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  • About the Abril Lamarque papers

    A Finding Aid to the Abril Lamarque Papers, 1883-2001, bulk 1904-1999, in the Archives of American Art, by Rosa M. Fernandez (Download PDF Version, 90 KB [Download PDF Version])


    Biographical Information | Description of the Collection | How to Use the Collection | Series Descriptions


    Biographical Information [+]

    Eduardo Abril Lamarque was born in Cuba on August 28, 1904. His parents sent him to the United States in 1916 when he was twelve to study English and business administration. He lived with an American family in Brooklyn. Lamarque's first cartoon was published in the Boy Scout section of the New York World-Telegram and Evening Mail at age 15. Four years later he created Bla-Bla, a comic strip that appeared regularly in the New York Daily News. He is credited with creating, in the early 1920s, the first Spanish language comic strip that was not translated from English. The title cartoon character, Monguito, was a hapless soul, fully dressed in business suit and hat, who kept getting into sticky situations. Lamarque produced hundreds of these strips which were picked up by the New York based United Feature Syndicate and published daily in Spanish language newspapers throughout Latin America and the United States. READ MORE

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    Description of the Collection

    Overview - Scope and Contents [+]

    The Abril Lamarque papers date from 1883-2001, with the bulk of the material ranging from 1904-1999, and measure 6.2 linear feet. The collection documents the life and career of Cuban-born cartoonist, designer, illustrator, graphic artist, caricaturist, and art director Abril Lamarque through printed materials, scrapbooks, writings, and original artwork. Found are files and numerous examples of his design work for the New York World-Telegram and Evening Mail, the New York Daily News, the New York Times, US News-World Report, Dell Publishing Company, and others; cartoons and caricatures by Lamarque; files regarding his writings and workshops and his memberships in various organizations. Lamarque's life-long interest in, and amateur performances of, magic are also documented to a lesser extent. READ MORE

    Arrangement and Series Description

    The Abril Lamarque papers are arranged into ten series based primarily on type of material. Within each series, materials are arranged chronologically, except for Series 8: Subject Files which is arranged in alphabetical order.

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    Subjects

    This collection is indexed in the online catalog of the Archives of American Art under the following terms:

    Provenance

    Martha Lamarque Sarno and Lita M. Elvers assembled and donated their father's papers to the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, in 2001.

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    How the Collection was Processed

    The Abril Lamarque papers were processed by Rosa M. Fernandez, July, 2002.

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    How to Use the Collection

    Restrictions on Use

    The Abril Lamarque papers are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

    The collection is open for research. Use of unmicrofilmed material requires an appointment.

    How to Cite this Collection

    Abril Lamarque papers, 1883-2001, bulk 1904-1999. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

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    Series Descriptions

    Series 1: Biographical Files, 1917-2001, undated (box 1, OV 12; 0.5 linear feet)

    This series houses information about Lamarque and his family, including a 1985 transcribed interview with Abril Lamarque's wife, Milagros, detailing the couple's first years together in the New York. Also found in this series is substantial material on professional organizations to which Lamarque belonged from 1937 until his death in 1999. These include the Art Director's Club, Dutch Treat Club, The International Brotherhood of Magicians, National Press Club, New York University Club, the New York University Faculty Club, the Society of American Magicians, and the Society of Illustrators.

    Box
    1 Personal documents, 1917-1945
    1 Information on Abril Lamarque and family, 1945-2001, undated
    1 Membership cards of various clubs/societies, 1937-1990, undated
    1 Art Directors Club, 1943-1976, undated
    1 Dutch Treat Club, 1945-1990, undated (5 folders)
    1 Society of American Magicians, 1937-2000, undated
    1 Society of Illustrators (see also OV 12), 1942-1975, undated (2 folders)
    1 Miscellaneous material, 1926, undated

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    Series 2: Correspondence, 1922-1990, undated (box 1, OV 12; 9 folders)

