FRANK THAYER MERRILL DRAWINGS TO ILLUSTRATE ROBERTS BROTHERS 1880 EDITION OF LOUISA MAY ALCOTT'S LITTLE WOMEN, [1880]
Vault A20, Unit A1
EXTENT: 67 illustrations, 66 photographic negatives, and 66 photocopies in one container.
ORGANIZATION: Three series. I. Drawings; II. Negatives; III. Photocopies.
BIOGRAPHY: Artist and illustrator born at Boston, Mass., in 1848. Illustrated editions of works by L.M. Alcott, Twain, Hale, Longfellow, Reade, Shelley and Keats, Dumas, George Eliot, and others. The copyright 1880 edition of Louisa May Alcott's Little women for which these drawings were prepared was published by Roberts Brothers at Boston (see Ullom, Louisa May Alcott ... An Annotated, Selected Bibliography, Washington: Library of Congress, 1969, no. 26, p. 19).
SCOPE AND CONTENT: Drawings to illustrate Roberts Brothers 1880 edition of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. Sixty-three original drawings by Merrill (fifty-nine pen and ink, four pencil), plus three illustrations in proof. Some drawings have sketches in pencil on verso; some are annotated by Louisa May Alcott. In addition, there are photographic negatives and photocopies of the illustrations for use in the Library.
SOURCE OF ACQUISITION: All but one illustration originally deposited by the Concord Antiquarian Society in 1971; converted to gift in 1974. Pen and ink illustration for page 348 purchased at online auction, June 8, 2018.
NOTES/COMMENTS: Collection formerly arranged by CAS number; currently arranged by order of appearance in text (the filing numbers signifying the pages in the Merrill edition). Captions for illustrations derive from text; however, illustrations entitled "Tailpiece" in text have been given a more descriptive caption from the illustrations.
ASSOCIATED MATERIALS: Little Women, or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. By Louisa M. Alcott. Boston: Roberts Brothers, copyright 1880.
PROCESSED BY: Miriam Leigh; finding aid prepared 4/8/2006. Updated 6/19/2019
SERIES I: DRAWINGS:
Folder 1:
xi. "List of Illustrations" (Pi-400)
7. "Do it this way, clasp your hands so." Recto comment: "Very good; hair should be longer" (Pi-400-ag)
22. "Out came Meg with gray horse-hair hanging about her face" (Pi-400-f)
28. "Tail-piece to Ch II Vol I" (on same paper as ""Tail-piece to Ch IV Vol I") (Pi-400-au)
42. "Tell about the party." Verso comment: "a little different" (Pi-400-p)
52. "Reading that everlasting Belsham" (Pi-400-m)
57. "Tail-piece to Ch IV Vol I" (Pi-400-au)
58. "Being neighborly" (Pi-400-aal)
60. "Laurie opened the window" (Pi-400-aak)
64. "Poll tweaked off his wig" (Pi-400-j)
69. "Please give these to your mother." Verso comment: "Laurie looks very much older here than in the other pictures. About right here & rather too young elsewhere. L.M.A." (Pi-400-y)
89. "You do know her." Verso comment: "Teddy rather too young" (Pi-400-s)
91. "Girls, where are you going?" (Pi-400-az)
110. "Meg's partner appeared." Verso comment: "just right" (Pi-400-v)
122. "Holding a hand of each, Mrs. March said, &c." Verso comment: "Good" (Pi-400-n)
125. "Mr. Pickwick." Recto comment: "Be sure to keep the pencil mark under the pen & ink work" Verso comment: "Capital!" (Pi-400-z)
131. "Jo threw open the door of the closet." Verso comment: "Teddy's face is too round & in few of the pictures has the right expression. Side face is best." (Pi-400-w)
136. "Amy sat down to draw" (Pi-400-an)
140. "O Pip! O Pip!" (Pi-400-aad)
