Guide to Peer Gynt Costume Illustration Collection
MSS-2012-01-17
Finding aid prepared by Xiaoda Wang
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
Phone: (408) 808-2062
Fax: (408) 808-2063
Email: special.collections@sjsu.edu
URL: http://www.library.sjsu.edu/sjsu-special-collections/sjsu-special-collections-and-archives
5/28/13
Title:
Peer Gynt Costume Illustration Collection
Date: 1937
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2012-01-17
Creator:
San Jose State College Art 87B (Spring 1937).
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Physical Description:
0.42 linear feet
(1 box)
Abstract: This collection is comprised of 43 original costume illustrations used for the San Jose State College production of Henrik
Ibsen’s
Peer Gynt, which was presented during the college’s Diamond Jubilee on May 21st, 1937. These costume designs were produced by students
in San Jose State College’s Art 87B Illustration course during Spring semester of 1937. The color illustrations depict either
an individual or group of characters wearing their costumes. The figures are often posed in a state of action that corresponds
to their role in the play. The majority of the sketches have extensive handwritten notes regarding fabric, color preferences,
types of footwear and headgear, and other accessories. Some sketches include attached swatch of fabric. Most illustrations
bare the designer’s signature.
Language of Material:
English
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the SJSU Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply
to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
Peer Gynt Costume Illustration Collection, MSS-2012-01-17, San Jose State University Library Special Collections & Archives.
Processing Information note
Collection processed by Xiaoda Wang. Finding aid created using Archivists' Toolkit. Reviewed by Danelle Moon.
Organizational/Biographical History
The collection of original costume sketches were designed by students in San Jose State College Art 87B Illustration class
for the college’s inter-departmental production of Henrik Ibsen’s drama
Peer Gynt, which was presented at San Jose’s Civic Auditorium on May 21st 1937. The production was part of San Jose State College’s
Diamond Jubilee celebration (May 20th-22nd) in honor of the institution’s 75th birthday. The three-day program formally commenced
on May 20th with the Phelan award program, which featured a keynote speech from Lloyd C. Douglas, author of “The Magnificent
Obsession” and other best sellers. Some of other highlights include a concert at the Civic Auditorium on May 20th that features
the San Jose State College symphony orchestra with guest conductor Rudolph Ganz, as well as the Jubilee Ball on May 22nd to
end the festivities. In addition to various distinguished visitors to the celebration, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent
a congratulatory message, and Governor Frank M. Merriam delivered an address of recognition.
Peer Gynt is a play written in 1867 by Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906). It is a blend of folkloric fantasy and social
satire that centers on the title role who constantly compromises his moral judgments on instances of controversy in order
to avoid the hardships of life. The structure of the play is divided into five acts, which chronicles Peer Gynt’s journey
from the Norwegian mountains to the North African desert and introduces a mixture of fantastic and realistic supporting characters.
Hugh Gillis, San Jose State College dramatic head, was responsible for directing the production. The production featured a
cast of 128 actors, 22 dancers from the college Orchesis Society, and a 100-piece college symphony orchestra to play the accompanying
score composed by Ibsen’s compatriot Edvard Grieg (1843-1907).
The production’s costume illustration team consisted of students from Art 87B Illustration course for Spring, 1937: Elizabeth
Jordan Ruth MacQuarrie, Kay Bryant, Charles Atlas, Margaret Clark, Evelina Lovelday, Franklyn Murch, Georgianna Kann, Virginia
Blewett, Joe Rapose, Marvin Olsen, Stanley Temple. The course was taught by Elizabeth Jordan. The purpose of the course was
to teach students “rendering and the techniques of commercial reproduction, fashion drawing, story illustration.”
Bibliography
Diamond Jubilee Scrapbook 2 and 3. San José State University Scrapbook Collection, MSS-2010-03-04, San José State University
Library Special Collections & Archives.
Gilbert, Benjamin F., and Burdick, Charles.
Washington Square, 1857-1979: The History of San Jose State University. [San Jose, CA: San Jose State University, 1980].
Gilbert, Benjamin F.
