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University of Chicago Library

Guide to the Claud Lovat Fraser Collection 1896-1972

© 2007 University of Chicago Library

Descriptive Summary

Title:

Fraser, Claud Lovat. Collection

Dates:

1896-1972

Size:

4 linear feet (5 boxes)

Repository:

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

Abstract:

Claud Lovat Fraser (1890-1921) was an artist known primarily for his work in illustration and theater design. This collection consists primarily of printed material produced by Fraser, or featuring his artwork. Items in the collection include prints, chapbooks, periodicals, advertisements, greeting cards, visiting cards, stationery, dust jackets, theatre and concert handbills, posters, postcards, and musical scores.

Information on Use

Access

Open for research. No restrictions.

Citation

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Fraser, Claud Lovat. Collection, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Biographical Note

Born in London on May 15, 1890, Claud Lovat Fraser (1890-1921) was an artist who worked in the fields of illustration and theater design. He was first trained in legal studies and worked in his father’s law firm. His love for art caused him, in 1911, to leave his father's firm to pursue art full-time. During World War I, Fraser enlisted in the light infantry despite his poor health. After a series of medical reviews and periods of sick leave, he joined the War Office on visual propaganda and later the Army Record Office until his discharge in March 1919.

In August 1916, Fraser met the American-born actress Grace Inez Crawford. They were married on February 6, 1917 and had one daughter. After the war, Fraser continued to make designs and illustrations for various books, chapbooks, bookplates, stationery, greeting cards, and commercial advertisements. He became particularly famous for his innovative set and costume designs for several plays and ballets. His history of ill health, however, plagued him continually, and he died on June 18, 1921, after a sudden illness.

Scope Note

The collection contains mainly printed material produced by Fraser, or featuring his artwork. Items in the collection include individual prints, chapbooks, periodicals, advertisements, greeting cards, visiting cards, stationery, dust jackets, theatre and concert handbills, posters, postcards, musical scores. Publications and clippings related to Fraser's work are also found. Box 4 contains material printed by At the Sign of the Flying Fame, a small press founded by Fraser with the poet Ralph Hodgson and the writer Holbrook Jackson.

Box 3 contains one folder of apparently unrelated material on the forgery of Aubrey Beardsley's work.

Related Resources

Browse finding aids by topic.

Playbills and Programs. Collection

Subject Headings

INVENTORY

Box 1

Kenneth Hare, Three Poems, London, A.T. Stevens, chapbooks, 1916

Box 2   Folder 1-3

Richard Corbet, The Fairies' Farewell, London, A.T. Stevens, chapbooks, 1916

Box 2   Folder 4

Postcards, bookplates, and dust jackets, ca. 1910s

Box 2   Folder 5

"Captain MacHeath," London, A.T. Stevens, broadsides, 1913

Box 2   Folder 6

Chapbooks, theatre programs, type samples and articles, 1913- 1922

Box 2   Folder 7

Voices, Theatre Craft, and Drama, periodicals, 1920

Box 3    Folder 1

Handbills, greeting cards, and concert tickets, ca. 1920

Box 3    Folder 2

Hymns and prayers, 1917-1920

Box 3    Folder 3

Periodicals on theatre, and music, 1917-1921

Box 3    Folder 4

Theatre publications, periodicals, and concert song book, ca. 1926- 1958

Box 3    Folder 5

The Portraits of Three Old Gentlemen, proofs and artwork, 1916

Box 3    Folder 6

Aubrey Beardsley forgeries, correspondence, prints and photographs, 1896-1925

Box 4   Folder 1

At the Sign of the Flying Fame, broadsides, stationery, chapbooks and lists of publications, ca. 1913

Box 4   Folder 2

Chapbooks, ca. 1916

  • Richard Corbet, The Fairies’ Farewell
  • Kenneth Hare, Three Poems
Box 4   Folder 3

Proofs, dust jacket and broadside, ca. 1915

  • H.B. Tree, Thoughts and Afterthoughts, proofs
  • Pirates, dust jacket and broadside
Box 4   Folder 4

Dust jackets, chapbooks and title page proofs, ca. 1922

Box 4   Folder 5

Endpaper designs and proofs, ca. 1920

Box 4   Folder 6

Envelopes, stationery and calendars, ca. 1922-1923

Box 4   Folder 7

Caricatures, individual prints and periodical covers, ca. 1911

Box 4   Folder 8

Prints, ca. 1916

Box 4   Folder 9

Postcards, theatre publications and ephemera, prints of costumes and set designs, ca. 1910s-1920s

Box 4   Folder 10

Handbills, theatre tickets, bookplates, prayer and hymn books, Grace Lovat Fraser's greeting cards, visiting cards and marriage souvenirs, ca. 1917-1930

Box 4   Folder 11

Colored advertisements, proofs, publications and ephemera, ca. 1920-1921

Box 5   Folder 1

Periodicals, Art Chronicle, 1911-1913

Box 5   Folder 2

Periodicals, 1912-1922

Box 5   Folder 3

Periodicals, 1919-1920

Box 5   Folder 4

Periodicals, The Chapbook, 1921

Box 5   Folder 5

Periodicals, The Chapbook, Chapbooks. 1922

Box 5   Folder 6

Periodicals, ca. 1911-1921

Box 5   Folder 7

Periodicals, 1919-1921

Box 5   Folder 8

Periodicals, articles and catalogues, 1913-1972

Box 5   Folder 9

Periodicals and articles, 1921-1925