Series VII. Henry Baldwin Hyde Memorial Books, 1874, 1894, 1899-1900, inclusive

The series includes six oversize bound volumes of condolence letters and related documents in connection with the death of Henry Baldwin Hyde in 1899. Most of the letters appear to be from agents and others associated with the Equitable in the United States and abroad. The contents of the volumes are:

Volume I: Opens with a photograph of H.B. Hyde and a few photographs of the casket at the funeral (held at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian) and of the entrance to the Equitable building. Documents that follow include the text of Rev. Van Dyke's eulogy; Board resolutions from the Equitable and other companies/organizations regarding Hyde's death; text of speech by agent Joseph Bowes at an agents convention in July on the subject "What Mr. Hyde Has Done for the Life Insurance Agent"; telegram cables from agents, employees and insurance industry; and calling cards. In addition there is an extract of minutes from the January 1874 Equitable Board meeting with remarks concerning the death of Henry H. Hyde; an 1894 letter from Chauncey Depew to Henry Baldwin Hyde with complimentary remarks; and a 1900 letter to James Hazen Hyde from the Chamber of Commerce thanking him for a portrait of his father.

Volume II: Includes condolence letters addressed to Mrs. Hyde; these are in alphabetical order, with correspondents A-S in this volume.

Volume III: Conclusion of letters addressed to Mrs. Hyde. These are followed by letters addressed to James Hazen Hyde, correspondents A-J. Isabella Gardner and William James are two notable names that appear.

Volume IV: Continues with condolence letters addressed to James Hazen Hyde, correspondents K-S. Notable names are: Adolph Ochs of the New York Times writes of Hyde's support for him and the newspaper; U.S. senator T.C. Platt regrets he cannot attend the funeral; and George B. Post responds to Hyde's request for a meeting to discuss a monument to his father.

Volume V: Concludes the letters addressed to Hyde, correspondents S-W. Following these are condolence letters addressed to the principal officers of the Equitable (e.g., James Alexander, William McIntyre).

Volume VI: Concludes the letters addressed to Equitable officers (e.g., George P. Wilson, William Alexander). Includes on page 469 a copy of the outgoing letter Wilson sent to a few correspondents in which he discusses Hyde's final illness.