961,
Dr» Feite Kramer
Department of Geography
University of Oregon
Bugene, Gregor
Deay Dry Kramers
So sorry «= the addvess of Dre Ralph Senders
as given in my regent levtor to you is incorrect. My apologlede
Tt is as follows:
Dy. Ralph Sanders
4418 Butterworth Pley Ne Way
Waehlapton 16, De Gy
With my very est wishes,
Yours most sinooroly,
PLses
Paul Leser
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS:
EUGENE, OREGON
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
January 3, 1962
Dear Professor Leser:
You got away from me much too fast after the meeting.
I left little notes all over the place in hopes of catching you
but to no avail.
There are many things I should have liked to talk with
you about, such as your opinion of Heinz Kothe and Ulrich Berner
(and who was the man from Columbia who gave the dissertation on
the Pontische Wanderung?), and what ought to be the next line of
investigation? - Shall it be the different types of hafting
methods of hoes or shall it be an investigation of a possible
relationship between hoes ard adzes? I should have liked ‘to
mention to you Joseph Sonnenfeld (do you know about him?) at
the University of Delaware, who is interested in tools, parti-
cularly those of the Eskimoes, and who told me some years ago that
he was conducting experiments on stone tools because he doesn't
believe what HUltker says.
And most of all I wanted = and I do it now = to thank
you for getting me to the meeting, for giving me the opportunity
to meet you finally, for introducing me to a number of people....
Many, many thanks!
Please remember me to Mr. Vilakazi and to your two fine
chemical assistants.
My warmest regards
wl
Fritz L. Kramer
January 4, 1962
De. Fritz Le Kremor
Department of Geography
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Dour De. Kramers
It was se good to meet you in person after
thes meny years, Noedless to say [was delighted to have the
opportunity to telk with you, although I am most unhappy that the
time was so very limited, wlth no real chanse to delve further into
the field of our common interest, Bub of course it wis readily
understandable that at such a meeting there would bo very little
ohance for any persons] visitings Perhaps st some future gebhering
we may uguin teke up the threoda,
Thenk you again, so very much.
Yours most sincerely,
PLses
Paul Loser
January 4, 1062
Dr, Prite Le Kromer
Department of Geography
Dniversity of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Rear Dre Keamars
Tt was so good te meot you da person after
‘those many yours, Needless to sey I was deliphted te have the
opportunity to telk with you, although I an most unhappy that the
time was so very limited, wlth no roal chance to delve further into
‘ho Meld of our common interest. But of course 4b ma readily
understandable that at sueh a meeting there would be very little
shanoe for any personal vieitings Porheps st some fubure gathering
we may ugadn teke up the threads.
Thank you again, so very much,
Yours most sincerely,
PLies
Paul. Loser
Jemeary 8, 1968
Dre Prita Le Kramer
Departyent of Goography
Yniveralty of Oregon
Rugene, Oregon
Dear Drives
. J wrote you a few days ago and that loiter
was weitten in such a rush (bodng misewably overburdened with work, as
alveye) thet I eompletoly forget te write you the most Lmporbant thing,
the true reason for heaving written thet first Letter, namely «= my
thenka for the aplendid and interesting paper which you read in Washington
at the annual meeting of the Soolety for the Mietory of Technology. You
know from the spirited disouseion which followed the reading of your papor
how completoly you held the abjention of the audiences
Thank you fox your lettor of denuery 3rd, 7 am
sorry thet Iowlssed you after the meetings Actually I was hurrying to
yooste my yoo, cheekeout time baing ot 5 ofolook and I did not cherish
the thought of foroing the Hartford Seminary Foundation to pay for another
night or to question my “awindle" shtete Then, heving suoveeded In dolag
this, Thad to sprint to aeteh the last train backs I do appreciate your
abtompte to overtake me and I am terribly sorry thet your afforts went
unvewarded
