Special Collections
Series Descriptions
Series 1: Manuscripts (1876-1925), 3 boxes (1.5 linear feet)
This series contains handwritten and typed manuscripts, both published and unpublished. It is organized alphabetically. Many manuscripts include dummies, mockups, or illustrations. Topics cover both fiction and non-fiction stories.
Series 2: Notebooks and Miscellaneous Writings (ca. 1885-ca. 1930), 2 boxes (1 linear foot)
Organized alphabetically. Miscellaneous Writings series includes material written by Clifton Johnson that is mostly notes or collected writings. While some writings are of longer continuous length, many writings include one and two page notes on a single topic. Most of the writings deal with the history and inhabitants of Hockanum and Hadley areas. Johnson wrote the bulk of the material starting after 1890. Some material can be dated earlier by his handwriting.
Series 3: Articles and Booklets (1885-about 1910), 1 box (.5 linear foot)
This series contains three subseries: Periodicals, Newspaper clippings, and Booklets.
The subseries Periodicals includes both tear sheets and some full issues of periodicals that contain articles or illustrations by Clifton Johnson. The Newspaper subseries includes newspaper clippings of articles by Johnson. Booklets include writings and photographs by Johnson on several subjects, including a commercial piece for the Whiting Paper Company of Holyoke, MA.
Folders are organized by alphabetically by publication title. Articles within are sorted chronologically. See also Clifton Johnson's ledger of article titles from 1881-1899 in Subjects: Johnson, Clifton -- Bibliography for additional article titles not held by the Jones Library.
Series 4: Diaries and Journals (1881-1922), 1 box (.5 linear foot)
Organized chronologically. Clifton Johnson kept diaries, journals, and writings of his life in Hadley, MA, most extensively from the age of 15 to 22. He also kept journals of various trips in western Massachusetts and New York and to England.
Series 5: Correspondence (1882-1929), 4 boxes (2 linear feet)
This series contains two subseries: Incoming Correspondence and Outgoing Correspondence. Incoming correspondence to Johnson is organized chronologically, except for a section of letters by persons of interest which are organized alphabetically by correspondent. Outgoing correspondence is organized alphabetically by correspondent. See separate correspondence calendar for individual letter description.
Series 6: Financial and Legal Documents (1896-1937), 1 box (.5 linear foot)
Series is divided into two subseries: Book Contracts and Legal Documents. Bulk of series is contracts for books with various publishing companys. Book contracts includes initial contracts and, occasionally, amendment to contracts between Johnson and various publishing companies for payments and royalties. Legal documents include two certificates of copyright registration and also several personal legal documents.
Series 7: Photographs (1888-1932); 3,000 prints, 2,000 negatives (20 linear feet)
This series includes more than 3,000 prints by Clifton Johnson. He extensively photographed the rural areas of New England, especially the Hadley and Hockanum areas of western Massachusetts. Johnson especially focused on the farmer at work and rural children at play. A portion of photographs covers every state in America except Hawaii and Alaska. Johnson also traveled to Canada, Mexico, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and the Netherlands. Many of his photographs are published in articles and books by Johnson. Also in this series are 1,300 glass plate negatives, 800 interpositives and safety negatives, and approximately 50 latern slides. See the separate Clifton Johnson Photographs finding aid for more details.
Series 8: Artwork (1888-1932), about 600 items (3 linear feet)
All artwork is by Clifton Johnson unless otherwise stated. The bulk of the artwork is completed in pen and ink, ink wash, gouache, or pencil. Works in color are primarily limited to thirteen oil paintings and one watercolor, all of landscapes. This collection also contains some printer's proofs of artwork and are filed with the originals. Many drawings are based on photographs by Johnson, also held in the collection.
This series is divided into three subseries: Illustration, Miscellaneous Artwork, and Oversize Artwork. The artwork is particularly strong in landscapes of western Massachusetts; rural villages and people of England, Ireland, Scotland, and France; drawings of 18th and 19th century household utensils and objects; and drawings of children or for children's stories.
The first subseries Illustration includes artwork that Johnson completed for publication. All pieces of artwork that have been identified as being published in a book or article have been sorted by publication name. Also, any pieces of illustration that were obviously intended to be published but may not actually have been printed have also been included. Items include drawings, mockups, book dummies, and some printers proofs. Artwork is listed alphabetically by book or article publication name. Identified, published items are marked on the back of the piece with publication and page number. Some items were printed in multiple publications; wherever possible, such items have been filed under the earliest known publication.
The second subseries Miscellaneous Artwork includes pieces that could not be identified as published. They are filed by subject matter. This also includes one sketchbook by Johnson and a single watercolor painting.
The third subseries includes all oversize drawings and all paintings. Oversize drawings 16x20 inches or less in size are contained in Box 1. Box 2 holds drawings 20x28 inches or less. Boxes 1 and 2 are filed alphabetically first by published illustration then by miscellaneous subject. Box 3 contains six unframed oil paintings. Seven additional framed oil paintings are hung on the paintings rack.
Series 9: Scrapbooks (1887-ca. 1900), 15 items (2 linear feet)
This series consists of 15 scrapbooks of newspaper clippings by various authors, ads, cartoons, and magazine artwork.
Series 10: Subjects (1887-ca. 2000), 2 boxes (1 linear foot)
This series consists of subject files relating to Clifton Johnson, his life, and acquaintances. These materials include biographical material, newspaper clippings, reviews, ephemera, and the score and lyrics to Song of Hadley (lyrics written by Johnson). It also contains several essays and academic papers written on Johnson and reference material on the Clifton Johnson Schoolbooks collection.
Series 11: Johnson Family Papers (ca. 1900-ca. 1995), 2 boxes (1 linear foot)
This series contains subject files on other Johnson family members. Files include biographies of several of Johnson's children including Arthur Johnson, Captain Irving Johnson and Margaret Johnson Rutter. One box of materials is from Roger Johnson, including school age diaries, scrapbooks, a large selection of photographs from caves explored in the 1930s and 1940s, and one VHS video of film about Roger Johnson's bicycle collection, horsemanship, and Connecticut River floods. Other materials include newspaper clippings and programs about the opening of Johnson Hall at UMASS in honor of Clifton Johnson's wife Anna, a renowned promotor of education.