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Pastel, Norman Appleton, page 28

 Item — Box: 4

Scope and Content

From the Collection: The Appleton family papers are dominated by materials relating to the diverse dual careers of Norman Appleton, artist-scientist. The collection is roughly twofold, documenting Norman Appleton and his first wife Carolyn Ten Eyck Appleton (1902-1948) and their careers, which span from the late 20's to her death in 1948. The collection contains research, manuscripts and correspondence, demonstrating the polemics of entomology and the high degree of sophistication and tenacity entomologists practice. Contained within his personal correspondence and entomological research are Norman Appeltons illustrations and photographs of the Rocky Mountain Tent Caterpillar and its New Mexico environment.

In 1943 Mr. Appleton turned to painting under the tutelage of his wife Carolyn. The bulk of his painting was birds, flowers, and portraits. Original negatives of a vast array of Norman Appleton's and Carolyn Ten Eyck Appleton's portfolios of portraits of well known New Mexicans and others are extensive. Artistic treatment of rather esoteric subjects such as hand painted floral patterns intended for blouses and a series of water wells of New Mexico demonstrate Carolyn's interest in drawing as pre-studies for painted New Mexican landscapes. An extensive portfolio of water color landscapes and portraits illustrates how prolific the Appletons were in only a few short years.

Carolyn Appleton's career is well represented within this collection as well. There is no obvious iconographic influence of the couple on each other. They collaborated on two major portraits, one of Archbishop Byrne and a second titled, "Jesus, Son of Man. The former has since been lithographed in full color and sold throughout the United States. It appears that Carolyn Appleton was not able to secure profitable publishing rights for her childrens literature manuscripts. The Cocky Cactus, is only one of a series of four fully illustrated manuscripts. The manuscripts and a series of Travel-Trix cut-out paper dolls were never published. Photographs within the collection were not removed in order to keep the original continuity within the context of the manuscripts. It should be noted that the scrapbooks of clippings were compiled in the 1920's through the 1940's before Carolyn died. The collection reflects the complexities with which the Appletons lived in the dual worlds of science and art.

Unprocessed materials in a July 2024 addition of one box focus primarily on the Ten Eyck side of the Appleton family. The materials in this addition date to the 19th century, documenting the personal and professional lives of R. Clarence Ten Eyck and his wife, Nettie Miller Ten Eyck, of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Included in the business papers are some contracts and documents related to the railroad business. The materials in this addition were collected and organized by David Ten Eyck Appleton.

Dates

  • 1920-1972

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 5 boxes (3.6 cu. ft.)

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451