143. "Miss Crocker made a wry face" (Pi-400-o)
155. "Now, Miss Jo, I'll settle you." Verso comment: "Capital." (Pi-400-t)
159. "A stunning blow from the big Greek lexicon" (Pi-400-ap)
160. "He sneezed." Verso comment: "Very good." (Pi-400-aac)
161. "The Portuguese walked the plank." Recto comment: "The Portuguese held his tongue like a brick & walked the plank" (Pi-400-ar)
167. "Miss Kate put up her glass." Verso comment: "Good" (Pi-400-ax)
171. "Tail-piece to Ch Xii vol I" (Pi-400-b)
178. "Waved a brake before her face." Verso comment: "Lovely." (Pi-400-x)
181. "I see him bow and smile." Verso comment: "J.B. should have a full short beard, & a mild fine face. This is not good." (Pi-400-al)
183. "Tail-piece to Ch XIII Vol I" (Pi-400-av)
189. "Hurrah for Miss March." Verso comment: "Jolly." (Pi-400-aa)
195. "November is the most disagreeable month in the year" (Pi-400-e)
197. "One of them horrid telegraph things." Verso comment: "Very good." (Pi-400-aj)
203. "The man clipped" (Pi-400-a)
205. "Tail-piece to Ch XV vol I" (Pi-400-aae)
214. "Yours Respectful, Hannah Mullet" (Pi-400-at)
228. "Gently stroking her head as her mother used to do." Verso comment: "Quite touching!" (Pi-400-u)
234. "Amy's Will." Verso comment: "Good" (Pi-400-aaa)
254. "Letters." Verso comment: "Very pretty." (Pi-400-ai)
256. "Jo and her mother were reading the note" (Pi-400-aq)
261. "Get up and don't be a goose" (Pi-400-g)
263. "'Hold your tongue!' cried Jo, covering her ears" (Pi-400-d)
271. "The Jungfrau" (Pi-400-aag)
277. "Popping in her head now and then" (Pi-400-aab)
288. "For Mrs. John Brooke" (Pi-400-ao)
Folder 2:
315. "Her foot held fast in a panful of plaster" (Pi-400-i)
325. "Literary Lessons" (proof). (Pi-400-am)
329. "A check for one hundred dollars" (Pi-400-q)
329. "A check for one hundred dollars" (proof.) (Pi-400-aam)
333. "Tail-piece for Ch XXVII" (proof.) (Pi-400-aai)
348. “Laurie heroically shut his eyes while something was put into his arms.” Verso comment: “Laurie is rather homely, but the girls may like him. Don’t see but one baby, Jo uncovered two when he shut his eyes. Two little bald pates would be funny.”
365. "You shall have another table." Verso comment: "Very pretty." (Pi-400-ah)
398. "Up with the Bonnets of Bonnie Dundee" (Pi-400-c)
409. "He waved his hand, sock and all." Verso comment: "Eyes too staring. Bhaer was not frightened of Jo. Much better but still rather fantastic. A long dressing gown would be better than the dandy jacket he now wears" (Pi-400-ad)
418. "In the presence of three gentlemen." Verso comment: "Good" (Pi-400-ak)
428. "He doesn't prink at his glass before coming." Verso comment: "Very droll." (Pi-400-af)
435. "He put the sisters into the carriage." Verso comment: "Good, but Jo is always made to look too old for her years." (Pi-400-ac)
454. "He hurried forward to meet her" (Pi-400-r)
461. "Here are your flowers" (Pi-400-aah)
493. "A rough sketch of Laurie taming a horse." Verso comment: "Capital." (Pi-400-h)
495. "The Valley of the Shadow." Verso comment: "Lovely." (Pi-400-ae)
511. "O Laurie, Laurie, I knew you'd come." Verso comment: "L. is rather stiff in his legs. A few mountains or glimpse of the lake would add to the effect. Better." (Pi-400-ab)
524. "Jo laid her head on a comfortable rag-bag and cried" (Pi-400-aaf)
534. "The tall uncle proceeded to toss and tousle the small nephew" (Pi-400-l)
547. "They began to pace up and down" (Pi-400-k)
558. "Mr. Bhaer and Jo were enjoying promenades." Recto comment: "Too black in [pleats?]" (Pi-400-aw)
