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  2. Betty Carpenter papers, circa 1867-1971, bulk 1927-1963
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Betty Carpenter papers, circa 1867-1971, bulk 1927-1963

Contents and Arrangement

Creator

Occupation

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Series 1: Correspondence , 1912-1968
0.4 Linear feet
Box 1

Betty Carpenter's correspondence is primarily with museums, historical societies, publishers, and writers regarding the selling, loaning, book planning and exhibitioning of art work by J.O.J Frost and George Lothrop. Included are a few handwritten copies or drafts of her outgoing letters. Carpenter's regular correspondence is followed by letters from the Frost family to Carpenter discussing both J.O.J Frost's life as well as matters of Carpenter's personal friendship with the family. Also found are letters related to appraisal of Carpenter's personal collection of arwork. The Frost Family correspondence is comprised of letters from J.O.J Frost to his granddaughters Ethelyn Frost Flagg and Irena Frost Greatorex as well as letters from J.O.J Frost's son Frank A. Frost to his daughter Ethelyn; and miscellaneous letters to J.O.J Frost.
Description Container Select
Betty Carpenter Correspondence
A, circa 1940-1955
1
1
B, 1951-1966
1
2
C, circa 1955-1964
1
3
D, circa 1947-1959
1
4
E, 1950-1959
1
5
Ethelyn Frost Flagg to Betty Carpenter, 1947-1957
1
6
Frank J. Frost to Betty Carpenter, 1946-1947
1
7
Marguerite Frost to Betty Carpenter, circa 1955-1956
1
8
Sadie Frost to Betty Carpenter, 1946-1953
1
9
F, 1955-1964
1
10
G, circa 1947-1964
1
11
H, 1945-1966
1
12
Margot Johnson, 1950-1968
1
13
Louis C. Jones, 1955-1964
1
14
J, 1949-1964
1
15
K, 1947-1962
1
16
L, circa 1942-1966
1
17
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1941-1959
1
18
M, circa 1940-1967
1
19
N, 1947-1965
1
20
Betty Parsons, 1964-1965
1
21
John Alexander Pope, 1945-1955
1
22
P, 1943-1961
1
23
R, circa 1950-1959
1
24
Grace Kellog Smith, 1955
1
25
S, circa 1946-1959
1
26
V, 1946, 1949
1
27
W, 1947-1966
1
28
Miscellaneous, Last Name Unsigned, circa 1955-1965
1
29
Frost Family Correspondence
Letters from J.O.J Frost to Ethelyn Frost Flagg, circa 1919-1928
1
30
Letters from J.O.J Frost to Irena Frost Greatorex, 1924
1
31
Copies of Letters from J.O.J Frost to Ethelyn Frost Flagg and Irena Frost Greatorex, circa 1924-1928
1
32
Letters from Frank A. Frost to Ethelyn Frost Flagg, 1912-1941
1
33
Miscellaneous Letters to J.O.J Frost, 1921-1926
1
34
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Series 2: Writings , circa 1868-1966
1.1 Linear feet
Box 1-2

