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Finding Aids to Personal Papers and Special Collections in the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Accession 23-080

Brown, Margaret

Margaret Brown Papers, circa 1968-1983

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Brown, Margaret
Title:Margaret Brown Papers
Dates:circa 1968-1983
Quantity:2.25 cu. ft. (1 record storage box) (1 16x20 boxes) (7 oversize folders)
Collection:Accession 23-080
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

This accession documents the work of illustrator Margaret Brown as it relates to the Smithsonian Institution and the Friends of the National Zoo. Brown is an artist and retired owner of a postcard business based in Washington, D.C. From the late 1960s through the mid 1980s, she created numerous products for sale by the Smithsonian Institution and the Friends of the National Zoo. She also created illustrations that were used in published materials that were distributed by the Smithsonian. Brown's subjects included or were inspired by animals at the National Zoological Park as well as objects at the National Air and Space Museum, the Museum of History and Technology, and the National Museum of Natural History. Her original illustrations were used to create postcards, coloring books, stationary, notecards, and dishes, many of which were sold in the museum shops and through catalog sales. She also created a wall display outlining the process of developing and producing the "Coloring the Smithsonian" coloring book which was then exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution. Materials include original and reproduced pencil and pen and ink sketches; final products such as postcards, notecards, stationary, and two coloring books, "Coloring the Smithsonian" and "Coloring Air and Space"; script, labels, and other elements of the wall display for and installation images of the "Coloring the Smithsonian" exhibition; samples of published materials illustrated with Brown's drawings; Smithsonian product catalogs containing entries for Brown's works; and related materials. Materials related to Brown's business, including additional postcards, are located at the Library of Congress.

Descriptive Entry

This accession documents the work of illustrator Margaret Brown as it relates to the Smithsonian Institution and the Friends of the National Zoo. Brown is an artist and retired owner of a postcard business based in Washington, D.C. From the late 1960s through the mid 1980s, she created numerous products for sale by the Smithsonian Institution and the Friends of the National Zoo. She also created illustrations that were used in published materials that were distributed by the Smithsonian. Brown's subjects included or were inspired by animals at the National Zoological Park as well as objects at the National Air and Space Museum, the Museum of History and Technology, and the National Museum of Natural History. Her original illustrations were used to create postcards, coloring books, stationary, notecards, and dishes, many of which were sold in the museum shops and through catalog sales. She also created a wall display outlining the process of developing and producing the "Coloring the Smithsonian" coloring book which was then exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution. Materials include original and reproduced pencil and pen and ink sketches; final products such as postcards, notecards, stationary, and two coloring books, "Coloring the Smithsonian" and "Coloring Air and Space"; script, labels, and other elements of the wall display for and installation images of the "Coloring the Smithsonian" exhibition; samples of published materials illustrated with Brown's drawings; Smithsonian product catalogs containing entries for Brown's works; and related materials. Materials related to Brown's business, including additional postcards, are located at the Library of Congress.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 23-080, Margaret Brown Papers

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Container List

Box 1

Zoo Animal Postcards - Drawings from Life by Margaret Brown for Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), 1968-1974 (Itemized List of Postcards)

Box 1 of 2

Zoo Animal Postcards - Drawings from Life by Margaret Brown for FONZ, 1968-1974 (Final Product - Set #1)

Box 1 of 2

Zoo Animal Postcards - Drawings from Life by Margaret Brown for FONZ, 1968-1974 (Final Product - Set #2)

Box 1 of 2

Zoo Animal Postcards - Drawings from Life by Margaret Brown for FONZ, 1968-1974 (Final Product - Set #3)

Box 1 of 2

Giant Panda Illustrations for Postcards That Were Not Accepted for Sale, circa 1972

Box 1 of 2

National Zoological Park (NZP) Nametag for "Margaret Brown, FONZ Artist" (Plastic Pin)

Box 1 of 2

FONZ Brochures, Mailing, Programs, Newsletters, and Other Published Materials Featuring Illustrations by Margaret Brown, circa 1972-1975

Box 1 of 2

Letter from NZP Director Theodore H. Reed to FONZ Executive Director Warren Iliff Regarding Illustrations by Margaret Brown, August 10, 1972

