Collection inventory

Overview of the Collection
Creator:	Springweiler, Erwin F., 1896-1968
Title:	Erwin F. Springweiler Papers
Inclusive Dates:	1912-1967
Quantity:	2 linear ft.
Abstract:	Spanning 1912 to 1967, the Erwin F. Springweiler Papers comprises correspondence, artwork, writings, and memorabilia of the German American medalist and sculptor (1896-1968). The collection illuminates the professional career of the artist, who specialized in commemorative medals and animal sculpture. Includes letters from Archer Milton Huntington, Hazel Brill Jackson, Carl Paul Jennewein, Gertrude K. Lathrop, Paul Manship, A.A. Weinman, and Robert A. Weinman.
Language:	Most in English, some in German.
Repository:	Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Avenue Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center

Biographical History

Erwin F. Springweiler (1896-1968) was a German-born American medalist and sculptor, specializing in animals.

Born in Pforzheim, Germany, Springweiler trained at the Munich Academy and worked with the American sculptor Paul Manship in Havana, Cuba. During the 1930s, Springweiler was one of several artists sponsored by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and create paintings for numerous post offices across the United States. His sculpture of an anteater stands in the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. [Biography adapted from information on the website of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.]

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Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Erwin F. Springweiler Papers consist of biographical material, correspondence-subject files, artwork, writings, and memorabilia.

Incoming letters, a few outgoing drafts, and a variety of related printed materials form the Correspondence-Subject Files. The collection includes letters from fellow sculptors Hazel Brill Jackson, C. Paul Jennewein, Gertrude K. Lathrop, Paul Manship, A. A. Weinman, and Robert A. Weinman. Organizational correspondence includes that of Brookgreen Gardens, the International Institute of Arts and Letters, the National Academy of Design, the National Sculpture Society, the R. W. Norton Art Gallery, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the Society of Medalists. Correspondence from the U. S. Treasury Department documents a number of Springweiler's most important sculpture commissions, including those for the National Zoological Park, the post office in Chester, Pennsylvania, and the 1939 New York World's Fair, as well as the production of his George M. Cohan Medal.

Artwork encompasses both original sketches and photographic or printed reproductions. Arranged by format, designs for medals and plaques, two sketchbooks, animal and human figure drawings, and a few miscellaneous, mostly mechanical, drawings constitute the original artwork. The organization of the photographic and printed reproductions of the completed medals and sculpture corresponds to the categorical arrangement of the original sketches.

Writings consists of two essays and some notes on art, the latter mainly in German.

Memorabilia is composed of photographs and printed material. Photographs include formal portraits of Springweiler as well as a number of images of the artist at work in his studio. Printed material includes certificates of award in school competitions from the Kunstgewerbeschule Pforzheim, clippings (1923-1955), and exhibition catalogs (1932-1960).

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Arrangement of the Collection

Correspondence-subject files are arranged alphabetically by correspondent. Artwork is divided into originals and reproductions, and listed alphabetically within each category. Writings and Memorabilia are arranged alphabetically by type.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Subject Headings

Persons

Subjects

Genres and Forms

Occupations

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Erwin F. Springweiler Papers,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Gift of Erwin F. Springweiler, 1967-1971.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: KM
Date: Aug 1994
Revision history: 4 Jan 2006 - EAD file created (MRR); 25 Oct 2018 - rehoused, inventory updated, biographical material added (MS)

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Inventory

	Biographical material
Box 1		Miscellaneous

	Correspondence-subject files
Box 1		American Academy of Achievement 1966
Box 1		Brookgreen Gardens 1946-1947
Box 1		Franklin Mint 1967
		Franklin-Institut Lindau
			See International Institute of Arts and Letters
		General Numismatics Corporation
			See National Commemorative Society
		Huntington, Archer Milton
			See Brookgreen Gardens
Box 1		International Institute of Arts and Letters 1955-1957, undated
Box 1		Jackson, Hazel Brill 1959
		Jennewein, Carl Paul
			See American Academy of Achievement
Box 1		Lathrop, Gertrude K. 1941, undated
Box 1		Manship, Paul 1939
Box 1		Medallic Art Company 1960, 1967
Box 1		National Academy of Design 1938, 1947-1949, 1959, 1966-1967
Box 1		National Commemorative Society 1965-1967
		National Sculpture Review
			See National Sculpture Society
Box 1		National Sculpture Society 1942, 1955, 1967
		New York World's Fair, 1939
			See United States. Treasury Department
Box 1		R. W. Norton Art Gallery (Shreveport, La.) 1963-1964
Box 1		Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 1947, 1967
Box 1		Society of Medalists 1941-1942, undated
Box 1		United States. Air Force 1948
		United States. Post Office
			See United States. Treasury Department.
Box 1		United States. Treasury Department 1937-1947
Box 1		Weinman, Adolph Alexander 1946-1947, 1952
Box 1		Weinman, Robert A. 1967
Box 1		A-Z, unidentified 1937-1967

	Artwork
		Original
Box 1			Designs for medals and plaques undated (2 folders)
Oversize 1			Designs for medals and plaques undated
Box 1			Sketchbooks undated (2 volumes)
Box 1			Sketches
Box 1				Animals undated
Oversize 1				Animal undated
Oversize 1				Human figure 1923, 1932-1935, undated
Box 1				Human figure 1932, undated (2 folders)
Box 1				Miscellaneous undated
Oversize 1				Miscellaneous undated
		Reproductions
Box 2			Medals and plaques undated
			Sculpture
Box 2				Animal (5 folders)
Box 2				Human figure (3 folders)
Box 2				Miscellaneous

	Writings
Box 2		Essays (2) undated - manuscript and galley proof
Box 2		Notes on art undated

	Memorabilia
Box 2		Photographs
		Printed material
Oversize 2			Art Anatomy of Animals / Ernest E. Thompson - presentation copy to E. Springweiler from MacDowell Colony fellows
Box 2			Certificates of award in school competitions, Kunstgewerbeschule Pforzheim 1912-1916
Oversize 1			Certificates, National Academy of Design, National Sculpture Society 1937, 1947, 1958, 1963, 1967
Box 2			Clippings 1923-1955, undated
Box 2			Exhibition catalogs 1932-1960 (2 folders)
Box 2			Map, Ravensteins Reise und Eisenbahnkarte von Deutschland
Box 2			Periodical issue (with title page notes) Die Lehrer der Kunst + Werkschule Pforzheim 20 Jahrg., Heft 1/2 1958
Box 2			Miscellany

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