Edward A. Wilson Papers, 1915-1963

Summary

Creator:
Wilson, Edward A. (Edward Arthur), 1886-1970.
Abstract:
Spanning 1915 to 1963, the Edward A. Wilson Papers comprises biographical material, correspondence, artwork, writings, and memorabilia of the Scottish-born illustrator, lithographer, and painter (1886-1970). The collection illuminates Wilson's artistic career, which ranged from book and magazine illustration to the design of advertisements, bookplates, magazine covers, postage stamps, and war posters.
Extent:
2.5 linear ft.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Edward A. Wilson Papers,

Background

Scope and content:

Spanning 1915 to 1963, the Edward A. Wilson Papers comprises biographical material, correspondence, artwork, writings, and memorabilia. The collection illuminates Wilson's artistic career, which ranged from book and magazine illustration to the design of advertisements, bookplates, magazine covers, postage stamps, and war posters.

Correspondence-subject files consists primarily of incoming letters, as well as other documents relating to artwork. Among the correspondents are fellow artists (Charles Dexter Allen, C. B. Falls, Fred Freeman, Charles Dana Gibson, Marston Dean Hodgin, Joseph Pennell, Ray Prohaska, William Arthur Smith, Harve Stein); authors (David Bland, Theodore Bolton, Eugene Burdick, Earnest Elmo Calkins, Ashley Havinden, William A. Kittredge, George L. Moses, Harlan Ware); collector Wilbur Macey Stone; designers (Edwin Eberman, Bruce Rogers); editor Frank Shay; and publishers (Bennett Cerf, Storer B. Lunt, George Macy). Organizational correspondence includes art associations (American Institute of Graphic Arts, Boston Printmakers, Guild of Free Lance Artists, Print Club); art galleries and museums (Bezalel National Museum, San Joaquin Pioneer Museum and Haggin Art Galleries); clients (American Artists Group, Dutch Treat Year Book, Cadillac Motor Car Company, Cargoes, Forum, Life, John Morell & Co., Peck & Peck, Reader's Digest, Salmagundi Club); an educational institution (Rhode Island School of Design); and publishing houses (R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company, Doubleday, Doran and Company, Doubleday, Page & Co., Grosset & Dunlap, Houghton Mifflin Company, Rand McNally & Company, Random House, John C. Winston Company).

Artwork encompasses advertisements, book illustration, bookplates (5), magazine cover design and illustration, postage stamp design (2), and war poster art (4), as well as miscellaneous reproductions and one original woodcut. Advertisements are arranged by client name while book and magazine illustration and design work are organized under title. Postage stamps, war poster art, and miscellaneous reproductions are arranged chronologically. Articles and Speeches, both typescript and printed, constitute Writings.

Memorabilia includes photographs and printed material. Images of Wilson in his studio and with ship models as well as prints of two Wilson portraits by Jerry Farnsworth and William Oberhardt constitute Photographs. Printed material comprises articles and reviews (1922-1958), newspaper clippings (1915-1963), exhibition catalogs and invitations (1930-1954), one exhibition poster, and book publicity (1924-1942).

Biographical / historical:

Edward Arthur Wilson (1886-1970) was a Scottish-born illustrator, lithographer, and painter.

Arrangement:

Correspondence-subject files are arranged alphabetically. Artwork, writings and memorabilia are arranged alphabetically by type.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Terms of access:

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Edward A. Wilson Papers,

Location of this collection:
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Bird Library, Room 600
Syracuse, NY 13244, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
315.443.2697
scrc@syr.edu