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McComas (Gene Frances) Papers
mssMS  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Preferred Citation
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Scope and Contents
  • Processing Information
  • Arrangement
  • General

  • Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
    Title: Gene Frances McComas papers
    Creator: McComas, Gene Frances, 1886-1982
    Identifier/Call Number: mssMS
    Physical Description: 5.14 Linear Feet (4 boxes)
    Date (inclusive): 1907-1952
    Abstract: A collection of correspondence related to the life and work of Gene Frances McComas, California artist.
    Language of Material: Materials are in English.

    Conditions Governing Access

    Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

    Conditions Governing Use

    The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item]. Gene Frances McComas papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    Purchased from Mrs. McComas, 1956.

    Biographical / Historical

    Eugenia Frances Baker McComas (1886-1982) was born in San Francisco, California on September 6, 1886; her parents were both journalists. Eugenia, known as "Gene," worked as a journalist before studying art at the California School of Arts and Crafts. She married the artist Francis John McComas (1874-1938) in 1917, and they moved to Monterey, California, though they traveled widely during their marriage. Gene McComas became known for her murals but she also painted portraits and still lifes. She died in Monterey in March 1982.

    Scope and Contents

    A collection of 151 items from 1907 to 1952; it consists mainly of correspondence, but also includes poems by George Sterling, and watercolors by Gouverneur Morris. Subjects discussed in the letters include Sinclair Lewis, Gouverneur Morris, and Eugene O'Neill. There are also a few miscellaneous letters addressed to Francis John McComas in the collection. Correspondents include, among others, Grace Hegger Lewis, Sinclair Lewis, Ruth Wightman Morris, Gouverneur Morris, Nicholas, Prince of Greece, Carlotta Monterey O'Neill, George Sterling, Austin Strong, Alec Waugh, and Roland Young.

    Processing Information

    Processed by Huntington Library Staff, January 1957. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the finding aid derived from a legacy summary report.

    Arrangement

    Arranged chronologically.

    General

    Individual call numbers included in the collection: mssMS 1-151.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Artists -- United States
    Authors, American
    Women painters -- California -- San Francisco
    Letters (correspondence) -- California -- 20th century
    Personal papers -- California -- 20th century
    Poems -- California -- 20th century
    Watercolors (paintings) -- California -- 20th century
    Lewis, Grace Hegger
    Lewis, Sinclair, 1885-1951
    McComas, Francis John, 1874-1938
    Morris, Gouverneur, 1876-1953
    Morris, Ruth Wightman, 1897-1939
    Nikolaos, Prince of Greece, 1872-1936
    O'Neill, Carlotta
    O'Neill, Eugene, 1888-1953
    Sterling, George, 1869-1926
    Strong, Austin, 1881-1952
    Waugh, Alec, 1898-1981
    Young, Roland, 1887-1953