Bransom, Paul, b. 1885 d. 1979

Illustrator, Painter
Calif., Wyo. (Show Bio)

Paul Bransom papers, 1862-1985 (bulk 1904-1979)

10.1 linear ft.

Almost half of the collection is comprised of Bransom's correspondence, which is particularly rich in documenting his early career as an illustrator, and his relationships with authors, art editors, and publishers from the 1900s to the 1940s. Correspondence also contains a wealth of cards, many of which bear reproductions or original artwork by his many artist friends. Also found in the papers are biographical essays, certificates and awards, memorabilia, writings and notes, business files, bibliographies, an artwork inventory, exhibition catalogs, clippings, printed illustrations, pamphlets, photographs, scrapbooks, and original artwork.

The correspondence is particularly rich in documenting Bransom's early career as an illustrator, and his relationships with authors, art editors, and publishers from the 1900s to the 1940s. Correspondence also contains a wealth of cards, many of which bear reproductions or original artwork by his many artist friends. Correspondence often bears notes made by Bransom about the correspondent. Further documentation of Bransom's career is found in Notes and Writings, including narrative writings and lists of artwork and contacts; and in Personal Business Records, which contain records of transactions with various clients and galleries, as well as bibliographies of works illustrated by Bransom, and an art inventory created posthumously by Mario Cesar Romero.

Printed materials include exhibition records, which are often annotated, and copies of Bransom's illustrations and cartoons as they appeared in print. Also found are clippings about Bransom and other artists he knew; newsletters, pamphlets, and other materials related to organizations with which he was involved; and a copy of his book on animal drawing technique. Photographs depict Bransom, his childhood and family, homes and studios, friends, travels, and other events. Many of the photographs bear identifications by Bransom. The collection has a voluminous Artwork series, which includes two sketchbooks and hundreds of original sketches, drawings, and designs by Bransom, as well as a series of prints and original artwork by others.

A 1966 loan by Paul Bransom was microfilmed on reel D254 and later returned to Bransom. Some of this material was later donated to the Archives, portions of which were then transferred to the Smithsonian American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery Library and are available in their vertical file on Bransom.

Location of Originals: Reel D254: Originals returned to Bransom after microfilming.

Material on reel D254 was lent for microfilming 1966; portions were subsequently donated along with additional material by Bransom, 1972-1975, by his nephew's wife Althea Bond, 1980, and by the curator of the Bransom collection, Mario Romero, 1983. James Zayicek donated 11 sketches and 8 greeting cards in 1985, and an additional 2 ft. was donated 1986 by Romero.

How to Use this Collection

• The bulk of the collection has been digitized and is available on the Archives of American Art's website. Use of materials not digitized requires an appointment.
• The bulk of this collection has been digitized and is available online via AAA's website. Duplicates, copies, certain printed materials, personal items of limited research value, and certain items related to others have not been digitized, as noted in the container listing.
  The microfilm of 17 items from the 1966 loan by Bransom, most of which was later donated, is also available on 35 mm microfilm reel D254 at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
• This Collection is available online.
• Please read the Finding Aid for more detailed information on this collection.
• Selected images of documents in this collection are online.
• For more information on using resources at the Archives of American Art, please visit our Ask Us page