    This series contains scattered personal and business correspondence. Some of the letters are in Spanish; a few are illustrated. Found are several letters and telegrams from the Dell Publishing Company and its owner, George T. Delacorte, Jr., regarding payments and other office matters. Illustrated letters from Lamarque's brother, Juan Abril Lamarque, a painter and graphic designer who came to New York in the 1930s and worked as art director of El Norte and other Spanish language magazines, are also part of this series. Illustrated cards, letters and slides from artist Paul R. Hoffmaster are also found. Additional letters are from artists and friends, including Ernesto García Cabral and Conrado Massaguer. READ MORE

    Box
    1 Personal correspondence (see also OV 12), 1922-1989, undated (2 folders)
    1 Dell Publishing Co., 1930-1940, undated
    1 Business correspondence, 1940-1985
    1 Letters from Paul Hoffmaster, 1956-1974, undated
    1 Iowa State University, 1961-1976
    1 Oklahoma State University, 1962-1990 (3 folders)

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    Series 3: Writings and Workshops, 1925-1999, undated (box 2; 0.75 linear feet)

    This series houses copies of Primer Curso de Caricatura, a primer on how to draw the Monguito character's poses and facial expressions, published in Havana in 1925 and other published and unpublished writings by and about Lamarque, including book reviews and design articles written by Lamarque. The series also contains scripts for Lamarque's magic shows and several diaries (with loose notes.) Also found are files concerning Lamarque's publication design seminars and workshops for New York University's School of Continuing Education and the Society of National Associated Publications. The Workshop files contain articles, design examples, promotional materials, slides, handbooks written by Lamarque, and reviews of the workshops. Also included are diaries; magic show scripts; writings by others; and eulogies for Lamarque. Researchers may also find writings by Lamarque in Series 10: Scrapbooks.

    The series is arranged as five subseries.

    3.1: Published and Unpublished Writings, 1925-1977, undated

    Box
    2 Primer Curso de Caricatura, by Abril Lamarque, 1925
    2 Unpublished Draft on publication design, undated (3 folders)
    2 Manuscript Notes, 1942, undated
    2 Book reviews and articles about magazine layout, 1951-1959, 1977, undated

    3.2: Magic Shows, 1954-1972, undated

    Box
    2 Scripts and notes for magic shows, 1954-1972, undated

    3.3: Diaries, 1948, 1969, undated

    Box
    2 Diaries, 1948, 1969, undated

    3.4: Workshops, 1944-1982, undated

    Box
    2 Agendas, 1944-1970, undated
    2 Handbooks, 1946-1969, undated (3 folders)
    2 Announcements and press releases, 1946-1971, undated
    2 Reviews, 1953-1978, undated
    2 New York University design workshops, 1958-1965, undated
    2 Advertisements, 1961-1982, undated
    2 Layout examples for handbooks, undated
    2 Notes, undated
    2 Slides, undated (2 folders)

    3.5: Writings by Others, 1946-1999

    Box
    2 Writings by others, 1946-1982
    2 Eulogies, 1999

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    Series 4: Financial Files, 1924-1962 (box 2; 1 folder)

    Box
    2 Miscellaneous financial materials, 1924-1962

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    Series 5: Abril Lamarque Creations, 1940-1945, undated (box 2, OV 13; 8 folders)

    This series consists of files on Abril Lamarque Creations that contain drawings and sketches, air mail labels, published advertisements from magazines and newspapers, letters from Vogue magazine and others concerning sale of items, and two memos regarding shipment orders to artist Enrique Riverón and his wife Noella. Also found are photographs and slides of his work.

