Finding Aid to the Hernando G. Villa Collection MS.565
Anna Liza Posas
Library and Archives at the Autry
2013
210 South Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
rroom@theautry.org
Contributing Institution:
Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: Hernando G. Villa Collection
Creator:
Villa, Hernando Gonzalo
Identifier/Call Number: MS.565
Physical Description:
1.5 Linear Feet
(1 document box, 1 oversized portfolio box)
Date (inclusive): 1894-1972
Abstract: Hernando Gonzalo Villa (1881-1952) was a prominent commercial artist and muralist whose work primarily depicted Native Americans,
Mexican vaqueros, California missions, Spanish colonialists, and coastal views. This collection consists of the a sketch book,
personal papers, ephemera, photographs, and publications related to Hernando Villa, his artwork, and his family. The material
in this collection was created from 1894 to 1972.
Language of Material:
English
.
Biographical Note
Hernando Gonzalo Villa (1881-1952) was a prominent commercial artist and muralist whose work primarily depicted Native Americans,
Mexican vaqueros, California missions, Spanish colonialists, and coastal views.
Villa was born in Los Angeles, California to Esiquia Asevedo and Miguel Villa. His parents came to Los Angeles as children
from Baja California in 1846 when the area was still part of Mexico. Villa was the youngest of 5 children and was born in
an adobe at what is now the corner of 6th and Spring streets in downtown Los Angeles. Villa graduated from the Los Angeles
School of Art and Design in 1905.
Villa established himself as a commercial artist in Los Angeles, illustrating magazines including the
Pasadena Daily News,
The West Coast Magazine, and
Town Talk, as well as a variety of artwork ranging from sheet music covers to newspaper advertisements, and a poster for the 1933 World's
Fair in Chicago.
Villa created the bookplate for Joseph Amasa Munk's Library of Arizoniana at the request of Charles F. Lummis who notes this
is in his personal journal on 1910 February 7. Villa also created advertising art for the Southern Pacific Railroad, the Los
Angeles Limited, and the Santa Fe Railway. He enjoyed a forty year relationship with the Santa Fe for which he created some
of his best known images including the Santa Fe Chief emblem.
In addition to commercial print work, Villa also executed easel paintings throughout his career which he showed primarily
in California. He worked in oil, watercolor, pastel, and charcoal. Villa was also a celebrated muralist who created murals
for Tally's New Broadway Theater in Los Angeles in 1916, the New Rialto Theater in Phoenix, Arizona in 1921, and Citizen Bank
in Los Angeles in 1926. Villa won a gold medal for a mural exhibited at the Panama-Pacific International Exhibition in 1915.
Reference:
Cook, A. M.
Los Angeles Times, undated.
Arrangement
This collection is physically arranged by size but has been arranged into the following series intellectually:
- Series 1: Artwork, circa 1903-1930
- Series 2: Newspaper clippings, 1912-1945
- Series 3: Personal papers and manuscripts, 1894-1972
- Series 4: Photographs, circa 1900 - 1950
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of the a sketchbook, personal papers, ephemera, and photographs. Also included is the short story
"Star of Taos and Juan," a Sotheby Parke Bernet catalog, and an illustrated price list of paintings by Villa.
Conditions Governing Access
Preferred Citation
Hernando G. Villa Collection, 1894-1972, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.565; [folder number] [folder
title][date].
Processing History
Biographical note created by Maritxu de Alaiza, 2012 April 5. Processing and finding aid completed by Anna Liza Posas, 2013.
Publication of finding aid made possible by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is
given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian 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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Sales catalogs
Star of Taos and Juan
Drawings
Advertisements
Clippings
Manuscripts
Scores
Photographs
Correspondence
Sheet music
Indians in art
West (U.S.) -- In art
Sketchbooks
Artists -- United States
Santa Fe Railroad
Schmid, Rudi, Ph.D., Dean
Southern Pacific Railroad Company
Artwork Series 1
circa 1903-1930
Publications featuring Villa's artwork
1903-1929, undated
box 1, folder MS.565.1
Town Talk magazine cover
MS.565.1
1903 July
Administrative History note
Town Talk magazine was a monthly illustrated "journal-magazine" that circulates to Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Pasadena.
