Ernest Ralph Norling drawings

Ernest Ralph Norling drawings, 1927-1954

Overview of the Collection

Artist: Norling, Ernest R. (Ernest Ralph), 1892-
Title: Ernest Ralph Norling drawings
Dates: 1927-1954 (inclusive)
19271954
Quantity: 75 illustrations (5 boxes and 1 folder) ; sizes vary
Collection Number: PH0553
Summary: Original drawings, paintings, illustration mock-ups, and printed proofs by the artist Ernest Ralph Norling. Includes book designs, mural designs, and miscellaneous illustrations.
Repository: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions: Access to original illustrations is restricted. Entire collection available on digital site. Contact Special Collections for further information.
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Ernest Norling (1892-1974) was born in Pasco, WA on September 26, 1892. In 1895 his family moved to Ellensburg, Washington. Norling attended Whitman College where he majored in math and physics. After college he worked as a draftsman for the city engineer's office before moving to Chicago. He studied at the Chicago Art Institute and the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and then moved to Seattle, where he began teaching art at the Cornish School. While teaching, Norling wrote Perspectives Made Easy (1939), a book on the use of perspective in art. He was one of fifty artists in Washington to take part in the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) during the Great Depression, creating documentary paintings of the Civilian Conservation Corps at work. Norling worked as an artist for the Seattle Times and as the art director for the Boeing Aircraft Company Preliminary Design Unit. He worked as an illustrator for a number of children’s books, including the Kenneth Gilbert books Bird Dog Bargain (1947), Triple Threat Patrol (1953), and Cruise of the Dipsy Do (1954). Norling and his wife, Josephine Stearns, also worked together on a series of "Pogo" books that featured a dog inspired by their daughter's pet. The novels explored underrepresented topics in children's literature such as lumberjacking and train mechanics. Over 12 years, Norling and his wife produced 20 childrens books set in the Pacific Northwest, including Pogo's Train Ride which is part of this collection. He also created commissioned works for the University of Washington, which included a mural for the student union building, now known as the HUB, in 1949. The mural depicted individuals and events from the University of Washington's history from 1861 to 1925. Ernest Norling died in Seattle, Washington in March 1974 at the age of 81.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Original drawings, paintings, illustration mock-ups, and printed proofs by the artist Ernest Ralph Norling. Includes book designs, mural designs, and miscellaneous illustrations.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

View the digitial version of the collection

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Processing Note

Processed by Amy Oates, 2014; Gracie Loesser, 2015. Processing completed 2015.

Separated Materials

Material Described Separately:

Ernest R. Norling Papers (Manuscript Collection 5962)

