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Visual Materials
American Text-Books of Art Education, Revised Edition, Nos. 3-11
1 of 6
- Description
- Six drawing books entitled American Text-Books of Art Education, Revised Edition, Nos. 3-11, by Walter Smith, published by L. Prang & Co., Boston, 1879. The issues included in this group are Nos. 3, 5, 6, 7, 11 and a duplicate of No. 11. Each of these drawing books is 20 pages in length, and contain numbered exercises. Each exercise consists of brief instructional text, a lithograph image, and space for copying. The exercises increase in difficulty as they progress through each book, and also throughout the series. For example, some of the exercises found in No. 3 are simple curved lines, either used alone or in combination to form ornamental and floral designs. Use of both straight and curved lines continues through books 5, 6, and 7, but increase in complexity and difficulty. In Book No. 11, more attention is paid to angles, dimension, shading and proportion for three-dimensional objects and designs. All of the covers are identical; an ornamental frame surrounds the title. The insides of the front covers provide general instructions for use of the books; the insides of the back covers vary: some are blank, and some contain publisher's advertisements. The back covers also vary, some contain additional publisher's advertisements for books and materials within the Smith system, others contain additional directions for use of the series. Some of the books have been completed by previous owners. "Lutie Tompkins" is written in ms., in ink, in the upper right-hand corner of the front cover of No. 5. A paper label made from lined paper is mounted to the front cover of No. 7 and contains the ms. writing: "E. Hinde[?] Principal. Lutie Tompkins. Prov. St., Grade VII." "Lucius Tompkins" is written in ms. along the spine side of the front cover of No. 11 (env. 23), and an additional sheet of original artwork is laid in. Books No. 3 and 5 are smaller than the other books.
