Henry C. J. Evans Family Collection Relating to Will James
Scope and Contents
Collection contains a framed caricature inspired illustration purported to be drawn by Will James. The unsigned sheet contains small vignettes depicting Henry C. J. Evans and his family drawn in pen. In an accompanying letter written in 1994 by Henry, he explains the history of his cousin, Henry "Harry" C. J. Evans, his relationship to Will James, and a short history of the illustration itself. The original invoice for framing and conserving the illustration, correspondence with Don Frazier regarding the purchase of additional Will James books, and one photograph of an unknown individual is also included in the collection.
Dates
- circa 1925-1997
Creator
- Evans, Henry C. J. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Materials must be used on-site; advance notice suggested. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Historical Note
Henry C. J. Evans, named after his mother's cousin Henry Clay Jones Evans (Harry), was born in New Jersey in 1915. When he was about 10 years old, Harry, traveled to the town of West New York, New Jersey to visit his cousins and receive treatment in New York City. During his time there, Henry and Harry spent many hours at the movie theater down the street from their home watching cowboy movies. Harry worked as a cowboy out west and, during the course of his work, he met and befriended well-known cowboy author and artists, Will James. According to a family letter, Will James created an illustration for Harry to send to his cousin Henry depicting small, caricature-like scenes about Henry and his family.
Extent
0.25 Cubic Feet (1 framed item + loose documents)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Henry C. J. Evans was born in New Jersey around 1915. His cousin, for whom he was named, lived out west and knew Will James. Collection contains a caricature-like, vignette illustration purported to have been drawn by Will James around 1925 as well as a small amount of correspondence regarding it.
Arrangement
Unarranged.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Peter Evans in April 2018.
Creator
- Evans, Henry C. J. (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Henry C. J. Evans Family Collection Relating to Will James
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jessica Maddox
- Date
- April 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University of Nevada, Reno. Special Collections Department Repository
Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
1664 N. Virginia St.
Reno Nevada 89557-0322 USA
775-682-5665
775-682-5724 (Fax)
specoll@unr.edu