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Book IllustrationsReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
		*Pogo's Train Ride* John and his dog Pogo go on a train ride and learn about the mechanics of trains.	1944
		Original Cover Illustrations
Box/Folder	item
5/10	1	Color sketch of dust jacket illustration featuring outline of a dog and a boy, who is sitting on a fence waving to a train Sketch contains notes and corrections.	circa 1942-1944
5/10	2	Dust jacket with illustration of a dog and a boy, who is sitting on a fence waving to a train	circa 1942-1944
5/10	3	Sketch of text for title page Sketch contains corrections on illustration and tracing paper.	circa 1942-1944
4/1	4	Sketch of dog dreaming of a train ride This was printed on the title page of the published book. Sketch contains notes and corrections.	circa 1942-1944
2/1	5	Endpage illustrations, depicting a collage of words and images related to trains	circa 1942-1944
		Original Book Illustrations
Box	item
1	6	Dog and a boy, who is sitting on a fence waving to a train Illustration on dust jacket and page 3 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	7	Boy sitting on a fence talking to a man in front of a train roundhouse Illustration on page 5 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	8	Dog stopping in front of a group of people inside of a train roundhouse Illustration on page 7 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	9	Boy and dog watching a mechanic working on a train Illustration on page 9 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	10	Boy, dog, and mechanic watching train arrive in roundhouse Illustration on page 11 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	11	Boy watching yardman fill oil tank on train car while dog chases birds Illustration on page 13 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	12	Boy watching man fill train car with ice blocks Illustration on page 15 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	13	Boy looking at detached train car Illustration on page 17 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	14	Boy and dog looking through train window at a man walking on top of the train Illustration on page 19 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	15	Boy looking at the rails of the track Illustration on page 21 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	16	Boy and dog watching cattle unload from a train car Illustration on page 23 in published book. Written on front: page 25.	circa 1942-1944
1	17	Boy looking at the axle box next to a yardman and dog Illustration on page 25 in published book. Written on front: page 23.	circa 1942-1944
1	18	Boy talking with the engineer in the train cab Illustration on page 29 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	19	Boy leaning out the window of the cab as the train approaches a tunnel Illustration on page 31 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	20	Two deer watching a dog walk along train tracks Illustration on page 33 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	21	Boy sitting on train car steps, looking sad Illustration on page 35 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	22	Boy and man looking from the top of a train car at a dog running on the train tracks in the background Illustration on page 37 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	23	Boy, dog, and three men getting ready to eat inside the train Illustration on page 39 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
1	24	Boy getting ready for bed in the sleeper car of the train Illustration on page 41 in published book.	circa 1942-1944
		*Bird Dog Bargain* A young boy named Joey and his friend Bill turn a gun-shy puppy into a trained hunting dog.	1947
		Original Cover Illustrations
Box/Folder	item
4/2	25	Dust jacket mock-up of a boy and dog hunting Mock-up contains notes and corrections on tracing paper and illustration board.	circa 1945-1947
3/1	26	Title page sketch of a dog sitting at a food bowl Written on front: This one only. Spot.	circa 1945-1947
		Original Book Illustrations
Box/Folder	item
4/3	27	Boy, dog, and cow encountering a bear at night Illustration on page 56 in published book. Written on verso: p 43-44.	circa 1945-1947
4/4	28	Boy hunting a bird in a field Illustration on page 77 in published book. Notes written on front and back.	circa 1945-1947
4/5	29	Dog being pulled back on a leash by a man and a boy Illustration on page 92 in published book. Notes written on front and back. Written on verso: p. 71.	circa 1945-1947
4/6	30	Bird flying away from a boy and a dog Illustration on page 102 in published book.	circa 1945-1947
4/7	31	Boy and a dog encounter a cougar Illustration on page 137 in published book. Written on verso: p. 104.	circa 1945-1947
4/8	32	Two dogs standing in pointer position in a field Illustration on page 189 in published book. Written on verso: p. 146.	circa 1945-1947
3/2	33	Dog biting its hind leg Illustration on page 196 in published book. Note on front: Do not make this one.	circa 1945-1947
		*Triple-Threat Patrol* Teenagers Chuck and Doc learn about logging while investigating a timber theft after they become stranded on an island in the Puget Sound.	1953
		Original Cover Illustrations
Box/Folder	item
4/9	34a-b	Dust jacket mock-up of boat and log in the water Illustrations contain notes and corrections. Painting was originally glued to paper, but has been separated and placed in archival sleeve.	circa 1951-1953
		Original Book Illustrations
Box/Folder	item
3/3	35	Two boys rowing a boat in rough seas Illustration on page 9 in published book. Written on front: Page 5 manuscript.	circa 1951-1953
3/4	36	Men discover a wolf leaning against a pile of lumber Illustration on page 47 in published book. Written on front: Page 33 manuscript.	circa 1951-1953
3/5	37	Man holding a large saw watching another man use a wedge to cut down a tree Illustration on page 93 in published book. Written on front: Page 64 manuscript.	circa 1951-1953
3/6	38	Four men fighting in rough seas as their boats collide Illustration on page 157 in published book. Written on front: Page 109 manuscript.	circa 1951-1953
3/7	39	Group of men talking in front of a log chute next to the water Illustration on page 177 in published book. Written on front: Page 121 manuscript.	circa 1951-1953
3/8	40	Man behind a large log aiming to throw a stone at two approaching boys Illustration on page 203 in published book. Written on front: Page 140 manuscript.	circa 1951-1953
		*Cruise of the Dipsy Do* Teenager Chip Norton and his friend Ben try to earn money by sailing a boat called the Dipsy Do along the Washington salmon banks.	1954
		Original Cover Illustrations
Box/Folder	item
4/10	41	Dust jacket mock-up of men on a boat in rough seas looking at a fish Mock-up contains edits on acetate sheets and board.	circa 1952-1954
		Original Book Illustrations
Box/Folder	item
3/9	42	Working illustration of group of men talking at the docks Illustration on page 43 in published book. Contains corrections. Note written on front: p 33.	circa 1952-1954
3/10	43	Final illustration of group of men talking at the docks Illustration on page 43 in published book.	circa 1952-1954
3/11	44	Three men watching while a man grabs a fish out of a fish box on a boat Illustration on page 75 in published book. Note written on front: p. 55.	circa 1952-1954
3/12	45	Man steering a boat in rough seas with a giant fish in the background Illustration on page 113 in published book.	circa 1952-1954
3/13	46	Man steering a boat while another man tries to pull in a fish from the side of the boat Illustration on page 137 in published book.	circa 1952-1954
3/14	47	Two men in a rowboat looking at a ship in the background Illustration on page 165 in published book.	circa 1952-1954

