Yates Distributing Historical Collection

A large collection of Americana, much of it relating to the Niagara Frontier, is being dispersed by its owner, Raymond F. Yates, 190 Windermere Rd., president of the Niagara County Historical Society, Inc.

Mr. Yates values the collection, assembled during the past 15 years, at about $25,000.

Several hundred items have already been given to the Niagara County Historical Society. A number of items have also been added to the collection of the New York Historical Society. Mr. Yates also plans gifts to the Buffalo Historical Society and to the State Museum at Albany. A few items have been given to the Historical Museum at Niagara-on-the-Lake, where Mr. Yates served on the board of Directors.

The collection included maps, historical documents, letters, land deeds, rare books, over 400 prints and paintings of Niagara Falls, old military data including court martial proceedings of the War of 1812, pewterware, chinaware and early household articles.

The material collected covered the dates between 1730 and 1930. Included were letters from Sir William Johnson, Col. Christopher Yates, Jane Yates, Gov. Yates, Chief Justice of New York State Robert Yates, Gen. Gaines, Gen. Winfield Scott, Gen. Von Stuben, etc. Also included is the military desk of Gen. Sir Isaac Brock which he lost at the Battle of Queenston Heights. Mr. Yates is a descendent of Thomas Saumerez Brock, a nephew of Sir Isaac. The General’s desk was brought back to the American side of the Niagara River by Pat Richard Wendel, grandfather of the late Charles Wendel, president of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank.

Modern items in Mr. Yates’ collection includes letters from Mr. Thomas A. Edison, Edsel Ford, Nickola Tesla, Charles P. Steinmetz, Ed Wynn, Eddie Cantor, Herbert Hoover, Lee De Forest, Jeanne Eagles. Mr. Yates directed the sound in Miss Eagles’ first motion picture, called Jealousy, Douglas Fairbanks, and many other famous Americans.

Also included in the Yates collection are complete engineering data and maps relating to a canal and locks connecting Lake Ontario with the Niagara River, a project now under active consideration. The plans, maps, drawings and engineering data in Mr. Yates’ possession are dated 1832, now over 125 years old. Recently Mr. Yates loaned these plans to Assemblyman Harold Altro that he might show them to Gov. Harriman. Mr. Altro is leading the campaign to build such a canal.

Mr. Yates’ rare book collection included one volume currently selling for $1,500. His collection of old colored prints of Niagara Falls was at one time thought to be the most complete in the country. His large collection of guide books for Niagara Falls dates back to 1835.