Clayton Henri Staples Papers

Title:	Clayton Henri Staples Papers
Call Number:	MS 88-17
Size:	13.0 linear feet
Acquisition:	Donated by Esther Staples
Processed by:	LTM, 10-26-1987; JEF, 2-16-1998
Restrictions:	None

Literary rights were not granted to Wichita State University. When permission is granted to examine the manuscripts, it is not an authorization to publish them. Manuscripts cannot be used for publication without regard for common law literary rights, copyright laws and the laws of libel. It is the responsibility of the researcher and his/her publisher to obtain permission to publish. Scholars and students who eventually plan to have their work published are urged to make inquiry regarding overall restrictions on publication before initial research.

The Clayton Henri Staples Papers contain the correspondence, newspaper clippings, speech and lecture notes, photographic slides and prints, memorabilia and artifacts of Staples's life and work. Staples was the director of art at the University of Wichita from 1930 to 1950 and taught summer school in Colorado for many years. A portion of the collection contains materials related to Staples’ brother, Mark F. Staples.

Clayton Henri Staples was the director of art at the University of Wichita from 1930 to 1950. He also taught summer school near Colorado Springs, Colorado, for many years. He was also actively involved in Rotary International and in 1972 was honored with an art scholarship named after him at Wichita State University. In 1978, just before his death, an art gallery was named after him in the McKnight Art Museum on the Wichita State University campus.

Box 1	FF 1	Contains thirty typewritten pages dealing with Staples’ biography either written by him or someone else.
Box 1	FF 2	Contains official documents related to Staples’ early life: a diploma from Osceola High School, Osceola, Wisconsin, June 3, 1910; discharge papers from the Dunwoody Naval Training Schools (March 22, 1919) and a discharge from the United States Naval Reserve Force (September 30, 1921); a certificate from Delta Phi Delta stating that Staples has been initiated into the society (April 14, 1923); a diploma from the Art Institute of Chicago (June 19, 1925); a job contract from the Art Institute of Chicago (September 26, 1925); a letter of recommendation from the Superintendent of Barrington Public Schools, Barrington, Illinois (September 18, 1928).
Box 1	FF 3	Contains the yearbook Eqwanulti from the Osceola High School, Osceola, Wisconsin, 1909. Alson contains a yearbook Polk County Wisconsin in the War (World War I) printed in 1919 honoring the people who served in World War I. Staples’ picture is on page 102.
Box 2	FF 1	Contains financial records related to the worth of some of his paintings and of the upkeep of his home in Colorado (1960 and 1963).
Box 2	FF 2	Contains a list of people and their addresses who were correspondents, clients and friends.
Box 2	FF 3	Contains certificates of achievement dated during his years at the University of Wichita: a job contract with the Municipal University of Wichita (April 2, 1931); membership certificate from Kappa Pi, the Honorary Art Fraternity (May 1, 1948); information on the American Watercolor Society; membership certificate from the University Club in Wichita (1933, 1934); certificate from the Leadership Foundation; certificate from the American Arts Professional League.
Box 2	FF 4	Contains three obituary cards in memory of Clayton H. Staples.
Box 3	FF 1	Contains letters written to Staples from April 9, 1923 to September 29, 1928. The folder contains letters of recommendation, appreciation, etc., for work that was done or paintings received.
Box 3	FF 2	Contains a letter from Ed L. Crook, of the Crook Furniture Exchange Co. of Hutchinson, Kansas thanking Staples for his lecture on Interior Decorating (April 7, 1937); contains a letter from Walter H. Siders from the Omaha Teachers Forum in Omaha, Nebraska thanking Staples for his lecture on the Art of Europe (April 28, 1958); contains a letter from Marbury Sowerwell in Paris, France to Staples whishing him good luck for the future (193?).
Box 3	FF 3	Contains seven letters concerning Staples’ visit and work on the Silver Service on the cruiser, U.S.S. Wichita which date from March 22, 1939 to April 7, 1968.
Box 3	FF 4	Contains several form letters informing people of American Art Week from Staples who was State Chairman dating October 28, 1942 and October 25, 1943; and the others are undated and not addressed; contains an invitation from the Staples and the Art Department at the University of Wichita dated November 6, 1942; contains a letter from Albert Reid of the American Artists Professional League dated April 20, 1946 thanking Staples for his kindness to him.
