Pyle, W. mss., 1925-2006
Summary Information
Repository
Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
Lilly Library
Indiana University
1200 E. Seventh St.
Bloomington, IN 47405-5500
Phone: 812-855-2452
Fax: 812-855-3143
Email: liblilly@indiana.edu
Creator
Pyle, Willis
TitlePyle, W. mss., 1925-2006
Collection No.
LMC 2476
Extent
905 items
Language
Materials are in English
Abstract
The Pyle, W. mss. 1925-2006, consists of
letters, original animation drawings, and works of art relating to Willis Pyle's
career as an animator and artist.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Biographical Note
Willis Pyle (b. September 4, 1914) made his first contact with the Walt Disney
Studios while still a student at the University of Colorado. He soon moved to
Hollywood, trained in animation, and worked on such classic Disney features as
Fantasia,
Bambi and
Pinocchio.
During World War II he worked on animated films for the armed services. After
joining the newly-formed production company UPA, he played an important role in the
development of popular cartoon characters of the early fifties, such as Mr. Magoo
and was a principal animator in the Academy Award winning
Gerald McBoing-Boing. He has been for many years an honored member of
the Society of Illustrators in New York City. He continued to paint and exhibit in
Manhattan up to his death at the age of 101.
Scope and Content Note
The collection includes correspondence, photographs, artwork, personal items,
scrapbook materials, and miscellaneous materials.
Correspondents include: Ruth and Ray Boggs; Howard Brokaw; Maude Campbell; Wilmer B.
Eames; Oliver Johnston; Lew Kettler; Virgil, Helen, and Paula Partch; Ben Pyle;
Denver Pyle; Lorraine Pyle; Willis Pyle; Society of Illustrators; Frank Thomas.
Some of the animation drawings were done for a particular project while others were
done post–production. The collection also contains printed items illustrated by
Pyle, as well as materials related to his time at the Disney Studios.
-
Indexing Terms
-
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
IUCAT, the IU Libraries'
online catalog. Materials about related topics, persons or places can be found by
searching the catalog using these terms.
-
-
Names
-
Pyle, Willis
--Correspondence.
-
Boggs, Ruth
--Correspondence.
-
Boggs, Ray
--Correspondence.
-
Brokaw, Howard P.
--Correspondence.
-
Campbell, Maude
--Correspondence.
-
Eames, Wilmer B.
--Correspondence.
-
Johnston, Oliver
--Correspondence.
-
Virgil, Helen
--Correspondence.
-
Kettler, Lew
--Correspondence.
-
Pyle, Ben
--Correspondence.
-
Pyle, Denver
--Correspondence.
-
Pyle, Lorraine
--Correspondence.
-
Thomas, Frank
--Correspondence.
-
See Brown, A.W. mss., also located at the Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Acquired 2004-2005, 2008; 2012-2016.
Usage RestrictionsPrior arrangements are not necessary before coming to the Library; however,
patrons from out of town are encouraged to communicate with the Library in
advance of their visits to ascertain availability of materials.
Photocopying permitted only with permission of the Curator of Manuscripts, Lilly
Library.
Preferred Citation
[Item], Pyle, W. mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington,
Indiana.
Box 1
Correspondence 1937 , 1972-1989
Portraits of Pyle taken by UPA (United Productions of America)
photographer, 1948
three 4 x 5"
Photograph: Pyle seated at drawing board with Lee Morehouse, working
on
Bambi, 1941
4 x 5" and 8 x 10" of same shot
Photograph: Pyle with Carol Channing and John La Touche in sound
studio for the animated short
The Peppermint
Tree
, directed by Pyle
Photograph: Snow White party given by Walt Disney, 1938
eight 8 x 10"
Snapshots
reproduction of Pyle and his sister, 3.5 x 5", 1918; on beach with Carl Erickson and others, 4 x 5"
Printed. Magazines.
Script magazine, June 1947, July 1948
and March 1949, with cover
illustrations by Pyle;
Toy Values Monthly,
Vol. 1, No. 5, Nov. [1991], with
article about Pyle
Printed. Miscellaneous. 2003–2006
Contains invitations to exhibits and other occasions honoring Pyle and his
work, greeting cards illustrated by Pyle
Box 2
Armed Services films. 1941–1945
Three photocopies of model sheets of Trigger Joe and Chameleon, two mounted
on black board
Box 3
Pinocchio.
Three original drawings of Pinocchio: in red pencil, 26.5 x 31.5 cm., on
drawing board paper, signed in pencil; in blue and black pencil, 25.5 x 32
cm., on drawing board paper, signed in pencil; in blue and black pencil,
16.5 x 13.5 cm., on drawing paper; photograph of model sheet of "kid
suggestions"; 35mm filmstrip of Jiminy Cricket
Bambi. ca.
1942
Original drawing of Bambi's girlfriend in red and black pencil, 20 x 24 cm.,
on drawing board paper, signed; drawing of buck in red, blue and black
pencil, 23.5 x 30.5 cm., on drawing board paper, signed
Fantasia.
