This collection came to the McCracken Research Library from the Valley Ranch. The items contained herein were owned or created by I.H. Larom. They were transferred to the BBHC through the gift of Mrs. I.H. Larom.
The McCracken Research Library, Buffalo Bill Historical Center holds all right, title and interest in and to those items in the Irving H. "Larry" Larom Manuscript Collection donated to the Center. Reproduction of published items--magazine articles, newspaper clippings, etc., will be handled according to the current copyright laws. The Librarian/Archivist in charge will make the final decision on what may or may not be mechanically reproduced. The McCracken Research Library reserves the right to restrict access to any portion of the collection to whomever and for whatever reasons deemed necessary.
The Larom collection is made up of the papers, clippings and photographs relating to the person of Irving H. Larom and the Valley Ranch Company. The papers include personal correspondence and financial information, business records of the Valley Ranch Co., correspondence with Valley guests and employees, as well as lists of these guests, correspondence with various government agencies, materials relating to the Buffalo Bill Memorial Association, advertisements, clippings, maps and magazine articles. The collection also includes engraving plates, several hundred photographic prints and negatives, photograph albums and printed monographs.
The collection currently occupies approximately 80 linear feet of shelf space. The collection is housed in letter and legal size acid-free document boxes and file folders, records storage boxes, and flat oversize document boxes. The maps have been flattened, where appropriate, and are stored flat boxes and a map case. There is also a small metal cabinet containing the address plates for an "address-o-graph" machine.
The collection is arranged according to category. Within each category logical order has been imposed by the processor. This order is usually alphabetical or chronological. Where possible, original file headings and order has been retained. It has been impossible to completely isolate this material into pure categories and therefore considerable overlap occurs. It is hoped that the subject index will help direct researchers to all places where a topic may be addressed.
For the most part, the collection is in good condition. Rusty paper clips, staples and old rubber bands have been removed when they were encountered. Surface dirt has been cleaned off of the documents whenever possible. There are some instances of water and rodent damage and simple wear and tear. The photographic prints are in good condition. Some of the negatives are damaged and/or deteriorating.