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Charles Allmond papers

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Held at: University of Delaware Library Special Collections [Contact Us]181 South College Avenue, Newark, DE 19717-5267

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Delaware Library Special Collections. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Wilmington, Delaware, sculptor Charles Allmond (born 1931) is primarily a direct carver in stone and wood who also produces limited editions of many of his works in bronze.

Native Delawarean Allmond is a graduate of P. S. duPont High School and holds degrees in agriculture and agronomy from the University of Delaware. He has worked as an agronomist, seed analyst, field man for a food processing business, and manager of a crop dusting service. Allmond also served in the U. S. Coast Guard from 1951 to 1956. After completing a degree at Temple University of Law in 1963, Allmond practiced law for thirty-one years. He has been active in civic and cultural affairs, as well as being the author of several scholarly and popular articles on agriculture, history, and law. After retiring from the practice of law in 1995, Allmond became a full-time sculptor.

As an artist who finds inspiration in the natural world, Allmond has a distinctive style which ranges from realism to abstract. His sculptures have been exhibited in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Sweden; in various venues, including over hundred different museums. Allmond's work is represented in public, corporate, and private collections; and he has received regional and national honors for his work. Allmond has been represented in solo exhibitions at the American Swedish Historical Museum; the Biggs Museum of American Art, the Delaware Division of the Arts, Wilmington, Delaware; and the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum in New Jersey.

Allmond is a past president of the Society of Animal Artists (1995-1998) and has frequently been a judge at the Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition held in Ocean City, Maryland. In 2004, Charles Allmond was a recipient of the Delaware Governor's Award for the Arts.

"Charles Allmond," Artist for Conservation. http://www.natureartists.com/artists (accessed April 18, 2014)."Charles Allmond Sculptor," Press release (December 20, 1995).

The papers of Delaware artist Charles Allmond (born 1931) document over three decades (1981-2013) of his prolific career. The collection comprises 3 linear feet and oversize removals that include drawings, designs, slides, sculptures, as well as files of correspondence and documentation for exhibitions in which his work was included.

Series I. Sketches and preliminary drawings, documents Allmond's working designs, patterns, and ideas for his sculptures. This series is arranged in alphabetical order by the title of the sculpture, or by Allmond's labeling on a particular drawing. In some cases the design material for a particular piece of sculpture will follow a progression from preliminary sketches to the final scale drawings used to create the sculpture. An image of the final sculpture is available in Series III. Slides, which complements the first series by providing photographic images of all of Allmond's completed works. Digital copies of slides are available through the University of Delaware Library's Digital Collections website at ARTstor Commons.

Series II. Shows and exhibitions, includes material related to exhibitions of Allmond's sculptures in shows, as well as solo and group exhibitions. The types of material found in this series include correspondence, exhibition announcements, invitations, receipts, programs, posters, postcards, artists' statements, notes, magazines, and catalogs. Notable solo exhibitions represented are:

Second Nature: The Sculpture of Charles Allmond , at The American Swedish Historical Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2008); Finding the Joy-The Animal Sculpture of Charles Allmond , at the Biggs Museum of American Art, Dover, Delaware (2003); Charles Allmond: Through the Mind's Eye , at the Delaware Division of the Arts, Wilmington, Delaware (2000); and Charles Allmond/Guy Coheleach: Point/Counterpoint , at the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum, Oradell, New Jersey (1998).

The correspondence in the second series deals primarily with Allmond's participation in various shows and exhibitions; however, the files also provide information about Allmond's role in the Society of Animal Artists (an international organization of painters and sculptors who depict living creatures in their work), his donations of his work for charitable causes, and the sale of pieces of his sculpture through various galleries.