T haven't the slightest idea who the man from
Seepere wats I didn't mind too much thet he started telking abou the
ontleche Wanderung, but thet he tcld the audoney ebout the great, recent
éxoiting discovery of the Tochorie language, and the physioal eppeerance of
its spoukese, that really teok the cake. After all, I don?t mind a culture
lag of 30 yoars » that ds quite nopmal, J understand that Europeans at
present are discovering Dewey, but that Columbia now is diecovering Gruenwedelts
and von LeCogts# publicatlons from the firet years of this century really ta
something «
Kothe, in my opinion, is en Intelligent and
dLligont mn, T have met him repeatedly, I have nover mob Berner, Mowover,
whet T have vead of Berner's publications has not too mich impressed mo,
Whon J sounded off in tho dinouseion following
your paper 14 wes only bevause I had become disgueted with the nonsense by
Home speakeys in thelr remarke concorning the hoe im North Auordea,
The question ag to whether anything has been
invented several times or only once, never can bo treated in a theoretloal
Dre Brita Le Kramer Jenuary 8, 1962
manners That was al] thet I intended to say when I pointed owt thet
before rajeoting the possiblity of hletorleal connection we must firet
heave a knowledge of the dfferent forms and thelr distribution, Letts
invent a case: if the hoes of the Vikings showed a very specific hafting
method ocourring nowhere else in the world except in North Amerioa, then
I would be quite willing to assume that the North American hoes were of
Viking origing Before wo know the details, no hypotheals of single or
multiple origin can make senses
Sorry =» I don't know Joseph Sonnenfeld.
Did you get the letter whieh I sent you
previous to the Washington meeting, in whieh I had enclosed am elootion
blank for Fellowship in the American Anthropologieal Agsooia tion? It is
quite possible that you have returned 1% to me and that your previous
letter simply 4s buried on my desk. But since T am writing you I
thought it best to ask you about it before starting to dig into the
deeper layers of my wnanswered correspondence.
With my very best regarda,
Yours mosh sincerely,
Plies
Pavl Lesor
man “va =
Please send a reprint of your last paper on ethnology
or cultural anthropology, folklore, linguistic, archeology, etc.,
to the first-named person on the list below, and copies of
this letter to four folklorists, anthropologists, etc., whom
you know, within three days.
In about 26 days, if you answer promptly, you should
receive 256 reprints from some amazing people.
Don't spoil this game, which has been going on since
1956!
In your four letters copy the following list, leaving
out the top name, and adding your own name at the bottom.
Sincerely
af
ly:
Fritz L. Kramer
1. S.J. Sackett, Fort Hayes Kansas State College, Hays, Kansas
2. Ray Browne, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana
3. Jan H, Brunvand, Dept. of Humanities, Univ. of Idaho,
Moscow, Idaho.
4, Fritz L. Kramer, Dept of Geography, Univ. of Oregon,
‘ Eugene, Oregon.
Wok sere yor wort de t Hope /™ de.'}
with: SE:
dune 7, 1963
Dear Frites
A short time ago T received a letter and a manu
soript from Robert Aitken, His article deals with the
plow and will goon be published in MAN,
He casually mentions in hie letter the fact that
for a long time he has only reseived reprints from
Steensherg ond me. Yor this reason J am quite certain
that be would be delighted to veesive eny of your re~
prints and, may T add, I personally would be most
gvateful Lf you would send him whatever you may have
at hand, especially articles on the plow, or on agri-
eulture in generals
(But, please don't Let him know that I am the ine
etigator of this conspiracy!)
With all best wishes,
Yours most sincerely,
Poul Leser
Mie addvewe ies
. Kent's Close,
Broughton,
Stockbridge,
Hampshire.
England
PLemw
THE COLORADO COLLEGE
cOLORADO SPRINES
October 22, 1963
Dear Paul:
Some time ago I sent a handfull of reprints to Robert Aitken
in England as you hed suggested in you letter way back in June.
There probably wasn't much of particular interest to him in that
batch but I will keep him on my list.
