Robert Hunter Middleton Papers
Collection
Identifier: Wing-Modern-MS-Middleton
Scope and Content of the Collection
Diaries, notes, original manuscripts of writings, design art, correspondence, personal and financial records, printed ephemera, and type specimens from the collection of Robert Hunter Middleton. There are extensive files relating to the Ludlow Typograph Co., Middleton’s longtime employer; to Cherryburn Press and Apprentice House, his private imprints; to the Society of Typographic Arts, and to other organizations. The extensive correspondence files include particularly significant exchanges with artists Egdon Margo and Paul Standard; printers Paul Duensing, Joseph Graves, Victor and Caroline Hammer, and Giovanni Mardersteig; and designers John Dreyfus, James Mangan, Leslie Sprunger, and Gordon Williams.
Examples of Middleton’s work are to be found in the cataloged collection. Related materials are in the Newberry Archives, the Caxton Club Archives, the Ernst F. Detterer Papers, the Douglas McMurtrie Papers, the Raymond F. DaBoll Papers, and the James Hayes Papers. Books and ephemera from Middleton’s library are also held by the Daley Library of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Examples of Middleton’s work are to be found in the cataloged collection. Related materials are in the Newberry Archives, the Caxton Club Archives, the Ernst F. Detterer Papers, the Douglas McMurtrie Papers, the Raymond F. DaBoll Papers, and the James Hayes Papers. Books and ephemera from Middleton’s library are also held by the Daley Library of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Dates
- 1921-1985
Creator
- Middleton, R. Hunter (Robert Hunter) (Person)
Language
Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The Robert Hunter Middleton Papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).
Ownership and Literary Rights
The Robert Hunter Middleton Papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.
Biography of Robert Hunter Middleton
Robert Hunter Middleton was a type designer, lettering artist, graphic designer, and fine-press printer. Born in Scotland in 1898, he came to the U.S. at the age of ten. He graduated from the School of the Art Institute in 1923, after studying with Ernst F. Detterer. As principal designer for the Ludlow Typograph Co. from 1923 to 1970 he was responsible for the design of many typefaces widely used in advertising and newspaper work. He also served as Ludlow’s art director and, in the years before his retirement, on its board. Middleton completed graphic and lettering designs for such Chicago institutions as the Art Institute, Fourth Presbyterian Church, and Frances Parker School. His private press, named Cherryburn for the home of the English wood engraver, Thomas Bewick, specialized in exquisite prints made from original Bewick blocks, which Middleton collected (and later donated to the Newberry Library). In 1970 the Newberry published and distributed Cherryburn’s monumental portfolio of one hundred Bewick prints. Through Cherryburn, Middleton also collaborated with Chicago artist Dale Nichols (1904-1995). Another imprint Middleton founded, Apprentice House, published work in collaboration with Imre Reiner (1900-1987), Margaret Varro, and Phillip Reed (1908- ). Middleton was a founding member of the 27 Chicago Designers and the Society of Typographic Arts, an early participant of the Aspen Design Conference and the Association Internationale Typographique, and an active member of the Typocrafters and other design organizations. In retirement, he taught at Transylvania University, the University of Alabama, Yale, UCLA, and elsewhere.
Extent
39 Linear Feet (48 boxes, 14 record cartons, 3 oversize boxes)
Abstract
Diaries, notes, original manuscripts of writings, design art, correspondence, financial records, printed ephemera, and type specimens from the collection of Robert Hunter Middleton, type designer and fine printer.
Organization
Papers are organized in the following series
- Series 1: Biographical, 1921-1986
- Boxes 1-5
- Series 2: Writings, 1935-1971
- Boxes 6-8
- Series 3: Design Projects, 1922-1985
- Boxes 8-12
- Series 4: General Correspondence, 1921-1985
- Boxes 12-27
- Series 5: Ludlow Typograph Company, 1925-1971
- Boxes 28-32
- Series 6: Society of Typographic Arts, 1927-1985
- Boxes 32-36
- Series 7: Cherryburn Press, 1943-1985
- Boxes 37-40
- Series 8: Apprentice House, 1951-1964
- Boxes 41-42
- Series 9: Miscellaneous Organizations, Travel, etc., 1941-1984
- Boxes 42-46
- Series 10: Ephemera, 1925-1985
- Boxes 47-53
- Series 11: Type Specimen, 1925-1980
- Boxes 53-54
- Series 12: Oversize materials, 1930-1985
- Boxes 54-58
Collection Stack Location
4a 30 10-12
Provenance
Bequest of R. Hunter Middleton, 1985; further gifts from family members and from James Hayes, and Bruce and Margaret Beck, 1986-2007.
Processed by
Paul F. Gehl and Amanda Bolland, 1996-2007.
- Apprentice House (Chicago, Ill.)
- Association Typographique Internationale
- Bewick, Thomas
- Cherryburn Press (Chicago, Ill.)
- DaBoll, Raymond F.
- Design
- Designers -- Illinois -- Chicago
- Dreyfus, John
- Graves, Joseph Clark
- Hammer, Carolyn Reading
- Hammer, Victor
- International Design Conference in Aspen
- Kner, Albert
- Kner, Elizabeth
- Ludlow Typograph Co
- Mangan, James T. (James Thomas)
- Manuscripts, American -- Illinois -- Chicago
- Mardersteig, Giovanni
- Margo, Egdon H.
- Middleton, R. Hunter (Robert Hunter)
- Nichols, Dale
- Printed ephemera -- 1901-1950
- Printed ephemera -- 1951-2000
- Printing -- Societies, etc.
- Printing -- United States -- History -- 20th century
- Reed, Philip (Philip G.)
- Reiner, Imre
- Society of Typographic Arts (Chicago, Ill.)
- Sprunger, Leslie
- Standard, Paul, 1900-
- Type and type-founding
- Type specimens
- Typocrafters (Group)
- Varro, Margaret
- Williams, Gordon
Creator
- Middleton, R. Hunter (Robert Hunter) (Person)
- Title
- Inventory of the Robert Hunter Middleton Papers, 1921-1985
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Paul F. Gehl and Amanda Bolland
- Date
- ©2008.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org