Archives of American Art
Paul Sample papers
Sample, Paul, 1896-1974
AAA.samppaul
Archival Resource Key
3.2 Linear feet
circa 1890-1974
The Paul Sample papers measure 3.2 linear feet and date from 1890-1974 and document the life and work of Paul Sample through biographical materials, correspondence, writings, exhibition and gallery files, project and commission files, printed materials, photographic materials, and artwork.
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.
Existence and Location of Copies
Material lent for microfilming is available on 35mm microfilm reel(s) 333-335 and 1197 at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Papers were lent and donated for microfilming in 1971 by Paul Sample and donated in 1974 by his widow Sylvia Sample. The bulk of the microfilmed material and additional papers were donated between 1971 and 1974 by Paul and Sylvia Sample.
Scope and Contents
The Paul Sample papers measure 3.2 linear feet and date from circa 1890-1974. Biographical Materials are composed of Sample's resume, lists of his artworks, documents relating to his parents Wilbur and Elfie, Sample's press passes for his position as a press correspondent and artist during World War Two, honors and awards, an interview, and Sample's obituary. Correspondence consists of letters between Sample and his friends, family, and supporters of his art. Writings includes the notes and manuscripts for various speeches by Sample, personal writings and diary entries, the manuscript of a book written about Sample by John D. Condit, and miscellaneous notes. Exhibition and Gallery files includes planning documents and correspondence with various galleries and receipts for exhibitions. Project and Commission Files contains documents regarding specific projects Sample worked on including planning, correspondence, and receipts. Printed Materials includes various pieces of foreign and US currency dating to World War 2, exhibition announcements, newspaper clippings, and magazine and journal clippings and articles referencing Sample and his artwork which are also present in the included scrapbook. Also included are various reproductions of his artwork. Photographic Materials includes photographs of Sample, his family, and his friends as well as photographs of Sample's artwork. Artwork contains sketches, sketchbooks, and watercolors by Sample.
Processing Information
This collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared, by Allessandra Liberati in 2023.
Preferred Citation
Paul Sample papers, circa 1890-1974. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Biographical / Historical
Painter and Illustrator Paul Sample was born on September 4, 1896, in Louisville, Kentucky. Sample is known for his unique portrayal of New England via his own blend of Social Realism and Regionalism. In 1921 Sample graduated from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire where he studied architecture. While enrolled at Dartmouth Sample spent a year in the Naval Reserves during World War One. While visiting his brother at a sanatorium in Saranac Lake, New York, Sample contracted tuberculosis which later influenced his works. While at Saranac, Sample studied under Jonas Lie, after which he studied at the Art Students League of Los Angeles and the Otis Art Institute in California where his works reflected social issues connected with the Great Depression. Sample's talent earned him a position at the University of Southern California's School of Architecture, and he later served as chair of the art department while also teaching night classes at the Chouinard School of Art. In 1938 Sample returned to Dartmouth to become the Artist in Residence, a position he held until 1962. During World War Two, Sample produced paintings and artworks for various magazines and publications. Sample is also known for creating the cover art for Carl Sundburg's novel Remembrance Rock and he was inducted into the National Academy in 1941. Sample died on February 26, 1974, at the age of 78 in Norwich, Vermont.
Conditions Governing 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.
Separated Materials
The Archives of American Art also holds microfilm of material donated for microfilming (reels 333-335 and 1197) including: correspondence, exhibition catalogs, writings, biographical data, clippings, and photographs (reels 333-335) and two sketchbooks containing watercolor and pencil sketches of Iceland (reel 1197).
Related Materials
The archives also hold an oral history interview of Paul Sample conducted 1971 October 10, by Robert F. Brown.
Arrangement
This collection contains 8 series:
- Series 1: Biographical Materials, circa 1925-1974 (0.1 Linear feet: Box 1)
- Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1929-1973 (0.1 Linear feet: Box 1)
- Series 3: Writings, circa 1932-1972 (0.3 Linear feet: Box 1)
- Series 4: Exhibition and Gallery Files, circa 1931-1974 (0.2 Linear feet: Box 1)
- Series 5: Project and Commission Files, circa 1954-1971 (0.1 Linear feet: Box 1)
- Series 6: Printed Materials, circa 1930-1974 (0.6 Linear feet: Box 1-2, OV 6, BV7)
- Series 7: Photographic Materials, circa 1890-1972 (0.3 Linear feet: Box 2)
- Series 8: Artwork, circa 1931-1972 (1.5 Linear feet: Box 3- 5)
Drawing -- Vermont -- Norwich
Art, American -- 20th century
Sketchbooks
Illustrators -- Vermont -- Norwich
Painters -- Vermont
Biographical Materials
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
.1 Linear feet
circa 1925-1974
Scope and Contents
Biographical Materials is composed of Sample's resume which includes lists of his artworks, Sample's press passes for his position as a press correspondent and artist during World War 2, Sample's obituary, an interview with Sample on a ΒΌ" audio reel,various honors and awards won by Sample over his career, and his father Wilbur's CV as well as cemetery plot deeds for his parents.
