Baylor University. The Texas Collection

Transcription

1 Baylor University. The Texas Collection Grace Rosanky Putnam Jones Papers. Inclusive: , undated, Bulk: , undated Creator Extent (quantity/size) Language Abstract Jones, Grace Rosanky Putnam Quadlander, Mary Margaret 12 document boxes and 2 oversized boxes. English The Grace Rosanky Putnam Jones papers contain correspondence, literary productions, scrapbooks, photographs, and other materials related to Grace's experiences as a World War II WASP pilot, New York fashion model, and owner of a dress shop. Subjects Air warfare -- History -- 20th century. / Fashion merchandising -- United States -- History -- 20th century. / Models (Persons) / Salado (Tex.) -- History. / Texas -- History. / Women air pilots -- Texas -- Biography. / Women Airforce Service Pilots (U.S.) -- Biography. / World War, Women. Administrative Information Restrictions on Access and Use All requests for copying of materials must be submitted to The Texas Collection in writing. Please use the Request Form for Copying Materials sheet. Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator (s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. Preferred Citation Use/Reproduction Restrictions: The collection is open for research When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Grace Rosanky Putnam Jones Papers, #3834, Box #, Folder #, The Texas Collection, Baylor University. Processing Information Described by Adina Johnson and released on Scope and Content The Grace Rosanky Putnam Jones papers were acquired by gift in one transaction from Mary Margaret Quadlander on 11 December This collection begins in 1934 and ends in The Literary Productions series features documents relating to Grace's experience as a WASP as well as her time as a store owner. The Scrapbooks series documents many aspects of Grace's life, from her time in Japan to her famous store, Grace Jones. The Photographic Materials series includes a large number of photos of Grace from her days as a model in New York. To her contemporaries, Grace Jones of Salado was known as a World War II WASP pilot, a New York fashion model, and the owner of an internationally famous couture fashion store in Texas. The Grace Rosanky Putnam Jones papers are filled with news clippings, photographs, and scrapbooks documenting this life of adventure and glamor. The documents in these papers are a representation of the public image of the "Queen of Texas Fashion," Grace Jones. Grace Rosanky Putnam Jones was born in Waelder, Texas, to William and Juddie Rosanky, on 1920 November 6. She grew up on a ranch in Smithville, Texas, but was introduced to fashion by her Aunt Johnnie at a young age. While in high school Grace fell in love with Tom Putnam, eventually graduating a year early to follow Tom to Baylor University, where he was training to become an Air Force pilot. The two married on 1940 March 9 in the First Christian Church of Smithville. Grace was soon pregnant with twins, but both babies died only one day after they were born one month premature. This would be the only pregnancy of Grace s life, and it remained a very private tragedy for Grace. Tom left to serve in the front lines of World War II only a few months later. In 1941 Grace left Baylor to transfer to the University of Texas. In 1942, Grace saw an issue of LOOK magazine featuring female pilots, the next day Grace enrolled in pilot training, and she soon left college and entered WASP (Women Air Force Service Pilots) training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. Grace was immensely proud of her WASP service for the rest of her life she eventually became Commanding Officer of her unit and her papers contain numerous records related to that service. Unfortunately, the War did not end with a happy reunion for Grace and Tom. Immediately after returning home, Tom admitted to an affair and asked Grace for a divorce. Grace did not know it yet, but her WASP service would also be the means by which she met her second husband. She borrowed a plane to fly to Florida to visit