CLRC-70 Symeon Shimin PapersJim Eyer University of Minnesota Libraries1-25-05

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.1-25-05Description is in English Summary Information University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc] Shimin, Symeon Symeon Shimin Papers 1955-1973 CLRC-70 Symeon Shimin's papers focus on his work as an illustrator of children's books. The collection includes production materials for 13 titles, and consists of dummies, a jacket study, illustrations, and photographs and negatives. 2.2 cubic feet 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

Symeon Shimin was born November 1, 1902, in Astrakhan, Russia, and came to the United States in 1912. Primarily self-taught as an artist, he studied for a short time at Cooper Union and traveled to France and Spain in the 1920s and early 30s to study the old masters and contemporary European artists. He began his long career as a painter and illustrator in the 1920s, and in 1950 illustrated his first children's book, How Big It Is, revised edition, written by Herman and Nina Schneider. Throughout his long career, he illustrated books for many different children's and young adult authors, including Margaret Wise Brown, Joseph Krumgold, Virginia Hamiltor, Byrd Baylor, Elizabeth Coatsworth, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and Madeleine L'Engle. He illustrated both fiction and non-fiction, including many books on animals, and preferred to work from live models to give his works realism and authenticity. Shimin died in 1984. Biographical Source: Something About the Author, vol. 13

Scope and Content

The collection contains production material for 13 titles, and includes dummies, with and without text proofs, crayon, ink, and watercolor illustrations, ink and watercolor illustrations, a pencil study, a charcoal illustration, photographs and negatives, photocopies of illustrations, a pencil and watercolor jacket study, and a pencil illustration.

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.

Shimin, Symeon Accession Information:

The collection is a gift from Mr. Shimin, received in several installments during the 1960s and 70s.

Gift of: Shimin, Symeon

Arrangement

Animals at My Doorstep,

Before the Indians,

Day in the Life of a Baby Gibbon, A,

Gorilla, Gorilla,

House in the Tree, The: A Story of Israel,

Joseph and Koza: or, the Sacrifice to the Vistula,

Lighthouse Island,

New Baby, A, A New Life,

One Small Blue Bead,

Star in the Sea, A,

Why People are Different Colors,

Wonderful Story of How You Were Born, The,

Young Kangaroo,

Collection Contents Animals at My Doorstep

MC812 pencil and watercolor dummy with text proof 70 p. Before the Indians

MC812 pencil and watercolor dummy with text proof 29 p. Day in the Life of a Baby Gibbon, A

MC812 pencil and watercolor dummy with typescript pasteup 40 p. Gorilla, Gorilla

MC471 ink and pencil dummy with text proof pasteup 40 p. MC471 crayon, ink and watercolor illustrations with text proof pasteup 6 p. MC471 ink and watercolor illustrations mounted on board 4 p. MC471 charcoal illustration 1 p. MC471 sheet pencil studies 1 p. MC471 sheets photocopied illustrations and text proof pasteup 62 p. MC471 photographs and negatives 8 p. MC471 photographs 4 p. MC471 proof dummy 68 p. MC471 sheet text proof 1 p. House in the Tree, The: A Story of Israel

MC812 pencil and watercolor dummy with text proof 56 p. Joseph and Koza: or, the Sacrifice to the Vistula

MC812 conte crayon and pencil dummy with holograph and text proof 50 p. MC812 proof dummy 44 p. Lighthouse Island

MC813 pencil and watercolor jacket study 1 p. New Baby, A, A New Life

MC471 pencil illustration 1 p. One Small Blue Bead

MC813 pencil and watercolor dummy with text proof 52 p. Star in the Sea, A

MC813 ink, pencil, and watercolor dummy with text proof 48 p. MC813 uncut page proof 1 p. Why People are Different Colors

MC813 pencil and watercolor dummy with text proof 44 p. Wonderful Story of How You Were Born, The

MC813 pencil and watercolor dummy 48 p. Young Kangaroo

MC813 pencil dummy with text proof 48 p.