Mural DesignsReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
		World Travels, Possible Mural Designs
Box/Folder	item
4/11	48	Collage of objects and people from around the world, including train, wagons, and a church	circa 1920s-1970s
4/12	49	Collage of people and objects from around the world, including camels, coal mining, and a large gateway	circa 1920s-1970s
4/13	50	Collage of people and objects from around the world, including banana farming, prop airplane, and a lighthouse	circa 1920s-1970s
		Private Residence Mural Designs
Box/Folder	item
2/2	51	Sketch for round ceiling decoration featuring men and women in 19th century clothing walking in a park	circa 1920s-1970s
mapcase
M266	52a-b	Collage of figures engaging in recreational activities Written on board: Sketch for recreation room mural Kenneth Baker residence.	circa 1920s-1970s
		Possible Civilian Conservation Corps. Mural Design
Box/Folder	item
3/15	53	Sketch of man dancing while group of men and children watch Sketch contains notes with names for each figure. This sketch may have been for a mural, perhaps depicting recreational activities in the Civilian Conservation Corps.	circa 1930s-1940s

University of WashingtonReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
5/1	54	Sketch of Dr. Gowen reading a book Caption: Dr. Gowen U. of W. Sketched from life 1927. This is probably a sketch of Dr. Herbert H. Gowen, who was a professor of Oriental Languages and Literature at the University of Washington from 1909 to 1945. Dr. Gowen established the "Department of Oriental Studies," which was a precusor to the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies.	1927
5/2	55	Campus building with tree leaves in foreground Written on verso: University of Washington campus.	undated
		Husky Union Building Mural Designs The designs included in this collection were not incorporated into the final Husky Union Building mural.
Box/Folder	item
5/3	56	Woman with books walking in front of two men on penny-farthings	circa 1940s
5/4	57	Two men on bicycles tipping their hats to a woman carrying books Painting contains notes and corrections in pencil.	circa 1940s
5/5	58	Two men in a car waving to a woman carrying books Painting contains notes and corrections in pencil.	circa 1940s
5/6	59	Two marching band members walk by as boy watches in background	circa 1940s
5/7	60	Two men holding books watching woman drive by in a car	circa 1940s
5/8	61	Two men in a horse-drawn carriage tipping their hats to a woman holding books Written on front: sketch as is. Written on verso: Sketches for murals in HUB.	circa 1940s
5/9	62	Woman watching as man walks by pushing a baby stroller	circa 1940s

Airplane SketchesReturn to Top

These sketches may have been completed for Boeing during Norling's time working as an art director in their preliminary design unit.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
2/3	63	Section of airplane with rudder transported by overhead crane	1942
2/4	64	Airplanes on the tarmac	1942
2/5	65	View of the tail end of an airplane sitting in a hanger	August 1942
2/6	66	Body of an airplane being lifted by an overhead crane	1942
2/7	67	United States military bomber airplane sitting in hanger	1942
2/8	68	Men working on the cockpit of an airplane	1942
2/9	69	Man working in a construction shop	1942
2/10	70	Man working on the propeller of an airplane	1942
2/11	71	Men working on the wing of an airplane	1942
2/12	72	Men working on the engine of an airplane Caption: Engine Change.	1942
2/13	73	Men with film equipment recording a man working on the engine of an airplane	circa 1942
2/14	74	Men working on the tail of an airplane with an American flag hanging above	1942
2/15	75	Wheel of an airplane on the tarmac with a United States military bomber airplane in the background	August 1942

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