Finding Aid for the Merle Armitage Collection 1919-1971
Processed by Jamie Henricks.
William Andrews Clark Memorial Library
University of California, Los Angeles
2520 Cimarron Street
Los Angeles, CA 90018
Phone: (323) 731-8529
Fax: (323) 731-8617
Email: rfenning@humnet.ucla.edu
URL: http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/humnet/clarklib/
©2009
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Merle Armitage Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1919-1971
Collection number: Press coll. Archives Armitage
Creator: Armitage, Merle
1893-1975
Extent:
3 boxes
(2.7 linear feet)
Repository:
William Andrews Clark Memorial Library
Los Angeles, California 90018
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence,
printed ephemera, articles, book designs, announcements, and other
materials written by and about and designed by Merle Armitage. Most
items relate to book design and the performing arts.
Physical location: This collection is stored at the Southern Regional Library Facility. Please contact Clark Library staff at least 2 weeks
in advance if you would like to view the materials in this collection.
Language of Material: Collection materials in English
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the William Andrews Clark Memorial
Library, UCLA. All requests for permission to publish or quote from
manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Clark Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of the William Andrews
Clark Memorial Library, UCLA 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.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Merle Armitage Collection, Press coll.
Archives Armitage, William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of
California, Los Angeles.
Acquisition Information
The provenance for this collection is not clear, though items may
have been collected by the Clark Library over time. Some items were
donated by Merle Armitage and Ward Ritchie. If a donor is known, their
name is listed in the note associated with the item.
Processing History
Processed by Jamie Henricks, November 2009
Biography
Merle Armitage was born in 1893 on a farm outside Mason City, Iowa.
He had many jobs over the years, but began his career as an engineer on
the Kansas City, Mexico, and Orient Railroad (later the Santa Fe
Railroad, and now the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway). He
later took a job as a graphic designer for the Packard Motor Car Company
in Detroit.
His next career was as a set designer for New York theaters, which
later turned into a long stint in the theater promotion business.
Armitage also managed various performers and their concert tours. In
1924, he co-founded the Los Angeles Grand Opera Association and was its
business manager for eight seasons. He then managed the Los Angeles
Philharmonic auditorium, from 1933 to 1939, where he oversaw production
of various plays and operas.
In addition to his theater work, Armitage was involved with writing
and designing books, as well as serving as the art director for various
magazines (including 'Quick' and 'Look'). Over one hundred books are
attributed to him. He had a short career in the Army Air Forces, working
in the Material Center, and was a regional chairman for the Public Works
of Art project during the Depression. In 1951, he was the president of
the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
Merle Armitage married four times and eventually retired to Yucca
Valley, California, to a ranch he called Manzanita Ranch. He died March
15, 1975.
Scope and Content
This collection contains correspondence, printed ephemera, newspaper
clippings, magazine and journal articles, hand-drawn book designs,
announcements, and other materials written by and about and designed by
Merle Armitage. Most items relate to book design and the performing
arts. Items are primarily paper and most date from the late 1920s to
late 1950s.
Arrangement
The collection was arranged previously by another individual; it was
rearranged in November 2009. Series are organized chronologically.
The collection is organized into the following series:
- Series 1. Correspondence, 1950-1958
- Series 2. Articles and Publications, 1932-1971
- Series 3. Book and Ephemera Design, 1933-1957
- Series 4. Speeches and Exhibits, 1929-1957
- Series 5. Theater, Music, and Art, 1927-1947
- Series 6. Miscellaneous, 1919-1962
Related Material
Merle Armitage papers, 1930-1974, MS 234, Main Library Special
Collections, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
Papers of Merle Armitage, 1932-1964, MsC 558, Special Collections
Department, University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, Iowa.
Merle Armitage Collection, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los
Angeles, California. (American art collected by Armitage)
Merle Armitage Art Collection, Harry Ransom Center, University of
Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this
collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Authors, American--20th
century
Book designers--United
States--20th century
Impresarios--United
States--20th century
Theater--Los Angeles--20th
century
Genres and Forms
Ephemera--California--20th century
Letters--California--20th century
Periodicals--United
States--20th century
Series 1.
Correspondence
1950-1958
Scope and Content Note
This series includes correspondence to and from Merle Armitage.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically.
Box 1, Folder 1
Letter from A. Thangal Kunju Musaliar
1950
Note
A photograph of a letter and envelope from A. Thangal Kunju
Musaliar (a cashew merchant from India) to Merle Armitage thanking him
for a book design, expressing his delight in naming his guest house in
India "Maison Armitage", and inviting the Armitages to visit South
India.
Box 1, Folder 2
Industrial Arts Medal correspondence
1958
Note
Includes correspondence from individuals regarding the American
Institute of Architects Industrial Arts Medal presented to Merle
Armitage. This item is a gift of Merle Armitage.
