Mary Louise Lawser papers, 1941 - 1957

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Abstract:
The Mary Louise Lawser Collection consists of correspondence, pamphlets and brochures concerning her railroad work, photographs and transparencies of her work, and ephemera.
Extent:
1.93 Linear Feet 1 half box + 2 oversize boxes + 1 slide box
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Mary Louise Lawser Collection, MS 19, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Mary Louise Lawser Collection consists of correspondence, pamphlets and brochures concerning her railroad work, photographs and transparencies of her work, and ephemera. The major portion of the collection, however, consists of preliminary sketches and colored renderings for murals and panels to be installed in cars of the Seaboard Air Line and on the "California Zephyr" and "Denver Zephyr."

Biographical / historical:

Mary Louise Lawser (1908-October 30, 1985) began her study of fine art at the Pennsylvania Museum School in Philadelphia. Later she attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and L'Ecole des Beaux Arts, where she studied sculpture. The winner of a number of prizes for painting and sculpture, Mary Lawser worked for architect Paul Cret in the 1940s, and during this period she completed many decorations for streamlined trains of the New York Central, Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and Seaboard Air Line, as well as for the famed "California Zephyr" passenger train of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, Denver & Rio Grande Western, and Western Pacific lines. In preparing these decorations, she relied on her skills in painting, sculpture, and linoleum and wood carving. In later years, Mary Lawser produced decorations for the Burlington's "Denver Zephyr." In addition, her work appeared in public works projects in New York City and Philadelphia. The papers of Paul Cret, design architect and supervisor to Mary Louise Lawser in the preparation of designs for the Budd Company, are held by the Athenaeum (Philadelphia).

Acquisition information:
Gift of Estate of Mary Louise Lawser, 1986
Arrangement:

Arranged by car number

Physical location:
Statewide Museum Collection Center
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research by appointment. Contact Library Staff.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the CSRM Library & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the CSRM as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Mary Louise Lawser Collection, MS 19, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
111 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 323-8073
Library.CSRM@parks.ca.gov
Website