a cousin, and upon making an illegal landing; she met Lt. Colonel Jack Jones. The two disliked each other immediately, but like many love stories, they eventually fell for each other after being reunited in New York City. Grace went to New York City after the War and made a name for herself as a runway and commercial model. This collection contains many photographs of Grace s modeling days. During this period Grace met many fashion designers and models who would eventually become key to her future in retail. Grace kept in contact with Jack Jones and they eventually married. After they married, Grace accompanied Jack on his Air Force postings in Germany during the Berlin Airlift and then in Japan. She became the first American woman to perform the intricate Japanese Tea Ceremony, earning her press coverage all over Japan and leading President Dwight D. Eisenhower to name her an ambassador abroad. After returning to the States, Jack and Grace moved to Texas, where Jack planned on breeding thoroughbred horses. Grace decided to open a couture dress shop, Grace Jones, in Salado, Texas, a town of less than 500 people. Through her many connections in the fashion industry and a private plane landing strip behind the store Grace built an international base of customers. She became famous for her excellent buying taste and the publicity and charity events she threw. Her close friends and customers included Liz Carpenter, Erma Bombeck, Lady Bird Johnson, and Joan Brashear. This period of her life is well documented in her papers Unfortunately, the strain of running a business was too much for the Jones marriage, and the two divorced in pageid=archive_fa_pageframeset& action=6252& formframe=mainframe& websessionid= / 5

2 After her business partner and sister-in-law Genelle died in 2000, Grace closed the store. Twenty-five newspapers and magazines announced the closing throughout the world. Grace lived the rest of her life quietly, dying on 2008 February 16. The Grace Rosanky Putnam Jones papers were donated by her biographer. This 14-box record group would be an excellent resource for any researcher interested in studying the fashion industry, World War II, or female entrepreneurs. Related Resources Related citations Barnes, Michael. "Out & About: Lionizing Grace Jones of Salado." Austin-American Statesmen. Austin, November 7, 2012, sec. Entertainment. Accessed 2013 April 5. Jo Ann, Levine. An Oasis for the Well-dressed. Deseret News. Salt Lake City, September 1, Section C. Merryman, Molly, and NetLibrary, Inc. Clipped Wings: The Rise and Fall of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) of World War II. New York: New York University Press, url= Sheehy, Sandy. "Grace and Style." Ulta (December 1984): Statesman Legacy Section: Grace Jones. Austin American-Statesman. Austin, February 7, Obituaries. Archival Arrangement Prior to this finding aid, the Grace Rosanky Putnam Jones papers were partially organized by the donor into research files. Those files that remained have been preserved and their folder titles have the original title in quotation marks. Documents that were not in research files had no organizational scheme. There was no inventory of the entire collection or finding aid. Currently, this collection has been organized into 8 series. I. Correspondence, II. Literary Productions, III. Research Materials (for mixed-media files), IV. Scrapbooks, V. Photographic Materials, VI. Artifacts, VII. Audio and Visual Materials, and VIII. Books. Series 1: Correspondence , undated This series includes correspondence written to and from Grace Jones. It includes personal correspondence with Grace s first husband, Tom, and several boyfriends, close friends, and others. It also includes professional correspondence regarding the WASPs and the Canada Film Festival which Grace was invited to attend. This series is in average to good condition. Box 1. Folder 1. Correspondence: Personal: "Tom Putnam: First Husband, 1943, undated Box 1. Folder 2. Correspondence: Personal: Boyfriends, 1945, undated Box 1. Folder 3. Correspondence: