The Julia G. Severance papers primarily consist of her etchings of notable sites and buildings around the Oberlin College campus. Also included are letters written to friends regarding personal matters. The letters were retained for the additional artwork found on them. The photograph series contains photos of Julia Severance, her studio, and the Severance home in Oberlin, Ohio, as well as a photo album documenting her time in California and various loose photographs. The two scrapbooks in the collection primarily consist of newspaper clippings on various subjects. Miscellaneous items include an account book, two published books, a small bronze plate, and an art exhibit event program. Although the collection documents her artistic talents, there exists only a small amount of biographical information and other materials relating to her education and family.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series I. Correspondence, 1940, 1955, undated
The correspondence includes letters and cards written by Julia Severance to her friends containing artwork such as sketches and photographs.
Series II. Etchings and Other Artwork, 1912-1943, undated
The etchings consist of ink renderings of sites associated with Oberlin College and two sketches of unidentified people. These prints, including some that are mounted, range in size from 9 inches by 12 inches to 3 inches by 5 inches. Many of these were used for the Oberlin College calendar as well as postcards. Artwork consists of two small round plaster maquettes and two watercolors from Italy. Sketches include 19 loose drawings and watercolors from Severance’s trip to Italy, and a sketchbook containing landscape pencil drawings.
Series III. Photographs, 1922,1926, 1940s-1950s
This series consists of five photographs taken of Julia Severance and her studio, professional photographs of the Severance home, informal snapshots of family and friends, numerous loose photographs of various subjects but primarily sculpture, and a photograph album from her family's time in California.
Series IV. Scrapbooks, ca. 1937-1948
Two scrapbooks are contained in the collection. Both relate to numerous subjects such as theatre, humor, poetry, etc. through newspaper clippings, photographs, and cards. The scrapbook in box 4 was previously in a three-ring binder. It was removed from the binder and placed within 3 folders in a half-size box.
Series V. Miscellaneous, ca. 1930-1949, 1957, undated
Miscellaneous items of the collection include Severance’s account book, a small bronze plate, a catalogue of a Cleveland Museum exhibit, postcards (7) that contain Severance’s drawings of buildings and scenes of Berea College, Berea, Kentucky, and a program for an art exhibit event with an award ticket for Julia Severance.
Accruals:
Accession Nos: 1999/095, 2004/105, 2005/030, 2008/011, 2013/066.
Access Restrictions:
Unrestricted.
Acquisition Method:
The papers of Julia G. Severance were received from several sources. In 1999, the College Archives received additional materials from Vincent Hart. An additional lot of materials was purchased in 2004 [2004/105]. A mounted etching and corresponding Albertype postcard were transferred from the Allen Memorial Art Museum in 2005. Seven postcards were received from David Lee in 2008. Two etchings of Oberlin College structures were received in October 2013.
Related Materials:
Student Alumni Records file of Julia Severance (28/1).
Oberlin College Archives Objects Collection (RG 35).
Goldberg, Marcia, “A statue, the College seal, a mural,” Oberlin Alumni Magazine 72 (January/February 1976): 8-12.
RG 40, Oversize box 27. Contains art by Julia G. Severance: a mounted etching of the Cox Administration Building and postcard of the image.
For more information please see
http://cdm15963.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/objects.
Finding Aid Revision History:
Processed by Archives staff, October 2004. Revised by Cara McKibbin, 25 January 2005; Anne Cuyler Salsich, May 2008, October 2013, July 2021, June 2022.
