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Don Perceval Trading Post Research

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-962-BC

Scope and Content

The collection primarily consists of Perceval’s research on traders and trading posts in the Southwest. There is a small amount of correspondence, as well as manuscripts of a couple of talks/papers prepared by Perceval for a conference in Arizona in 1963. Most research is in the form of hand and typewritten notes. There are also news clippings and published articles. It appears that Perceval was interested in conveying the “bigger picture" regarding Southwestern trading post, rather than the more traditional focus on a few individuals. However, his research did not result in publication.

Dates

  • 1949-1968
  • Majority of material found within 1963-1968

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biography / History

Don Louis Perceval was born in Woodford, Essex, England in 1908. He was raised in Los Angeles, where he attended the Pasadena Military Academy and Chouinard Art Institute. By the age of 19, he had begun taking sketching trips to the desert, reaching Arizona in 1927. He was taken with the Navajo and Hopi way of life.

Don Perceval returned to England for a time, studying at the Royal Academy in London and becoming exposed to classical art for the first time. From there he went to Spain and then back to the American southwest on a commission to create advertisements for the Rio Grande Oil Company. During the Second World War, Perceval served with the Royal Navy on a patrol boat in the Thames Estuary and created a cartoon manual to teach gunnery to cadets.

Don Perceval returned to the United States after the war, settling in California again, teaching at the Chouinard Art School and Pomona College. In the 1950s he traveled extensively in Arizona, living with the Hopi in 1952 and in Tucson from 1954 to 1959. Don Perceval's final years were in Santa Barbara, CA, where he died in 1979.

Source: Don Perceval website

Extent

1 box (.6 cu. ft.)

Abstract

The collection primarily consists of Don Perceval’s research relating to trading posts and traders in the Southwest.

Related Archival Material

Babbitt and Roberts Trading Post Records Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico

Separated Material

Youngblood, B.; A.L. Walker; William Brostrom Navajo Trading: Report, 1935 has been transferred for cataloguing into CSWR general collection.
Title
Finding aid of Don Perceval Trading Post Research, 1949-1968
Status
Completed
Author
B. Silbergleit
Date
© 2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

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