Personal: Grace, undated Box 1. Folder 4. Correspondence: WASPs, Box 1. Folder 5. Correspondence: WASPs, 1984, 2001 Box 1. Folder 6. Correspondence: Canada Film Festival, 1977 March 4 Box 1. Folder 7. Correspondence: Grace's Important Friends, 1987, undated Series 2: Literary Productions , undated Extent (quantity/size) 4 boxes, 2 oversized folders This series contains a large variety of clippings, notes, essays, administrative documents, and other printed material relating to different aspects of Grace Jones s life. Many of the documents pertain to Grace s time as a WASP, as well as WASP reunions and other publicity. Notably, included are two Japanese periodicals that highlight Grace Jones s experiences there. There are also many documents relating to Grace s store and her charity events. This series is in average to excellent condition. Box 1. Folder 8. Literary Productions: Essays: High School: Grace Jones, undated Box 1. Folder 9. Literary Productions: Notes: General, undated Box 1. Folder 10. Literary Productions: Notes: Spiritual, undated Box 1. Folder 11. Literary Productions: Printed Materials: "An Air Force Reading Guide", 1957 Box 1. Folder 12. Literary Productions: "Koryu Magazine", 1961 August Box 1. Folder 13. Literary Productions: Japanese Printed Material: Women Weekly, undated Box 1. Folder 14. Literary Productions: Clippings: "The Air Force Family", 1961 February 15 Box 1. Folder 15. Literary Productions: Programs: "Tea Cult of Japan", 1935 Box 1. Folder 16. Literary Productions: Clippings: "Marriage to Jack Jones", undated Box 2. Folder 1. Literary Productions: Administrative Documents: WASPs, 1943 Box 2. Folder 2. Literary Productions: Administrative Documents: WASPs (1 of 3), 1944 Box 2. Folder 3. Literary Productions: Administrative Documents: WASPs (2 of 3), 1944 Box 2. Folder 4. Literary Productions: Administrative Documents: WASPs (3 of 3), 1944 Box 2. Folder 5. Literary Productions: Administrative Documents: WASPs, undated Box 2. Folder 6. Literary Productions: WASP Files: 30th Memorial Reunion, 1975 June Box 2. Folder 7. Literary Productions: "WASP NEWS", 1999 Winter Box 2. Folder 8. Literary Productions: "WASP NEWS", 2001 January Box 2. Folder 9. Literary Productions: "WASP NEWS", 2001 December Box 2. Folder 10. Literary Productions: Printed Materials: WASP Roster (1 of 12), 2003 Box 2. Folder 11. Literary Productions: Printed Materials: WASP Roster (2 of 12), 2003 Box 2. Folder 12. Literary Productions: Printed Materials: WASP Roster (3 of 12), 2003 Box 2. Folder 13. Literary Productions: Printed Materials: WASP Roster (4 of 12), 2003, pageid=archive_fa_pageframeset& action=6252& formframe=mainframe& websessionid= / 5

3 Box 2. Folder 14. Literary Productions: Printed Materials: WASP Roster (5 of 12), 1992 Box 2. Folder 15. Literary Productions: Printed Materials: WASP Roster (6 of 12), 1992 Box 3. Folder 1. Literary Productions: Printed Materials: WASP Roster (7 of 12), 1992 Box 3. Folder 2. Literary Productions: Printed Materials: WASP Roster (8 of 12), 1992 Box 3. Folder 3. Literary Productions: Printed Materials: WASP Roster (9 of 12), 1988 Box 3. Folder 4. Literary Productions: Printed Materials: WASP Roster (10 of 12), 1988 Box 3. Folder 5. Literary Productions: Printed Materials: WASP Roster (11 of 12), 1988 Box 3. Folder 6. Literary Productions: Printed Materials: WASP Roster (12 of 12), 1988 Box 3. Folder 7. Literary Productions: Special Edition WWII Calendar, 1997 Box 3. Folder 8. Literary Productions: Aviation History Edition of Museum Musings, 2000 Box 3. Folder 9. Literary Productions: Clippings: WASPs, Box 3. Folder 10. Literary Productions: Printed Materials: General, Box 3. Folder 11. Literary Productions: Fundraisers and Publicity: Confirmations for Ann Richards Events, 1988 Box 3. Folder 12. Literary Productions: Fundraisers and Publicity: Junior Helping Hand, 1968 Box 3. Folder 13. Literary Productions: General: Store, undated Box 4. Folder 1. Literary Productions: Fundraisers and Publicity: Scott and White Quarterly, 1983 Box 4. Folder 2. Literary Productions: