Contents


Collection Overview

Administrative Information

Biographical Note

Scope and Contents of the Collection

Organization of the Collection

Series 1: WORLD WAR II DRAWINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS

Series 2: RESEARCH MATERIAL ON THE ARTIST PETER BLUME

Frank Trapp Papers, 1944-2003 (bulk 1944-1987)

Finding Aid

Finding aid prepared by Peter A. Nelson.

2012

Collection Overview

Creator: Trapp, Frank
Title: Frank Trapp Papers
Dates: 1944-2003
Dates: 1944-1987
Abstract: Professor of Fine Arts at Amherst College, 1956-1992. Collection includes his watercolor sketches and photographs made while serving with the U.S. Army during World War II, primarily in New Guinea, 1944-1946. Also, a brief typescript memoir of his war experiences written in 1985 (revised 2003), and research material on the artist Peter Blume for his 1987 book on him.
Extent: 2 archives boxes, 1 half archives box(2.25 linear ft.)
Language: English

Administrative Information

Gift of Frank Anderson Trapp, 2003.

Non-Alumni Biographical Files - Trapp, Frank

Processed 2006 July

Please use the following format when citing materials from this collection:

[Identification of item], in Frank Trapp Papers [Box #, Folder #], Amherst College Archives and Special Collections, Amherst College Library.

There is no restriction on access to the collection for research use. Particularly fragile items may be restricted for preservation purposes.

Requests for permission to publish material from the collection should be directed to the Archives and Special Collections. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.

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Biographical Note

Frank Anderson Trapp was professor of Fine Arts at Amherst College from 1956 to 1992. He also served as director of the Mead Art Museum, ca. 1969-1989. Trapp received a B.A. from Carnegie Institute of Technology and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Harvard University. Before coming to Amherst he taught for five years at Williams College. Professor Trapp was a respected scholar who produced a number of books, including Peter Blume (1987), The Grand Tradition: British Art from Amherst College (1988), and The Attainment of Delacroix (1971). Trapp was also an accomplished sculptor and painter. He died on March 17, 2005 at the age of 82.

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Scope and Contents of the Collection

A series of watercolor sketches, together with a small number of photographs, made by Trapp while serving with the U.S. Army during World War II, primarily in New Guinea, 1944-1946. The artworks are accompanied by a brief typescript memoir of his war experiences written by Trapp in 1985 (revised in 2003). The papers also include Professor Trapp's research material on Peter Blume for his book on the artist which was published in 1987.

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Organization of the Collection

This collection is organized into two series:

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Series 1: WORLD WAR II DRAWINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS


Box
Folder
1 1
Memoir and photographs

2
Near Baguio - Emplacements outside Baguio

3
Baguio (forest)

4
Baguio, Philippines (forest landscape)

5
Baguio (gun and gunner)

6
Baguio (gun against mountains)

7
Baguio, Philippines (gun in forest)

8
Baguio (men and gun)

9
Baguio - Mines View Park

10
Baguio (mountain landscape)

11
Baguio, Philippines (mountain landscape in cool colors)

12
Baguio - "Sam Holmes"

13
"Self-Portrait"

