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University of Chicago Library

Guide to the Polly Scribner Ames Papers 1938-1993

© 2009 University of Chicago Library

Descriptive Summary

Title:

Ames, Polly Scribner. Papers

Dates:

1938-1993

Size:

8.75 linear feet (17 boxes)

Repository:

Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center
University of Chicago Library
1100 East 57th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.

Abstract:

Polly Scribner Ames (1908-1993) was a painter, sculptor, and writer who lived in Chicago, New York, and Europe. The Polly Scribner Ames papers contain manuscripts, correspondence, journals, and records of exhibitions and sales of artwork.

Information on Use

Access

The collection is open for research.

Citation

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Polly Scribner Ames. Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Biographical Note

Polly Scribner Ames was the daughter of University of Chicago philosophy professor and University Church pastor Edward Scribner Ames and the sister of Van Meter Ames, University of Cincinnati philosophy professor and author. Born in 1908, Ames attended the School of the Art Institute Chicago and received a Ph.B. from the University of Chicago. She lived in New York City for much of her adult life and also spent time in Europe, including several years in France. She exhibited paintings and sculpture and taught art courses in both the United States and Europe. Ames died in Chicago in 1993.

Scope Note

Series I contains drafts of published and unpublished manuscripts, including a memoir, short stories, nonfiction articles, and poetry. Correspondence concerning the publication of Ames’s book about the painter Marsden Hartley is also included in this series. Some manuscripts by others are contained in this series, as well as publicity for and reviews of exhibitions of Ames’s painting and sculpture. Series II contains correspondence among various members of the Ames family, as well as Polly Scribner Ames’s other personal and professional correspondence. Also included are Ames’s journals, the bulk of which are from the 1960s. Series III contains several oversize items, including exhibition advertisements and press clippings as well as research for Ames’s book about Marsden Hartley.

The contents of Box 12A were previously part of the Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection.

Related Resources

Browse finding aids by topic.