Box 1 of 2

Correspondence Between FONZ and Margaret Brown, 1974-1975

Box 1 of 2

"Coloring the Smithsonian," Illustrated by Margaret Brown, 1974 - Promotional Brochure (2 copies)

Box 1 of 2

"Coloring the Smithsonian," Illustrated by Margaret Brown, 1974 - Coloring Book (2 copies of final product)

Box 1 of 2

"Coloring the Smithsonian," Illustrated by Margaret Brown, 1974 - Small Reproductions of Illustrations with Captions

Box 1 of 2

"A Coloring Book from Start to Finish" Wall Display for the Smithsonian Institution About the Production of "Coloring the Smithsonian" by Margaret Brown - Script, circa 1974 (2 versions)

Box 1 of 2

"A Coloring Book from Start to Finish" Wall Display for the Smithsonian Institution About the Production of "Coloring the Smithsonian" by Margaret Brown - Photographs of Display, December 1974 (color prints and slides)

Box 1 of 2

"A Coloring Book from Start to Finish" Wall Display for the Smithsonian Institution About the Production of "Coloring the Smithsonian" by Margaret Brown - Labels and Signage from Display, circa 1974

Box 1 of 2

"A Coloring Book from Start to Finish" - Visual to Accompany Introduction, circa 1974

Box 1 of 2

"A Coloring Book from Start to Finish" - Visuals to Accompany Panel #2, circa 1974

Box 1 of 2

"A Coloring Book from Start to Finish" - Visuals to Accompany Panel #5, circa 1974 (see also Oversize)

Box 1 of 2

"Coloring Air and Space," Illustrated by Margaret Brown, 1974 - Coloring Book (Final Product)

Box 1 of 2

"Coloring Air and Space," Illustrated by Margaret Brown, 1974 - Hand-sewn Booklet of Blank Pages Used for Pencil and Pen and Ink Drawings as Artistic Thoughts for the Coloring Book

Box 1 of 2

The Smithsonian Associates' Catalogue, Christmas 1977 - Detailing "Launch a Balloon" Card Set on Page 16 and "Coloring the Smithsonian" Coloring Book on Order Form Page 5

Box 1 of 2

The Smithsonian Catalogue, Spring 1978 - Detailing "Balloon Notes" Card Set on Page 8 (also includes note from Marketing Manager Virginia Fleischman)

Box 1 of 2

The Smithsonian Catalogue, Spring 1979 - Detailing "Balloon Notes" Card Set on Page 23

Box 1 of 2

The Smithsonian Catalogue, Fall 1980 - Detailing "Christmas Toys" Card Set on Page 30

Box 1 of 2

The Smithsonian Catalogue, Spring 1981 - Detailing "Messages by Balloon" Card Set on Page 18

Box 1 of 2

The Smithsonian Catalogue, Summer 1981 - Detailing "Christmas Toys" Card Set on Page 14

Box 1 of 2

The Smithsonian Catalogue, Fall 1981 - Detailing "Balloon Notes" Card Set on Page 37

Box 1 of 2

The Smithsonian Catalogue, Spring 1982 - Detailing "Triceratops Stoneware Set" on Page 33

Box 1 of 2

The Smithsonian Catalogue, Summer 1982 - Detailing "American Sports Notecards" on Page 17

Box 1 of 2

The Smithsonian Catalogue, Fall 1983 - Detailing "Dinosaur Fold and Seal Stationary" on Page 52

Box 1 of 2

"Assorted Carousel Animal Note Cards with Envelopes," by Margaret Brown, 1978 - Featuring Carousel Animals from the Eleanor and Mabel Van Alstyne American Folk Art Collection and Created for the Smithsonian Institution Museum Shops (Final Project)

Box 1 of 2

"Assorted Carousel Animal Note Cards with Envelopes," by Margaret Brown, 1978 - Certificates of Copyright Registration for Reproductions of Margaret Brown's Watercolors (Lion, Giraffe, Goat, and Horse)

Box 1 of 2

"American Sports Series" Notecards and Envelopes by Margaret Brown, 1981 - Featuring 19th Century Sports and Created for the Smithsonian Institution Museum Shops (Final Product Set #1)

Box 1 of 2

"American Sports Series" Notecards and Envelopes by Margaret Brown, 1981 - Featuring 19th Century Sports and Created for the Smithsonian Institution Museum Shops (Final Product Set #2)