Writings primarily consist of manscripts and notes related to catalogs and an unpublished biography on Frost that Carpenter was working on. Included are edited drafts of book chapters and accompanying notes, as well as research notes on Frost's life, book planning notes, detailed captions for artwork that were to be included, and an outline of a catalog of his work. Also found is a notebook from Frost, along with diary enteries, essays by Frost on Marblehead, Massachusetts and life as a fisherman, and in memoriam writings by his son Frank and granddaughter Evelyn. Additional writings include biographical notes on George Lothrop and notes on American folk art.
Description Container Select
J.O.J Frost Notebook Containing Catalog of Paintings, circa 1919-1928
1
35
J.O.J Frost Frost Diary Excerpts, circa 1868-1869
1
36
Essays to the Marblehead Messenger from J.O.J Frost, circa 1921-1928
1
37
"Frost's Paintings Tell Marblehead History" Lecture by J.O.J Frost, 1921
1
38
"Description of The Murals in J.O.J Frost's Kitchen at 11 Pond Street" Interview with J.O.J Frost by George Damon, circa 1927-1928
1
39
"A Fadeless Picture" Memorial Poem by Ethelyn Frost Flagg, circa 1928
1
40
"Memorial to Fisherman of Marblehead" Obituary By Frank A. Frost, circa 1928
1
41
Frost Family Genealogy Notes, circa 1950-1963
1
42
Lists of Paintings by J.O.J Frost, circa 1948
1
43
Notebook Containing Lists of Frost Paintings at the Lee Mansion, 1962
1
44
Betty Carpenter Lecture Drafts and Notes on J.O.J Frost, circa 1947-1954
1
45
"The Life Sketch of A Unique Character in a Unique Town" Biography of John Orne Johnson Frost Manuscript, circa 1928
1
46
"John O.J. Frost: Marblehead Painter-Chronicler" by Betty Carpenter Partial Manuscript, circa 1955
1
47
Frost Catalog Layout Draft, circa 1948-1955
1
48
Frost Catalog Painting Captions and Notes, circa 1948-1955
1
49
Essay Drafts on J.O.J Frost's Scrapbooks, circa 1948-1963
1
50
Biographical Notes on J.O.J Frost, circa 1947-1955
1
51
J.O.J Frost Book Chapter Notes and Drafts
"Biography", circa 1955-1963
1
52
"Preface to Critical Writings About Frost", circa 1955-1963
1
53
"Early Life", circa 1955-1963
1
54
"The Compass", circa 1955-1963
1
55
"Discovery of J.O.J Frost", circa 1955-1963
1
56
"Off to the Grand Banks", circa 1955-1963
1
57
"After Annie's Death", circa 1955-1963
1
58
"Last Chapter", circa 1955-1963
1
59
Miscellaneous Chapters, circa 1955-1963
2
1-2
Annotated Copy of Catalog Printed by J.O.J Frost (1926), circa 1948-1963
2
3
Notes on J.O.J Frost's Paintings, circa 1955-1964
2
4
Research Materials for J.O.J Frost Book, 1962
2
5
Dedication List of Names for J.O.J Frost Book, circa 1955-1963
2
6
Miscellaneous Notes on J.O.J Frost for Book, circa 1955-1963
2
7-8
Biographical Notes on George Lothrop, circa 1948-1952
2
9
Article Research Notes on Lothrop, circa 1952-1963
2
10
American Primitive Art and George Lothrop Article Draft, circa 1952-1963
2
11
"George Lothrop, Yankee Limner" Article by Barbara B. Walker, 1952
2
12
Miscellaneous Notes on George Lothrop, circa 1959-1966
2
13
"An Art Dealer is Intrigued by American Folk Art" Talk Transcript given by Albert Duveen, circa 1961
2
14
Miscellaneous Notes, circa 1940-1955
2
15
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Series 3: Exhibition Files , 1948-1949
1 Folder
Box 2

The Exhibition Files series documents a joint exhibition of Frost and Lothrop's work organized by Carpenter. Materials include scrapbook pages of clippings, correspondence with the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston related to the planning of the exhibition, and loan records.
Description Container Select
Exhibition of Two New England "Primitives", Frost and Lothrop (Nov.18 - Dec.12, 1948), The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, 1948-1949
2
16
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Series 4: Personal Business , 1943-1964
6 Folders
Box 2

Personal Business includes expense receipts and notes related to Carpenter's research on Frost as well as personal expenses. Also found are insurance policies for Carpenter's collection of Frost and Lothrop artwork and loan and sale receipts of artwork. Additionally there are records including correspondence and notes related to the probate court case the Carpenters were involved in regarding the ownership of Frost's painting. A copy of Sadie Frost, J.O.J's second wife's will is also found in this series.
Description Container Select
Painting Sales and Loan Receipts, 1943-1952
2
17
J.O.J Frost Research Expenses, 1954
2
18
J.O.J Frost and George Lothrop Artwork Insurance Policies, 1955-1962
2
19
Carpenter Personal Expense Receipts, 1948-1964
2
20
Estate of Frank Frost vs. Mason Jr. Et al. Probate Court Case, 1955-1957
2
21
Copy of Sadie Frost's Will, 1954
2
22
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Series 5: Printed Material , 1902-1971
0.5 Linear feet
Box 2

