Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Medical Arts Publishing Foundation records
Date(s)
- 1949-1987 (Creation)
Extent
86 cubic feet (66 boxes)
Name of creator
Administrative history
Medical Arts Publishing Foundation was a brainchild of Dr. R. Lee Clark, president of M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center (1946-1978). Through collaboration between Dr. Clark and Russell W. Cumley, the publishing company developed the Cancer Bulletin in 1948 as a fun, visual and entertaining medical journals to draw attention to the history of cancer research. Their initial vision was to create a “highly readable pictorial magazine for the general practitioner” that would increase early diagnosis of cancer. Other publications, Heart Bulletin in 1952 and Psychiatric Bulletin in 1951, followed that highlighted the history and studies in cardiology and psychiatry. Each publication had its own distinct style and motif. Joe Schwarting was the Art Director and principle artist for all publications. The group of artists were based international and locally in Houston. Other artists include Eva Marie Schubart, Imelda Schubart, Peter Spier, Joe Spire, George Shackelford, Mary Shackelford, and Joseph Doeve. Medical Arts Publishing Foundation also published the regional journal, Medical Record and Annuals, with Joe Schwarting creating the cover art.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The Medical Arts Publishing Foundation records equal 86 cubic feet and contain roughly 1100 items of artwork plus administrative records. Items are housed in 17 document boxes, 49 oversize boxes, map drawer, and framed items. It consists of drawings, paintings, sketches, printed images, and artist notes depicting historical and 20th century figures in the history of cardiology, cancer research, psychiatry, and Texas medicine. The records and artwork demonstrate the artistry, planning, production, and evolution of an art department for a magazine publishing company from 1948 - 1980.
System of arrangement
This collection is arranged into series based on publication title with additional series created to include Medical Arts Publishing Foundation administrative information, an artwork portfolio, and collected works also found in the collection. This collection is arranged into the following series.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
No restrictions.
Physical access
Materials are in good condition.
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce should be secured from the repository.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Yes.
Generated finding aid
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Deed-1
Immediate source of acquisition
This collection was donated by Thomas Anderson and Robert C. Hickey of the Medical Arts Publishing Foundation to the HAM-TMC Library by Deed of Gift, December 21, 1992.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
No accruals are expected.
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Additional information regarding The Medical Arts Publishing Foundation can be found in the R. Lee Clark, MD Papers (MS 070), Series IX Medical Arts Publishing Foundation
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
Specialized notes
- Citation: The Medical Arts Publishing Foundation, Institutional Collection No. 94; John P. McGovern Historical Collections and Research Center, Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library. Please cite the box and folder numbers where appropriate.
- Processing information: The collection was organized by publication - Cancer Bulletin, Heart Bulletin, Medical Record and Annals, Psychiatric Bulletin, and unknown. Within each publication the artwork is separated into three series: illustrations, cover art, and medical portraits. Medical portraits include all portraits within the publications. Within each series the artworks is filed in chronological and page order. If more than one work is found on the same page of the same issue then for illustrations the one closest to the top of the page is placed first, for medical portraits the works are then filed alphabetically.
- Processing information: Each artwork was encapsulated within mylar and then placed in a folder. Works done on stretched canvas have been placed in acid-free paper. Framed paintings were wrapped in Tyvek and placed in the Garment Artifact Framed (GAF) Section of the archive. All items in the GAF section have been photographed and inventoried.
- Processing information: Oversize, framed, materials are housed in the Oversize, Garment Artifact Framed (GAF), and Map Drawer sections within the archive. The collection remains intellectually intact, and all locations are indicated in the finding aid.
Alternative identifier(s)
TARO
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Finding aid based on DACS ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard).
Sources used
Archivist's note
Finding aid prepared and encoded by Kiersten Bryant and Sandra Yates, 2016.
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Cumley, Russell W. (Subject)
- Schwarting, Joseph (Subject)
- Doeve, Joseph (Subject)
- Spire, Joe (Subject)
- Spier, Peter (Subject)
- Schubart, Imelda (Subject)
- Shackelford, Mary (Subject)
- Shackelford, George (Subject)
- University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Subject)
- Medical Arts Publishing Foundation (Subject)