Bradbury Thompson collection

Collection

Call Number: AOB 19

Scope and Contents

The Bradbury Thompson Collection consists of examples of Thompson’s graphic design work including postage stamps, logos, and book, magazine, and corporate publication designs. The majority of the collection consists of Thompson designs that were a part of the Westvaco-sponsored exhibit, “Bradbury Thompson: Innovative Designer,” which was exhibited at Yale’s Sterling Memorial Library in 1992. Many of the designs in the exhibition were from the serial publication Westvaco Inspirations for Printers. The exhibit had previously been mounted at other venues, including the Frick Gallery in Pittsburgh and the ITC Gallery in New York City.

Dates

1943-1990

Creator

Thompson, Bradbury

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Bradbury Thompson, Wetvaco Corporation and Louis Silverstein, 1980-1992.

Arrangement

Arranged by type of material.

Associated Materials

Bradbury Thompson Papers (MS 1794), Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library.

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet (6 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/arts.aob.0019

Additional Description

Overview

Biographical / Historical

Bradbury Thompson (1911-1995) was a graphic designer and art director who had a distinguished career in positions with the Westvaco Corporation, for whom he designed the American Classic Book Series and Westvaco Inspirations for Printers; Mademoiselle magazine; Art News; and Smithsonian magazine. He designed the limited edition Washburn College Bible, which was published by Oxford University Press in 1979, and designed over 100 United States postage stamps. He was an adjunct professor of graphic design in the Yale School of Art from 1956 to 1995. His autobiography, The Art of Graphic Design, was published by Yale University Press in 1988. He received many awards, including the American Institute of Graphic Arts gold medal for lifetime achievement.