Archives of American Art
Letterio Calapai papers
Calapai, Letterio, 1902-1993
AAA.calalett
Archival Resource Key
3.4 Linear feet
1858, 1870, 1900-1993
bulk 1920-1993
The papers of Italian-American painter, engraver, and printmaker Letterio Calapai measure 3.4 linear feet and date from 1858 through 1993 (bulk 1920s-1993). Found are correspondence, teaching and project files, writings and notes, printed materials, photographs, and sketchbooks, including one with scenes of Rockwell Kent's dairy farm in upstate New York.
English
.
Biographical Note
Italian-American painter, engraver, and printmaker Letterio Calapai was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1903. His parents emigrated from Sicily and encouraged his participation in the arts at an early age. Calapai studied at the Massachusetts School of Art, the Beaux Arts Institute of Design, under artist Robert Laurent at the Art Students League, and at the American Artists School under Ben Shahn.
While in New York, Calalpai worked as a lithographer in a commercial printing shop but eventually abandoned this to pursue his own printmaking and painting full time, an endeavor made possible with the financial help of his former professor, Charles Hopkins. In 1933, Calalpai received his first exhibition, a one man show of his oil paintings, at the Art Center in New York City.
In the 1940s, Calapai became William Hayter's personal assistant at the Atelier 17 printmaking workshop and began to focus much of his work on this medium. He created a hugely successful portfolio of wood engravings inspired by the Thomas Wolfe play Look Homeward Angel. New York's George Binet Gallery hosted an exhibition of these prints the same year, a show that resulted in purchases of the portfolio by the libraries of Harvard University, Princeton, and the Boston and New York Public Libraries. Calapai also created book illustrations for a number of manuscript projects including 45 wood engravings for How God Fixed Jonah (1946), a West African adaptation of Old and New Testaments accounts in the Bible.
Calapai founded and chaired the Graphic Arts Department of the Albright Art School in Buffalo from 1949-1955 and taught at various universities and colleges, including the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine, the New School for Social Research, and New York University. He also established the Intaglio Workshop for Advanced Printmaking in Greenwich Village. He later left New York to teach at the University of Illinois, where he established a training studio and gallery.
Letterio Calalapi died in Glencoe, Illinois in 1993.
Scope and Content Note
The papers of Italian-American painter, engraver, and printmaker Letterio Calapai measure 3.4 linear feet and date from 1858 through 1993 (bulk 1920s-1993). Found are correspondence, teaching and project files, writings and notes, printed materials, photographs, and sketchbooks, including one with scenes of Rockwell Kent's dairy farm in upstate New York. Calapai's teaching career is documented through correspondence, writings and notes, as well as files concerning his position at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine. Projects files are found for Calapai's reprint of an 1845 engraving of The Capture of Major Andre by Asher B. Durand for the Historical Society of the Tarrytowns, New York, reprints of print originals by Thomas Bewick, the Look Homeward Angel engravings, and a possible exhibition and book about British engraver William Hogarth.
Arrangement
The Letterio Calapai papers are arranged into eleven series based primarily on type of material. Documents within individual folders are arranged chronologically by year.
Missing Title
- Series 1: Biographical Material, 1928, 1948-1993, undated (Box 1; 6 folders)
- Series 2: Correspondence, 1858, 1870, 1934-1992, undated (Boxes 1-2; 0.6 linear feet)
- Series 3: Printed Material, 1925-1991, undated (Box 2; 12 folders)
- Series 4: Writings and Notes, 1921, 1941-1992, undated (Boxes 2-3; 6 folders)
- Series 5: The Historical Society of the Tarrytowns, New York, Project File, 1966, 1970-1980, undated
- Series 6: Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, Maine, Teaching Files, 1965-1981, undated (Box 3; 5 folders)
- Series 7: Thomas Bewick Project Files, 1938-1988, undated (Box 3; 4 folders)
- Series 8: Thomas Wolfe, Look Homeward Angel Portfolio Project Files, 1929-1990, undated (Box 3; 7 folders)
- Series 9: William Hogarth Engravings Project Files, undated
- Series 10: Photographs, 1900-1990, undated
- Series 11: Artwork and Sketchbooks, 1960-1988, undated
Provenance
The Letterio Calalapi papers were donated to the Archives of American Art by the artist in 1992.
Restrictions on Access
The collection is open for research. Use requires an appointment and is limited to the Washington, D.C. research facility.