Box 1 of 2

"200th Anniversary of Ballooning" Notecards and Envelopes, by Margaret Brown, 1983 - Created for the Smithsonian Institution Museum Shops (Final Product Set #1)

Box 1 of 2

"200th Anniversary of Ballooning" Notecards and Envelopes, by Margaret Brown, 1983 - Created for the Smithsonian Institution Museum Shops (Final Product Set #2)

Box 1 of 2

"200th Anniversary of Ballooning" Notecards and Envelopes, by Margaret Brown, 1983 - Certificates of Copyright Registration and Other Documentation of Illustrations (8 in total, titled by their captions)

Box 1 of 2

Dinosaur Products for the Smithsonian Institution - Reproductions of Original Dinosaur Drawings, Some with Instructions for Changes Used in Production of Postcards, Stationary, and Stoneware, 1982

Box 1 of 2

Dinosaur Products for the Smithsonian Institution - Postcards Featuring Diplodocus (2 copies), Stegasaurus (2 copes), Triceratops (2 copies), and Tyrannosaurus Rex (1 copy) (Final Product), 1982

Box 1 of 2

Dinosaur Products for the Smithsonian Institution - Children's Stationary Including One Packaged Set (only 2 Fold-N-Seal Notes and 2 stickers in package), 1 loose Fold-N-Seal Note, and Copy of Page Containing Stationary in the Fall 1983 Smithsonian Catalogue, 1983

Box 1 of 2

Dinosaur Products for the Smithsonian Institution - Copy of Product Page for Triceratops Stoneware Set (Plate, Bowl, and High Cup) in the Spring 1982 Smithsonian Catalogue, 1982

Box 1 of 2

"Christmas Toys" Postcards Featuring Toys Exhibited in the National Museum of History and Technology, 1980 (Final Product Set #1)

Box 1 of 2

"Christmas Toys" Postcards Featuring Toys Exhibited in the National Museum of History and Technology, 1980 (Final Product Set #2)

Box 1 of 2

"Christmas Toys" Postcards Featuring Toys Exhibited in the National Museum of History and Technology, 1980 (Final Product Set #3)

Box 1 of 2

"Christmas Toys" Postcards - Copies of Product Pages from the Fall 1980 and Summer 1981 Smithsonian Catalogues

Box 1 of 2

Radio Smithsonian Brochure Featuring Drawings by Margaret Brown, undated (6 copies)

Box 1 of 2

Box 2

Sketch of the Entrance to the National Zoological Park Reptile House by Margaret Brown, date unknown (1970s)

Box 2 of 2

"Coloring the Smithsonian," Illustrated by Margaret Brown, 1974 - Pen and Ink Drawings for Dinosaurs Grouping (Stegasaurus stenops, Pteranadon ingens, and Triceratops prorsus)

Box 2 of 2

"Coloring the Smithsonian," Illustrated by Margaret Brown, 1974 - Pen and Ink Drawings for Spots and Stripes Grouping (Chital Deer and Indian Tiger - Postcard Illustrations of Hippopotamus, Tortoises, Giant Panda, and Masai Giraffe Were Also Used in This Grouping)

Box 2 of 2

"Coloring the Smithsonian," Illustrated by Margaret Brown, 1974 - Pen and Ink Drawings for the Indians of North America Grouping (Alaskan Eskimo Mask, Hopi Snake Dance, Iroquois False Face, Bow and Arrows with Decorated Quiver, Apache Cradleboard, Arapaho Doll, and Grasshopper)

Box 2 of 2

"Coloring the Smithsonian," Illustrated by Margaret Brown, 1974 - Pen and Ink Drawings for Buttons and Bows Grouping (Duryee Zouave; Children's Clothes - Girl with Long Single Braid, Girl Facing Forward, and Young Boy; Dress and Parasol; First Ladies' Gowns - Sarah Childress Polk and Dolly Payne Todd Madison; Glove and Purse; Inaugural Slippers; and Military Uniform)

Box 2 of 2

"Coloring the Smithsonian," Illustrated by Margaret Brown, 1974 - Pen and Ink Drawings for the Toys from the Attic Grouping (Punch Cigar Store Figurine; Circus Toys - Pushing Cart, Riding a Pig, and Wind Up Toy; Dolls and Toys; and Carousel Animal)