Series III. Slides, contains approximately 700 color images of Charles Allmond's sculptural works. The arrangement represents the artist's original organization of the slides in two binders by general subject, including abstracts, jars and earthenware, and human subjects; birds; animals; fish, shells, and sea life; and a category Allmond described as "early work." Allmond worked in a variety of media, including stone, wood, and bronze. Each slide included the work's title, medium, and dimensions. For many works, multiple views are available. The slides in these notebooks have been scanned and are available in digital format, and the slides have been returned to Mr. Allmond.

Series IV. Sculptures, comprises two original sculptures created by Charles Allmond. The first is a bronze piece titled "Love Birds," which was created in 2005 and is number 15 of 25. The second sculpture, "Northern Sphinx," which is number 6 of 8, was created in 1997 and is a representation of a polar bear in alabaster.

Series V. Biographical information and articles, provides information about Charles Allmond and his work through magazine articles, newspaper clippings, and press releases. Two additional items in the series are an article written by Allmond, titled "Gunning Bedford, Jr.," which appeared in

Delaware Lawyer (1987), and a nineteenth-century notebook which belonged to Allmond's grandfather. The notebook contains his grandfather's notations and writings related to the Order of Masons, of which he was a 33rd degree Mason of a Delaware lodge.

This collection offers rich resources for the study a recognized contemporary American sculptor, whose work flows from the natural world, particularly showcasing birds, animals, and marine life.

  1. I. Sketches and preliminary drawings, 1983-2012
  2. II. Shows and exhibitions, 1982-2013
  3. II.A. General files, 1982-2013
  4. II.B. Files related to specific venues or organizations, 1982-2009
  5. III. Slides, 1983-2013
  6. IV. Sculptures, 1987, 2002
  7. V. Biographical information and articles, 1987-2006

Boxes 1-3: Shelved in SPEC MSS record center cartonsBox 4: Shelved in SPEC MSS oversize boxes (18 inches)Removals: Shelved in SPEC MSS oversize mapcase

Digital copies of the slides are available through the University of Delaware Library's Digital Collections website at Artstor.

If you wish to use the links to the digital objects presented in the Contents List, you MUST allow pop-ups from https://library.artstor.org Follow your browser's instructions on how to unblock pop-up windows from a specific website.

Gifts of Charles Allmond, 2003-2015.

Processed and encoded by Anita Wellner, April 2014.

Publisher
University of Delaware Library Special Collections
Finding Aid Author
University of Delaware Library, Special Collections
Finding Aid Date
2014 April 28
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

If you wish to use the links to the digital objects presented in the Contents List, you MUST allow pop-ups from http://www.sscommons.org Follow your browser's instructions on how to unblock pop-up windows from a specific website.

Use Restrictions

Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, http://www.lib.udel.edu/cgi-bin/askspec.cgi

Collection Inventory

Scope and Contents

Includes sketches, papers patterns, matte boards patterns and designs for pieces of sculpture and a few wall pieces. The series is arranged in alphabetical order by title or subject as labeled by the artist. The final folder is a file of miscellaneous sketches, doodles, possible ideas.

African Beast [lion], 1983.
Box 1 Folder F1
After the Hunt, 2009.
Box 1 Folder F2
[Almond] CMA logo, undated.
Box 1 Folder F3
American eagle: see Northwest Coast Indian Thunderbird.
Box 1 Folder F3a
Ancient History and Green Tea, 1998.
Box 1 Folder F4
Anteater: see the verso of Preflight.
Box 1 Folder F4a
Architectual drawing, undated.
Box 1 Folder F5
Barn owl [wall piece], 1989.
Box 1 Folder F6
Baroque cross, 1993.
Box 1 Folder F7
Beach Patrol, undated.
Box 1 Folder F8
Bear, undated.
Box 1 Folder F9
Bird, undated.
Box 1 Folder F10
Blue Hen, undated.
Box 1 Folder F11
Bottle, undated.
Box 1 Folder F12
Butterfly, undated.
Box 1 Folder F13
Cantilevers, 1996.
Box 1 Folder F14
Caterpillar, undated.
Box 1 Folder F15
[Circus elephants] card design, undated.
Box 1 Folder F16
Crane, undated.
Box 1 Folder F17
Decho Echo, 2005.
Box 1 Folder F18
Discus, 2002.
Box 1 Folder F19
Double Vision, 2012.
Box 1 Folder F20
Dove, undated.
Box 1 Folder F21
Eagle, undated.
Box 1 Folder F22
Elephant, undated.
Box 1 Folder F23
Evening Flight, undated.
Box 1 Folder F24
Fish, undated.
Box 1 Folder F25
Folk Art Owl, undated.
Box 1 Folder F26
Fox, undated.
Box 1 Folder F27
Gambel's Quail, 1997.
Box 1 Folder F28
Garden sculpture, undated.
Box 1 Folder F29
Geese, undated.
Box 1 Folder F30
Generation Gap, 2007.
Box 1 Folder F31
Giraffe, undated.
Box 1 Folder F32
Scope and Contents