Terms of Use
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Preferred Citation
Letterio Calapai papers, 1858, 1870, 1900-1993 (bulk 1920s-1993). Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Processing Information
The Letterio Calapai papers were processed by Rosa Fernández in March 2003.
Sketches
Art -- Study and teaching
Photographs
Sketchbooks
Prints -- 20th century
Printmakers -- Illinois
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts -- Faculty
Biographical Material
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
1928, 1948-1993, undated
(Box 1; 6 folders)
Scope and Contents note
Found are resumes, certificates, awards, copies of letters of recommendation written in support of Calapai for fellowships or staff positions, exhibition files, and miscellaneous financial material. The exhibition files include various entry forms for juried exhibitions that were of interest to the artist as well as entry forms for art fellowships and contests. Financial material consists of payment stubs, receipts, scattered correspondence and invoices for art supply purchases, shipping costs and miscellaneous expenses.
Awards, Curriculum Vitae, Resumes
Archival Resource Key
1928, 1948-1993, undated
1
1
Exhibition Files
Archival Resource Key
1949-1990, undated
1
2-3
Financial Material
Archival Resource Key
1937-1981
1
4
Letters of Recommendation
Archival Resource Key
1955-1959
1
5
Correspondence
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
1858, 1870, 1934-1992, undated
(Boxes 1-2; 0.6 linear feet)
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence concerning Calapai's fifty-year retrospective exhibition in Rome in 1986, book projects, upcoming shows, and other career-related matters. Correspondents include Kendall College (includes audio reel), the New School for Social Research, the Society of Graphic Artists (SAGA), and others. Also found are letters from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) concerning Calapai's mural Historical Development of Military Signal Communication, undertaken for the Brooklyn Firemen's Association in 1939. There is one folder of correspondence with the Rockwell Kent Legacies concerning the posthumous printing of Rockwell Kent's engravings and other matters. General correspondence concerns a broader spectrum of career-related matters such as upcoming exhibitions and Calapai's printing workshop. Personal correspondence relates to sales and exhibition of prints discussed with friends and fellow artists, progress on current art projects, the health of Calapai's parents, and additional personal matters. Also found is a folder of letters addressed to his first wife, Delia Calapai, as well as copies of letters of recommendation written by Calapai in support of students for fellowship applications.
Calapai, Delia
Archival Resource Key
1947-1989, undated
1
6
Personal
Archival Resource Key
1934-1992, undated
1
7-8
General
Archival Resource Key
1942-1992, undated
1
9-18
Kendall College, Evanston, Ill
Archival Resource Key
1965-1969, n.d
2
1-2
Letters of Recommendation for Students
Archival Resource Key
1962-1992, undated
2
3
Retrospective Exhibition in Rome, Italy
Archival Resource Key
1980-1986
2
4
Rockwell Kent Legacies
Archival Resource Key
1977-1991, undated
2
5
Society of Graphic Artists (SAGA)
Archival Resource Key
1960-1991, undated
2
6
United Methodist Church, Madison, NJ
Archival Resource Key
1858, 1870, 1960-1987
2
7
Work Progress Administration
Archival Resource Key
1939-1988
2
8
Printed Material
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
1925-1991, undated
(Box 2; 12 folders)
Scope and Contents note
Found are exhibition announcements and catalogs, exhibition reviews published in newspaper and magazines, press releases, art journals and publications, and miscellaneous printed material.
Exhibition Announcements
Archival Resource Key
1948-1991, undated
2
9
Exhibition Catalogs
Archival Resource Key
1933-1990, undated
2
10-12
Newspaper Clippings
Archival Resource Key
1941-1991, undated
2
13-14
Newspapers
Archival Resource Key
1960-1986, undated
2
15
Newsletters, Bulletins, Journals
Archival Resource Key
1925, 1952-1991, undated
2
16-18
Press Releases
Archival Resource Key
1948-1990, undated
2
19
Miscellaneous Printed Material
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
20
Writings and Notes
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
1921, 1941-1992, undated
(Boxes 2-3; 6 folders)
Scope and Contents note
Found are Calapai's writings and notes on the printmaking process, descriptive information on several of Calapai's prints, lists regarding prints and exhibitions, and writings by others about printmaking.