Printed materials include newspaper and magazine clippings, exhibition announcements, catalogs and a book about Marblehead, Massachusetts that mentions Frost's first wife Annie Frost. Clippings document J.O.J Frost's career and life; Marblehead, Massachusetts; American folk art and primative art and miscellanea. Printed material related to George Lothrop include a group exhibition catalog featuring two of Lothrop's paintings and a solo exhibition poster.
Description Container Select
Articles about J.O.J Frost by Harry Wilkinson for Northshore Breeze and Reminder Magazine, 1926-1929
2
23
Magazine Clippings, J.O.J Frost, 1954-1956
2
24
Marblehead Messenger Newspaper Columns Written by J.O.J Frost, circa 1921-1928
2
25
Marblehead Messenger Newspaper Columns About J.O.J Frost, 1927-1928
2
26
Newspaper Clippings
J.O.J Frost, circa 1948-1971
2
27
Frost Probate Court Case, 1956-1957
2
28
Marblehead, Massachusetts, circa 1924-1960
2
29
Excerpts from "The History and Traditions of Marblehead" by Samuel Roads Jr. in The Marblehead Messenger Newspaper, 1956-1958
2
30
Folk Art, circa 1954-1962
2
31
Arthur Heintzelman, 1958, 1965
2
32
Miscellaneous, 1956-1963
2
33
J.O.J Frost Exhibition Catalogs, circa 1954
2
34
J.O.J Frost Exhibition Announcements and Flyers, 1924-1956
2
35
J.O.J Frost Painting Postcards, circa 1955-1965
2
36
An Old Marblehead Garden book by Elijah Bruce, 1902
2
37
George Lothrop Exhibition Catalog, 1942
2
38
George Lothrop Exhibition Poster, circa 1948-1963
2
39
Primitive Art Catalogs, circa 1954-1955
2
40
Boston Society of Independent Artists Annual Exhibition Catalogs, 1929, 1938-1939
2
41
Miscellaneous Printed Material, circa 1946-1970
2
42
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Series 6: Scrapbooks , circa 1868-1954
0.5 Linear feet
Box 3

The Scrapbook series contains scrapbooks of clippings compiled by Carpenter on Frost as well as scrapbooks created by Frost. Frost's scrapbooks document the experiences of fishermen, living in Marblehead, Massachusetts, his family and American history he was interested in such as the Civil War and the relationship between Native Americans and settlers of early Marblehead. Also found are photocopies of some pages of Frost's scrapbooks.
Description Container Select
Betty Carpenter Scrapbook of News Clippings, circa 1940-1954
3
1
Betty Carpenter Disbound Scrapbook of News Clippings, circa 1940-1954
3
2
J.O.J Frost Scrapbooks of News Clippings, Photographs, Notes and Drawings, circa 1868-1928
3
3-5
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Series 7: Photographic Material , circa 1852-1965
0.4 Linear feet
Box 3, MGP4

Photographic material contains photographs, slides and negatives of J.O.J Frost and George Lothrops artwork. Also found are photographs of Frost, his home and studio, one of his granddaughter Ethelyn Frost Flagg and citizens of Marblehead MA. There are also two glass plate negatives of a rock sculpture Frost built called the "Musical Rocks".
Description Container Select
Photographs of J.O.J Frost Artwork, circa 1955-1965
3
8-10
Photographs of J.O.J Frost Artwork, circa 1955-1965
4
1-2
J.O.J Frost Exhibition Photographs, circa 1945-1955
4
3
Photographs of J.O.J Frost, circa 1852-1928
4
4
Photographs of J.O.J Frost's Home and Studio, circa 1890s, 1945-1955
4
5
Photographs of Ethelyn Frost Flagg, circa 1918-1928
4
6
Photographs of Citizens of Marblehead, Massachusetts, circa 1867-1928
4
7
Slides of J.O.J Frost's Artwork, circa 1955-1965
4
8
Negatives of J.O.J Frost's Artwork, circa 1955-1965
4
9
Photographs of George Lothrop Paintings, circa 1952-1963
4
10
Glass Plate Negative of "Musical Rocks" sculpture, circa 1915-1928
MGP4
Glass Plate Negative of "Musical Rocks" sculpture, circa 1915-1928
MGP4
Slides of George Lothrop Paintings, circa 1952-1963
4
11
Negatives of George Lothrop Paintings, circa 1952-1963
4
12
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Series 8: Artwork , circa 1939-1950
2 Folders
Box 3

The artwork series contains 35 figurative pencil sketches signed "Il Prado", an unidenfied pen and ink sketch and a pen sketch sent to Carpenter on an unsigned postcard.
Description Container Select
Pencil Sketches, circa 1939-1942
4
13
Pen and Ink Sketches, circa 1950
4
14

Make a Request

  • To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
  • To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.