TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview
Biographical Sketch
Scope and Contents of the Collection
Arrangement of the Collection
Restrictions
Index Terms
Related Material
Administrative Information
Description of Series
Edna Collins collection, 1940s, 1955, bulk 1943-1944,
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Edna Collins:
An Inventory of the Edna Collins Collection at the Texas State Archives, 1940s, 1955, bulk 1943-1944
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Creator: |
Collins, Edna Gertrude. |
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Title: |
Edna Collins collection |
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Dates: | 1940s, 1955 |
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Dates (Bulk): | bulk 1943-1944 |
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Abstract: |
Edna Gertrude Collins (1885-1968) was an
Austin-area painter and educator. The Edna Collins collection consists of 40 photographs,
watercolors, and pencil drawings that primarily document the decoration of several theaters
and recreation halls on the grounds of Camp Swift. Texas during the Second World War by
Collins and a team of civilians and German prisoners of war (POWs). Also prominent in the
collection are five commemorative Christmas cards hand-illustrated by the POWs and presented
to Collins in 1943. Dates covered are 1940s, 1955, with the bulk dating 1943-1944. Subjects
covered include depictions of rural culture in both west Texas and northern Mexico, as well
as life as a POW at Camp Swift. These materials have been digitized and are part of the
Texas Digital
Archive. |
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Quantity: |
40 items |
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Language: |
These materials are written
predominately in English and German. |
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Repository: |
Texas State Archives |
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Sponsor: |
This EAD finding aid was created in cooperation with Texas
Archival Resources Online. |
Edna Gertrude Collins (1885-1968) was an Austin-area painter and educator. Born in Toronto,
Canada on April 9, 1885, Collins spent her early childhood in Canada and Germany. In 1901,
she immigrated to the United States, settling in Austin to study art at the studio of artist
Robert Jerome Hill. Over the next few years, she would also study with the Art Students
League of New York City as well as at the Sophie Newcomb College of New Orleans. After two
years in Europe, Collins returned to Austin, where she painted and taught for the remainder
of her career, save for a brief period in Dallas (1927-1929). Collins was involved in the
larger art community, serving as secretary of the Austin Art League and writing articles for
Art Digest and Texas Outlook.
Her murals in particular were prominently displayed in locations across Austin, including
the State Capitol, the Paramount Theatre, the Engineers Club, and the Pioneer Drive-In.
In 1943, Collins was commissioned to decorate a recreation hall at Camp Swift in Bastrop
County by Colonel Lawrence A. Kurtz, the post's commanding officer. Camp Swift was a
temporary training and transshipment post built in 1942 with 2,750 buildings designed to
accommodate 44,000 troops, the largest of its kind in Texas. The camp also housed
approximately 3,865 German prisoners of war (POWs). Collins designed the various murals and
illustrations for the recreation room and was assisted in the painting by local artist and
art teacher Ann Stubbs (1904-1991) and Ernest R. Hardin (1902-1987), a University of Texas
professor of speech and artist. Kurtz was pleased enough with the finished room that he then
commissioned Collins to decorate one of the Camp's six theaters. Realizing that she and
Stubbs would be unable to complete the work on their own, Collins contacted Kurtz and
requested the assistance of a unit of POWs, preferably those with applicable art experience.
Kurtz initially detailed five POWs to help: Hans Halecker, Walter Hoffmeister, George
Schindler (former teacher at the Leipzig Academy of Art), Hans Volkmar, and Ludwig von Urhan
(former architect and painter). All five POWs worked with Collins during the remainder of
her work on Camp Swift, save for Volkmar, who was quickly replaced by Warner Kirshes for
unknown reasons. The principal theme of the theater murals was a stylized depiction of
Mexican village life, complete with outdoor markets, milling villagers, and a cantina. Work
on the theater neared completion by Christmas 1943, when the POWs presented a set of
handmade Christmas cards to Collins.
Work on a second theater began thereafter. Collins planned a series of murals depicting
everyday life along the West Texas frontier, and enlisted the help of George Brown, an art
class pupil and native West Texan, to bring authenticity to the design. As she worked on
Theater 2, Collins delegated the design of a second recreation hall to George Schindler,
with the assistance of Stubbs and the remainder of the POWs. Both projects were completed in
1944, and Schindler began design plans for a third theater under Collins' supervision. The
conclusion of the war put a stop to further work, however, and Camp Swift was gradually
closed down beginning in 1945.
Following her work at Camp Swift, Collins continued to remain active in the Austin-area
artist community, and had a one-woman exhibition in 1952. In 1968, Collins died while
visiting her sister, Rosina Guest West, in Berkeley, California.
(Sources include: Powers, John E. "Collins, Edna Gertrude." Texas painters, sculptors and graphic artists : a biographical
dictionary of artists in Texas before 1942. Austin, Tex.: Woodmont Books, c2000; and
Collins, Edna. "Decorating Theaters at Camp Swift, Texas, During
1943-1944," Edna Collins literary effort, 1943-1944. Archives and Information
Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.)