During the year I was asked to do book review for the AA and
to comment on Jacobeit's blast for Sol Tax. I was glad to have the
opportunity to do both and I detect you fine, scheming hand behind
all this.
You probably know that Science and Technology turned down the
paper that I read at that meeting a few years back, The burden of
the referees' comment was that the article needs to be expanded,
Sure, but I have 300 pages of the stuff and that is more thon Melvin
has space for. At the moment I am trying to talk this college into
putting it into its obscure publication series, though with little
hope.
It's always good to hear from youl
Best regards,
Fritz L. Kramer
Oobobor 61, 1063
De, Prite be Kramer
Department of Coograghy
Univerdivy of Orggett .
Bugend, Oxegen” Aeur ad db vgs
The Colorado College
Dear Iritur Colorado Springs, Col.
Thank you for hoving sent reprints bo Aitken « I am
sure he we very happy to have them and that any others you may from
timo to time send on to him will be equally welcomes,
Ewas delighted with your review of Helmfrid and an
looking forward to reading your seuments on daeobeit,
However, I am Purlous to hear thet Technology and
Culture ill not be pMvting your papers Ef your college will not
print the entire work, whot about trying the publications of the
Anorican Ethnologiaal Soolebyy or tho Memoir “aries of the AAA:
or Anthropos ~~ (900 pages could oagdly be printed there in three
instalments; they do not hesitate to publish mther extensive articles,
coonsionaliy amounting bo the Length of a book); or Kulturgesohiehtliche
Forsehungon (thet is the Memoir Series published by the editors of
2elbeonritt fuer Hthnologie)s or ja the Koelner Bthnologisehe
MittedLiungens or dn Studlen sur Kulturkunde,
Do please keep mo Informed.
‘With all best wiahes,
Yours most slnoereli,
Plies
Paul Leser
PB. Gongrabulations on your new position aw
wo had the letter aL) ready ‘to mail when
suddenly wo epled a changed addvesas
Best of luck to you in the new post}
LA
y
/ UA Lil. cer
> SACRAMENTO STATE COLLEGE
ory 6000 JAY STREET » SACRAMENTO + GALIFORNIA 95819
4. December \465~
Dear Vouk — e
Will OU be m™ San Frau e's eo r e
smnerkna. ae tere Last weele. od 5 mole 7
T wete Like fo sey hello he fee
T unll be im Bor leetey claniag anos of
iat wee and stay: sthere . Yerhaps you
will Come across he of --o hear some of
Ke qrvge- mm C See euctersed prog)
You aud Sauer weld a “tables lam
Aud if by any chance , yous might Come
, > AG-7'2&
Wd in Ber ay ore vol
we the Geogenphy Depa ert ab UC Berkeley,
Ln Seeramento : 1V7~1541 aud Hou Wows address :
Ai3o Noms Ave.
‘ \
~Hhoffent Bich out Vabdiges Wredevselen
Besl regawds
we we
ads
AAAS Hosting: Berkeley, Gilttornta,’ Section B-nGeol
Nookay’ Beseaber arti Assooiation of Anerioan Ge
® 27 th-o9AM and 2PK
Introduotion to the Progra. MARVIE Wo, HIKEBEL
i University ¢ of Ghieage_ ‘ .
