University of Oregon Libraries
Special Collections & University Archives
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1299
URL: http://libweb.uoregon.edu/speccoll/index.html

Guide to the Esther Brann Papers, 1924-1960


Ax 432





Finding aid prepared by processing staff

Finding aid encoded by ArchProteus, June 2006
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.


Overview of the Collection
 
Repository Name:
 

University of Oregon Libraries
Special Collections & University Archives

1299 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1299
URL: http://libweb.uoregon.edu/speccoll/index.html
 
Collection Number:
 

Ax 432
 
Creator:
 

Brann, Esther
 
Title:
 

Esther Brann Papers
 
Dates:
 

1924-1960 (inclusive)
 
Quantity:
 

.5 linear feet
1 container
 
Languages:
 

Collection materials in English. 

 
Summary:
 

Esther Brann (1899-1998) was an author and illustrator of books for children. The collection includes eight manuscripts, two published works, and a series of correspondence relating to Brann's interest in subjects such as her own child and young relatives, and her family's dog.
 

Biographical Note

Esther Brann was born in New York City on July 21, 1899. She was educated at the Art Students' League, Cooper Union, the National Academy of Design, and the Fontainebleau School of Fine Arts in France. After completing her studies she returned to New York, and, experiencing difficulty in finding work as an illustrator, she decided to write and illustrate her own books.

Her first book was Nanette of the Wooden Shoes, published by Macmillan in 1922. This work was followed by A Quebec Sketchbook (1926), Lupe Goes to School (1930), Nicolina (1931), Yann and His Island (1932), Bobbie and Donnie Were Twins (1933), based on her twin nephews who actually were called Bobbie and Donnie; Around the World With Esther Brann (1935), Another New Year With Bobbie and Donnie (1936), Patrick Was His Name (1938), concerning her family's dog; Patrick Goes A-Hunting (1940), Five Puppies for Sale (1948); and Book for Baby, inspired by her son.

She also illustrated Edna Albert's Little Pilgrim to Penn's Woods and The Shawl with the Yellow Bells, as well as Mary Jane Carr's Children of the Covered Wagon.

Brann married Dr. Richard Schorr, with whom she had a son, Alan Richard. Richard Schorr enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and served for three years as Commander and Lieutenant Commander. He was stationed in Guam for thirteen months, and afterwards posted to Pensacola, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; Yonkers, New York; and Hayward, Camp Parks, and Long Beach, California. Brann and their son traveled with him, finally settling in Los Angeles, California.

Brann was named one of ten national award winners for her children's books. As well as writing and illustrating, she enjoyed sculpting and jewelry making.

Esther Brann Schorr died on January 3, 1998 in Ventura, California.

Sources:

Ward, Martha E. and Dorothy A. Marquardt. Authors of Books for Young People (Metuchen, N.J: Scarecrow Press) 1971

The H.W. Wilson Company, Junior Book of Authors, 2nd ed.; Junior Authors Electronic (1951), updated 1999.)

Ventura County Star. January 9, 1998.

Content Description

The Esther Brann Papers include eight book manuscripts of various versions, some with galley proofs, illustrations, or miscellaneous fragments: Another New Year With Bobbie and Donnie, Five Puppies for Sale, Nanette Goes for the Bread, Nanette of the Wooden Shoes, Nicolina, Patrick Goes A-Hunting, A Quebec Sketchbook, and Yann and His Island. Two published works include Nicolina and Patrick Was His Name.

The correspondence includes seventy-three letters, of which the bulk (forty-one) concerns the Macmillan Company from 1927-1960.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information 

Gift of Esther Brann Schorr in 1968

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Access 

Collection is open to the public.

Collection must be used in Special Collections & University Archives Reading Room.

Restrictions on Use 

Property rights reside with Special Collections & University Archives. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to the Manuscripts Librarian of the Division of Special Collections & University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.

Preferred Citation 

[Identification of item], Esther Brann Papers, Ax 432, Special Collections & University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, Eugene, Oregon.

Subjects

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.

 
Brann, Esther--Correspondence
Macmillan Company--Correspondence
Children's literature, American--Authorship
Publishers and publishing--Correspondence
Women authors, American--20th century
Women illustrators--United States
Book illustrations
Manuscripts for publication

Detailed Description of the Collection

 
Container(s)
Description
 
box
1		 folder
1
Another Year With Bobbie and Donnie. Pencil tracings
  
 
2
Five Puppies For Sale. Manuscript
  
 
3
Nanette Goes for the Bread. Manuscript
  
 
4
Nanette of the Wooden Shoes. Page proofs
  
 
5
Nicolina. Manuscript
  
 
6
Nicolina. Partially printed copy
  
 
7
Patrick Goes A-Hunting. Manuscript
  
 
8
A Quebec Sketchbook. Manuscript
  
 
9
Yann and His Island. Manuscript
  
 
10
Correspondence
  
 
11
Nicolina. Bound, first chapter
  
 
12
Patrick Was His Name. Bound volume
  
 
13
Another New Year With Bobbie and Donnie. Mock-up; correspondence with Doris S. Patee