Receipt for Speaking Class: Models, undated Box 4. Folder 3. Literary Productions: Scott and White Quarterly, 1983 Winter Box 4. Folder 4. Literary Productions: Life: Caf Dispatch, 1988 Box 4. Folder 5. Literary Productions: Printed Material: "The New York Times Magazine", 1993 February 7 Box 4. Folder 6. Literary Productions: The New York Times Magazine, 1995 May 7 Box 4. Folder 7. Literary Productions: Clippings: Designers: Loretta Young, , undated Box 4. Folder 8. Literary Productions: Clippings: Store, , undated Box 4. Folder 9. Literary Productions: Clippings: General (1 of 4), circa Box 4. Folder 10. Literary Productions: Clippings: General (2 of 4), circa Box 4. Folder 11. Literary Productions: Clippings: General (3 of 4), circa Box 4. Folder 12. Literary Productions: Clippings: General (4 of 4), circa Box 1 OVZ. Folder 1. Literary Productions: Framed Certificates and Clippings, undated, 1987 Box 1 OVZ. Folder 2. Literary Productions: Register, Box 3 OVZ. Folder 1. Literary Productions: Air Force Certificate, undated Series 3: Research Materials , undated Photographic print This series contains research files created by Mary Margaret Quadlander, Grace Jones s biographer. These files have been placed in a separate series as they contain mixed materials and therefore do not fit into any other series. The original folder titles have been preserved. They are generally composed of correspondence, literary productions, and photographic materials. This series is in average to good condition. Box 5. Folder 1. Research Materials: "WASP", undated Box 5. Folder 2. Research Materials: Favorite People, 2000, undated Box 5. Folder 3. Research Materials: Grace Clippings, undated Box 5. Folder 4. Research Materials: "Correspondence Personal", , undated Box 5. Folder 5. Research Materials: "General", 1993, undated Box 5. Folder 6. Research Materials: "General", undated Box 5. Folder 7. Research Materials: "History of Salado", undated Box 5. Folder 8. Research Materials: "Notes on Grace", undated Box 5. Folder 9. Research Materials: Lady Bird, Box 5. Folder 10. Research Materials: "Japan, 1961, undated Box 5. Folder 11. Research Materials: "Collected for Grace Eulogy", 2009 Box 5. Folder 12. Research Materials: "Tom Putnam: First Husband", 1943, 2012, undated Box 5. Folder 13. Research Materials: "Modeling", undated Box 5. Folder 14. Research Materials: "Important Friends: Loretta Young, 1989, undated Box 5. Folder 15. Research Materials: "Fundraisers and Publicity": General, , undated Box 5. Folder 16. Research Materials: "WASP files", undated Box 5. Folder 17. Research Materials: "Eulogy", Box 5. Folder 18. Research Materials: "Pat Boone", undated Series 4: Scrapbooks , undated Photographic print This series includes multiple scrapbooks relating to Grace Jones s life, including her store, experience as a WASP, and her trip to Japan. The scrapbooks have been scanned for preservation purposes and the original scrapbooks and clippings deaccessioned. All other materials that were contained in the scrapbooks have been filed under additional materials. This series is in poor to good condition. Box 6. Folder 1. Scrapbooks: Scrapbook 1 : Page 1-18 (1 of 4), 1987 Box 6. Folder 2. Scrapbooks: Scrapbook 1 : Page (2 of 4), 1987 Box 6. Folder 3. Scrapbooks: "Scrapbook 1": Page (3 of 4), 1987 Box 6. Folder 4. Scrapbooks: Scrapbook 1 : Page (4 of 4), 1987 Box 6. Folder 5. Scrapbooks: Scrapbook 1 : Additional Materials: Photographic Material, 1987 Box 6. Folder 6. Scrapbooks: Scrapbook 1 : Additional Materials: Correspondence, 1987 Box 6. Folder 7. Scrapbooks: Scrapbook 2 (1 of 3), Box 6. Folder 8. Scrapbooks: Scrapbook 2 (2 of 3), Box 6. Folder 9. Scrapbooks: Scrapbook 2 (3 of 3), pageid=archive_fa_pageframeset& action=6252& formframe=mainframe& websessionid= / 5