Box 2 of 2

"Coloring the Smithsonian," Illustrated by Margaret Brown, 1974 - Pen and Ink Drawings for the Wondrous Wheel Grouping (Pierce-Arrow Runabout, The Ryan N. Y. P. Spirit of Saint Louis, Semaphore Signal, and Steam Locomotive Pioneer)

Box 2 of 2

"Coloring the Smithsonian," Illustrated by Margaret Brown, 1974 - Pen and Ink Drawings for the By Land, Sea, and Air Grouping (Conestoga Wagon, Charles Balloon, and Saint Ann Schooner)

Box 2 of 2

"Coloring the Smithsonian," Illustrated by Margaret Brown, 1974 - Pen and Ink Drawings for the Race Into Space Grouping (Friendship 7 Mercury Spacecraft, Spacesuit from the Apollo 11 Mission, and Lunar Visor and Gloves)

Box 2 of 2

"A Coloring Book From Start to Finish" - Visuals Accompanying Panel #7, circa 1974

Box 2 of 2

Preliminary Drawings of Animals at the National Zoological Park by Margaret Brown - Tiger, Unfinished Pen and Ink Drawings and Pencil Sketch, date unknown (late 1960s-early 1970s)

Box 2 of 2

Preliminary Drawings of Animals at the National Zoological Park by Margaret Brown - Panda "Shing Shing" [Hsing Hsing?], Finished Pen and Ink Drawing of Panda or Wooden Logs at Wooden Tub, January 1975

Box 2 of 2

Preliminary Drawings of Animals at the National Zoological Park by Margaret Brown - Celebes Crested Macaque Family, Pen and Ink Drawing of Macaque Family Sitting on Log, date unknown (late 1960s-early 1970s)

Box 2 of 2

Preliminary Drawings of Animals at the National Zoological Park by Margaret Brown - African Elephant "Nancy," Pen and Ink Drawing, 1975

Box 2 of 2

Preliminary Drawings of Animals at the National Zoological Park by Margaret Brown - African Elephant, Unfinished Pen and Ink Drawing, 1974

Box 2 of 2

Preliminary Drawings of Animals at the National Zoological Park by Margaret Brown - Polar Alaskan Brown Bear "Willie," Preliminary Pen and Ink Sketch and Finished Pen and Ink Sketch, 1971

Box 2 of 2

Preliminary Drawings of Animals at the National Zoological Park by Margaret Brown - Panda, Pen and Ink Drawing of Panda Laying on Four Logs, date unknown (early 1970s, no early than 1972)

Box 2 of 2

Preliminary Drawings of Animals at the National Zoological Park by Margaret Brown - Panda, Pen and Ink Drawing of Panda Sitting on Stepped Logs Eating Bamboo, date unknown (early 1970s, no early than 1972)

Box 2 of 2

Large Birds of African Marshes - Pen and Ink Drawing of Two Shoe Billed Storks, Saddle Billed Stork, Open Billed Stork, and Crowned Crane Collected by Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and Housed in the National Museum of Natural History, by Margaret Brown, early 1970s

Box 2 of 2
Oversize

Folder 1 "A Coloring Book From Start to Finish" - Visuals Accompanying Panel #1, circa 1974

Oversize

Folder 2 "A Coloring Book From Start to Finish" - Visuals Accompanying Panel #3, circa 1974

Oversize

Folder 3 "A Coloring Book From Start to Finish" - Visuals Accompanying Panel #4, circa 1974

Oversize

Folder 4 "A Coloring Book From Start to Finish" - Visuals Accompanying Panel #5, circa 1974 (see also Box 1)

Oversize

Folder 5 "A Coloring Book From Start to Finish" - Visuals Accompanying Panel #6, circa 1974

Oversize

Folder 6 "Eskimo in Kayak" - Original Drawing by Margaret Brown Used in Radio Smithsonian Brochure, 1974

Oversize

Folder 7 Preliminary Drawings of Animal at the National Zoological Park by Margaret Brown - Three Sea Lions (Pencil Drawing, late 1960s or early 1970s), Mother Lion "Princess" and Baby Lion "Gremlin" Nursing (Pencil Drawing, 1968), and Mother Lion "Princess" and Baby Lion "Gremlin" (Pencil Drawing, March 17, 1968)

Oversize

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