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Edna Gertrude Collins (1885-1968) was an Austin-area painter and educator. This collection
consists of 40 watercolors, pencil drawings and photographs, the bulk of which document the
decoration of entertainment facilities in Camp Swift, Texas by Austin artist Edna Collins
and her assistants. Dates covered are 1940s, 1955, with the bulk dating 1943-1944. The
pencil drawings and bulk of the watercolors are preparatory and detail studies outlining
plans for murals and other assorted ornamentation for two theatres and two recreation rooms
decorated by Collins and her varying team of civilians and German prisoners of war (POWs).
The bulk of the designs concern murals and assorted decorative flourishes for Theater 1
(scenes of Mexican village life) and Theater 2 (scenes of West Texas ranch life). Also
included are three watercolor designs for a potential third theater most likely created by
POW George Schindler, the plans for which were never initiated due to the end of the war in
Europe. Additionally, there are five commemorative watercolor Christmas cards created and
given to Collins in 1943 by the five POWs most involved in the project: Hans Halecker,
Walter Hoffmeister, Warner Kirshes, George Schindler, and Ludwig von Urhan. The final
watercolor is a picture painted by Collins in 1955 of a cottage on the grounds of Austin's
Pease Mansion (also known as Woodlawn), which was Collins' home at the time. The bulk of the
photographs are images of the decorated theaters and recreation rooms taken by the U.S. Army
Signal Corps. Also included are two pictures of Camp Swift's POW cemetery, designed by the
POWs themselves, and a small portrait of Hans Halecker.
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Arrangement of the Collection |
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The physical arrangement of these records is of unclear origin. The collection may be
arranged as received, or a clerk of the Texas State Library may have re-arranged the items
according to a criteria that does not correspond to a known archival standard. Items are not
grouped by subject, creator, or format, and are separated into differing locations without
regard to item number sequence. Archives staff elected to retain arrangement due to small
size of collection and need to maintain link with previous citations. The records are in two
groups: photographs, and watercolor and pencil works. |
Return to the Table of Contents
Restrictions on Access
Materials do not circulate, but may be used in the State Archives search room. Materials
will be retrieved from and returned to storage areas by staff members.
Restrictions on Use
Under the Copyright Act of 1976 as amended in 1998, unpublished works are protected for the
life of the author plus 70 years. The term of copyright for published material varies.
Researchers are responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).
Technical Requirements
Researchers are required to wear gloves provided by the Archives when reviewing
photographic materials.
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The terms listed here were used to catalog the records. The terms can
be used to find similar or related records. |
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Personal Names: |
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Brown, George (Artist), 1928- |
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Halecker, Hans, 1925- |
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Hoffmeister, Walter. |
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Kirshes, Warner. |
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Schindler, George, active 1943-1945 |
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Stubbs, Ann. |
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Urhan, Ludwig von |
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Corporate Names: |
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United States. Army. Signal Corps. |
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Subjects: |
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Mural painting and decoration--Texas--Camp
Swift. |
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Prisoners of war--Texas--Camp Swift. |
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Pease Mansion (Austin, Tex.) |
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Places: |
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Austin (Tex.) |
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Camp Swift (Tex.) |
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Texas--Social life and customs--Pictorial
works. |
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Mexico, North--Social life and
customs--Pictorial works. |
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Document Types: |
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Christmas cards--Texas. |
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Detail studies--Texas. |
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Photographs--Texas. |
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Preparatory studies--Texas. |
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Watercolors (paintings)--Texas. |
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The following materials are offered as possible sources of further
information on the agencies and subjects covered by the records. The listing is not
exhaustive. |
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Texas State Archives |
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Edna
Collins literary effort, 1943-1944, 1 item. [There is no finding aid for this unprocessed
item. Call number is 2-23/1052.] |
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Austin History Center |
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Collins Family
Papers, 1842-1963, undated, 3.5 linear ft. |
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Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at
Austin |
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Camp Swift Oral
History Project Records, 2004-2006, 1.5 ft. |
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A Guide to the
Council of Texas Archeologists Archive of Texas Archeology, Part 3, 77 ft. [Contains An Archaeological Inventory of Camp Swift, Bastrop
County, Texas] |
Return to the Table of Contents
(Identify the item), Edna Collins collection. Archives and Information Services Division,
Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Accession number: 1961/029
These records were donated to the Archives Division of the Texas State Library by Edna
Collins on February 23, 1962.
Preliminary inventory and notes by John Anderson, January 1985
EAD finding aid prepared by Jonathan King, May 2013
Texas Digital Archive link and revisions to description added by Halley Grogan, June
2017
Materials described in this finding aid have been digitized and are part of the Texas Digital Archive, available online at https://tsl.access.preservica.com/tda/prints-and-photographs/#collins.