Box 3	FF 5	Contains a handwritten note written on the name tag “Mrs. Staples” (April 19, 1952); contains ten handwritten and typed notes expressing gratitude and payment for a Staples exhibit from several prominent business men in Wichita (April 22-23, 1952); contains a poem written about Esther Staples from Minya Powell (June 1954); contains a typewritten letter from Mary Margaret and Bob Cater to the Staples household (September 29, 1955); contains a personal letter written to the Staples from Marion (January 10, 1959).
Box 3	FF 6	Contains a handwritten note (Feburary 4, 1962) to an unknown addressee from what appears to be Esther Staples; contains a letter (November 19, 1962) from Bob Drake to Staples thanking him for the beret Staples sent him; contains a handwritten note from Dorcas and Bobby Cockran written on an article that appeared in the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph about a Christmas festival being held at the Fine Arts Center (December 2, 1962); contains a typewritten letter (March 12, 1963) from Staples to the Ent. Officers’ Wives Club in Colorado Springs thanking them for displaying a painting of his and showing his disgust for modern abstract art; contains a letter from Ruth McMillion of Ashland, Kansas (April 24, 1963) thanking Staples for conducting art classes at the Art Center; contains a letter from F. Burr Joslin, an architect in Detroit, Michigan (December 28, 1963) thanking Staples for the Christmas card; contains a post card (May 13, 1964) from Al and Jean, who are vacationing in California and send greetings to the Staples; contains a letter from Rod Parkinson, a former student of Staples teaching at Texas Tech University (July 24, 1964); contains a letter from Kyle W. Burch thanking Staples for the fine exhibit (September 3, 1964); contains a typewritten letter from May Bengel and Marion Allen who send Christmas greetings to the Staples (November 30, 1964); contains a letter to Stephen dated June 22, 1966 thanking him for article.
Box 3	FF 7	Contains a typewritten letter from an unknown colleague to Staples written 1971 during the Christmas season; contains a letter from Charles Sanderson to Staples, asking him to be a juror at the Fourth Annual Watercolor Society Exhibition in Wichita (July 21, 1972); contains a letter from a former student of Staples named Doris Wood Urlie (August 12, 1972); contains a letter from Mrs. A. G. Wolfe congratulating Staples on the art scholarship at Wichita State University bearing Staples’ name (November 10, 1972); contains a letter from J. Edgar Chenoweth (November 28, 1972) congratulating Staples on the honors paid to him; contains a photocopied typed memo stating that Staples donated some pencil sketches to the Wichita Art Museum (December 5, 1974); contains a typewritten letter to Charles Chandler, President of the Wichita Rotary Club from Staples thanking him and Rotary for honoring him for his many achievements (November 4, 1972); contains a handwritten card from Bea and Bill to Esther Staples encouraging her after Clayton’s death (October 11, 1978).
Box 3	FF 8	Contains letters and brochures from Wichita State University Fine Arts Department and the Endowment Association congratulating Staples for the scholarship named after him (July 26, 1972; July 17, 1973; October 30, 1974, 1975 and 1976).
Box 3	FF 9	Contains cards congratulating Clayton and Esther on their 50th wedding anniversary.
Box 3	FF 10	Contains cards and letters from family and friends written to Esther Staples (1980 and 1981).
Box 3	FF 11	Contains cards and letters of sympathy from friends and relatives to Esther Staples after Clayton passed away (1978).
Box 3	FF 12	Contains several personal undated cards and letters written to or from the Staples to or from friends and relatives.
Box 4	FF 1	Contains newspaper clippings, Rotary brochures and pamphlets that describe Staples’ achievements through the years (April 9, 1956 to November 3, 1975).
Box 4	FF 2	Contains two letters from top Rotary Officials to Past District Governors congratulating Staples’ achievements and encouraging all Rotarians to be “builders” instead of “wreckers” (March 12, 1957 and November 9, 1972).
Box 4	FF 3	Contains a certificate of election as District Governor of the 169th District of Rotary to Staples during the year July 1, 1955 to June 30, 1956.
Box 4	FF 4	Contains eleven black and white 8" x 11" photographs showing Staples being honored at Century II, Wichita, Kansas at the Rotary Banquet on November 13, 1972.
Box 4	FF 5	Contains various notes of different speeches and lectures Staples delivered on behalf of Rotary, which are undated.
Box 4	FF 6	Contains various notes of different speeches and lectures Staples delivered on behalf of Rotary, which are undated.
Box 4	FF 7	Contains a small three-ring binder notebook of more speeches Staples delivered on behalf of Rotary (1956). Also contains a Rotary name tag button.
Box 5	FF 1	Contains clippings of work Staples did while he worked in the Navy and Lyceum and Chautauquas tours (September 18, 1918 to August 1926).
