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Series I. Massachusetts Normal Art School Period 1911-1981 [Bulk 1914-1917]

 Series — Container: 1, Box: 1

Scope and Contents

From the File: This collection contains the personal papers of Vincent Schofield Wickham (1894-1968), an artist, teacher, poet, and inventor who graduated from the Massachusetts Normal Art School in 1917. Materials were created over a 70 year period, between 1911 and 1981 [Bulk 1917-1968.] Collection items pertain to Wickham’s personal and professional life in New York and New England. The majority of materials relate to Wickham’s education and work at the Massachusetts Normal Art School (now the Massachusetts College of Art and Design), his professional career at the New York Times, and his commissioned work as a distinguished sculptor of commemorative plaques, portrait medallions, and busts. Throughout his professional career, Wickham worked in a variety of mediums, including sculpture, graphic design, illustration, and watercolor. This collection contains items created in each of these mediums, as well as photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and other documents related to Wickham’s work. Smaller materials are housed in archival folders and larger items can be found in an oversized collection. Due to the eclectic nature of these materials, this collection has been arranged into four series based on the major periods of Wickham’s life, as well as a fifth series of miscellaneous material. The first four series are grouped according to where Wickham was living and working at various times in his life. Most records within each series were produced during Wickham’s time of inhabitance, although some records may have been created later but are pertinent to the works and events of the given series. Series 1, “Massachusetts Normal Art School Period, 1911-1981 [Bulk 1914-1917]”, covers Wickham’s early education and first commissioned projects. Series II, “Worcester Period c.1918-c.1932 [Bulk 1919-1923]”, covers Wickham’s work at Crompton & Knowles Loom Works, continued commissioned work, and other projects conducted in and around Worcester during this time. Series III, “New York Period, 1924-1959 [Bulk 1924-1940]”, predominantly relates to Wickham’s thirty-two year tenure as an editorial artist the New York Times and his major commissioned sculptures in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Also included in this series are items related to Wickham’s orthodontic invention, watercolor exhibits, and teaching career as well as his family, recreational travels and art colony visits, and personal poetry. Series IV, the “New Hampshire Period, c.1958-1968”, relates to Wickham’s retirement in New London, New Hampshire, including his final commissioned projects before his death in 1968. Series V, “Miscellaneous, c.1918-c.1960”, includes miscellaneous documents and oversized materials related to a variety of events in Wickham’s personal and professional life. Information about Vincent Schofield Wickham and his papers was primarily derived from collection contents. Outside sources are noted in footnotes when appropriate.

Dates

  • 1911-1981

Conditions Governing Access

his collection is open for research. Restricted Fragile Material may only be consulted with permission of the archivist. Preservation photocopies for reference use have been substituted in the main files.

Extent

From the File: 4 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

From the File: English

Overview

This series includes notes, photographs, newspaper clippings, and other materials related to Vincent Schofield Wickham’s work as a student at the Massachusetts Normal Art School (now Massachusetts College of Art and Design) in Boston, Massachusetts, which he attended from 1913 to 1917.

Repository Details

Part of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design Archive Repository