    Box
    2 Drawings and sketches (see also OV 13), 1940, undated
    2 Advertisements (see also OV 13), 1940-1945, undated
    2 Correspondence and memos, 1940-1945, undated
    2 Photographs and negatives, undated (2 folders)
    2 Slides, undated
    2 Miscellany, 1940, undated

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    Series 6: Printed Material, 1883-1989, undated (boxes 3-4, 6, 11, OVs 14, 16, 18; 1.5 linear feet)

    This series houses a wide variety of printed material that includes general clippings and examples of publication design work, illustrations, and caricatures collected by Lamarque, as well as items featuring the work of Cuban and Latin American artists and writers, including the Cuban artist Maribona. Also found in this series are printed examples of Lamarque's designs and comics, including the comic Monquito and numerous examples of his publication design work. Editions of the Havana newspaper Lunes de Diario de Cuba may be found here, as well as a 1928 Havana-theme edition of Life magazine with illustrations and caricatures by noted Cuban artists José F. Botet, Hernández Cardenas, Conrado Massaguer, H. Portell Vilá [Herminio], and Enrique Riverón. Also found is a 1933 edition of the Cuban magazine Carteles, an illustrated weekly published in Havana between 1919 and 1960 and bound volumes of Confetti, a Cuban humor magazine. This series includes general clippings about Lamarque's personal and professional life, including references to his “radiocatures” published in the Telegram Evening Mail, copies of which are housed in Series 7: Original Artwork.

    The series is arranged as five subseries:

    6.1: General Printed Material, 1883-1959, undated

    Box
    3 Publications and graphic designs, 1883, 1899, 1927-1959, undated (2 folders)

    Box
    11 (sol) Confetti, Cuban humor magazine (bound volumes), 1916-1917

    Box
    3 Programs for magic show performances, 1947-1948, undated

    6.2: Designs by Lamarque, 1923-1989, undated

    Box
    3 Magazines and magazine covers, 1923-1989 (4 folders)
    3 Personal and business letterheads, circa 1925, undated
    3 Books, 1946-1961 (3 folders)
    3 Advertisements, undated
    3 Christmas cards, undated
    3 Page banners (see also OV 14), 1929, undated

    Box
    6 (sol) Newspapers (see also OV 14), 1925-1939, 1988
    6 (sol) Designs for Bacardi, 1962
    6 (sol) Marketing publications, undated

    6.3: Clippings, 1921-1977, undated

    Box
    3 Miscellaneous caricatures and illustrations, 1931, undated
    3 Caricatures and illustrations by Abril Lamarque (see also OV 14), 1921-1941, undated (2 folders)
    3 Film Fun caricatures, 1928-1932, undated
    3 Monguito, comic strip by Abril Lamarque, 1926-1933, undated (8 folders)

    Box
    4 About Abril Lamarque (see also OV 14), 1924-1977, undated (2 folders)
    4 Ads illustrated by Abril Lamarque, undated

    6.4: Posters, 1939-1975, undated

    Box
    4 “Aluminum for Britain” (see also OV 16; contains other printed material), 1941
    4 “The Mad Monster of Coyete Flat,” undated

    Box
    OV 16 “Magician with Top Hat,” 1939
    OV 16 The Tablet (Catholic newspaper), 1975
    OV 16 “Buy U.S. War Bonds,” undated
    OV 16 “College Art Store,” undated
    OV 16 “Manuel Rodríguez Manolete,” Spanish matador, undated
    OV 16 Monguito advertisements, undated

    Box
    OV 18 Karol Kozlowski Exhibition Poster, undated

    6.5: Printing Plates, circa 1920s

    Box
    4 Monguito, comic strip paper printing plates, circa 1920s (2 folders)
    4 Metal printing plate of Monguito comic strip character, circa 1920s

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    Series 7: Original Artwork, 1914-1988, undated (box 4, OVs 15, 18; 8 folders)

    This series includes two childhood sketchbooks belonging to Lamarque and his sister. Amusing pen and ink illustrations and caricatures by Abril Lamarque's brother, Juan Abril Lamarque, are also found. Other original artwork is by Abril Lamarque, Enrique Riverón, H. Portell Vilá, and other artists. This series also includes photocopies of drawings Lamarque created for his granddaughter, Cristina. Additional artwork may be found in Series 10: Scrapbooks.