Includes a wooden model.

Good Friday.
Box 1 Folder F33
Goose head, undated.
Box 1 Folder F34
Governor's Art Award, undated.
Box 1 Folder F35
Graveyard Shift, 1999.
Box 1 Folder F36
Gull, undated.
Box 1 Folder F37
Harbinger, 1991.
Box 1 Folder F38
Harmony, 2004.
Box 1 Folder F39
Hippo, undated.
Box 1 Folder F40
Horse, undated.
Box 1 Folder F41
Joie de Vivre, 2000.
Box 1 Folder F42
Letters, undated.
Box 1 Folder F43
Manger set, undated.
Box 1 Folder F44
Masked Marauder, 2001.
Box 1 Folder F45
Moon Bird, 2003.
Box 1 Folder F46
Mother and Child, 1989, 1998, 2000.
Box 1 Folder F47
Mouse, undated.
Box 1 Folder F48
Natural Balance, 1997, 1998.
Box 1 Folder F49
Nemesis, 2001.
Box 1 Folder F50
Northern Sphinx (base), 1997.
Box 1 Folder F51
Northwest Coast Indian Thunderbird American Eagle, undated.
Box 1 Folder F52
Ode to Joy, 1993, 1999.
Box 1 Folder F53
Owl Pair, undated.
Box 1 Folder F54
[Owls], undated.
Box 1 Folder F55
Parrot, undated.
Box 1 Folder F56
Peace Victorious, 1999.
Box 1 Folder F57
Penguin, undated.
Box 1 Folder F58
Penguins [South Orkney Shuffle?], 1995.
Box 1 Folder F59
Perching Bird, undated.
Box 1 Folder F60
Phoenix, 1985, 2001.
Box 1 Folder F61
Pig, undated.
Box 1 Folder F62
Polar Bear, 1986.
Box 1 Folder F63
Preflight, 2002, 2003.
Box 1 Folder F64
Redemption, 1988, 1995.
Box 1 Folder F65
Reunion, 1988, 1995, 2000.
Box 1 Folder F66
Rocker Pigeon, undated.
Box 1 Folder F67
Rooster, undated.
Box 1 Folder F68
Rustic Cross, undated.
Box 1 Folder F69
School of Fish, undated.
Box 1 Folder F70
Seal, undated.
Box 1 Folder F71
Seal Circus, 1993.
Box 1 Folder F72
Sea Star, undated.
Box 1 Folder F73
Serenity, 2004.
Box 1 Folder F74
Shark, undated.
Box 1 Folder F75
Shark's Egg, undated.
Box 1 Folder F76
Singers of Ancient Songs, 1995, 1998.
Box 1 Folder F77
Slippery Slope, 2005, 2007.
Box 1 Folder F78
Small Blanket Chest, undated.
Box 1 Folder F79
Small Talk, 2000.
Box 1 Folder F80
Solitude, 2000.
Box 1 Folder F81
Star, undated.
Box 1 Folder F82
Studebaker Golden Hawk, undated.
Box 1 Folder F83
Swan of Tuonela, 1998.
Box 1 Folder F84
Swan Song, 2003.
Box 1 Folder F85
Swans, undated.
Box 1 Folder F86
Talisman, 2004.
Box 1 Folder F87
The Third Day, 2004.
Box 1 Folder F88
Told in the East, undated.
Box 1 Folder F89
Tolerance, 1998, 2002.
Box 1 Folder F90
Scope and Contents

See also F107 for a drawing on the verso of another drawing.

