CLRC-1120 Valenti Angelo Collection Christina Cowan and Sharlene Murphy University of Minnesota Libraries 11/1998, 10/07/2004

University of Minnesota Libraries Minneapolis, MN 55455

EAD 2002 Validated Finding Aid generated with the aid of a custom FileMaker Pro database developed by the staff of the Children's Literature Research Collections, University of Minnesota Libraries. Many thanks to all the staff and volunteers. 11/1998, 10/07/2004 Description is in English Summary Information University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc] Angelo, Valenti Valenti Angelo Collection 1936-1963 CLRC-1120 Valenti Angelo's papers focus on his work as an illustrator and author of children's books. This collection includes manuscripts and/or illustrative material for fourteen titles published between 1936-1963, including one book for adults, and some miscellaneous art work. 0.4 linear ft, 1.4 cu ft See Detailed Descriptions for Each Title Item for Box Locations English Important Information for Users of the Collections Access and Use:

Collection is open for researchers with no restrictions. Registration with the collection is required.

This collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials.

Biographical Sketch

Valenti Angelo was born June 23, 1897 in Massarosa, Tuscany, Italy and came to the United States in 1905. He attended school in Italy and California and began illustrating books in 1926. During the 1930s, he illustrated a number of children's books including Ruth Sawyer's Newbery Award winner, Roller Skates (1936). In 1938, Valenti Angelo wrote and illustrated his first book, Nino, a heart-warming story that told of a young Italian boy. Critics cited the author's detailed knowledge and affectionate portrayal of country life in both words and pictures. Nino was a Newbery Honor book in 1939. Throughout his career, critics have noted "two consistent themes" in his work: love of Italy and America. His works have been widely praised for their depiction of "ordinary folks" and his belief in the "dignity of human life and the ideals of brotherhood and democracy." These themes can be seen in one of his best-known works, The Bells of Bleeker Street (1949), set in New York City's Little Italy neighborhood. Valenti Angelo continued to write children's books for the next three decades, creating mostly realistic stories but his works of fantasy shared his same basic beliefs and detailed illustrations. Valenti Angelo died on September 3, 1982.

Scope and Content

The collection contains production material, with an emphasis on illustrative material, for fourteen titles published between 1936-1963. Production materials include a holograph, corrected typescripts, ink illustrations, tempera illustrations, colored illustrations, a lithograph illustration, paste ups, ink illustrations for end papers and jackets, tempera and tempera and ink studies for jackets. There is also some miscellaneous artwork. The materials are arranged by title with box level control.

Indexing Terms

The collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Angelo, Valenti Accession Information:

Part of this collection was originally given to Dr. Irvin Kerlan who in turn donated his collection to the University of Minnesota. From 1967 through the 1970s, Valenti Angelo donated additional material.

Gift of: Angelo, Valenti

Arrangement

Acorn Tree, The, 1958

Bells of Bleeker Street, The, 1949

Big Little Island, 1955

Hill of Little Miracles, 1942

Honey Boat, The, 1959

Japanese Fairy Tales, 1936

King John, 1958

Long Christmas, The, 1941

Look Out Yonder, 1943

Merry Marcos, The, 1963

Miscellaneous art,

Nino, 1938

Paradise Valley, 1940

Roller Skates, 1936

Rooster Club, The, 1944

Collection Contents Acorn Tree, The 1958 MC 85 ink illustrations for end papers 1 p. MC 85 ink illustrations 18 p. MC 85 sheet with 2 ink illustration 1 p. MC 85 tempera study for jacket 1 p. Bells of Bleeker Street, The 1949 MF 30 typescript, corrected 161 p. MC 85 ink illustration with text proof paste-up and overlay for jacket 1 p. MC 85 ink illustrations [1 framed] 30 p. MC 85 tempera and ink study for jacket 1 p. Big Little Island 1955 MC 85 ink illustration for jacket 1 p. MC 85 ink illustration for end papers 1 p. MC 85 ink illustrations 12 p. MC 85 ink and watercolor illustration for jacket 1 p. Hill of Little Miracles 1942 MC 85 ink illustrations 9 p. Honey Boat, The 1959 MF 30 Holograph 181 p. MC 85 ink illustration for cover 1 p. MC 85 ink illustration 16 p. MC 85 ink illustration for end papers 1 p. Japanese Fairy Tales 1936 MC 85 ink illustration 1 p. King John 1958 MC 85 original proposed color illustrations 2 p. Long Christmas, The 1941 MC 85 tempera illustration for end papers 1 p. MC 85 tempera illustrations 7 p. MC 85 sheets with 4 tempera illustrations 2 p. Look Out Yonder 1943 MC 70 ink illustration for end papers 1 p. MC 70 ink illustrations 15 p. Merry Marcos, The 1963 MF 30 typescript, corrected 147 p. MC 70 ink illustrations 13 p. MC 70 tempera study for jacket 1 p. MC 70 proof and blueprint paste-up for jacket 1 p. Miscellaneous art MC 70 color prints, matted 3 p. MC 70 black and white original drawing 1 p. Nino 1938 MC 70 tempera illustration 1 p. Paradise Valley 1940 MC 70 lithograph illustration 1 p. Roller Skates 1936 MC 70 ink illustration for cover 1 p. MC 70 ink illustration 18 p. Rooster Club, The 1944 MC 70 ink illustration 5 p. MC 70 sheet with 4 total ink illustration 1 p.