Information on Prints
Archival Resource Key
1965, 1976, undated
2
21
Lecture Notes and Outlines
Archival Resource Key
1952-1992
2
22
Lecture Notes and Outlines
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
1
Lists Regarding Prints and Exhibitions
Archival Resource Key
1961-1984
3
2
Writings by Calapai
Archival Resource Key
1921, 1948, 1960-1989, undated
3
3
Writings by Others
Archival Resource Key
1941, 1946, 1960, 1977, undated
3
4
The Historical Society of the Tarrytowns, New York Project File
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
1966, 1970-1980, undated
(Box 3; 1 folder)
Scope and Contents note
In the early 1970s, Calapai collaborated with New York's Historical Society of the Tarrytowns to reprint an 1845 etching of the oil painting, The Capture of Major Andre, by Asher B. Durand. One folder of correspondence relates to details associated with the enterprise.
Historical Society of the Tarrytowns Project File
Archival Resource Key
1966, 1970-1980, undated
3
5
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts Teaching Files
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
1965-1981, undated
(Box 3; 5 folders)
Scope and Contents note
Files relating to Calapai's teaching position at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle, Maine, as well as his involvement in this small community where he and his second wife Jean kept a summer home.
Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1976-1980
3
6
Lists
Archival Resource Key
1976-1980
3
7
Notes
Archival Resource Key
1977-1979, undated
3
8
Photographs
Archival Resource Key
1965, 1979, undated
3
9
Printed Material
Archival Resource Key
1978-1981
3
10
Thomas Bewick Prints Project Files
Series 7
Archival Resource Key
1938-1988, undated
(Box 3; 4 folders)
Scope and Contents note
Files concerning a series of prints done by Calapai of 19th century printmaker Thomas Bewick's original wood block series based on the Aesop's Fables. Calapai published the prints in 1969 jointly with R. Hunter Middleton, director of the Ludlow Typography Company.
Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1968-1988, undated
3
11
Printed Material
Archival Resource Key
1938, 1946, 1969-1987
3
12
Notes
Archival Resource Key
1969, 1973, undated
3
13
Writings
Archival Resource Key
1985, undated
3
14
Thomas Wolfe, Look Homeward Angel Portfolio Project Files
Series 8
Archival Resource Key
1929-1990, undated
(Box 3; 7 folders)
Scope and Contents note
This series documents a portfolio of engravings Calapai created and published in 1949 based on the classic novel, Look Homeward Angel, by Thomas Wolfe. Found here are correspondence, printed materials, writings on Thomas Wolfe by Calapai and others, mailing lists, and proofs for the book jacket. Letters Returned to Sender refer to inquiry letters Calapai mailed in 1958 to collectors and potential buyers in hopes of generating further interest in the Look Homeward Angel portfolio. Correspondence from the 1980s documents a second attempt to republish the prints.
Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1929-1988, undated
3
15
Early Proofs
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
16
Letters Returned to Sender
Archival Resource Key
1958
3
17
Mailing Lists
Archival Resource Key
1957, undated
3
18
Printed Material
Archival Resource Key
1939, 1948-1956, 1977-1990, undated
3
19-20
Writings
Archival Resource Key
1938, 1977, 1979, 1989, undated
3
21
William Hogarth Engravings Exhibition Project File
Series 9
Archival Resource Key
undated
(Box 3; 1 folder)
Scope and Contents note
One folder concerning a possible exhibition of the 19th century British engraver William Hogarth and the publication of an accompanying exhibition catalog or book. Found are photograph contact sheets, typewritten notes, and layout designs.
Photographs and Notes
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
22
Photographs
Series 10
Archival Resource Key
1900-1990, undated
(Box 3; 6 folders)
Scope and Contents note
Color and black and white images of Calapai at work in his studio and of his students. Also included are photographs of family members from Sicily including Calapai's parents, Emmanuela and Rosario Calapai, and photographs of Calapai's artwork.
Artwork
Archival Resource Key
1925-1989, n,d
3
23-24
Family Members
Archival Resource Key
1900-1939, undated
3
25
Letterio Calapi and Others
Archival Resource Key
1957-1990, undated
3
26-27
Negatives and Proofs
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
28
Artwork and Sketchbooks
Series 11
Archival Resource Key
1960-1988, undated
(Box 4; 6 folders)
Scope and Contents note
Sketchbooks in graphite, pen and ink, and watercolor of landscape scenes, people, and other subjects. Places depicted include Kenya, Italy, New York City and Rockwell Kent's dairy farm, Asgaard, located in Au Sable Forks, New York. Also found are loose examples of artwork and original prints.
Artwork
Archival Resource Key
1960-1988, undated
4
1
Sketchbooks
Archival Resource Key
1962, 1965, 1971
4
2
Sketchbook (single)
Archival Resource Key
1974-1985
4
3
Sketchbooks
Archival Resource Key
1978-1984
4
4
Sketchbooks
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
5-6