14
Baguio, Philippines (sun through trees)

15
Baguio, Philippines (trees, house, and mountain)

16
Central Baguio - "The Fall of the City"

17
Clark Field (landscape)

18
Clark Field - "Players in the Tent"

19
Clark Field - "The Visitors"

20
Clark Field - "Thunderbirds"

21
Fort Bragg, NC - "Marco Giles"

22
Pencil Drawing - of Fort Bragg Sailor (possibly in Philippines)

23
Fort Bragg, NC - "Samuel Seymour Holmes"

24
Aboard L.S.T. - "Howard Sleeth"

25
Aboard L.S.T. (on deck, sea)

26
Aboard L.S.T. (on deck: riggings, sailor, sea)

27
Aboard L.S.T. (machines and men on deck)

28
Aboard L.S.T. (sea from ship)

29
Aboard L.S.T. (ship's deck machinery)

30
La Paz - "The Barrio"

31
Manila - 1 of 6

32
Manila - 2 of 6 - "View of Passing"

33
Manila - 3 of 6

34
Manila - 4 of 6 - "Intramuros - Manila"

35
Manila - 5 of 6 - "Looking Toward City Hall, Manila Intramuros"

36
Manila - 6 of 6

37
Manila (Bovine Ophelia)

38
Manila - "Carabas at Manila"

39
Manila - "Intramuros" (outside mission and mission arch and street to mission)

40
Manila (landscape with mission)

41
Manila - "Near the Escolto"

42
Manila (tree outside mission)

43
Manila - "tributary of the Pasig River"

44
New Guinea

45
New Guinea (4)

46
New Guinea - "Campsite, including Basketball Hoops" and Landscape

47
New Guinea (dense forest)

48
New Guinea - "Kitchen Tent at Night"

49
New Guinea - "Night Game"

50
New Guinea (ravishing ferns)

51
New Guinea (vegetables on landscapes)

52
New Guinea - "View New Hollandia"

53
New Guinea - "View Over Hollandia Harbor"

54
Pangasinan Prov. (summer storm)

55
Philippines - "240 mm howitzer Battery B. 'Ingrid'"

56
Philippines, near Baguio - 'Battery B: 240 mm "Thor'"

57
Philippines (building ruins)

58
Philippines - "Chea Moi"

59
Philippines, near Clark Field (2)

60
Philippines, near Baguio - "Interior of Suzy's House"

61
Philippine, near San Leon (landscape from cemetery)

62
Philippines (landscape: trees, tent, and mountains)

63
Philippines - "Plaster Saint

64
Philippines (sun through trees)

65
Philippines, near Clark Field - "Troubadour"

66
Philippines, near Baguio - "View of landscape near Baguio"

67
San Fernando - Behind the Screen

68
San Fernando, Philippines (Christian building)

69
San Fernando - "on weekend leave to coast while at Baguio"

70
San Fernando, Philippines - "Public School"

71
San Fernando, Philippines - "San Fernando"

72
San Fernando, Philippines (still life)

73
San Fernando, Philippines "The Black Christ"

74
San Fernando - "View of Cathedral"

75
San Jose, Luzon (army camp)

76
San Jose (classical cemetery)

77
San Leon

78
San Leon (amber waves)

79
San Leon (farmers in field)

80
San Leon, Luzon (farmers in shade of tall grass)

81
San Leon (flat landscape)

82
San Leon - "Cabanatuan"

83
San Leon, Luzon (landscape along road)

84
San Leon - "Pangasinan" (cow and landscape)

85
San Leon - "Pangasinan" (landscape)

86
San Leon - "Pangasinan Prov. Pl."

87
San Leon, Luzon - "Self-Portrait"

88
San Leon, Luzon (sunset landscape)

89
San Leon - "Two Gentlemen of Gerona"

90
San Leon (windy plain)

Series 2: RESEARCH MATERIAL ON THE ARTIST PETER BLUME


Box
Folder
2 1
The Bridge (art piece)

2
Chapter 1 - Articles, art pieces, etc.

3
Chapter 3 Materials - Notes and art

4
Epilogue - Letters, notes, copy of Epilogue

5
Interviews - Peter Blume

6
Interview tape IV - Peter Blume (transcript only)

7
Interview - Peter Blume 1982

8
Letters - Concerning Blume

9
Letters, Programs, Newspaper Clipping - Blume related

10
Material for Book - Notes, letters, artwork copies

11
Miscellaneous letters 1983

12
Clippings from Museum of Modern Art Library

13
Symbolism - Writings concerning symbolism of art, poems

14
Xerox clippings Chapter II

Box
Folder
3 1
Copies of Blume artwork

2
Correspondence and Notes

3
Exhibition Pamphlets and Art Literature

4
Lists of Blume's artwork