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Wallace Smith papers , 1916-1935
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Smith, Wallace, 1888-1937
- Title
- Wallace Smith papers
- Dates
- 1916-1935 (inclusive)19161935
- Quantity
-
8.75 linear feet, (6 containers)
- Collection Number
- Ax 269
- Summary
- Wallace Smith (1888-1937) was a newspaperman, novelist, and artist. The papers include Smith's manuscripts and published pieces, minor correspondence, drawings and illustrations, photographs, and miscellaneous documents.
- Repository
-
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
- Additional Reference Guides
-
Paper finding aid with additional information is available in Special Collections & University Archives.
See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Wallace Smith (1888-1937) was a newspaperman, novelist, and artist. He was born in Chicago, and worked as a reporter in Mexico for the Chicago Evening American. He wrote articles, stories, and books (The Little Tigress) based on his experiences in Mexico.
As an artist Smith illustrated Ben Hecht's Fantazius Mallare (Chicago, 1922) and other books, designed book jackets and end papers. Along with Hecht, he received an obscenity fine of $1000 for his work in Fantazius Mallare. In 1929 he went to Hollywood and worked on screenplays with Anthony Veiller, Eric von Stroheim, and others.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The papers include manuscripts and published pieces, minor correspondence, drawings and illustrations, photographs, and miscellaneous documents.
Manuscripts include short stories, articles, and movie scripts by Smith. These include the musical play, May Wine(1935), written by Smith with Eric von Stroheim. Testimony from an arbitration between Stroheim and Smith is also included with this manuscript. Published pieces are, for the most part, illustrated by Smith.
Correspondence consists of 19 letters, 1916-1934.
There are approximately 400 sketches and drawings by Smith, including a torso and head of Carl Sandburg. There are also eleven illustrations, as published, from Fantazius Mallare by Ben Hecht, with three copies of each. Certificates of copyright for these and other illustrations are included with the materials.
Photographs include personal photographs and portraits as well as glossy prints of many of Smith's illustrations. There is also a photograph album of scenes from the 1916 "Mexican Expedition" of the United States against Francisco "Pancho" Villa. Smith was a correspondent for in Mexico at that time.
Miscellaneous documents include contracts and royalty statements, clippings of Smith's work and pieces about Smith, and a story idea book with a detailed cover illustration drawn on, in ink, by Smith. There is also a single folder of materials related to Echo Smith (Mrs. Wallace Smith)
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Description |
|---|
| Guide to the Wallace Smith Papers |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- American literature--20th century
- Authors, American--20th century
- Illustration of books--United States--20th century
- Illustrators--United States
- Journalism--United States--History--20th century
- Journalists--United States
- Reporters and reporting--Mexico--History--20th century
- Reporters and reporting--United States--History--20th century
Personal Names
- Hecht, Ben, 1894-1964
- Smith, Echo
- Smith, Wallace, 1888-1937
- Smith, Wallace, 1888-1937
- Von Stroheim, Erich, 1885-1957
Corporate Names
- United States. Army
Form or Genre Terms
- Correspondence
- Drawings
- Manuscripts for publication
- Photographs
- Sketches
Finding aid prepared by University of Oregon Libraries, Archivists' Toolkit Project Team and Austin Munsell
2012