4 Box 6. Folder 10. Scrapbooks: "Scott and White (1 of 2), 1983 August Box 6. Folder 11. Scrapbooks: Scott and White (2 of 2), 1983 August Box 6. Folder 12. Scrapbooks: Jean Louis", Box 6. Folder 13. Scrapbooks: Grace s Year 1986 : Page 1-10 (1 of 13), 1986 Box 6. Folder 14. Scrapbooks: Grace s Year 1986 : Page (2 of 13), 1986 Box 6. Folder 15. Scrapbooks: Grace s Year 1986 : Page (3 of 13), 1986 Box 7. Folder 1. Scrapbooks: Grace s Year 1986 : Page (4 of 13), 1986 Box 7. Folder 2. Scrapbooks: Grace s Year 1986 : Page (5 of 13), 1986 Box 7. Folder 3. Scrapbooks: "Grace s Year 1986": Page (6 of 13), 1986 Box 7. Folder 4. Scrapbooks: Grace s Year 1986 : Page (7 of 13), 1986 Box 7. Folder 5. Scrapbooks: Grace s Year 1986 : Page (8 of 13), 1986 Box 7. Folder 6. Scrapbooks: "Grace s Year 1986": Page (9 of 13), 1986 Box 7. Folder 7. Scrapbooks: "Grace s Year 1986": Page (10 of 13), 1986 Box 7. Folder 8. Scrapbooks: "Grace s Year 1986": Page (11 of 13), 1986 Box 7. Folder 9. Scrapbooks: "Grace s Year 1986": Page (12 of 13), 1986 Box 7. Folder 10. Scrapbooks: "Grace s Year 1986": Page (13 of 13), 1986 Box 7. Folder 11. Scrapbooks: "Grace s Year 1986": Additional Materials: page 1-63 (1 of 5), 1986 Box 7. Folder 12. Scrapbooks: "Grace s Year 1896": Additional Materials: page (2 of 5), 1986 Box 7. Folder 13. Scrapbooks: "Grace s Year 1986": Additional Materials: page (3 of 5), 1986 Box 7. Folder 14. Scrapbooks: "Grace s Year 1986": Additional Materials: page (4 of 5), 1986 Box 7. Folder 15. Scrapbooks: "Grace s Year 1986": Additional Materials: page (5 of 5), 1986 Box 7. Folder 16. Scrapbooks: "Grace s Year 1986": Photographic Materials: page 1-87 (1 of 2), 1986 Box 7. Folder 17. Scrapbooks: "Grace s Year 1986": Photographic Materials: page (2 of 2), 1986 Box 8. Folder 1. Scrapbooks: "Japan": Page 1-15 (1 of 2), Box 8. Folder 2. Scrapbooks: "Japan": Page (2 of 2), Box 8. Folder 3. Scrapbooks: Sketchbook: Additional Materials (1 of 4), undated Box 8. Folder 4. Scrapbooks: Sketchbook: Additional Materials (2 of 4), undated Box 8. Folder 5. Scrapbooks: Sketchbook: Additional Materials (3 of 4), undated Box 8. Folder 6. Scrapbooks: Sketchbook: Additional Materials (4 of 4), undated Series 5: Photographic Materials , undated Photographic print; Portrait photograph This series contains candid and professional photos of Grace Jones. Some were donated in organized research files, but contained only photographic materials, and thus have been placed in the subseries to this series, Research Materials. Like the Research Materials series, Quadlander s original folder titles have been preserved. The professional modeling photographs of Grace are divided into four major categories; commercial, which is a photo highlighting a product; fashion, a photo highlighting a lifestyle; editorial, a photo that tells a story; and portraits. Grace Jones s professional photos are undated. This series is in average to excellent condition. Series 6: Artifacts. undated This series includes photos of two artifacts related to Grace s professional life and is in average condition. Box 10. Folder 14. Artifacts: Wooden Appreciation Box, undated Box 10. Folder 15. Artifacts: Copy of Leather Briefcase, undated Series 7: Audio and Video Recordings , undated Compact disk (CD); Video home system (VHS) tapes This series includes VHS tapes and one audio CD. Three of the recordings relate to Grace s experience as a WASP, the other is a recording of Grace s Style Show. This series is in good condition. Box 11. Folder 1. Audio Video Recordings: CD Recording: Marching Songs of the WASP, 2001 Box 11. Folder 2. Audio Video Recordings: VHS Recordings: "The American Experience: Fly Girls", undated Box 11. Folder 3. Audio Video Recordings: VHS Recordings: We Were WASP, 1990 Box 11. Folder 4. Audio Video Recordings: VHS Recordings: "Grace s Style Show", undated Series 8: Books This series contains two books. One, Women Aloft, is about the WASPs. The second is the 1938 Baylor Round-Up, signed by all of Grace Jones s classmates, including her future husband Tom Putnam. This series is in good condition. Box 12. Folder 1. Books: Women Aloft, pageid=archive_fa_pageframeset& action=6252& formframe=mainframe& websessionid= / 5

5 Box 12. Folder 2. Books: Baylor Round-up, pageid=archive_fa_pageframeset& action=6252& formframe=mainframe& websessionid= / 5