95 kemebacken: Bepansion in the Bouthwests NOMI ssc,
University Of California, Riverside «
3e Peon Hacienda to Bjido: Pablillo, Musvo Leon Roshan
, SAMUEL No DICKEM, University of Oregon -
ho rd 3 ar) anerd
be — a Soniety LOWENTHAR:, oan,
,; Change in Regional :
mamutng Co RB, SPSKOER, Datveson
aera YT
bg es iene aR SFG ES
PREDERIOK 3 waity of Wisconsin :
To! Bontasctnr, a8" “hw qnddex emia pee Bo SORTER,
SPREOHDS Trdvensivy, So
tho fighe of Ou Cultural origin § in “te variable aes
Three Conturies of British Sotelemans Ovora a0
i, guint, Deverei ty oft wane
Decembor 16, 1966
Dr. Prite Le Kramer
Sacramento Sbate College
8000 Jay Street
Sacramento, California 95819
Dear Fritat
Thenk you for your recent letter which I was so
happy to have, Actually I had had no dtention of coming to
Berkeley, but now thet you have told me there is to be a
special session in honor of Carl Sauer I really want eapecially
to attends And whet a pleasure ib would be to have a chance
for 9 talk with Saver «« as well as a vielt with yous
However, I mst bo truthful by saying that I am
not too optimistic as bo my chances «= a trip to California is
quite expmsive end I do not think that the Foundation will pay
my expenses, Nevertheless, I will certeiniy make every effort
bo BOM»
Tt was moet kind end thoughtful of you to invite
mo to come to stay with you if perchance T should be in Sacramento
and it would be a delight to enjoy your hospitality.
Again, ny warmest thanks.
Yours moet sincerely,
Plies
Paul, Leser
Juno 28, 1966
Dr, Frits Kradmer
The Colorado College
Colorade Springs, Colorade
Dear Friter
Today I received the advaneo copy of the illuse
tvations to be used in your forthooming publication, Many, many
thanks, You can imagine when your envelope seme I dropped everye
thing and immediately wenb through these pages, You lnow how
very invevosted T am, and I should like to convey wy congratulations.
Tam serry to learn thet there seems to be some
difficulty in vateing the money to pormit ite printings, Have you
considered applying to some Foundation for a grant for this? The
poople I would think of first would be the Wenner«Gren Foundations
thon the Soolel Solence Research Council, tho National Science
Foundation, Guggenhoim, and, of course, our friends in Copenhagen
at the International Seeretarlat.
The Stiftung Volkewagenwerk
# 3000 Hannover«Dbhren
Postfaoh 45
is eager to expand ite work on an international basis, and they
might bo partloularly interested in underwriting such a ventures
By the way, did you send a copy of the diluetram
tions to Steensberg, and to Brateanich? I am certain theb both
these men would be intensely interested,
Again, many thanks, I hope you are well and
that your summer will be profitable ond rewardings
Yours most sinoerely,
Plies
Paul Leser
| March 2, 1967
OV
De. Priva Le Kramer
The Colorado College
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Dear Pritar
This brings to you my sincere thanks for the reprint
of your article on Eduard Hahn. I am delighted to have it and am
most grateful to yous May I congratulate you on the publication of
‘this article which, as you know, is most interesting to me and will
prove ¢xc ptionally useful to me in my own reeearch as well as in
my classes. ‘Thank you so very muchs
T am under the impression that T etill have not thanked
you for gome material which you mailed to me previously on the distrie
bution of plow types.
This arrived just as I wags leaving for Burope where T
served as visiting professor at the University of Vienna for the first
semesters On my way home, while entering a taxi in going from one
railroad station to another in Paris, I wrenched my back. The pain
grew steadily worse and after boarding the ship at Le Havre I found it
impossible to moves On examination the ship surgeon orderedimm to
remain in bed for the duration of the trip, and after arriving in
Hartford, my deoter prescribed a continuation of bed rest. I have
now been on my back for over four weeks,and I do net know just when
Twill be able to be up and aroundagain, but hope it will be soon,
With my very best wishes to you, and again, my sincere
thanks for the reprints which you have so kindly gent mes
Yours most sincerely,
Plies
Paul Leser
May 11, 1967
Dre Feive be Kramer
Depa riienh of Geography
Porviend State College
Portland, Oregon 97207
Dear Frivas
Several daye ago in the mali 1 received your extraordiuary
volune "Brerking Ground»
Pleeso agcoph my wanseot gongratulations on the publiaation
of thie nosh interesting treaties « Lb will be most useful tio me in
my work sad actumlly ie a “ground brealcng" study, You know how very
mach your beok will interest mo, T am writing immediately to expreas
my appreetation to you and will begin now to study ih In detmi] o»
thie will keep me busy for sone Mbble tine,
I am delighted to have received it for ywt another and
uoreleted yeagont ® letter which T hed weltten you some time ago
and rent to Colorade was returned to mo undeliverable; Lt ls now
enclowed elong with thie.
