Helen Sewell Collection
Scope and Contents
The collection contains illustrative material for over a dozen children's books, plus a 1963 edition of a book Sewell originally illustrated in 1923. Production materials include studies and illustrations done in a variety of media, some with separations, retouched photographs of illustrations, dummies, and a set of progressive proofs. The collection also includes a bust of Sewell done by Isabel Moore Kimball, and a photograph of the Helen Sewell memorial window in the Calvary Episcopal Church in Burnt Hills, New York.
Dates
- circa 1923-circa 1963
Creator
- Sewell, Helen, 1896-1957 (Person)
- Kimball, Isabel Moore (Sculptor, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.
Biographical / Historical
Helen Sewell was born June 27, 1896, in Mare Island, California. She attended the Pratt Institute and studied painting with the artist Archipenko. In 1923 she illustrated her first children's book, The Cruise of the Little Dipper and Other Fairy Tales, by Susanne K. Langer. She wrote and illustrated numerous books for children, and also illustrated works by other authors. She received a Caldecott Honor citation for The Thanksgiving Storyin 1955. She also illustrated books for adults, including several for the Limited Editions Club, including one in 1952 of Emily Dickenson's poems. Helen Sewell died on February 24, 1957, in New York City.
Biographical Source:
"Helen (Moore) Sewell (1896-1957)." Something About the Author. Vol. 38. Detroit, MI: Gale, 1985.
Extent
2 boxes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Collection contains material related to works illustrated by Helen Sewell.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Part of this collection was originally given to Dr. Irvin Kerlan, who in turn donated his collection to the U. of Minnesota. Additional items were given to the U. of Minnesota by Claude Bailey and Vera Peterson in 1985. Bust by Isabel Moore Kimball donated by Curtis (Bud) Noble, Jr.
- Animals -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Bears -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Boy Scouts -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Brothers and sisters -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Children's literature -- Illustrations Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Children's literature, American Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Children's literature, American Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Christmas stories Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Color separation (technique) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Drawings (visual works) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Drawings (visual works) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Fairies -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Fairy tales Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Illustration of books -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Illustrators -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Maine -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Massachusetts -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Picture books Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Pilgrims (New Plymouth Colony) -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Shipwrecks -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Siblings Subject Source: Homosaurus
- Sisters -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Tall tales Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Tempera paintings Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Thanksgiving Day -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- paintings (visual works) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- watercolors (paintings) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Source
- Kerlan, Irvin, 1912-1963 (Donor, Person)
- Petersen, Vera D., 1913- (Donor, Person)
- Bailey, Claude (Donor, Person)
- Noble, Curtis (Bud), Jr. (Donor, Person)
- Title
- Helen Sewell Collection, circa 1923-circa 1963
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jim Eyer
- Date
- 1-18-05
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- February 2021: Description updated by Caitlin Marineau.
Collecting Area Details
Contact The Children's Literature Research Collections Collecting Area
