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Wallace Bassford Papers

An inventory of his papers at Syracuse University

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Bassford, Wallace, 1900-1998
Title: Wallace Bassford Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1939-1968
Quantity: .25 linear ft.
Abstract: Papers of the American still-life and portrait painter; specialized in the female figure. Collection includes correspondence concerning art exhibitions (1945-1953); artwork reproductions, statements on art, and memorabilia, including articles and clippings about Bassford (1953-1968) as well as his exhibition catalogs (1939-1962).
Language: English
Repository: Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Library
222 Waverly Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
http://scrc.syr.edu

Biographical History

Wallace Bassford was an American painter and illustrator, known particularly for his floral still-lifes and portraits. Born in St. Louis, Missouri he attended the St. Louis School of Fine Art and was a member of the St.Louis Art Guild, but lived and worked also in New York City and in Provincetown, Massachusetts. His work has been exhibited at galleries across the United States, including the St.Louis Art Museum, San Francisco Museum of Art, Ogunquit [Maine] Art Center, and the Metropolitan Museum and Museum of Modern Art in New York.

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Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Wallace Bassford Papers comprises correspondence, artwork reproductions, writings, and memorabilia of the American painter and art instructor. Focused primarily on art exhibitions (Carnegie Institute, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Silvermine Guild of Artists, University of Illinois), Correspondence includes incoming letters and a few outgoing typescript carbons. An index to correspondence is at the end of this inventory.

Reproductions of Bassford's portraits and examples of his book jacket and advertising designs constitute Artwork. Writings includes a 1934 article which appeared in Professional Art Quarterly, and statements on his painting.

The bulk of the collection is Memorabilia, which encompasses articles and clippings about Bassford as well as exhibition catalogs and invitations.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on this material

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Subject Headings

Persons

Bassford, Wallace, 1900-1998 Archives.

Subjects

Art, American, 20th century.
Art, American.
Painters, United States.
Painting, American 20th century.
Portrait painters, United States.
Portrait painting, 20th century, United States.
Women in art.

Genres and Forms

Articles.
Clippings.
Correspondence.
Exhibition catalogs.

Occupations

Artists.
Painters.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Wallace Bassford Papers
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Library

Finding Aid Information

Created by: KM
Date: Jun 1994
Revision history: 25 Jul 2007 - converted to EAD (MRC)

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Inventory

Biographical material
Box 1 Miscellaneous
Correspondence
Box 1 1945-1953
Artwork
Box 1 Reproductions
Writings
Box 1 Articles, notes about artwork
Memorabilia
Box 1 Articles, clippings 1953-1968, undated
Box 1 Exhibition catalogs, invitations 1939-1962, undated (4 folders)
Selected index to correspondence
Allied Artists of America, Inc.
1953 Nov 23
Audubon Artists
1948 Feb 10
Boston Art Festival (1953)
1953 Jun 18
Carnegie Institute
1947 May 20
1947 Jul 8
1947 Aug 11
1948 Jul 27
1948 Aug 18
1948 Nov 8
1948 Dec 3
Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.)
1950 Oct 31
1950 Nov 4 (outgoing draft)
1950 Dec 11
Saint-Gaudens, Homer
1947 May 20
1948 Aug 22
1948 Nov 8
Silvermine Guild of Artists
1951 Jun 2
1951 Jun 5 (outgoing)
1951 Jun 8
1953 May 24
University of Illinois
1949 Nov 11
1949 Nov 18 (outgoing)
1949 Dec 22
1950 Jan 10 (outgoing)
1950 Mar 23
1950 Apr 12 (2 outgoing)

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