Scope and Contents note
Cover is from the half-yearly edition and provides information about the artwork and Villa.
box 1, folder MS.565.2
Rio Grande Review magazine cover
MS.565.2
1929 August
Scope and Contents note
Published by the Rio Grande Oil Company. Back of cover includes information about the artwork and Hernando Villa.
box 1, folder MS.565.3
The West Coast magazine cover
MS.565.3
undated
Scope and Contents
Cover is from a November issue, no year is included.
box 2, folder MS.565.38
Pasadena Daily News mast head and artwork
MS.565.38
1908
box 2, folder MS.565.39
Happy Tom O'Day, Sheet Music Cover
MS.565.39
1915
box 2, folder MS.565.40
B.H. Dyas Store Announcement Poster MS.565.40
1905
box 2, folder MS.565.41
"The Technique of the Poster," Promotional Pamphlet MS.565.41
1933
box 1, folder MS.565.4
Anatomy drawing done by memory MS.565.4
1905
Scope and Contents
Inscription on drawing reads: "copy of Villa's prize winning drawing from memory 1905."
box 1, folder MS.565.5
Art clippings MS.565.5
undated
Scope and Contents note
Includes pieces cut and pasted on to sheet of paper. One images includes Villa's drawing of the Los Angeles School of Art
and Design.
box 1, folder MS.565.6
Los Angeles School of Art and Design prospectus MS.565.6
circa 1916-1917
Scope and Contents
Hernando Villa is listed as faculty. Prospectus cover designed by Villa.
box 1, folder MS.565.7
Santa Fe Railroad promotional material and greeting card MS.565.7
circa 1930
Scope and Contents
Artwork includes scenes of Hopi Indians.
box 1, folder MS.565.8
"Star of Taos and Juan" MS.565.8
1936
Scope and Contents
Christmas story by Natolia O'Neil. Hand-bound booklet with cover art by Villa.
box 1, folder MS.565.9
Harold L. Arnold advertisement for the "New Maxwell" motor car MS.565.9
undated
Scope and Contents
Victrola advertisement on other side of sheet.
box 1, folder MS.565.10
Salt Lake Route advertisements MS.565.10
undated
Scope and Contents
One advertisement features a sketch for the "Los Angeles Limited" train.
box 1, folder MS.565.11
Santa Fe Railroad "Blossom Time" poster and image MS.565.11
undated
Scope and Contents
Advertisement has artwork by Villa of a Chinese woman with caricature type features. Folder also includes 8 in x 10 in image
of the artwork, does not include the ad copy.
box 1, folder MS.565.12
Southern Pacific advertisements MS.565.12
undated
box 1, folder MS.565.13
Photographs of Villa's painting MS.565.13
undated
Scope and Contents
Images in this folder are of paintings that depict Native American portraits and scenes; men and women in Spanish costume;
and Madonna and child.
Newspaper clippings Series 2
1912-1945
box 1, folder MS.565.14
Newspaper clippings about Hernando Villa and his artwork MS.565.14
1912
1935
Personal papers and manuscripts Series 3
1894-1972
box 1, folder MS.565.15
Lyrics and music to "49" by Leila France MS.565.15
1894
Scope and Contents
Lyrics by Joaquin Miller and words by Leila France. Back of sheet stamped "from the George Wharton James collection."
box 1, folder MS.565.16
List of musicians and lyrics to Spanish Folk Songs MS.565.16
1931 July 10
Scope and Contents
List of musicians include Lucia Hernandez, Ascension Rocha, Hernando G. Villa, and Rosendo Uruchurtu. The lyrics are to the
song "El Capotín."
box 1, folder MS.565.17
Sixth grade report card and certificate of advancement MS.565.17
1895, undated
Scope and Contents
Report card is undated. Certificate of Advancement is from 1895 February 8 and has "13 years old" written on top of document.