Box 1, Folder 3
Correspondence to Larry
Note
One letter to Larry (Lawrence Clark Powell?) from Merle
Armitage on Santa Fe SuperChief stationery designed by Merle
Armitage.
Series 2.
Articles and Publications
1932-1971
Scope and Content Note
This series contains journals, magazines, and other publications that
contain articles by Merle Armitage, about his work in the design field
or arts, or related to books he designed.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically by date of publication, with
undated materials placed at the end of the series.
Box 1, Folder 4
Magazine articles
1932,
1941,
1951
Note
Includes one issue each of "Creative Art: A Magazine of Fine
& Applied Art" (1932), "Bookbinding & Book Production" (1941),
and "American Artist" (1951) with articles about Merle Armitage or
relating to his books.
Box 1, Folder 5
"The American Magazine of Art"
1934
Note
Includes an article about the Public Works of Art Project;
Merle Armitage was the chairman for the 14th region (Southern
California).
Box 1, Folder 6
Report for Colonel Drake
1942
Note
Includes "Report for Colonel Alonzo M. Drake on the Activities
and Accomplishments of the Industrial Planning and Production
Engineering Sections" by Merle Armitage for the Central Procurement
District in the Army Air Forces Material Center. Includes a few
hand-drawn illustrations.
Box 1, Folder 7-8
"Publisher's Weekly"
1942,
1948,
1949,
1951
Note
Includes five issues of "Publisher's Weekly" with articles
about Merle Armitage or relating to his books.
Box 1, Folder 9
"The Southwest Review"
1947
Note
Includes an issue of "Southwest Review" with an article by
Merle Armitage.
Box 1, Folder 10
"The American Printer"
1950
Note
Includes a photo of Merle Armitage in an issue of "The American
Printer".
Box 1, Folder 11
Newspaper articles
1950,
1963,
1971
Note
Includes newspaper articles about Merle Armitage or relating to
his books, and an article about his Manzanita Ranch in
California.
Box 1, Folder 12
American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
publications
ca. 1951
Note
Includes two issues of the AIGA journal, an annual report, and
a magazine exhibition catalog.
Box 1, Folder 13
"Cowles Ink: Look Gets a New Cover"
1951
Note
Includes an issue of "Cowles Ink" describing Merle Armitage's
work on the covers of "Look" magazine.
Box 1, Folder 14
Magazine articles
1956-1957
Note
Includes six issues of "Western Family" with articles about
Merle Armitage or relating to his books.
Box 1, Folder 15
"The Man Behind the Smile: Doing Business With Henry Miller"
/ by Merle Armitage
1961
Note
Reprinted from the Texas Quarterly. This item is a gift of
Merle Armitage.
Box 1, Folder 16
Advertisement for "Modern Dance"
Note
The book "Modern Dance", compiled by Virginia Stewart, includes
an article by Merle Armitage titled "The Dance and Contemporary
Expression".
Box 1, Folder 17
"Form"
Note
Includes a piece of ephemera praising Merle Armitage's work and
achievements, printed by Kurt H. Volk, Inc.
Box 1, Folder 18
"The Twelfth Book" / by Carl Haverlin
Note
Mentions books designed by Merle Armitage.
Series 3.
Book and Ephemera Design
1933-1957
Scope and Content Note
This series contains materials related to book and ephemera design by
Merle Armitage. Book layouts, pamphlets, announcements, keepsakes,
Christmas greetings, and other items designed by Merle Armitage are
included. Also included are catalogs from the American Institute of
Graphic Arts and Duell, Sloane, and Pierce, Inc. advertising books for
sale designed by Merle Armitage.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically by date of publication, with
undated materials placed at the end of the series. Book catalogs are
placed at the end of the series and arranged chronologically as well.
Box 1, Folder 19
"11 Books: designed by Merle Armitage, printed by Lynton R.
Kistler"
[1935?]
Note
A pamphlet describing books designed by Merle Armitage in
collaboration with Lynton R. Kistler.
Box 1, Folder 20
"Notes on Modern Printing" prospectuses
1946
Note
Advertisements for "Notes on Modern Printing", a book by Merle
Armitage.
Box 1, Folder 21
"Look Quick Flair, a report by Cowles Magazines
Incorporated"
1949
Note
These magazines (Look, Quick, and Flair) were under the design
of Merle Armitage as art director.
Box 1, Folder 22
"The Growing Stature of Wendell Wilkie" pamphlet
1950
Note
A pamphlet designed by Merle Armitage for Gardner Cowles
reproducing remarks made by Cowles at the Memorial Ceremonies for
Wendell Wilkie in Indianapolis, February 18, 1950. Also includes a
letter in the back of the pamphlet from Cowles thanking Armitage for his
design.