Pioneers for One Hundred Years: San Jose State College, 1857-1957. San Jose, CA: San Jose State College, 1957.
San José State College.
Circular of Information and Announcement of Courses for the Seventy-ninth Year of the College, 1936-1937. San José: San José State College, 1936.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection is comprised of 43 original costume illustrations used for the San Jose State College production of Henrik
Ibsen’s Peer Gynt, which was presented during the college’s Diamond Jubilee on May 21st, 1937. These costume designs were
produced by students in San Jose State College’s Art 87B Illustration course during Spring semester of 1937. The color illustrations
depict either an individual or group of characters wearing their costumes. The figures are often posed in a state of action
that corresponds to their role in the play. The majority of the sketches have extensive handwritten notes regarding fabric,
color preferences, types of footwear and headgear, and other accessories. Some sketches include attached swatch of fabric.
Most illustrations bare the designer’s signature.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into one series. Series I: Peer Gynt Costume Illustrations, 1937.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ibsen, Henrik, 1828-1906
Costume design
Education -- California -- San José
San José State University -- History
State Normal School (San Jose, Calif.) -- History
Series I:
Peer Gynt Costume Illustrations,
1937
Language of Material:
English
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection is comprised of 43 original costume illustrations used for the San Jose State College production of Henrik
Ibsen’s
Peer Gynt.
Arrangement
The costume illustrations are arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Folder 1: 2 Intro Boards by F. Murch,
1937
Folder 2: Anitra by E. McQuarrie,
1937
Folder 3: Anitra, Bedouin Dancer by E. MacQuarrie,
1937
Folder 4: Anitra (cape) by E. McQuarrie,
1937
Folder 5: Arabian Thieves by F. Murch,
1937
Folder 6: Ase by V. Blewett,
1937
Folder 7: Bedouin Dancer by V. Blewett,
1937
Folder 8: 3 Bedouin Girls by E. McQuarrie,
1937
Folder 9: Boy Dancer by E. McQuarrie,
1937
Folder 10: Bridegroom's Mother by E. Lovelday,
1937
Folder 11: Fellah or Mad Man by E. McQuarrie,
1937
Folder 12: Fiddler 1, Peasant 2, Cook 1 by K. Bryant,
1937
Folder 13: Four Young Boys by G. Kann,
1937
Folder 14: Four Young Girls by G. Kann,
1937
Folder 15: Green Clad Woman by E. McQuarrie,
1937
Folder 16: Ingrid's Wedding Dress by G. Kann,
1937
Folder 17: Insane Women by V. Blewett,
1937
Folder 18: Insane Woman by S. Temple,
1937
Folder 19: Men Dancers by S. Temple,
1937
Folder 20: Peasant Girl by E. Lovelday,
1937
Folder 21: Peasant Girls by E. Lovelday,
1937
Folder 22: The Pen by E. McQuarrie,
1937
Folder 23: Satyre Girl by E. McQuarrie,
1937
Folder 24: Solvig after the Wedding by M. Clark,
1937
Folder 25: Solvig at the Wedding; Solvig as an Elderly Lady by S. Temple,
1937
Folder 26: Solvig at the Wedding,
1937
Folder 27: Solvig in Middle Age by S. Temple,
1937
Folder 28: Solvig's Costumes: at Home 10 Years Later; at The Wedding; as an Elderly Woman by M. Clark,
1937
Folder 29: Solvig's Mother by E. Lovelday,
1937
Folder 30: Son of the Green Clad Woman by C. Atlas,
1937
Folder 31: The Sultan by E. McQuarrie,
1937
Folder 32: The Sultan by F. Murch,
1937
Folder 33: Troll Courtiers by C. Atlas,
1937
Folder 34: The Troll King by C. Atlas,
1937
Folder 35: The Troll King by E. McQuarrie,
1937
Folder 36: Unnamed Character [Troll?] by E. McQuarrie,
1937
Folder 37: The Witch by C. Atlas,
1937
Folder 38: Woman in Green: Young Tree; Old Tree,
1937
Folder 39: (Young) Woman in Green by E. McQuarrie,
1937
