Henry Varnum Poor papers, 1873-2001
Poor, Henry Varnum,
b. 1887
d. 1970
Painter, Muralist, Educator, Designer, Ceramicist
New York, N.Y.
Collection size:
10.7 linear ft. (partially microfilmed on 2 reels)
4 rolled docs.
Collection Summary: Correspondence, works of art, photographs, project files, writings, material regarding the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, printed material and motion picture film.
Correspondence includes family letters, letters from George Biddle, Charles Burchfield, John Steinbeck, David Smith, Philip Evergood, William Benton, and Mrs. John Work Garrett (whose letters regard the Museum of Modern Art), and thirty two condolence letters and cards to Bessie and Anne, Poor's widow and daughter, upon Poor's death, from friends and professional colleagues including Isabel Bishop, William Kienbusch, Mrs. Francis Biddle, Julie Harris, Raphael Soyer, Katherine White (Mrs. E.B.), Peppino Mangravite, Bernard Perlin, William Benton, Maynard Walker and Olin Dows. Also included is a copy of a eulogy by William Mauldin for the Poor's funeral.
Works of art include sketchbooks, preparatory sketches for paintings, loose sketches (charcoal, pencil, pastel and gouache) and designs for ceramics. Photographs are of Poor's artwork and structures designed by Poor including Crow House, the Burgess Meredith & Paulette Goddard House, Macdonald Deming House, Maxwell Anderson House, Billig House, Ben Hecht's poker room, Goodwin Pool Center, John Houseman House, Milton Caniff House, as well as photographs of Poor, his family, schoolmates, and friends.
Project files containing drawings, proofs, photographs, and manuscripts include "The Scarlet Letter," "A Book of Pottery: From Mud to Immortality," "An Artist Sees Alaska," and "Ethan Frome." Also included are signed editions of "The Call of the Wild" by Poor and a hand-bound copy of "Craftsman's Paradise" by Helen Sprackling. Material reagarding the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture includes correspondence, minutes, directories, statements, survey & evaluation binder, lettering and design templates for Skowhegan. Printed material includes posters and prints, proclamations, including a document signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, clippings, exhibition catalogs, and announcements. Also included are two 16mm films on the "Land Grant Frescoes" at The Pennsylvania State University.
Biographical/Historical Note: Ceramist, painter; New York, N.Y.; d. 1970
Lent and microfilmed (reels 633-634) in 1973 by Anne Poor, Poor's daughter, and subsequently donated with additional material in 2007 and 2008 by Peter V. Poor, Poor's son.
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- Portions: microfilm reels 633-634 available at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
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