Box 5	FF 2	Contains a series of fifteen articles that appeared in The Sunday Pantagraph of Bloomington, Illinois that described Staples’ European Tour (July 29, 1929 to April 1930).
Box 5	FF 3	Contains several articles dated January 1931 to March 1939 that narrate Staples’ achievements at the University of Wichita and other personal accomplishments.
Box 5	FF 4	Contains several articles dated 1940-1949 that narrate Staples’ accomplishments during this time.
Box 5	FF 5	Contains several articles dated from February 17, 1950 to October 4, 1959 that narrate Staples’ accomplishments during this time.
Box 5	FF 6	Contains several articles from February 12, 1961 to October 27, 1967 that narrate Staples’ accomplishments during this time.
Box 5	FF 7	Contains several articles dated from August 2, 1970 to October 10, 1978 that narrate Staples’ accomplishments and tell of his death in October 1978.
Box 5	FF 8	Contains one article dated May 6, 1984 where the columnist remembers Staples as one artist who brought art and culture to Cuchara Valley residents in Colorado.
Box 5	FF 9	Contains many articles which are undated but narrate Staples’ accomplishments over the years.
Box 5	FF 10	Contains newspaper clippings donated by Mr. and Mrs. George W. Miller, both graduates of the University of Wichita 1929 and 1932. Mrs. Miller’s maiden name was Mary Lucile Carlock.
Box 6	FF 1	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 2	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 3	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 4	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 5	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 6	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 7	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 8	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 9	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 10	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 11	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 12	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 13	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 14	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 15	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 16	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 17	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 18	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 19	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 20	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 21	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 22	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 23	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 24	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 25	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 26	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 27	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 28	Contains undated speech and lecture notes and other written articles for publication.
Box 6	FF 29	Contains a sketch pad that has two of Staples’ watercolor drawings which are undated and unsigned.
Box 6	FF 30	Contains a sketch pad that has several original drawings done in charcoal which are undated and unsigned, but contain some notes on the different sketches.
Box 6	FF 31	Contains three original charcoal sketches that are poster board.
Box 6	FF 32	Contains newspaper articles and brochures of Staples’ Cuchara School of Art near Colorado Springs, Colorado where he spent most of his later life and career after leaving the University of Wichita (WSU).
Box 7	FF 1	Contains a three-ring bound notebook containing Staples’ lecture notes for his various art classes.
Box 7	FF 2	Contains a three-ring bound notebook containing Staples’ lecture notes for his various art classes.
Box 7	FF 3	Contains a three-ring bound notebook containing Staples’ lecture notes for his various art classes.
Box 8	FF 1	Contains several photo sheets of family photographs undated and unsigned, but deal with Staples’ early life and probably date from 1890 to 1930.
Box 8	FF 2	Contains several photo sheets of photographs that relate to Staples’ early career probably dating from 1930 to 1950.
Box 8	FF 3	Contains several photo sheets of photographs of Staples’ home in Wichita on Crest View Lakes near 21st and N. Oliver Streets. These pictures probably date in the 1940s.
Box 8	FF 4	Contains several photo sheets of photographs of Staples’ home, studio, and environs in Colorado near Colorado Springs.
Box 8	FF 5	Contains several photo sheets of photographs of miscellaneous photographs of Staples’ family, relatives and friends. These photographs are undated and unidentified.
Box 8	FF 6	Contains several photo sheets of miscellaneous photographs that are mostly portraits of Staples throughout his life, which are mostly undated.
Box 8	FF 7	Contains several photo sheets of miscellaneous photographs that mostly show Staples in his later life. Not many of the photographs are dated, but two are dated August 1959 and September 1973.
Box 8	FF 8	Contains several photo sheets of miscellaneous photographs that show Staples at work and some of paintings throughout his career.
Box 8	FF 9	Contains several photo sheets of photographs taken of some of Staples’ involvement in pageants and theater. These pictures show some of his work as costume designer, actor, etc., probably dated during the 1930s.
Box 8	FF 10	Contains several photo sheets of photographs taken mostly in Egypt during Staples’ European Tour in 1929.
Box 8	FF 11	Contains several photo sheets that are photographs of Staples’ paintings that are not described or dated.
Box 8	FF 12	Contains several photo sheets that are photographs of Staples’ paintings that are not described or dated.
Box 8	FF 13	Contains many miscellaneous photographs of Staples’ paintings that are not described or dated.
Box 8	FF 14	Contains several photographs of Staples’ paintings that are described and dated (1929-1946).
Box 8	FF 15	Contains several photographs of Staples’ paintings that are described and dated (1930-1948).