Original drawing of young female centaur in blue and black pencil, 26 x 32
cm., on drawing board paper, signed; two photographs of model sheets, male
Pegasus and male centaur
Water–color of horses, 23 x 30.5 cm.; water–colors of nudes, two
matted paintings, 30.5 x 40.5 cm. each
Snow White.
Original drawing of one of the seven dwarfs in blue pencil, 26.5 x 32 cm., on
drawing board paper, signed in pencil; original drawing of Doc in black ink
with additional black ink drawings of horses and a figure, 26.5 x 32 cm.
Gerald McBoing–Boing.
Original drawing in black ink, 25.5 x 20 cm., on paper, signed and
inscribed to Breon Mitchell
Goofy.
Original drawing in blue and black pencil, 26 x 32 cm., on drawing
board paper, signed in pencil
Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical
Adventure
. ca.
1977
Two drawings in blue and black pencil, on drawing board paper, signed
in pencil: Raggedy Ann, 26.5 x 31.5 cm.; Raggedy Andy, 26.5 x 31.5
cm.
The Popcorn Story.
Original drawing of Wilbur in blue and black pencil, 26 x 31.5
cm
Ragtime Bear (aka
Strike up the Banjo).
Two photocopies of drawings of Ragtime Bear and Mr. Magoo; photocopy
of model sheet of various characters, signed
Early caricature drawings in pencil
profile of male wearing beanie smoking cigarette, undated, 12.5 x 7 cm.;
standing male figure with hand in pocket, 1925, 16 x 9 cm
Four photographs of watercolors pasted to matting
9 x 12.5 cm each
Ink sketches of horses on pink paper, signed.
31 x 25 cm.
Ink sketched of horses and riders, cow, and dog on grey paper,
signed.
25 x 33 cm.
Box 4
Boggs, Ruth and Ray
Brokaw, Howard
Campbell, Maude
Eames, Wilmer B.
Johnston, Oliver
Kettler, Lew
Partch, Virgil and Helen; Paula
Pyle, Ben
Pyle, Denver
Pyle, Lorraine
Pyle, Willis
Pyle, Willis
copies of letters
Society of Illustrators
Thomas, Frank
Unknown
Wynters, Gail
A–H
I–M
N–Z
From Correspondence, Undated
Society of Illustrators, Undated
Virgil Partch, Undated
Clippings
Colbean's Naked Eye; Colbean,
Sam
Hair, from April 1934 copy
of
Colorado Dodo
Jack Wayman Information
Little Orchestra Society
Midnight the Outlaw
Horse
Script pages
Printed. Magazines.
Colorado Dodo magazines. February 1933, November 1933, December 1933, April 1934, two undated issues, one copy
of April 1935 cover only.
Printed. Magazines.
Scholastic Vacation
Fun
magazines. June 4,
1966; July 1,
1966; July 8,
1966; July 15,
1966; July 22,
1966; July 29,
1966; August 5,
1966; August 12,
1966
Printed. Magazines.
Script magazine. Cover only. June 1947.
Society of Illustrators
Writing
Armed Services Films – Trigger Joe and Chameleon copies
Around the Campus with Gando
Downs
.
17.5 x 18.5 cm. Eight on cardstock. Five photocopies. One on
newsprint. One on magazine paper.
Colorado Dodo drawings
Drawings by others
Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Pluto sketches
Miscellaneous Sketches
Pinocchio, pencil sketches
Sketchbook, Paris 1956
Sketches of horses
Special Delivery
Watercolors of horses
Biographical
Financial
United States Army
Clippings, Virgil Partch
Drawings, Virgil Partch
Magazines, Virgil Partch
Miscellaneous
Box 5
Midnight the Outlaw Horse
Typescript script, correspondence, clippings, and art work
Box 6
Disney
Original drawings and photocopies of drawings relating to various Disney
characters such as Goofy, Wilbur, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Wallygator,
Chip and Dale, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pluto, Snow White and the Seven
Dwarves, and Pinocchio.
Hanna–Barbera Productions.
Photocopy of one drawing related to the Hanna–Barbera Production
Huckleberry.
Miscellaneous Drawings.
Includes eleven miscellaneous original drawings and photocopies of
drawings.
Mobile Detergent Gasoline.
Original drawings of cars, engines, and characters for a Mobile
commercial.
Nude Drawings.
Includes one drawing pad with five original drawings and watercolors of nude
men and women.
Peanuts.
Photocopies of drawings related to various Peanuts characters.
Simpsons.
Photocopies of drawings related to various Simpsons characters.
Warner Brothers Cartoons.
Photocopies of drawings related to Warner Brothers Cartoons including Bugs
Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Tweety.
Box 7
Scrapbook with Sam Cobean
Box 8
Miscellaneous sketches
(14 folders)
Scrapbook cover
Box 9
Gallery & Studio article and letter
100th birthday celebration materials
100th birthday save the date
Envelope addressed to Frederic B. Taraba
Miscellaneous sketches
(14 folders)
Scrapbook cover
July 2014 issue of
Pegboard and three sketches signed by Pyle
Memorial pamphlet from Society of Illustrators' memorial service for Pyle (2 copies), 8 June 2016
Letter and draft to "Dennis" regarding Norman Rockwell's acceptance into the Society of Illustrators, undated
Death certificate and obituary notes, 2016