Both documents are from the Los Angeles City Schools, Ninth Street School.
box 1, folder MS.565.18
Envelope addressed to Hernando Villa from Charles F. Lummis postmarked MS.565.18
1910 December 29
Scope and Contents
Envelope in poor condition and includes "Munk Library of Arizoniana" bookplate.
box 1, folder MS.565.19
Correspondence from "James S." to Hernando Villa MS.565.19
1929 September 9
Scope and Contents
Correspondence written on embroidered postcard that says "Mil Felicidades."
box 1, folder MS.565.20
Correspondence from Chief George White Wing to Hernando Villa MS.565.20
1951 January 5
Scope and Contents
Letter sent from Dancy, Wisconsin.
Exhibit Material
1934-1939
box 1, folder MS.565.21
Invitation to Hernando G. Villa art exhibit MS.565.21
1934
Scope and Contents
Invitation includes line images of various artwork by Villa. Event presented by "Señor U.S. Royar" of Royars frame shop in
Los Angeles.
box 1, folder MS.565.22
Business card of John A. Williams, Agent-Owner of the "Hernando G. Villa Art Exhibit" MS.565.22
circa 1934
box 1, folder MS.565.23
Catalog to the "Sixth Annual Exhibit of Paintings at Clearwater Junior High," Clearwater, California MS.565.23
1939
Scope and Contents
Exhibit was in 1939 from March 14 - 28. Catalog includes image of Villa's 1938 painting, "The Shepherd of Acoma."
box 1, folder MS.565.24
Program for Opera and Spanish Dance Performance MS.565.24
box 1, folder MS.565.25
Blank Postcard of "Cliff House from Ocean Boulevard, San Francisco,[California]" MS.565.25
undated
box 1, folder MS.565.26
"American Indian Art" catalogue of Sotheby Parke Bernet, Los Angeles Sale MS.565.26
1972
Scope and Contents
Catalog states that sale was held 1972 October 8 & 9.
box 1, folder MS.565.27
Account and sketch book MS.565.27
1939-1949
Photographs Series 4
circa 1900-1950
box 1, folder MS.565.28
Portrait of Villa MS.565.28
1905
Scope and Contents
Caption reads "Villa at 24."
box 1, folder MS.565.29
Villa family MS.565.29
early 1900's
box 1, folder MS.565.30
Tally's New Broadway Theatre mural MS.565.30
1916
Scope and Contents
Includes five photographs of Hernando Villa and artwork, "Primavera" or "Spring," which he painted for the theatre.
box 1, folder MS.565.31
Hernando Villa MS.565.31
1917
Scope and Contents
Three copies of the photograph are included. Caption on one reads, "Villa at 36."
box 1, folder MS.565.32
New Rialto Theatre, Los Angeles, California MS.565.32
1921
Scope and Contents
This folder includes four photographs of Hernando Villa and a sketch for the dome of the Rialto Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona.
box 1, folder MS.565.33
Citizen Bank mural, Los Angeles, California MS.565.33
1926
Scope and Contents
Folder includes a photograph of Villa in front of mural as well as photos of different sections of the mural.
box 1, folder MS.565.34
Villa at the Grand Canyon, Arizona MS.565.34
1930
box 1, folder MS.565.35
Hernando Villa MS.565.35
1946 November 6
Scope and Contents
Folder includes photos of Villa in front of an unidentified mural and Villa painting on easel.
box 1, folder MS.565.36
Villa and family MS.565.36
circa 1950
Scope and Contents
This folder includes four photographs. Two are of Villa with his siblings, Hernando, Noe, Rose, Louise and Ernesto. Another
includes Villa with siblings and 2 unidentified people. And the last photograph is of Louise and Rose Villa taken on Christmas
Day, 1950.
box 1, folder MS.565.37
Images of Villa MS.565.37
early to mid 1900's
Scope and Contents
This folder includes undated and unidentified photographs of Villa. In some, he is posing in front of artwork. Folder also
includes photos of Villa in a Spanish matador costume and others in Native American clothing and headdress.
