The collection is arranged as 11 series: Series 1: Biographical Material, 1711-1948 (Box 1, 10; 5 folders) Series 2: Letters, 1768-1965 (Box 1-4, OV 11; 3.5 linear feet) Series 3: Diaries, 1904-1949 (Box 4; 11 folders) Series 4: Personal Business Records, 1647-1959 (Box 4, 10; 11 folders) Series 5: Notes and Writings, 1783-1963 (Box 4-6; 2.0 linear feet) Series 6: Theatrical Production Files, 1897-1950 (Box 6-7, 10; 1.2 linear feet) Series 7: Art Works, 1932-1943 (Box 8, 10; 8 folders) Series 8: Scrapbook, 1888-1901 (Box 8; 1 folder) Series 9: Printed Material, 1723-1963 (Box 8, OV 11; 0.8 linear feet) Series 10: Photographs, 1884-1956 (Box 8-10; 0.5 linear feet) Series 11: Audio Recordings, 1956 (Box 9-10; 2 folders) All material is arranged chronologically except for the writings by others and travel photographs that are arranged alphabetically.
Access Note / Rights:
Use of original papers requires an appointment.
Summary:
The papers of Boston and New Hampshire painter Joseph Lindon Smith date from 1647-1965, with the bulk of papers dating from 1873-1965, and measure 8.8 linear feet. Found within the papers are biographical materials; letters from family members, artists, museums, and art patrons; seven diaries by Smith and two by his wife Corinna, personal business records, notes and writings, files concerning charitable theatrical productions, one sketchbook and other art work, a scrapbook, printed material, photographs, and sound recordings of radio interviews and a radio program on Smith.
Citation:
Joseph Lindon Smith papers, 1647-1965, bulk 1873-1965. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Additional Forms:
The collection is available on 35 mm microfilm reels 5114-5124 at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan. Researchers should note that the arrangement of the material described in the container inventory does not reflect the arrangement of the collection on microfilm.
All of the sound recordings in this collection were digitized for research access in 2009 and are available at the Archives of American Art offices. Researchers may view the original phonograph records for the archival notations on them, but original media are not available for playback.
Use Note:
The Joseph Lindon Smith papers are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Related Materials:
The papers of Smith's wife, Corinna Putnam Smith, are available at The Schlesinger Library of Radcliffe College, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Biography Note:
Joseph Lindon Smith (1863-1950) of Boston, Massachusetts and Dublin, New Hampshire, was a painter primarily known for his ability to meticulously depict the murals and tomb sculpture of Egypt and other ancient cultures.
Provenance:
The Joseph Lindon Smith papers were donated by Jessie T. Hale, Smith's granddaughter, in 1977 and 1978.
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