575. "Harvest time" (Pi-400-as)
582. "Teddy bore a charmed life." Recto comment: "This is a bad photo. Cut it like copy" (Pi-400-ay)
586. "Tail-piece" (Pi-400-aaj)
SERIES II: NEGATIVES:
Folder 3:
xi. "List of Illustrations" (Pi-400)
7. "Do it this way, clasp your hands so" (Pi-400-ag)
22. "Out came Meg with gray horse-hair hanging about her face" (Pi-400-f)
28. "Tail-piece to Ch II Vol I" (on same paper as ""Tail-piece to Ch IV Vol I") (Pi-400-au)
42. "Tell about the party" (Pi-400-p)
52. "Reading that everlasting Belsham" (Pi-400-m)
57. "Tail-piece to Ch IV Vol I" (Pi-400-au)
58. "Being neighborly" (Pi-400-aal)
60. "Laurie opened the window" (Pi-400-aak)
64. "Poll tweaked off his wig" (Pi-400-j)
69. "Please give these to your mother" (Pi-400-y)
89. "You do know her" (Pi-400-s)
91. "Girls, where are you going?" (Pi-400-az)
110. "Meg's partner appeared" (Pi-400-v)
122. "Holding a hand of each, Mrs. March said, &c" (Pi-400-n)
125. "Mr. Pickwick" (Pi-400-z)
131. "Jo threw open the door of the closet" (Pi-400-w)
136. "Amy sat down to draw" (Pi-400-an)
140. "O Pip! O Pip!" (Pi-400-aad)
143. "Miss Crocker made a wry face" (Pi-400-o)
155. "Now, Miss Jo, I'll settle you" (Pi-400-t)
159. "A stunning blow from the big Greek lexicon" (Pi-400-ap)
Folder 4:
160. "He sneezed" (Pi-400-aac)
161. "The Portuguese walked the plank" (Pi-400-ar)
167. "Miss Kate put up her glass" (Pi-400-ax)
171. "Tail-piece to Ch Xii vol I." (Pi-400-b)
178. "Waved a brake before her face" (Pi-400-x)
181. "I see him bow and smile" (Pi-400-al)
183. "Tail-piece to Ch XIII Vol I" (Pi-400-av)
189. "Hurrah for Miss March" (Pi-400-aa)
195. "November is the most disagreeable month in the year" (Pi-400-e)
197. "One of them horrid telegraph things" (Pi-400-aj)
203. "The man clipped" (Pi-400-a)
205. "Tail-piece to Ch XV vol I" (Pi-400-aae)
214. "Yours Respectful, Hannah Mullet" (Pi-400-at)
228. "Gently stroking her head as her mother used to do" (Pi-400-u)
234. "Amy's Will" (Pi-400-aaa)
254. "Letters" (Pi-400-ai)
256. "Jo and her mother were reading the note" (Pi-400-aq)
261. "Get up and don't be a goose" (Pi-400-g)
263. "'Hold your tongue!' cried Jo, covering her ears" (Pi-400-d)
271. "The Jungfrau" (Pi-400-aag)
277. "Popping in her head now and then" (Pi-400-aab)
288. "For Mrs. John Brooke" (Pi-400-ao)
315. "Her foot held fast in a panful of plaster" (Pi-400-i)
325. "Literary Lessons" (proof.) (Pi-400-am)
329. "A check for one hundred dollars" (Pi-400-q)
329. "A check for one hundred dollars" (proof.) (Pi-400-aam)
Folder 5:
333. "Tail-piece for Ch XXVII" (Pi-400-aai)
365. "You shall have another table" (Pi-400-ah)
398. "Up with the Bonnets of Bonnie Dundee" (Pi-400-c)
409. "He waved his hand, sock and all" (Pi-400-ad)
418. "In the presence of three gentlemen" (Pi-400-ak)
428. "He doesn't prink at his glass before coming" (Pi-400-af)
435. "He put the sisters into the carriage" (Pi-400-ac)
454. "He hurried forward to meet her" (Pi-400-r)
461. "Here are your flowers" (Pi-400-aah)
493. "A rough sketch of Laurie taming a horse" (Pi-400-h)
495. "The Valley of the Shadow" (Pi-400-ae)
511. "O Laurie, Laurie, I knew you'd come" (Pi-400-ab)
524. "Jo laid her head on a comfortable rag-bag and cried" (Pi-400-aaf)
534. "The tall uncle proceeded to toss and tousle the small nephew" (Pi-400-l)
547. "They began to pace up and down" (Pi-400-k)
558. "Mr. Bhaer and Jo were enjoying promenades" (Pi-400-aw)
575. "Harvest time" (Pi-400-as)
