Walt Kuhn Family papers and Armory Show records, 1859-1984, bulk 1900-1949

This series contains original drawings, sketches, and prints created by Walt Kuhn. See also Series 4.11: Photographs and Scrapbooks, for addtional artwork in scrapbooks.

Cartoons include bird cartoons published in Life and in the book A Little Bird Told Me (1908, see Printed Materials), personal cartoons by Vera and Walt Kuhn depicting themselves, and one sketch of the Kuhns attributed to the cartoonist Oscar Edward Cesare. Two sketchbooks from Kuhn's trips to the Western United States are found, as well as Kuhn family Christmas cards, with Walt Kuhn's linotype prints of western scenes. Kuhn's ongoing interest in the circus is seen in his notes, sketches, and ink drawings of clown acts from 1941, accompanied by a short essay by Kuhn entitled "Plan to Revitalize the Clown and Fun Problem of the Circus." Folders containing miscellaneous artwork include rough sketches and designs, as well as finished drawings and cartoons, mostly undated. Also found are three of Kuhn's copper printing plates, entitled "Man in Leotard," "Woman in Slip and Feathered Hat," and "Woman in Slip and Large Hat."

Illustrated letters, sketches, and cartoons are scattered throughout the collection. See individual series descriptions for more details. Copies of artwork in this series are marked as such and filed alongside originals. Reproductions of additional artwork are filed in Provenance Files and Photographs and Scrapbooks.

The bulk of this series has been digitized. Only a sample of original Drawings for Life has been digitized due to copyright statements giving reproduction rights to Life Publishing Company. The 2015 addition has not been digitized.