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[C.H.S. watercolor drawings of Indians of North, South, and Central America, the West Indies, and Mexico, copied from various sources]

 Collection
Identifier: VAULT-Oversize-Ayer-Art C.H.S.

Notice of Culturally Sensitive Indigenous Materials

This collection contains content identified by the library as Culturally Sensitive to Indigenous People(s): Box 1, Item 11 depicts a ceremony and Box 5, Item 62 potentially depicts a burial mound. For more information please see the Newberry Library’s policy on Access to Culturally Sensitive Indigenous Materials.

Scope and Content of the Collection

This collection consists of eighty-one watercolor and pencil drawings of Indians of North, South, and Central America, the West Indies, and Mexico made during the mid-nineteenth century. The drawings are signed "C.H.S." and appear to have been copied from published sources. The bulk of the images pertain to the Aztecs, many of which were copied from the Codex Mendoza.

Dates

  • Creation: approximately 1843-1850

Language

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The [C.H.S. watercolor drawings of Indians of North, South, and Central America, the West Indies, and Mexico, copied from various sources] are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time maximum, proper art handling procedures will be strictly enforced (Priority I).

Ownership and Literary Rights

The [C.H.S. watercolor drawings of Indians of North, South, and Central America, the West Indies, and Mexico, copied from various sources] are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.

Extent

10.5 Linear Feet (6 custom boxes)

Abstract

Watercolor drawings of Indians of North, South, and Central America, the West Indies, and Mexico, with a particular focus on American Indian cultural practices and the Aztec civilization. "C.H.S" appropriated the subject matter and composition for many of his watercolor drawings from various mid-nineteenth century sources, from inexpensive periodicals to richly illustrated editions. Quite possibly a resident of Great Britain due to his predilection for images culled from British publications, the identity of "C.H.S." has unfortunately remained elusive.

Organization

Watercolor drawings are organized in the following series:

Series 1: Drawings 1-14
Box 1
Series 2: Drawings 15-28
Box 2
Series 3: Drawings 29-42
Box 3
Series 4: Drawings 43-56
Box 4
Series 5: Drawings 57-70
Box 5
Series 6: Drawings 71-81
Box 6

Collection Stack Location

VAULT 50 7

Provenance

Unknown.

Processed by

Gordon Dearborn Wilkins and Elizabeth McKinley, 2015.

Title
Inventory of the [C.H.S. watercolor drawings of Indians of North, South, and Central America, the West Indies, and Mexico, copied from various sources], approximately 1843-1850
Status
Completed
Author
Gordon Dearborn Wilkins and Elizabeth McKinley
Date
©2015.
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512