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Edna Collins collection, 1940s, 1955, bulk 1943-1944, 40 items |
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Photographs, 1940s
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Box |
Photo |
PP0104 |
1961/029-1 |
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Portrait of German POW Hans Halecker, 1943 or 1944 [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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1961/029-3 |
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German POW cemetery at Camp Swift, 1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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1961/029-4 |
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German POW cemetery at Camp Swift, 1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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1961/029-6 |
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Recreation hall at Camp Swift, taken by the U.S. Army Signal Corps,
1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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1961/029-14 |
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Left wall murals of Theater 1, taken by the U.S. Army Signal Corps,
1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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1961/029-15 |
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Center panel of left wall murals of Theater 1, taken by the U.S. Army
Signal Corps, 1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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1961/029-16 |
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Theater 1 from left rear corner, taken by the U.S. Army Signal Corps,
1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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1961/029-19 |
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Smoking room of Theater 1, taken by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, 1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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1961/029-20 |
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Smoking room of Theater 1, taken by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, 1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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1961/029-22 |
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Center panel, right wall murals of Theater 1, taken by the U.S. Army Signal
Corps, 1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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1961/029-23 |
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Right wall murals of Theater 1 from left rear, taken by the U.S. Army
Signal Corps, 1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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1961/029-24 |
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Right wall murals of Theater 1 from left rear taken by the U.S. Army Signal
Corps, 1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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1961/029-25 |
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Left wall murals of Theater 2 from right rear, taken by the U.S. Army
Signal Corps, 1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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[Recto includes subject summary of visible
murals.] |
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1961/029-27 |
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Front of Theater 2 from rear, taken by the U.S. Army Signal Corps,
1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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[Recto includes subject summary of visible
murals.] |
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1961/029-28 |
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Right wall murals of Theater 2 from left rear, taken by the U.S. Army
Signal Corps, 1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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[Recto includes subject summary of visible
murals.] |
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1961/029-31 |
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Smoking room, Theater 2, taken by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, 1940s [one black-and-white
photograph] |
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Watercolor and pencil works, 1940s, 1955 |
Oversize |
Artwork |
PPB011 |
1961/029-2 |
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Cottage at the Pease place done during the time I lived
there by Edna Collins, 1955 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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1961/029-8 |
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Ideas for Rec Hall #2, by George Schindler, probably 1944 [one drawing (visual
work)] |
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1961/029-9 |
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Ideas for Rec Hall #2, by George Schindler, 1944 [one drawing (visual
work)] |
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1961/029-10 |
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Recreation Hall #2, watercolor and pencil study,
probably 1944 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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1961/029-11 |
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Detail for Ceiling in foyer in Rec. Hall, watercolor
and pencil study of details for Recreation Hall #2, probably 1944 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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1961/029-21 |
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Stage End and Wing [and] Projection Wall, pencil and
watercolor studies for Theatre #1 by Edna Collins, probably 1943 [two watercolors
(paintings)] |
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1961/029-30 |
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Sketch by George Brown for 2nd panel Theatre #2, probably 1944 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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1961/029-39 |
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Pencil and watercolor study of a wagon train mural, probably 1943 or 1944 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
Box |
Artwork |
PP0104 |
1961/029-5 |
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Design for Ceiling of Entrance, pencil and watercolor
study, probably 1943 or 1944 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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1961/029-7 |
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Sketch for mural - Rec. Hall #1, by Edna Collins,
probably 1943 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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1961/029-12 |
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Rec. Hall #2, watercolor study of tile decoration
around window for Rec Hall #2 by Ann Stubbs, probably 1944 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
Oversize |
Artwork |
PPH005 |
1961/029-13 |
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Theatre #1 Center Panel, pencil and watercolor study,
probably 1943 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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1961/029-18 |
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Water-color Drawing by Mrs Stubbs for 2nd panel left wall –
Theatre #1, probably 1943 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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1961/029-26 |
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Sketch by George Brown for Left wall – Theatre #2, probably 1944 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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1961/029-29 |
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Sketch for right wall [mural]. Theatre #2 – by George Brown, probably 1944 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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1961/029-32 |
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Design made by P.W.'s for a 3rd Theatre, pencil and
watercolor study, probably by George Schindler, probably 1944 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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1961/029-33 |
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Design for Theatre #3, pencil and watercolor study,
probably by George Schindler, probably
1944 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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1961/029-34 |
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Christmas card illustrated by Walter Hoffmeister, 1943 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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[Watercolor card written in German.] |
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1961/029-35 |
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Christmas card illustrated by Hans Halecker, 1943 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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[Watercolor card written in German.] |
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1961/029-36 |
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Christmas card illustrated by Warner Kirshes, 1943 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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[Watercolor card written in German.] |
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1961/029-37 |
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Christmas card illustrated by Ludwig Von Urhan, 1943 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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[Watercolor card written in German.] |
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1961/029-38 |
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Christmas card illustrated by George Schindler, 1943 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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[Watercolor card written in German.] |
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1961/029-38A |
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Unfolded paper envelope for the Christmas cards, 1943 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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[Decorated with watercolors and written in German. Included
with note: Christmas cards made for me by our 'Detail.' Others, in a somewhat
different mood, were presented to Mrs. Stubbs, but she does not wish to give them
at this time.] |
Map-drawer |
Artwork |
17 |
1961/029-17 |
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Sketch for Proscenium [Mural] Theatre #1, pencil and
watercolor study by Edna Collins, probably
1943 [one watercolor
(painting)] |
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