Shaw, Charles Green, b. 1892 d. 1974
Author, Illustrator, PainterNew York, N.Y. (Show Bio)
Charles Green Shaw papers, 1874-1979
45.6 linear ft.
Microfilmed: 0.2 linear ft. (93 items)
Reel(s): 75
Shaw's personal life and career as an American abstract artist, writer, poet, and illustrator are well documented through biographical information, correspondence, writings, extensive diaries and sketchbooks, scattered financial records, scrapbooks and other printed materials.
Biographical Information, 1874-1970, includes a number of family documents. Shaw's correspondence, 1909-1973, consists mainly of incoming letters. Correspondents are family, friends, and notable individuals including several writers and artists. In addition, there is a small amount of nineteenth century family correspondence.
Among Shaw's writings are 147 diaries containing daily one-page entries that outline his schedule including rising and bedtimes, hours spent writing or painting, and social and business appointments. In addition, there are drafts and final manuscripts of fiction, non-fiction, plays, and poems, as well as quizzes devised for his newspaper column, and short writings that were mainly "fillers" for magazines. Notes include travel observations, notes on restaurants and nightclubs, notes for fiction, quotations, and lists of his collections. Writings by other authors on a variety of topics include children's books illustrated by Shaw, a review of Shaw's poetry, and an article about Shaw as a modern painter.
Artwork by Shaw includes collages, drawings, and paintings. Of particular interest are 340 sketchbooks containing sketches and finished drawings in pencil and ink, watercolor and gouache paintings, pastels and collages. Most volumes also contain color notes and many include poems, drafts of letters, and notes on miscellaneous topics. Among the artwork by other artists is a charcoal portrait probably of Shaw by Betty George.
Financial Records, 1933-1971, consist mainly of banking records, tax returns, and royalty statements. Also included is information about art sales and payment for writings; receipts are for art related expenses and document purchases for his collection of tobacco figures.
Scrapbooks, 1922-1970 (37 volumes) document Shaw's career. Five volumes concern his art and exhibitions, 9 volumes preserve his published writings, 20 volumes contain published poems, and an additional 3 volumes are devoted to miscellaneous subjects.
Additional printed matter consists of items by Shaw, by other authors, and miscellaneous material. Items by Shaw include articles, books by and/or illustrated by Shaw, plays, and poems. Printed material by other authors include pieces about or mentioning Shaw, books, exhibition catalogs and related records, and periodicals. Among the miscellaneous printed material are auction and book catalogs, clippings, and ephemera. Also included are a wide assortment of menus, along with theatrical memorabilia, travel brochures and printed souvenirs collected by Shaw.
Miscellaneous Records consist of a variety of artifacts including the Century Association Art Committee Medal awarded Shaw, a letter opener carved with his monogram, and printing plates for color reproductions of a painting by Shaw and of prints in his collection. Other miscellaneous records are two sound recordings, a tape recording of Shaw reading his poetry, and an unidentified phonograph album.
Photographs, 1885-1967, include photos of artwork, people, places and miscellaneous subjects. Artwork depicted here is mainly by Shaw, but there are also photographs of work by other artists, and items in Shaw's collection of tinsel prints and his collection of tobacco figures, as well as views of various exhibition installations.
REEL 75: Photographs of Shaw's paintings; exhibition catalogs; his published children's book, IT LOOKED LIKE SPILT MILK; and one clipping.
Material donated 1971-1974 by Shaw and, upon his death, by his estate.
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