Series II. Research and subject files, 1888–1952, inclusive

Paltsits was a member of the Public Archives Commission of the American Historical Association from 1908 to 1924, and its chairman from 1911 to 1922.

Material likely pertaining to Paltsits's publications "Judge Augustus Porter, Pioneer of Niagara Falls, With an Account of His Business Day Book of 1818 to 1822" (1937) and "The Honorable John Boyd Thacher, Man of Versatility" (1951). For copies, see box 63.

Material likely pertaining to Paltsits's publications "The Captivity of John Gyles, 1689–1698" (1900) and "The Depredation at Pemaquid in August, 1689, and Events That Led Up To It" (1905). For copies, see box 63.

The content of this box remains in its original unprocessed state and requires up to two (2) business days for preparation before patron use, in addition to the two (2) to five (5) business days required for offsite delivery. Requests for multiple boxes with this restriction should allow for up to two (2) business days per box.

Material likely pertaining to Paltsits's edition of "The Journal of Capt. William Pote, Jr. 1745–1747" (1896). Pote was a British surveyor and ship captain who left a narrative of his captivity among the Wabanaki Confederacy during King George's War.

Material likely pertaining to Paltsits's publication "Narrative of American Voyages and Travels of Captain William Owen, R.N., and Settlement of the Island of Campobello in the Bay of Fundy, 1766–1771" (1942), first serialized in the Bulletin of the New York public Library, February-October 1931. For copies, see box 63.

On 29 March 1911, during Paltsits's tenure as New York State Historian, the New York State Capitol building, which then housed the State Library, suffered a devastating fire which consumed or damaged countless unique documents.

Material from Paltsits's tenure as New York State Historian during 1907–1911.

Paltsits served as critical advisor on historical illustration for Elroy M. Avery's "A history of the United States and its people, from their earliest records to the present time" (1904–1910). Only seven volumes of a projected sixteen were published. As described by Paltsits: "These copy note-books [in folders 6–10] relate to the researches made for illustrating Elroy M. Avery's History of the U.S. published by the Burrows Bros. Co. of Cleveland. Made on tours from original research and valuable data. VHP."

As described by Paltsits: "A commonplace book that I began in 1888, my first year in the Lenox Library, Fifth Avenue and 70th to 71st Streets, New York City. It was at that time that I began my interest in bibliography, in learning to read proof, and in general cultural reading. It was from Dr. S. Austin Allibone, then the Lenox Librarian, that I was lent Theodore L. DeVinne's 'History of the Invention of Printing,' which I read carefully through, and read through again, and partly a third time. I was also during the summer months of 1889, when the Library was closed, sitting beside Wilberforce Eames, in the south reading room, and got from him inspiration to attempt correct bibliographical description, of which the inserted bibliographical descriptions are the evidence. Victo H. Paltsits, Sept. 22, 1945."

As described by Paltsits: "Materials gathered toward a history of the First Presbyterian Church of Albany in May, 1909, by Victor Hugo Paltsits, State Historian."

As described by Paltsits: "Should I not live to work this material into a volume on Forged Columbus Letter of his first voyage, it is my wish that this bundle go to the New-York Historical Society, Central Park West, to be kept there with my other Papers, etc. Victor H. Paltsits, Aug. 30, 1951."

As described by Paltsits: "Relation de la prise du Fort Georges, ou Guillaume-Henry. [A Transcript]."

As described by Paltsits: "The Chalmers Papers. Transcripts of Such Portions as Relate to the French and Indian War. From 'Papers Relating to Virginia.' Lettered 'Vol. II. 1689-1770' in the New York Public Library, Copied by Victor Hugo Paltsits."

Material pertaining to Paltsits's "Bibliography of the Separate & Collected Works of Philip Freneau, Together with an Account of His Newspaper" (1903).

Notebook, as described by Paltsits: "The paintings here described were part of the art in the James Lenox collection, of the Lenox Library, Fifth Ave. 70–71 Sts., New York, in 1888, the year I began service there as a custodian in the art gallery on the second floor, where I remained some two years. These notes were made as a means of personal study, in order to answer public inquiry, or to otherwise interest visitors to the gallery. Victor Hugo Paltsits."

Paltsits studied high school Spanish under Cuban poet and national hero José Martí (1853–1895), who taught in New York in the early 1890s. See Paltsits's reminiscences of Martí in folder 15.

• Martí Nuestra América, vol. VII (1909)
• Martí: Prólogo y selección de Mauricio Magdaleno (1942)

As described by Paltsits: "These note books contain references to important, mostly unknown, matters in N.Y. 18th century history, on bookbinders, Robert Rogers, early libraries, booksellers, etc., etc. VHP."

As described by Paltsits: "This is a short-title list of Books, etc. that I owned about the end of the 19th century. Those relating to the last inter-colonial war, the fourth French and Indian War, ending by the Treaty of 1763, I sold as a lot to the Pequot Library at Southport, Conn., including more than there are here, for $250!"

As described by Paltsits: "Report of items sold belonging to Victor H. Paltsits. Those priced are the ones. A slaughter!"

Manuscript drafts of Paltsits's 1950 article "New Light on 'Publick Occurrences,' America's First Newspaper."