Charles Russell Orcutt Resources:

Periodicals

The San Diego Natural History Museum has published a list of Charles Russell Orcutt’s journal titles on their website, and a list has been in the family compiled by Billie Meeder, the Librarian Emeritus, to whom is attributed the oft-used quote that Orcutt is a “librarian’s nightmare.” His numbering of volumes and pages was often inconsistent, illogical, confusing, and deceptive. He may also be called a “subscriber’s nightmare,” because the content of the many journals he published were identical to others, particularly West American Scientist, which was the source of articles for nearly every all of his other journals. Most of them were short-lived—many had only one or two numbers (a life subscription to Orcutt was offered for fifty dollars, but only one number was ever issued). Also, for Orcutt, there was little distinction between articles and advertisements, between a journal and a catalog.

California Art and Nature 1:1 (Dec 1901) through 1:12 (Nov 1902), 173 pp. (complete). “A beautifully illustrated magazine, published monthly at 20 cents a copy or $2 a year; about 100 half tone and wood engravings, and 12 colored plates, will ornament volume one.” Published monthly by C.R. Orcutt at 868 15th Street, San Diego.

Golden Hints. Four issues, all 1:1, (Jan 1900), (Oct 1901), (Jun 1907), and (Jun 1919), 32 pp., 5¢ per issue. “Published monthly (or otherwise) at the Twenty-Fifth St Grocery C.R. Orcutt 1045 25th Street (near D).” Little more than a catalog for the Orcutt Seed and Plant Company.

Golden Hints for California 1:6 (1892); a seventh issue, no volume or number, was printed in 1895, 110 pp. (incomplete), 10¢ per issue. Published by the Orcutt Seed and Plant Company at 1134 5th Street, San Diego.

The Great Southwest 4:1 (Jan 1892) through 6:51 (Jun 1894), 175 pp. (incomplete). “Devoted Chiefly to Horticultural Interests.” C.R. Orcutt took over editorship from W.T. Brown with the June 1893 issue. By May 1894, H.B. Andrews assumed management. Published by C.R. Orcutt at his home at 365 21st. Street, San Diego.

The Hoosier Naturalist 2:12 (Jul 1887) through 3:2 (Mar 1888), 30 pp. (incomplete). Formerly published by R.B. Trouslot & Co. in Valparaiso Indiana, and purchased by C.R. Orcutt in July 1887. Subscribers were sent West American Scientist. The Hoosier Naturalist was revived by permission of C.R. Orcutt in January 1888.

International Seedsman and Plantsman 1:1 (1895), 4 pp. (complete). Inside 2 pages blank, with advertisement insert.

Jamaica Naturalist 1:1 through 1:4 (Sep 1927-Aug 1928), 20 pp. (complete). Published by C.R. Orcutt at 54 Barry Street, Kingston, Jamaica.

Magazine San Diego 1:1 (May 1914), 20 pp. (complete). Only one number issued. Published by C.R. Orcutt at 1705 Broadway, San Diego.

The Manzanita, or Lower California Magazine 1:2 (Jan 1890), 20 pp. (incomplete). “An Illustrated Monthly Journal of Literature, Science & Horticulture for the Rural Homes of Lower California.” Apparently only two numbers were issued; Number 1 has not been seen. Published by C.R. Orcutt in San Diego.

Orcutt Volume 1:1 (3 Nov 1897), 12 pp. (complete). Only one number was issued.

The Oregon Naturalist 1:1 (3 Nov 1897) through 2:12 (Dec 1895), 456 pp. (incomplete). “An Illustrated Monthly Magazine Devoted To Fruits and Flowers and Popular Science.” Beginning in the July 1891 issue, published by C.R. Orcutt, Orcutt News Company in Redlands, Calif. Aurelius Todd remained “publisher” in Eugene, Oregon. Published by C.R. Orcutt in Orcutt, Calif. in September 1891. Beginning December 1894, it was published in Oregon City, Oregon, with G.B. Cheney as the editor.

Review of the Cactaceae of the United States 1:2, 3, and 5 (as reprinted in West American Scientist) and Volume 3 (1897), 58 pp. (incomplete). Vol. 1, 2 and 3, 94 pages total.

Science and Horticulture 1:1 (Apr 1891) through 1:5 (Sep 1891), 200 pp. (complete). Irregularly numbered. “Science and Horticulture is a monthly magazine published and edited by C.R. Orcutt, of San Diego, a naturalist and general scientist of high standing. It contains a wealth of novel matter.”

West American Mollusca 1:1 (May 1900) through 1:5 (Jan 1902?), 40 pp. (incomplete).

This website is maintained by Larry Orcutt. I can be contacted by e-mail at Victory followed by the Roman numeral 4, no space and all lower case, at earthlink, which is not a dot com, but rather a dot net. Apologies for my indirectness, but it is necessary in order to avoid robots trolling for e-mail addresses.