Resume/CV
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930-1942
1
1
War Department Bureau of Public Relations Identification Card
Archival Resource Key
1942, May 30
1
2
US Pacific Fleet Press Correspondent Identification Card
Archival Resource Key
circa 1943
1
3
Paul Sample Obituary
Archival Resource Key
circa 1974
1
4
Interview with Paul Sample
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound tape reel
1/4 " audio reel
circa 1971
1
5
Honors and Awards
Archival Resource Key
circa 1926-1969
1
6
Miscellaneous Biographical Materials (Parents Wilbur and Elfie Sample)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1925-1928
1
7
Correspondence
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
.1 Linear feet
circa 1929-1973
Scope and Contents
Correspondence consists of letters between Sample and his friends and family, colleagues, the Archives of American Art regarding his papers, and supporters of his art.
A-L
Archival Resource Key
circa 1939-1973
1
8
M-W
Archival Resource Key
circa 1931-1972
1
9
Archives of American Art
Archival Resource Key
circa 1971-1972
1
10
Outgoing
Archival Resource Key
circa 1933-1973
1
11
Snorri and Barbara (Outgoing)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1956
1
12
Unidentified and First Name Only
Archival Resource Key
circa 1929-1973
1
13
Writings
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
.3 Linear feet
circa 1932-1972
Scope and Contents
Writings includes personal writings and diary entries by Paul Sample, notes and manuscripts for various speeches by Sample, a collection of travel notes taken by Sample, the manuscript of a book written about Sample by John D. Condit, and miscellaneous writings by others.
Writings by Paul Sample
Archival Resource Key
On Albert Vincent
Archival Resource Key
circa 1952-1970
1
14
An Elder Fisherman, A Recollection
Archival Resource Key
circa 1952-1970
1
15
Diary Entries Regarding World War Two
Archival Resource Key
circa 1942-1943
1
16
Art and Cultural Criticisms
Archival Resource Key
circa 1939-1970
1
17
Artist Statements
Archival Resource Key
circa 1964-1965
1
18
Narrative Writings on Miscellaneous Topics
Archival Resource Key
circa 1939-1970
1
19
Speeches
Archival Resource Key
Art in Vermont
Archival Resource Key
circa 1952-1970
1
20
Chicago
Archival Resource Key
circa 1954
1
21
Demonstration
Archival Resource Key
1953, April 19
1
22
Ford - Boston
Archival Resource Key
circa 1957
1
23
Hanover Holiday
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940-1952
1
24
Hartford Calls
Archival Resource Key
circa 1957
1
25
Judging Pictures
Archival Resource Key
circa 1951-1957
1
26
Junto Address
Archival Resource Key
circa 1939
1
27
My Class
Archival Resource Key
circa 1938
1
28
Ohio
Archival Resource Key
circa 1954
1
29
Our Changing Musical Diet
Archival Resource Key
circa 1932-1945
1
30
Pachanin Clan
Archival Resource Key
circa 1951-1957
1
31
Painting
Archival Resource Key
circa 1951-1957
1
32
Painting as a Profession
Archival Resource Key
circa 1932-1945
1
33
Pearl Harbor
Archival Resource Key
circa 1943
1
34
Radio Speech
Archival Resource Key
circa 1932
1
35
Rotary
Archival Resource Key
circa 1939
1
36
St. Paul's School
Archival Resource Key
circa 1955
1
37
On Teaching
Archival Resource Key
circa 1951-1957
1
38
Trends in American Painting Today
Archival Resource Key
circa 1932-1945
1
39
Vermont Artwork
Archival Resource Key
circa 1961
1
40
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
circa 1932-1957
1
41
Travel Notes
Archival Resource Key
circa 1952-1955
1
42
Writings by Others
Archival Resource Key
Manuscript of Paul Sample by John D. Condit
Archival Resource Key
1972, May 26
1
43
Miscellaneous Writings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1939-1970
1
44
Exhibition and Gallery Files
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
.2 Linear feet
circa 1931-1974
Scope and Contents
Exhibition and Gallery Files includes planning documents, correspondence with various galleries, receipts for exhibitions for the Capricorn, Feragil, Robert C. Vose, Milch, and William Macbeth galleries. Also included are materials related to the George C. Marshall Research Library, the Museum of the city of New York, the New Hampshire Art Association, the Southern Vermont Art Center, and Vermont Technical College.