Box 8	FF 16	Contains a photograph of Staples and a student; a page from the Wichita Sunday Eagle, dated 15 November 1931, featuring homecoming at Wichita University with photographs of students, faculty members (including Staples), and administrators in gypsy garb; and several photographs of Staples’ paintings, some with descriptions, dates, and purchaser’s name.
Box 8	FF 17	Contains many miscellaneous photographic slide prints of Staples’ paintings and research slides used for artistic purposes.
Box 8	FF 18	Contains many miscellaneous photographic slide prints of Staples’ paintings and research slides used for artistic purposes.
Box 8	FF 19	Contains many miscellaneous photographic slide prints of Staples’ paintings and research slides used for artistic purposes.
Box 8	FF 20	Contains many miscellaneous photographic slide prints of Staples’ paintings and research slides used for artistic purposes.
Box 9		Contains many miscellaneous photographic slide prints of Staples’ paintings and research slides used for artistic purposes.
Box 10		Contains 85 (4" x 3¼”) glass photographic slide prints stored in a special wooden box. The slides show the paintings of various artists that were used in Staples’ classroom lectures.
Box 11		Contains 108 (4" x 3¼”) glass photographic slide prints stored in a special wooden box. These slides show the paintings and sculptures of various artists that were used in Staples’ classroom lectures.
Box 12		Contains 50 (4" x 3¼”) glass photographic slide prints stored in a special wooden box. These slides show the architecture of famous buildings and landmarks that were used in Staples’ classroom lectures.
Box 13		Contains 99 (4" x 3¼”) glass photographic slide prints stored in a special wooden box. These slides show the architecture of famous cathedrals of Europe that were used in Staples’ classroom lectures.
Box 14		Contains 113 (4" x 3¼”) glass photographic slide prints stored in a special wooden box. These slides show places visited on Staples’ European Tour in 1929.
Box 15		Contains 105 (4" x 3¼”) glass photographic slide prints stored in a special wooden box. These slides show places visited while Staples toured Egypt and North Africa in 1929.
Box 16		Contains several blank glass slides that were used to process Staples’ photographs.
Box 17	FF 1	Contains brochures of some art exhibits held throughout Staples’ career.
Box 17	FF 2	Contains an audio cassette tape of the Memorial Service of Clayton H. Staples on 10-10-1978 at 1:00 p.m.
Box 17	FF 3	Contains two audio cassette tapes of the Dedication of the Clayton H. Staples Gallery at Wichita State University on February 26, 1978.
Box 17	FF 4	Contains 24 (8" x 10") black and white photographs that commemorate the Clayton H. Staples Gallery in the McKnight Art Museum at Wichita State University on 2-26-1978.
Box 17	FF 5	Contains 24 (8" x 10") black and white photographs that commemorate the Clayton H. Staples Gallery in the McKnight Art Museum at Wichita State University on 2-26-1978.
Box 17	FF 6	Contains 33 (8" x 10") black and white photographs that commemorate the Clayton H. Staples Gallery in the McKnight Art Museum at Wichita State University on 2-26-1978. This file folder also contains a program of the dedication of the Clayton H. Staples Gallery.
Box 17	FF 7	Contains a VHS tape of a reel of 8mm film that is entitled, “Approach in Water Colors” by Clayton Henri Staples.
Box 17		Contains blueprints for the Staples Studio in Colorado by the architect H. G. Overend, 5-6-1947. These items are located in the oversized manuscript collection.
Box 18	FF 1	Contains a picture of a medal presented to Staples by the Art Institute of Chicago, June 1925 for excellence in workmanship of jewelry.
Box 18	FF 2	Contains a letter from the Salamagundi Club informing Staples that he is a member, dated 12-5-1930.
Box 18	FF 3	Contains a lapel pin and coin that stated Staples was on the Republican Presidential Task Force.
Box 18	FF 4	Contains a sketch showing a man crying holding a sign saying “Sorry” on it. The caption says, “Sorry we missed you” signed “Bill.”
Box 19		Contains a guest book where Staples made the end pieces out of wood and the on the front there are engravings with the name “Staples” and a photographic print of Rembrandt on it. It also contains a small address book with the names and addresses of Staples’ art students.
Box 20	FF 1	Contains a certificate stating that Staples is a member of the American Watercolor Society, dated March 12, 1953.
Box 20	FF 2	Contains a certificate of merit from the American Watercolor Society, November 1962, that was awarded to Staples.
Box 20	FF 3	Contains sheet music with words and music by David Stanley one entitled, “To a Wild Flower: A Dolorously Delicious Study” and one entitled, “Finale: A Faintly Debacle.”
