Visual Materials
Six drawing books entitled American Text-Books of Art Education, Revised Edition, Nos. 5, 7, 7, 9, 10, 14, published by L. Prang & Co., Boston, copyright 1879. These drawing books are each 20 pages in length and include numbered lessons, each with instructional text, lithograph illustrations, and space for copying. The front cover is decoratively bordered, the title centered. The inside of the front covers contain a "Special Notice to Teachers", which provides instructional information for using this series. On each of the back covers is a publisher's advertisement for "A System of Industrial and Artistic Drawing for Public Schools (Revised Edition)." The insides of the back covers of Books 7, 9, 10 and 14 are blank. The insides of the back covers of the remaining books contain publisher's advertisements. The books range in complexity from relatively simple to more complex; and the same range exists within each of the books. The exercises range from simple shapes and angles (in Book No. 5) to more complex images, such as scenes and views which include projection and perspective (in Book 14). Book No. 5 appears to focus on the creation of shapes and patterns based on geometric forms; Book 7 (both copies) focuses on tracing and transferring; Book 8 emphasizes freehand drawing from models (objects and plant life); Book 9 focuses on rectangular forms and historic styles in design; Book 10 emphasizes simple shapes and angles, ornamental designs and borders; and Book 14 focuses on projection and perspective. Book 14 is lacking the first 2 leaves, therefore the first 4 exercises are missing. Some of the images have been copied by previous owners, and some of the books contain sheets with original artwork laid in. "David Anderson" is written in ms. on the front cover of Book No. 7 (one of the 2 copies). Book No. 5 is smaller than the other books in the series. The dimensions provided are for Books Nos. 7-14.
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