    Box
    4 Childhood Sketchbooks, 1914-1917, undated
    4 Drawings by Lamarque (see also OVs 15, 18), 1920-1988, undated (2 folders)
    4 Caricatures and Drawings of Abril Lamarque, 1925-1983, undated
    4 Printing paste-ups, 1969, undated
    4 Original artwork by Juan Lamarque (see also OV 15), undated

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    Series 8: Subject Files, 1904-1996, undated (box 4, OVs 17-18; 0.5 linear feet)

    This series contains files Lamarque collected on various interests and current events including a Bacardi family dispute in the 1990s surrounding their rum company and several humorous photographs of the company's C.E.O., José M. Bosch (Abril Lamarque's cousin). Also found is material on the Cuban caricaturist and publisher, Conrado Massaguer. READ MORE

    Box
    4 Bacardi Company, 1953-1996, undated
    4 Batista, Fulgencio, undated
    4 Cabral, Ernesto García, 1921, undated (2 folders)
    4 Dell Publishing Company, 1927-1939, undated
    4 Garretto, Paolo, 1931-1935, undated
    4 Kozlowski, Karol, 1984-1985, undated
    4 Massaguer, Conrado W. (see also OV 17), 1913-1957, undated (4 folders)
    4 Sirio, 1918-1920, undated

    Box
    OV 18 Bernal, Arias, undated
    OV 18 Rockwell, Norman, 1904, 1930-1932

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    Series 9: Photographs and Slides, 1924-1986, undated (boxes 4-5; 0.5 linear feet)

    This series includes photographs of Lamarque at work and teaching his seminars and workshops; Lamarque with friends, artists, and personalities including Ernesto García Cabral, Jorge Mañach, Conrado Massaguer, Xavier Xugat and others; and Lamarque's magic show performances at the Society of Illustrators annual Christmas show and the Society of American Magicians. Also found are photographs and slides of advertisements, cards, slogans, and logos designed by Lamarque.

    Box
    4 Abril Lamarque's guardians and teacher, 1924
    4 Friends and celebrities, 1934-1985, undated
    4 Performances as amateur magician, 1940-1966, undated (2 folders)
    4 Abril Lamarque, 1943-1964, undated (3 folders)

    Box
    5 (hol) Publication workshops and seminars, 1958-1974
    5 (hol) Advertisements, undated
    5 (hol) Advertising campaigns, undated
    5 (hol) Christmas card designs, undated
    5 (hol) Dell Publishing Company offices and other organizations, undated
    5 (hol) Magic Act, Western Union messengers, undated

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    Series 10: Scrapbooks, 1920-1959, undated (boxes 7-10; 1.2 linear feet)

    This series contains seven scrapbooks with newspaper clippings, magazine articles, caricatures, illustrations, scattered letters, photographs, event invitations, and original artwork extensively documenting Lamarque's personal and professional life. Four scrapbooks include covers for magazines Lamarque designed as well as his published caricatures and illustrations for such magazines as Bally-hoo, Film Fun, Inside Detective, Modern Screen, Screen Romances, and others. Scrapbook 1 includes a copy of Lamarque's first cartoon published in 1921 and correspondence from Lamarque's lawyer regarding his application for a patent for his “radiocatures,” a radio broadcast that verbally transmitted his pictures and caricatures while the audience followed a diagram printed in the Telegram-Mail. READ MORE

    Box
    7 (sol) Scrapbook 1, 1920-1951, undated
    7 (sol) Scrapbook 2, 1920-1939, undated
    7 (sol) Scrapbook 3, 1924 -1951, undated

    Box
    8 (sol) Scrapbook 4, Dell Publishing Company, 1927-1930, undated
    8 (sol) Scrapbook 5, 1936-1958, undated

    Box
    9 (sol) Scrapbook 6, 1940-1959, undated
    9 (sol) Scrapbook 7, 1942-1958, undated

    Box
    10 (sol) Original artwork removed from Scrapbook 1, undated

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