Box 1, Folder 23
"The Magazine Show"
1950
Note
Includes two covers of "Look", a magazine with Merle Armitage
as art director.
Box 1, Folder 24
Original book layouts
[ca. 1950?]-1957
Note
Includes handwritten original book layouts for four books,
including "Accent on America", "Fit for a Queen", "Young Shepherdess",
and "Bread Upon the Sands". These items are a gift from Merle
Armitage.
Box 1, Folder 25
"Bent's Fort" / by David Lavender
1955
Note
Broadside drawn and designed by Merle Armitage for the friends
of Lawrence Clark Powell.
Box 1, Folder 26
"Book Tradition" / by Merle Armitage
1955
Note
A printed keepsake of "Book Tradition", an address given to the
Zamorano Club on October 5, 1955. The keepsake was designed by Merle
Armitage.
Box 1, Folder 27
Holiday greetings
ca. 1956
Note
Includes various printed holiday greetings from Merle Armitage.
One was sent to Lawrence Clark Powell.
Box 1, Folder 28
"Books For Our Time" prospectus
Note
Advertisement for "Books For Our Time", a publication about
book design including some designed by Merle Armitage.
Box 1, Folder 29
Merle Armitage Books list
Note
Typed lists of books designed by Merle Armitage (1933-1954),
books with articles or forwards or edited by Merle Armitage (1932-1952),
and books designed and written by Merle Armitage (1932-1952). Also
includes marks that designate books selected for various
exhibitions.
Box 1, Folder 30
"The Ceramics of Beatrice Wood" exhibition
announcement
Note
An announcement designed by Merle Armitage for the San
Francisco Museum of Art.
Box 2
Brochures for "Masterpieces" prints
Note
Includes large brochures for series of prints for members of
the Laboratory of Anthropology in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Print series
include "Modern Masterpieces of American Indian Art", "Masterpieces in
Maya Art", and other individual crafts such as silver or textile arts.
Each brochure explains the artist and background of the print.
Box 1, Folder 31-33
"50 Books of the Year" catalogs
1933-1950
Note
Catalogs from the American Institute of Graphic Arts, each
including book(s) designed or written by Merle Armitage.
Box 1, Folder 34
"Books: Fall 1946, Duell, Sloan & Pearce, Inc."
1948
Note
A catalog advertising books for sale from Duell, Sloan, &
Pearce, Inc., including "Fit for a King" by Merle Armitage.
Series 4.
Speeches and Exhibits
1929-1957
Scope and Content Note
This series contains items related to speeches given by Merle
Armitage for exhibits and other events. Items include transcriptions of
the speeches, keepsakes, and invitations.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically by event date.
Box 1, Folder 35
"The Aristocracy of Art: Merle Armitage"
1929
Note
Announcement for a book available for purchase reproducing the
text of a speech given to the California Art Club Open Forum on March 4,
1929 by Merle Armitage.
Box 1, Folder 36
Invitation to exhibition opening lecture
1949
Note
An invitation to a lecture given by Merle Armitage for the
opening of the 1948 Fifty Books of the Year exhibition, held at the
Library of Congress in cooperation with the American Institute of
Graphic Arts.
Box 1, Folder 37
"New Directions" advertising forum announcement
1949
Note
An announcement for a series of lectures with various speakers,
including Merle Armitage on "New Directions in Editorial
Planning".
Box 1, Folder 38
"Intelligence Cooperating" address finale
1950
Note
A typed copy of the finale to an address ("Intelligence
Cooperating") made by Merle Armitage at the American Designers Institute
banquet in Chicago, Illinois on June 20, 1950.
Box 1, Folder 39
"The Power of Pictures"
1950
Note
A printed keepsake of "The Power of Pictures", an address given
to the Art Directors Club of New York by Merle Armitage on January 17,
1950.
Box 1, Folder 40
"The Merle Armitage Books in the William Andrews Clark
Memorial Library"
1957
Note
A printed text of a speech given by Merle Armitage about an
exhibit and his books held by the Clark Library.
Series 5.
Theater, Music, and Art
1927-1947
Scope and Content Note
This series contains items related to theater, music, and art
ventures Merle Armitage was involved in. This includes concerts,
exhibits, plays, and operas he managed. Most items are programs or
announcements for events.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically by date of publication.
Box 1, Folder 41
Artist advertisements
[ca. 1928]
Note
Small paper entitled "from George Leslie Smith ... and ...
Merle Armitage" describing individuals available to be booked for
recitals or lectures.