Box 20	FF 4	Contains scrapbook pages with brochures and clippings of the Cuchara Summer School of Art held by Staples in Colorado.
Box 20	FF 5	Contains a large (11" x 14") black and white photograph of Dr. Thurlow W. Lieurance.
Box 20	FF 6	Contains a portfolio presented by members of the Wichita Artists Guild of early day Wichita scenes entitled, “Wichita’s First 50 Years.”
Box 20	FF 7	Contains a copy of The Harvey Herald dated August 25, 1932. Mark F. Staples (brother of Clayton Staples) was editor and owner of the Harvey, North Dakota newspaper for several years before it was sold back to its original owner, Adolph P. Barstad.
Box 20		This box also contains two scrapbooks filled with clippings of other artist’s work.
Box 21	FF 1	Contains a diary of Mrs. Staples, dated 1944, which describes the Staples’ daily life..
Box 21	FF 2	Contains a review and excerpt of “Just an Old Book” by M. F. Staples.
Box 21	FF 3	Contains a small booklet entitled “The Great Oak of Quintocolix” by Mark F. Staples (Harvey, North Dakota, Christmas 1925).
Box 21	FF 4	Contains a collection of writings of M. F. Staples as published in his column entitled “Things Near and Far” during 1929 to 1931.
Box 21	FF 5	Contains “‘The Works’ of M. F. S.” which is a handwritten and typewritten collection of stories, articles, and other pieces written by Mark F. Staples.
Box 21	FF 6	Contains a typewritten manuscript from a notebook entitled “Quotations and Reflections,” Volume I which contain the works of other writers as well as comments by Mark F. Staples. It is dated 2-1-1958 to 3-1-1962.
Box 21	FF 7	Contains a typewritten manuscript from a notebook entitled “Quotations and Reflections,” Volume II, which contain the works of other writers as well as comments by Mark F. Staples. It is dated March 1962 to March 1964.
Box 21	FF 8	Contains a typewritten manuscript from a notebook entitled “Quotations and Reflections,” Volume III, which contain the works of other writers as well as comments by Mark F. Staples. It is dated April 1964 to October 1965.
Box 21	FF 9	Contains a typewritten manuscript from a notebook entitled “Quotations and Reflections,” Volume IV, which contain the works of other writers as well as comments by Mark F. Staples. It is dated 11-1-1965 to 7-15-1967.
Box 21	FF 10	Contains a typewritten manuscript from a notebook entitled “Quotations and Reflections,” Volume V, which contain the works of other writers as well as comments by Mark F. Staples. It is dated 8-1-1967 to 4-1-1969.
Box 21	FF 11	Contains a typewritten manuscript from a notebook entitled “Quotations and Reflections,” Volume VI, which contain the works of other writers as well as comments by Mark F. Staples. It is dated April 1, 1969 to March 1, 1970.
Box 21	FF 12	Contains a typewritten manuscript from a notebook entitled “Quotations and Reflections,” Volume VII, which contain the works of other writers as well as comments by Mark F. Staples. It is dated April 1, 1970. This file folder also contains a photograph taken from the inside cover of this notebook. The picture is probably of Mark F. Staples and his wife.
Box 22	FF 1	Contains a brochure and photographs of Acee Blue Eagle’s exhibit at Bacone College’s McComb Memorial Gallery.
Box 22	FF 2	Contains a pamphlet entitled, “One Hundred Paintings and Drawings by Tom Lea” held at the El Paso Museum of Art, May and June 1963.
Box 22	FF 3	Contains a copy of the Arizona Highways magazine dated February 1952 featuring the work of the artist Nicolai Fechin.
Box 22	FF 4	Contains cards, clippings and brochures of other artists’ work.
Box 22	FF 5	Contains two typed manuscripts one by John E. Fitzgerald entitled, “Looking and Listening: On Art and Nature” and one by John Tatache entitled, “Art in the Twentieth Century.”
Box 22	FF 6	Contains a memorial brochure in honor of Clain D. Wilson, 1894-1954 and other memorial brochures of friends and loved ones that were close to the Staples family. There is also a clipping honoring Dr. Thurlow W. Lieurance, music composer and professor at University of Wichita and a close friend of Staples. Also contains an invitation to a bridal luncheon for Rose Sachs (Mark F. Staples’ wife).
Box 23		Contains the equipment used to show Staples’ glass photographic slide prints.
Box 24		Contains the equipment used to show Staples’ glass photographic slide prints.
Box 25		Contains the equipment used to show Staples’ glass photographic slide prints.

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