582. "Teddy bore a charmed life" (Pi-400-ay)
586. "Tail-piece" (Pi-400-aaj)
SERIES III. PHOTOCOPIES:
Folder 6:
xi. "List of Illustrations" (Pi-400)
7. "Do it this way, clasp your hands so" (Pi-400-ag)
22. "Out came Meg with gray horse-hair hanging about her face" (Pi-400-f)
28. "Tail-piece to Ch II Vol I" (on same paper as ""Tail-piece to Ch IV Vol I") (Pi-400-au)
42. "Tell about the party" (Pi-400-p)
52. "Reading that everlasting Belsham" (Pi-400-m)
57. "Tail-piece to Ch IV Vol I" (Pi-400-au)
58. "Being neighborly" (Pi-400-aal)
60. "Laurie opened the window" (Pi-400-aak)
64. "Poll tweaked off his wig" (Pi-400-j)
69. "Please give these to your mother" (Pi-400-y)
89. "You do know her" (Pi-400-s)
91. "Girls, where are you going?" (Pi-400-az)
110. "Meg's partner appeared" (Pi-400-v)
122. "Holding a hand of each, Mrs. March said, &c." (Pi-400-n)
125. "Mr. Pickwick" (Pi-400-z)
131. "Jo threw open the door of the closet" (Pi-400-w)
136. "Amy sat down to draw" (Pi-400-an)
140. "O Pip! O Pip!" (Pi-400-aad)
143. "Miss Crocker made a wry face" (Pi-400-o)
155. "Now, Miss Jo, I'll settle you" (Pi-400-t)
159. "A stunning blow from the big Greek lexicon" (Pi-400-ap)
160. "He sneezed" (Pi-400-aac)
161. "The Portuguese walked the plank" (Pi-400-ar)
167. "Miss Kate put up her glass" (Pi-400-ax)
171. "Tail-piece to Ch Xii vol I." (Pi-400-b)
178. "Waved a brake before her face" (Pi-400-x)
181. "I see him bow and smile" (Pi-400-al)
183. "Tail-piece to Ch XIII Vol I" (Pi-400-av)
189. "Hurrah for Miss March" (Pi-400-aa)
195. "November is the most disagreeable month in the year" (Pi-400-e)
197. "One of them horrid telegraph things" (Pi-400-aj)
203. "The man clipped" (Pi-400-a)
205. "Tail-piece to Ch XV vol I" (Pi-400-aae)
214. "Yours Respectful, Hannah Mullet" (Pi-400-at)
228. "Gently stroking her head as her mother used to do" (Pi-400-u)
234. "Amy's Will" (Pi-400-aaa)
254. "Letters" (Pi-400-ai)
256. "Jo and her mother were reading the note" (Pi-400-aq)
261. "Get up and don't be a goose" (Pi-400-g)
263. "'Hold your tongue!' cried Jo, covering her ears" (Pi-400-d)
271. "The Jungfrau" (Pi-400-aag)
277. "Popping in her head now and then" (Pi-400-aab)
288. "For Mrs. John Brooke" (Pi-400-ao)
315. "Her foot held fast in a panful of plaster" (Pi-400-i)
325. "Literary Lessons" (Pi-400-am)
329. "A check for one hundred dollars" (Pi-400-q)
329. "A check for one hundred dollars" (Pi-400-aam)
333. "Tail-piece for Ch XXVII" (Pi-400-aai)
365. "You shall have another table" (Pi-400-ah)
398. "Up with the Bonnets of Bonnie Dundee" (Pi-400-c)
409. "He waved his hand, sock and all" (Pi-400-ad)
418. "In the presence of three gentlemen" (Pi-400-ak)
428. "He doesn't prink at his glass before coming" (Pi-400-af)
435. "He put the sisters into the carriage" (Pi-400-ac)
454. "He hurried forward to meet her" (Pi-400-r)
461. "Here are your flowers" (Pi-400-aah)
493. "A rough sketch of Laurie taming a horse" (Pi-400-h)
495. "The Valley of the Shadow" (Pi-400-ae)
511. "O Laurie, Laurie, I knew you'd come" (Pi-400-ab)
524. "Jo laid her head on a comfortable rag-bag and cried" (Pi-400-aaf)
534. "The tall uncle proceeded to toss and tousle the small nephew" (Pi-400-l)
547. "They began to pace up and down" (Pi-400-k)
558. "Mr. Bhaer and Jo were enjoying promenades" (Pi-400-aw)
575. "Harvest time" (Pi-400-as)
582. "Teddy bore a charmed life" (Pi-400-ay)
586. "Tail-piece" (Pi-400-aaj)
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Mounted 08th April 2006. rcwh. Edited 28 June 2019.