Capricorn Galleries
Archival Resource Key
circa 1968-1974
1
45-46
Ferargil Gallery
Archival Resource Key
circa 1933-1939
1
47
George C. Marshall Research Library
Archival Resource Key
circa 1965
1
48
The Milch Galleries
Archival Resource Key
circa 1958-1963
1
49
Museum of the City of New York
Archival Resource Key
circa 1955-1956
1
50
New Hampshire Art Association
Archival Resource Key
circa 1962-1967
1
51
Robert C. Vose Galleries
Archival Resource Key
circa 1945-1946
1
52
The Southern Vermont Art Center
Archival Resource Key
circa 1968-1969
1
53
Vermont Technical College
Archival Resource Key
circa 1969-1970
1
54
William Macbeth Gallery
Archival Resource Key
circa 1931-1943
1
55
Miscellaneous Gallery Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
circa 1941-1971
1
56
Miscellaneous Exhibition Documents
Archival Resource Key
circa 1949-1970
1
57
Project and Commission Files
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
.1 Linear feet
circa 1954-1971
Scope and Contents
Project and Commission Files contains documents regarding specific projects Sample worked on including planning and correspondence documents relating to artwork for the Morristown Trust Company, a mural for the National Life Insurance Company, and a painting for Wentworth Hurd.
Morristown Trust Company
Archival Resource Key
1954, January 4
1
58
Mural for National Life Insurance Company
Archival Resource Key
circa 1959-1961
1
59
Wentworth Hurd Painting
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970-1971
1
60
Printed Materials
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
.6 Linear feet
circa 1930-1974
Scope and Contents
Printed Materials includes various forms of currency dating to World War 2 from the Netherlands, Japan, China, the Philippines, and the US, exhibition announcements, newspaper clippings, and magazine and journal clippings and articles referencing Sample and his artwork as well as various reproductions of his artwork. The present scrapbook contains newspaper clippings relating to Paul Sample.
World War Two Foreign and US Currency
Archival Resource Key
circa 1942-1944
1
61
Exhibition Announcements
Archival Resource Key
circa 1932-1937
1
62
Exhibition Announcements
Archival Resource Key
circa 1941-1949
1
63
Exhibition Announcements
Archival Resource Key
circa 1950-1958
1
64
Exhibition Announcements
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960-1969
1
65
Exhibition Announcements
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970-1974
1
66
Exhibition Announcements
Archival Resource Key
circa 1932-1974
1
67
Newspaper Clippings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930-1974
1
68-71
Magazine and Journal Clippings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1931-1949
1
72-73
Magazine and Journal Clippings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1953-1974
2
1-4
Scrapbook of Newspaper Clippings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1932-1974
7
Reproductions of Artwork
Archival Resource Key
circa 1954-1968
2
5
Reproductions of Artwork
Archival Resource Key
circa 1933-1970
6
Photographic Materials
Series 7
Archival Resource Key
.3 Linear feet
circa 1890-1972
Scope and Contents
Photographic Materials includes photographs of Sample, his family, and his friends as well as photographs of Sample's artwork.
Photographs of Paul Sample
Archival Resource Key
circa 1936-1972
2
6
Personal Photographs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1890-1972
2
7-8
Photographs of Artwork
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930-1972
2
9-11
Work Prints - For Reference
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930-1972
2
12
Contact Sheets
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930-1972
2
13
Photographic Negatives
Archival Resource Key
circa 1939-1970
2
14
Artwork
Series 8
Archival Resource Key
1.5 Linear feet
circa 1931-1972
Scope and Contents
Artwork contains sketchbooks, sketches, and watercolors by Sample.
Sketchbooks
Archival Resource Key
France and Spain
Archival Resource Key
circa 1956
2
15
Labrador
Archival Resource Key
circa 1957
2
16
Montana
Archival Resource Key
circa 1969
2
17
New York, Florida, Montana, Vermont
Archival Resource Key
circa 1962-1969
2
18
Vermont
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960-1069
2
19
Vermont
Archival Resource Key
circa 1971
2
20
Yucatan, Vermont, Florida
Archival Resource Key
circa 1966
2
21
Sketchbooks (1946)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1946
2
22
Sketchbook (1960)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960
2
23
Sketchbook (1965-1966)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1965-1966
2
24
Sketchbooks
Archival Resource Key
circa 1945-1972
3
1-5
Sketchbooks
Archival Resource Key
circa 1945-1972
4
1-8
Watercolors
Archival Resource Key
circa 1945-1972
4
9
Watercolors of Iceland
Archival Resource Key
circa 1945-1972
5
1
Quebec Studio Sketches
Archival Resource Key
circa 1949-1957
5
2
Sketches
Archival Resource Key
circa 1931-1968
5
3-5