The collection is arranged into six series: Series 1: Biographical Material, 1916-1960 (Box 1; 5 folders) Series 2: Correspondence, 1890-1985 (Box 1-10, OV 13; 3.8 linear feet) Series 3: Memoir Book Production, 1883-1959 (Box 11, OV 13; 0.4 linear feet) Series 4: Artwork, 1961, undated (Box 11, OV 13; 2 folders) Series 5: Photographs, circa 1915 - 1982 (Box 12; 5 folders) Series 6: Personal Files of Dan Mason, 1919-1928 (Box 12; 0.4 linear feet)
Access Note / Rights:
Use of the original papers requires an appointment.
Summary:
The papers of artist and silent film actress Wilna Hervey and her lifelong companion painter Nan Mason date from 1883 through 1985 and measure 4.9 linear feet. The collection is comprised mostly of letters to Hervey and Mason from friends, colleagues, and Mason's father, Dan Mason, also a silent film actor. Also found are personal photographs and snapshots, Hervey's handwritten memoirs, as well as twelve folders of Dan Mason's papers.
Citation:
Wilna Hervey and Nan Mason papers, 1883-1985. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Use Note:
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.
Biography Note:
Wilna Hervey was born in 1894 and grew up in Far Rockaway, New York. She met Nan Mason (1896-1982), daughter of silent film actor Dan Mason, while on production of The Toonerville Trolley silent film comedies in 1920. They were lifelong companions until Hervey's death in 1979.
Language Note:
English .
Provenance:
The Wilna Hervey and Nan Mason papers were donated to the Archives of American Art by Daniel Gelfand, a friend of Wilna Hervey and Nan Mason, in 2008.
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001