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University of Chicago Library

Guide to the Cyrus Le Roy Baldridge Collection 1891-1978

© 2019 University of Chicago Library

Descriptive Summary

Title:

Baldridge, Cyrus Le Roy. Collection

Dates:

1891-1978

Size:

6 linear feet (4 boxes)

Repository:

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

Abstract:

Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge (1889-1977), artist. The Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge papers includes notes, correspondence, telegrams, articles about or by Baldridge and his wife Caroline Singer, as well as original and/or unpublished works of art from Baldridge, ranging from cartoons drawn during childhood to unfinished drafts.

Information on Use

Access

The collection is open for research.

Citation

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

Biographical Note

Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge was born in Alton, New York in 1889 to William Baldridge and Eliza Burgdorf Baldridge. Baldridge began his career in art at age 10, when he was accepted into Frank Holme’s Chicago School of Illustration. Baldridge attended the University of Chicago, where he received his Ph.B in 1911 in English Literature. While attending the university, Baldridge drew cartoons for the Maroon and for Cap and Gown newspapers.

Baldridge became a cavalryman for the Illinois National Guard, and eventually left for Europe in 1914 to cover the war. He served in WWI for the French and American armies as a field artist and war correspondent and then as an artist for the Stars and Stripes newspaper.

After the war and brief stints as a commercial artist, Baldridge traveled around the world sketching with his wife, Caroline Singer. They returned to the United States after 1932. Baldridge became president of the National Association of Commercial Arts and commander of the Willard Straight Post of the American Legion. In 1936, Baldridge wrote a pamphlet at the request of the Americanism Committee of the New York County American Legion. Titled “Americanism--What Is It?” the pamphlet sparked debates across the country over the purported communist sentiments behind the piece.

Baldridge’s other publications include I Was There and his autobiography Time and Chance (1947). In addition to illustrating many books, Baldridge co-wrote White Africans and Black (1929) and Half the World is Isfahan (1936) with his wife Singer.

Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge died in 1977.

Scope Note

The Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge Papers are organized into 4 series:

Series I: Biographical is divided into 3 subseries:

Subseries 1, Childhood, contains drawings, sketches, self-printed books, newspaper clippings, and a photograph. Materials date from 1898 to 1908 and are arranged by type of material and then chronologically.

Subseries 2, Later Life, contains artwork for and articles reviewing the autobiography Time and Chance (1947), biographic articles, travel cards, an address book, and an alumni award from the University of Chicago. Materials date from 1914 to 1977 and are arranged by type of material and then chronologically.

Subseries 3, Correspondence, contains correspondence regarding Harry Hansen, Mary Mulberry, and several other associates of Baldridge. Materials date from 1918 to 1978 and are arranged by type of material and then chronologically.

Series II: Travels is divided into two subseries:

Subseries 1, The War and Travels to Europe, includes newspaper clippings, articles, artwork prints, and sketches. Materials date from 1911 to 1924 and are arranged by type and then chronologically.

Subseries 2, Travels to the East, includes newspaper and magazine articles, clippings, book reviews, art work prints, and book illustrations. Materials date from 1918 to 1944 and are arranged by type and then chronologically.

Series III: Caroline Singer Caroline Singer, includes unpublished work and articles written by Caroline Singer, articles regarding Caroline Singer, portraits, and photographs. Materials date from 1920 to 1943 and are arranged by type and then chronologically.

Series IV: Other Works includes articles and correspondence pertaining to the booklet “Americanism: What is It?”, newspaper clippings, artwork prints, magazine volumes, and other miscellaneous illustrations. Materials date from 1920 to 2016 and are arranged by type and then chronologically.

Series IV includes oversize material organized in the same groupings as the rest of the collection.

Related Resources

Browse finding aids by topic.