Toy designs, undated.
Box 1 Folder F91
Toy elephant, undated.
Box 1 Folder F92
Toy Giraffe, 1988.
Box 1 Folder F93
Toy Soldier, undated.
Box 1 Folder F94
Triangulation, 2008.
Box 1 Folder F95
Triptych, 1998.
Box 1 Folder F96
Triptych: Abstract Design, undated.
Box 1 Folder F97
Under the Big Top, undated.
Box 1 Folder F98
Wall designs, undated.
Box 1 Folder F99
Wall owl, undated.
Box 1 Folder F100
Wall sculpture designs (paper), undated.
Box 1 Folder F101
Wall sculpture designs (matte board), undated.
Box 1 Folder F102
Wall sculpture designs (wood), undated.
Box 1 Folder F103
Windswept, 2011.
Box 1 Folder F104
Winter Owl, undated.
Box 1 Folder F105
Woodland Gothic, 1990.
Box 1 Folder F106
Wood Stork and Tolerance, 1998.
Box 1 Folder F107
Wooly Sheep, undated.
Box 1 Folder F108
Miscellaneous drawings and ideas, undated.
Box 1 Folder F109

Scope and Contents

This series includes material related to exhibitions of Allmond's sculptures in shows, as well as solo and group exhibitions. The types of material found in this series include correspondence, exhibition announcements, invitations, receipts, programs, posters, postcards, artists' statements, notes, magazines, and catalogs. The correspondence in the second series deals primarily with Allmond's participation in various shows and exhibitions, however, the files also provide information about Allmond's role in the Society of Animal Artists (an international organization of painters and sculptors who depict living creatures in their work), his donations of his work for charitable causes, and the sale of pieces of his sculpture through various galleries.

Scope and Contents

This subseries is a chronological file of material related to show and exhibitions.

1982-1984.
Box 1 Folder F110
1985-1986.
Box 1 Folder F111
1987.
Box 1 Folder F112
1988.
Box 1 Folder F113
1989.
Box 1 Folder F114
1990.
Box 1 Folder F115
1991.
Box 1 Folder F116
1992.
Box 1 Folder F117
1993.
Box 1 Folder F118
1994.
Box 1 Folder F119
1995.
Box 1 Folder F120
1996.
Box 1 Folder F121
1997.
Box 2 Folder F122
1998.
Box 2 Folder F123
1999.
Box 2 Folder F124
1999.
Box 2 Folder F125
2000.
Box 2 Folder F126
2001.
Box 2 Folder F127
2002.
Box 2 Folder F128
2003.
Box 2 Folder F129
2004.
Box 2 Folder F130
2005.
Box 2 Folder F131
2006.
Box 2 Folder F132
2007.
Box 2 Folder F133
2008.
Box 2 Folder F134
2009.
Box 2 Folder F135
2013.
Box 2 Folder F136
Amgen exhibition, 1999.
Box 2 Folder F137
Scope and Contents

Produced by the Society of Animal Artists, includes the catalog.

30th annual exhibition, 1990.
Box 2 Folder F138
31st annual exhibition, 1991.
Box 2 Folder F139
36th annual exhibition, 1996.
Box 2 Folder F140
37th annual exhibition, 1997.
Box 2 Folder F141
39th annual exhibition, 1999.
Box 2 Folder F142
45th annual exhibition, 2005.
Box 2 Folder F143
46th annual exhibition, 2006.
Box 2 Folder F144
49th annual exhibition, 2009.
Box 3 Folder F145
Scope and Contents

Organized annually by Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin.