‘ With wy very beet wishes, and one again, my sincere
‘bhanke fox your gift,
Youre moet slnesrolyy
PLieg
Bao,
Paud
PORTLAND STATE COLLEGE. porrzanp, onecon
DIVISION OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF GROGRAPHY
dune 12, 1967
Professor Paul Leser
The Hartford Seminary Foundation
55 Elizabeth Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06105
Dear Paul:
Many thanks for your kind letters. Your praise exceeds
the merits of my attempts. As you know, your plow paper is
the model to which I aspired, but I am painfully aware how
far short I come of this.
By now, I hope your back has mended and you are bouncing
on your feet again. You'll just have to watch those Paris
taxis.
Last week I received the first number of Ethnologia
Europaca. I am, of course, very interested in this publication
and have already sent them my subscription. Thank you for
having me put on that mailing list. I failed to see Jacobeit's
name on it. How come? He was the one to make so much noise
about just this kind of thing.
With my kindest regards and best wishes.
Yours sincere: a
. v
Fritz L. Kramer
Professor 0: ography
FLK:pjm
June 22, 1967
Dry belts Ly Kranor
Department of Coography
fortland Siate College
Portland, Crogon 97207
Dear Frites
Thank you vory wueh for your letter of June Lethe
Yes, thank you, wy back ts very much better and T am
egein in olrouletions
You age chowt Jaoobely we well, that le a ditfiewlt
thing to explain, and partlovlarly la writings I suppose the main
voason thet his name dees not appoax on the Leb end why he has not
poon included on tag editorial board of Evhnologia Suvopaca, is
that at the beginaing, beck dn 1952 and 86, Rothe played qaite a role
in oxgenda and goiting things solng, and to this day Kothe La vory
woll Likeo by muy members of that group (although ft have heard
vrenerks from som people that bebween 1960, vhen T personally epoke
with #othe for the lest time at the Intornational Congross of Anthrow
pologieal Sciences in Paris, he haa changed eqnaiderably and hap
developed some strunge Ldeas,perhapa even a kind of porseaution
mania)» Kothe, sonwtime between 1956 and 1960 ({ juss don'ts recall
whon) lost hie jeb as professor of Volkskunde at Huntoldt University,
and since then has been in dlegrace with the Communist authorities)
however, nob with el] of them begense to this day he is working in
Bast Berling dJagobelt got the job which Kobhe hold until that tine,
and evar sinee then, whenever Kothe waa invited to an Invornetional
nooting, Jacobelt was sent ao bis substitute, T aasume aome people,
in partioular perhaps Erixon, do nob wleh to nave someone forced upon
‘thems
Neither Jacobelt nor Kobhe wee a communket of the early
hours Both men studied in Cbttingen under Plisekke who, ae you know,
always was an extreme rightist and, sb least botween 1933 until the
end of the war, a violent Neai (who even hod the misfortune of having
head printed nearly @11 of hie apseches, Of» which he gave as rector
of the University), and beth men spent several years following the end
of World War IT still in dottingons then Kothe received a cell from
Dre Frite le Kramer duno 82, 1987
Berlin and went there, and became « Communist, while Jagobolt
romeined in Gtttingon where he worked for some offlee or organization
of the Allies » A L an nob mistaken for the Froagh Ofiise in charge
of identifying soldiers who had beon killed in actlorne tf my
recollesyion Le corrvot, 1b was only after Kothe lost his job
thas Jacobelt went to Borlias
Wibh all best wishes,
Youre moah sincerely,
Plies
Poul Lesor