Box 1, Folder 42
"Opera 1927"
1927
Note
Includes a bound program with advertisements and information
about the 1927 season at the Los Angeles Grand Opera. Also includes
lists of members of the chorus, season ticket holders, and short
articles about the opera.
Box 1, Folder 43
"Opera 1930" / by Merle Armitage
1930
Note
Includes a large bound program with advertisements for the
seventh season (1930) of the Los Angeles Grand Opera at the Shrine Civic
Auditorium.
Box 1, Folder 44
Advertisement for "5 Merle Armitage Concerts"
1934-1935
Note
Includes details about five concerts presented by Merle
Armitage including illustrations of the musicians.
Box 1, Folder 45
Program for the play "Lady Precious Stream"
1937
Note
A detailed program for the play "Lady Precious Stream", by S.I.
Hsiung, presented by Merle Armitage and Paul Posz, starring Lotus Liu.
The program includes explanations about theater in China, about the play
itself (including an entry "Why We Produced the Play" by Merle
Armitage), and many photographs of the characters.
Box 1, Folder 46
Program for the opera "Porgy and Bess"
[1938]
Note
A detailed program for the opera "Porgy and Bess" with music by
George Gershwin, presented by Merle Armitage and Paul Posz at the Los
Angeles Philharmonic Auditorium. The program includes a biographical
history of George Gershwin, a history of "Porgy and Bess", and a
synopsis.
Box 1, Folder 47
Photographs of movie titles
1947
Note
Includes photographs of title designs for Loews Inc. / MGM
movies made in 1947. There are multiple versions of some titles. Titles
include "The Song of the Thin Man", "Merton of the Movies", "Living in a
Big Way", "The Hucksters", "The Birds and the Bees", "Green Dolphin
Street", "In High Barbaree", and "The Unfinished Dance". It is possible
that Merle Armitage helped design some of the titles.
Series 6.
Miscellaneous
1919-1962
Scope and Content Note
This series contains items related to Merle Armitage which did not
fit in other series. This includes scrapbooks of ephemera, pamphlets,
announcements, and other items. Also included is a paper cutout and
marker drawing by Merle Armitage for Ward Ritchie.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically.
Box 1, Folder 48
Miscellaneous ephemera
1944-1951
Note
Includes postcards, event announcements, and a book
prospectus.
Box 1, Folder 49
"Books for Late Fall 1948, William Morrow and
Company"
1948
Note
A pamphlet advertising books for sale through the William
Morrow Company.
Box 1, Folder 50
"Quick"
1949
Note
Includes five issues of "Quick", published by Cowles Magazines
Incorporated.
Box 1, Folder 51
San Vicente Foundation Winter Newsletter
[1949-1950]
Note
Includes a winter newsletter for the San Vicente Foundation of
Santa Fe, New Mexico and an order form for books.
Box 1, Folder 52
Announcement for Elise paintings exhibition
[1950?]
Note
An announcement for an exhibit of Elise paintings at the
Forsyte Gallery. Elise collaborated with Merle Armitage on the book "Fit
for a King".
Box 1, Folder 53
Merle Armitage items from H.R. Archer
1951
Note
Includes items related to Merle Armitage from H.R. Archer. This
includes a note from Armitage to Archer, a copy of "Look's Fifth
Dimension: Fragment of an Informal Address to the Advertising Convention
at Shawnee, Pennsylvania, on June 4, 1951", a copy of the 1951 American
Institute of Graphic Arts annual report, and a shooting script including
details related to a Look Magazine photo essay about the Santa Fe
railroad entitled "Big Chief of the Southwest".
Box 1, Folder 54
Catalog 317: The Personal Library of Merle Armitage
1960
Note
A catalog offered by Dawson's Bookshop listing items for sale
from Merle Armitage's personal library. Also included are reproductions
of a Merle Armitage bookplate and a picture of him in Yosemite with
Franz Geritz.
Box 1, Folder 55
"The Catholic Booklist" / edited by Sister Mary Reynoldine,
O.P.
1962
Note
Cites a Merle Armitage book and includes a Merle Armitage
bookplate on the cover. This item is a gift of Merle Armitage.
Box Map Drawer "A"
"Homage to Ward, a good Indian!"
Note
A drawing made of paper cutouts and marker with a Native
American theme, drawn by Merle Armitage. "Homage to Ward, a good
Indian!" is written at the bottom with Merle's signature. This item is a
gift of Ward Ritchie.
Box 3
Scrapbooks
ca. 1919-1930
Note
Six scrapbooks including miscellaneous ephemera related to the
Los Angeles Grand Opera Association and events held at the Los Angeles
Opera (including plays, operas, concerts, speeches, and other
gatherings). Merle Armitage was the business executive for the Los
Angeles Grand Opera Association, and designed some of the pieces of
printed ephemera.