Correspondence, 1994-2002.
Box 3 Folder F146
Catalog, 1994.
Box 3 Folder F147
Catalog, 1999.
Box 3 Folder F148
Catalog, 2001.
Box 3 Folder F149
Catalog, 2002.
Box 3 Folder F150
Catalog, 2003.
Box 3 Folder F151
Du Pont-Mitsui Polychemicals Co., 1990.
Box 3 Folder F152
Governor's Award for the Arts, 2004.
Box 3 Folder F153
Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum, 1998.
Box 3 Folder F154
Scope and Contents

Exhibition of Allmond's sculptures with catalog.

Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, 2001-2002.
Box 3 Folder F155
North Museum of Natural History and Science, 1999-2000.
Box 3 Folder F156
Rehoboth Art League, 1996.
Box 3 Folder F157
Spanierman Gallery, 1997-1999.
Box 3 Folder F158
Wadle Galleries, 1991-1992.
Box 3 Folder F159
Waterfowl Festival, 1995-1999.
Box 3 Folder F160
World Wildlife Art Symposium, 1999-2000.
Box 3 Folder F161

Scope and Contents

Series III. Slides, contains approximately 700 color images of Delaware artist Charles Allmond's sculptural works. The arrangement represents the artist's original organization of the slides in two binders by general subject, including abstracts, jars and earthenware, and human subjects; birds; animals; fish, shells, and sea life; and a category Allmond described as "early work." Allmond worked in a variety of media, including stone, wood, and bronze. Each slide included the work's title, medium, and dimensions. For many works, multiple views are available. The slides in these notebooks have been scanned and are available in digital format, and the slides have been returned to Mr. Allmond.

Scope and Contents

This subseries includes abstract sculptures of concepts and time periods; human subjects; and objects and earthenware.

Slides, 1987-2006 and undated.
Box 3 Folder F162
Materials Viewable Online
  1. Images in Artstor
Scope and Contents

Birds, especially owls, cranes, hawks, and swans, are a favorite subject for Allmond and are the most frequently depicted animal in his body of work.

Slides, 1988-2015.
Box 3 Folder F162
Materials Viewable Online
  1. Images in Artstor
Scope and Contents

Bears, giraffes, elephants, and insects are represented in this subseries.

Slides, 1983-2013.
Box 3 Folder F162
Materials Viewable Online
  1. Images in Artstor
Scope and Contents

Includes snails, starfish, mollusks, and fish.

Slides, 1990-2010.
Box 3 Folder F162
Materials Viewable Online
  1. Images in Artstor
Scope and Contents

This subseries includes sculptures of animals, fish, birds, humans, and abstracts, what Allmond identified as "early work."

Slides, 1985-1995.
Box 3 Folder F162
Materials Viewable Online
  1. Images in Artstor

Love Birds, 2005.
Box 3 Folder F163
Scope and Contents

This bronze sculpture is #15 of 25. This item measures 10" tall and wing span of 10" x 3" (base: 7.25" x 5.25").

Northern Sphinx, 1997.
Box 3 Folder F163
Scope and Contents

This alabaster sculpture of a polar bear is #6 of 8. The sculpture measures 16 inches tall with a base of 12" x 9".

Articles, publicity, and press releases, 1987-2006.
Box 3 Folder F164
"Gunning Bedford, Jr." in Delaware Lawyer, 1987 Fall.
Box 3 Folder F165
Scope and Contents

Article written by Allmond.

Charles Allmond's grandfathers notebook of masonic notations and writing, circa 1838.
Box 3 Folder F166
Scope and Contents

Allmond's grandfather was a 33 degree Mason in Delaware.

Print, Suggest