Lester C. Walker World War II watercolors

Descriptive Summary
Title: Lester C. Walker World War II watercolors
Creator: Walker, Lester C.
Inclusive Dates: 1944-1945
Language(s): English
Extent: 4.5 Linear Feet (3 oversized boxes, 1 oversized folder B)
Collection Number: ms2595
Repository: Hargrett Library
Abstract: The collection consists of watercolors, sketches, and sketchbooks of Lester C. Walker produced during his World War II service from 1944-1945. The collection includes illustrations of camp life, landscapes, portraits of military personnel and natives in the Philippines, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, and Guadalcanal. It also features morale posters and several cartoon demonstration maps.

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Collection Description

Historical Note

Lester Walker was an art professor, at the College of Idaho in Caldwell. On September 7, 1941, he married Alma (last name unknown). Shortly after the marriage, Lester entered the army in World War II. After the War, Lester and Alma moved to Columbus, Ohio so Lester could begin a Ph.D. program in art history. After two years Lester accepted a teaching position in Des Moines, Iowa. Finally, in 1951 Lester completed his Ph.D. and joined the University of Georgia's art department.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Lester C. Walker World War II watercolors. MS 2595. Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Libraries.

General Notes

Cataloged as part of the Georgia Archives and Manuscripts Automated Access project: A Special Collections Gateway Program of the University Center in Georgia.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

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1

Sketchbook

This box includes a sketchbook containing South Pacific scenes, mostly black and white, but also 4 in color. Also, 15 matted watercolor paintings including numbers: 1, 8-16, 18-22, also an unnumbered painting. It also includes a note of explanation by Lester Walker about how and why these paintings came about. The numbers come from the master list created by Lester Walker.

 

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2

Sketchbook

This box contains 22 matted watercolor paintings. Includes numbers: 4 (5 small sketchbook pages), 5 (5 small sketchbook pages), 6 (5 small sketchbook pages), and 7 (5 small sketchbook pages) as one each since he numbered them in that way. Also: 23-25, 27, 29, 30-34, 37, 38, and 40-47. One Poster- First Airforce Camouflage School for Non-Commissioned Officers - Mitchell Field, NY. One Photo of Hiroshima - Honshu - Japan. August 8, 1945. Taken from the air.

 

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3

Sketchbook

Three ringband sketchbooks of watercolors. (Pacific). Ten sketchbooks - some Pacific - some not - some mixed. 1 military patch with "13" on it. 1 Japanese Gov't Centavo (from Philippines?) 1 Seasons Greeting Card - Philippines Islands 1945 from 13th Airforce 905 Engineer Airforce Hq. Co. 1 Guadalcanal sketch on mat board. 1 card Seasons Greetings from the Philippines 1945. 1 card Christmas Greetings, 1945, 905 Engineer A. F. Headquarters Co. 1 sketch - 3 men and one woman all in military dress - on mat board. 1 sketch - sideview of head and chest - man on mat board. 1 image of volcano - black and white. 1 envelope labled "Misc. WWII sketches" (empty). 1 envelope labled "South Pacific sketches" (empty). 1 book from Fiji through the Philippines with the 13th Airforce by Lt. Col Benjamin E. Lippincott. 1 envelope of photos relative to WWII. 5 photos of unidentified city - from air. 6 overhead shots of Singapore. 5 loose posters, all war related. 2 large matted watercolors. 1 matted sketch. 1 loose watercolor. 11 rolled war related posters. 75 loose watercolors and wood cuts.

 

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1B

Misc. posters, maps, watercolors