Subject Headings

INVENTORY

Series I: Writing and Artwork

Box 1   Folder 1

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 1   Folder 2

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 1   Folder 3

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 1   Folder 4

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 1   Folder 5

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 2   Folder 1

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 2   Folder 2

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 2   Folder 3

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 2   Folder 4

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 2   Folder 5

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 3   Folder 1

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 3   Folder 2

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 3   Folder 3

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 3   Folder 4

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 3   Folder 5

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 3   Folder 6

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 4   Folder 1

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 4   Folder 2

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 4   Folder 3

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 4   Folder 4

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 4   Folder 5

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 5   Folder 1

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 5   Folder 2

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 5   Folder 3

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 5   Folder 4

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 5   Folder 5

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 6   Folder 1

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 6   Folder 2

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 6   Folder 3

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 6   Folder 4

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 6   Folder 5

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 7   Folder 1

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 7   Folder 2

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 7   Folder 3

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 7   Folder 4

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 7   Folder 5

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 8   Folder 1

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 8   Folder 2

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 8   Folder 3

A Chance of My Making, manuscript draft

Box 8   Folder 4

A Chance of My Making, synopses

Box 8   Folder 5

French notes for A Chance of My Making

Box 8   Folder 6

Photos and illustrations for A Chance of My Making

Box 8   Folder 7

"An Unexpected Welcome at Cezanne’s Hometown," manuscript

Box 8   Folder 8

"Greece," Manuscript

Box 9   Folder 1

"Notes on Teaching Painting," Manuscript

Box 9   Folder 2

Poetry, manuscripts

Box 9   Folder 3

Poetry, manuscripts

Box 9   Folder 4

Poetry, manuscripts

Box 9   Folder 5

Poetry, manuscripts

Box 9   Folder 6

"Spain, 1965," manuscript

Box 9   Folder 7

"The Invisible Fortress," manuscript drafts

Box 9   Folder 8

"Evolution of Man," manuscript

Box 10   Folder 1

"The Driftwood Horse," manuscript drafts

Box 10   Folder 2

"Toreo de Novilladas," manuscript

Box 10   Folder 3

"Creative Women," manuscript drafts

Box 10   Folder 4

"The Toy Train," manuscript drafts

Box 10   Folder 5

"Cat Tales"/"Mr. Annie," manuscript drafts

Box 10   Folder 6

"Sketches from Life," manuscript drafts

Box 10   Folder 7

"Knucklebones, Jacks, and Craps," manuscript drafts

Box 10   Folder 8

"An Americanist in Paris," manuscript

Box 10   Folder 9

"Round Robin Portrait," manuscript drafts

Box 10   Folder 10

Marsden Hartley in Maine, book

Box 10   Folder 11

Illustrations for Marsden Hartley in Maine

Box 10   Folder 12

Marsden Hartley in Maine, manuscript drafts and illustrations

Box 10   Folder 13

Correspondence about Marsden Hartley and Hartley manuscript, 1943-1971

Box 10   Folder 14

Correspondence about Marsden Hartley and Hartley manuscript, 1972-1977

Box 10   Folder 15

Correspondence about Marsden Hartley in Maine, 1972-1976

Box 11   Folder 1

Marsden Hartley, exhibits

Box 11   Folder 2

Manuscript fragments and notes

Box 11   Folder 3

Four Strings to a Note, manuscript

Box 11   Folder 4

Miscellaneous photos and documents

Box 11   Folder 5

Drawing, undated

Box 11   Folder 6

Articles by Van Meter Ames

Box 11   Folder 7

Poems by Vere Dargan

Box 11   Folder 8

"The Illuminati," Manuscript by Charles Harvey Arnold

Box 11   Folder 9

Press coverage and sales of paintings

Box 11   Folder 10

Publicity and correspondence for exhibitions

Box 11   Folder 11

Publicity and correspondence for exhibitions

Box 11   Folder 12

Press clippings

Box 11   Folder 13

Miscellaneous articles and programs

Series II: Correspondence and Journals

Box 12   Folder 1

Correspondence about death of E.S. Ames, 1958

Box 12   Folder 2

Correspondence about death of E.S. Ames, 1958-1959

Box 12   Folder 3

Correspondence about death of E.S. Ames, undated

Box 12   Folder 4

Miscellaneous documents about E.S. Ames

Box 12   Folder 5

Miscellaneous personal and professional correspondence, 1938-1986

Box 12   Folder 6

Ames family correspondence, 1938-1954 and undated

Box 12A   Folder 1

Correspondence with E.E. Cummings, July – Dec 1960, undated

  • Contains 3 typed letters signed, 2 typed cards signed, 1 autograph letter signed, and handwritten notes on the back of a hotel bill.
Box 12A   Folder 2

Correspondence with Marion Cummings, July 1960 – Feb. 1968

  • Contains 14 letters with 9 envelopes, a newspaper clipping, and 2 greeting cards. One of the cards reproduces a painting by e. e. cummings.
Box 12A   Folder 3

Correspondence with Marianne Moore, July – Aug. 1951

Box 13   Folder 1

Correspondence with and about Adelaide and Henry Schade, 1938-1980

Box 13   Folder 2

Correspondence with and about Adelaide and Henry Schade, 1980-1981 and undated

Box 13   Folder 3

Publication rejection notices, 1963-1984

Box 13   Folder 4

Hyde Park Music Club, member lists

Box 13   Folder 5

Journal, 1951

Box 13   Folder 6

Journal, June - July 1960

Box 14   Folder 1

Journal, August - September 1960

Box 14   Folder 2

Journal, 1960

Box 14   Folder 3

Journal, 1960-1962

Box 14   Folder 4

Journal, 1962

Box 14   Folder 5

Journal, 1963

Box 14   Folder 6

Journal, 1964

Box 14   Folder 7

Journal, 1965

Box 15   Folder 1

Journal, 1967

Box 15   Folder 2

Journal, 1967-1968

Box 15   Folder 3

Journal, 1981

Box 15   Folder 4

Journal, 1992-1993

Box 15   Folder 5

Journal, undated

Box 15   Folder 6

Journal, undated

Box 15   Folder 7

Journal, undated

Series III: Oversize Materials

Box 16   Folder 1

Article on Marsden Hartley

Box 16   Folder 2

Press clippings and exhibition posters

Box 16   Folder 3

Map of Maine