Southwestern University
These books, which are a part of the Edward A. Clark Collection of Texana, are from the library of F.W. Roberts, a 1938 graduate of Southwestern University. Dr. Roberts was an expert on D.H. Lawrence, and a protege of Harry Ransom. Roberts was the second director of the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas. His books reflect his interests in Texana, Texas History, and fine press printing.
Last week we hosted Jeff Roberts and Vicki Tullius – the children of F. Warren Roberts. I brought out some of the great material Jeff and Vicki donated from their father’s library – outstanding Texana items, association books, and Tom Lea material. Perhaps the single most significant item in the collection is the unassuming sign you see above.
Special Collections has a large collection of materials associated with J. Frank Dobie, a 1910 graduate of Southwestern. These materials include holograph manuscripts, typescripts, and an almost exhaustive collection of his printed works. These all are expected in a collection of Dobie – but the piece you see above is not. My recent work with my colleague, Joan Parks, on her art and art history lib guide led me to revisit this work, and explore why we have this piece.
The piece above – and the focus of this essay – is Tom Lea’s original pen and ink illustration titled Nat Straw’s Poem. The drawing came to Special Collections amongst the donations of the papers and possessions of Dobie.