Subject Headings

INVENTORY

Series I: Biographical

Subseries 1: Childhood

Box 1   Folder 1

Newspaper clippings and sketches, 1898-1908

Box 1   Folder 2

Some of the Adventures of Robin Hood, 1901

Box 1   Folder 3

Jack Harper, 1902

Box 1   Folder 4

The Fall of a Traitor, 1903

Box 1   Folder 5

Detective Dan, 1903

Box 1   Folder 6

Pirate Series, Days, Vol. 1, 1904

Box 1   Folder 7

Photograph, 1898

Subseries 2: Later Life

Box 1   Folder 8

Autobiography Time and Chance, 1947-1948

Box 1   Folder 9

Articles re: Baldridge’s Life, 1919-1977

Box 1   Folder 10

Miscellaneous Personal Affects, 1914-1944

Subseries 3: Correspondence

Box 1   Folder 11

Re: Harry Hansen, 1918-1976

Box 1   Folder 12

Re: Mary Mulberry, 1964-1978

Box 1   Folder 13

Miscellaneous, 1977

Series II: Travels

Subseries 1: The War and Travels to Europe

Box 2   Folder 1

Illinois Calvary, 1916-1918

Box 2   Folder 2

Miscellaneous works, 1911-1924

Subseries 2: Travels to the East

Box 2   Folder 3

Turn to the East, 1926-1927

Box 2   Folder 4

White Africans and Black, 1929

Box 2   Folder 5

Bomba Lives in Africa, 1935

Box 2   Folder 6

Half the World is Isfahan, 1936

Box 2   Folder 7

Miscellaneous Newspaper Clippings, 1919-1925

Box 2   Folder 8

Miscellaneous Sketches, 1918-1932

Series III: Caroline Singer

Box 2   Folder 9

“None of it Makes Sense”, undated

Box 2   Folder 10

Portraits and Photographs

Box 2   Folder 11

Articles, 1920-1943

Series IV: Other Works

Box 2   Folder 12

Americanism: What is It? Correspondence, 1936-1937

Box 2   Folder 13

Americanism: What is It? Articles, 1933-1937

Box 2   Folder 14

Hall Trial Sketches, 1926

Box 2   Folder 15

Scribner’s Magazine, 1920-1937

Box 2   Folder 16

Articles, 1924-1970

Box 2   Folder 17

Newspaper Clippings, 1924-1926

Box 2   Folder 18

Miscellaneous Book Illustrations, 1937-1950

Box 2   Folder 19

Miscellaneous Art, 1927-2016

Series V: Oversize

Box 3   Folder 1

Newspaper Clippings and Sketches, 1898-1908

Box 3   Folder 2

Rats!, Vol 1-3, 1900-1901

Box 3   Folder 3

Autobiography Time and Chance, 1947-1948

Box 3   Folder 4

Miscellaneous Personal Affects, 1914-1944

Box 3   Folder 5

Illinois Cavalryman, 1916-1918

Box 3   Folder 6

Stars and Stripes and The Home Sector, 1919-1920

Box 3   Folder 7

Miscellaneous Works, 1911-1923

Box 3   Folder 8

Turn to the East, 1926

Box 3   Folder 9

White Africans and Black, 1929

Box 3   Folder 10

Bomba Lives in Africa, 1935

Box 3   Folder 11

Half the World is Isfahan, 1936

Box 3   Folder 12

Articles re: Travels, 1930-1944

Box 3   Folder 13

Miscellaneous Newspaper Clippings, 1919-1925

Box 3   Folder 14

Miscellaneous Sketches, 1918-1932

Box 3   Folder 15

Articles re: Caroline Singer, 1920-1943

Box 3   Folder 16

Drawing of Robert Maynard Hutchins, circa 1930s

Box 4   Folder 1

Hall Trial Sketches, 1926

Box 4   Folder 2

Articles, 1924-1970

Box 4   Folder 3

The Adventures of Marco Polo, 1948

Box 4   Folder 4

Illustrations for A. T. W. Simeons, 1941-1952

Box 4   Folder 5

Nobody’s Child, undated

Box 4   Folder 6

Miscellaneous Illustrations, 1927-2016

Box 4   Folder 7

“Americanism: What is it?” Articles, 1936

Box 4   Folder 8

The Strange Land, 1950