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Summary:
Papers concerning Proctor's bronze statue THE PIONEER MOTHER, commissioned by Howard Vanderslice in 1924 and presented to the city of Kansas City, Mo. in 1927. The figures depicted in the sculpture are Vanderslice family members, including Major Daniel Vanderslice, a veteran of Indian wars and an appointed agent to tribes in Missouri; his son Thomas J. Vanderslice with his wife and infant son, Howard Vanderslice, ca. 1853. Included are: a letter to Proctor from Maria Wulff, the model for the statue, and Elizabeth Ewing regarding their impressions of the sculpture, 1924; a letter to "My dear Howard" from Wulff and Ewing, Nov. 11, 1927, the day the sculpture was dedicated 1927; 2 annotated calling cards from Proctor mentioning it; clippings, 1926-1935, regarding THE PIONEER MOTHER and other works by Proctor; photographs of Proctor, his family, home and studio, undated and 1925; a photograph of Vanderslice, 1927; 5 photographs of Maria Wulff "in the dress of the Pioneer Mother," 1925; and photographs of THE PIONEER MOTHER and other works. Also included are an eulogy to Proctor by the Camp Fire Club of America, 1950; a watercolor by Jean Proctor; an etching by William Proctor, 1937.
Citation:
Papers relating to Alexander Phimister Proctor's statue, The Pioneer Mother, 1924-1950. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Biography Note:
Proctor was a sculptor; Wilton, Conn.; Palo Alto and Hollywood, Calif.
Language Note:
English .
Provenance:
Donated 1989 by the Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, California, who received the papers from a friend of the museum, who stated only that they came from "an old house."
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
