Finding Aid for the Margaret Rowlett Papers, 1947-1962
For reference questions, please contact university_manuscripts@uncg.edu.
Margaret Rowlett (1897-1963) was an alumna of Woman's College (now UNCG), and a popular illustrator, textile designer, and author of children's books. The Margaret Rowlett Papers date from 1947 to 1962 and contain manuscripts, artwork, stationery, correspondence and clippings.
MSS 041
2 boxes
Collection is open for research.
Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
[Identification of item], Margaret Rowlett Papers (MSS 041), University Archives and Manuscripts, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
This collection was recorded as residing in Jackson Library as early as 1975, but the source is not documented. The original (paper) finding aid states that the collection was most likely a gift of the author.
Margaret Rowlett (1897-1963) was born in North Carolina, where she attended school in a log house, picked cotton, and by age 14 worked for three dollars a week in a rag mill. "Cricket," a young girl who appears in Rowlett's books and fabric designs, was based partially on Rowlett's childhood ("Cricket" was a nickname given Rowlett by an uncle).
Rowlett graduated from Woman's College (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, or UNCG) in 1925, received her master's degree from Columbia University, and became an elementary school teacher in Scarsdale, New York. She had no formal art training save one six-week course she took while a teacher. She began to paint with her students, and when she took her illustrations to Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and the Lord and Taylor’s department store, they were received enthusiastically.
In 1944 Lord and Taylor commissioned Rowlett to design children’s draperies and bedspreads and to paint murals in their toy shop and milk bar. In 1945 Rowlett won a special award for her design “Cricket in the Buggy”. Several of her fabric designs were exhibited at the International Textile Exhibition at UNCG in 1945 and at the Modern Museum of Art and Design Exhibition in 1946.
Rowlett published two books for children, D is for Daddy (NY: Knopf, 1947) and When Cricket was Little (NY: Aladdin Books, 1948). In addition, she wrote a number of unpublished short stories and poems featuring the character of Cricket. Articles about the Howlett and her work appeared in House Beautiful (January, 1947) and McCall’s (October, 1948).
The Margaret Rowlett Papers date from 1947 to 1962 and contain manuscripts and original artwork for children's books and stories; children's stationery with Cricket designs; correspondence; and clippings.
Box 1.
Folder 1. D is for Daddy. Original hand printed text, preliminary drawings and tempera illustrations. Also a first edition of the book with dust jacket.
Folder 2. When Cricket was Little. Original hand printed text and tempera illustrations; first 30 boards out of 55.Folder 3. When Cricket was Little. Remaining 25 boards. Also a copy of the book with dust jacket.
Folder 4. Manuscript copy of story about Cricket and spring.
Folder 5. Cricket on a Little Island. Original typescript and illustrations; also two letters from children giving their “criticism” of the work.
Folder 6. The Rolling Flower Garden. Original typescript.
Folder 7. Merry Christmas from Cricket. Original typescript.
Folder 8. Untitled manuscript.
Folder 9. Thirteen original tempera illustrations.
Folder 10. Poems by children.
Folder 11. Twenty-one get-well letters and crayon drawings addressed to Rowlett as “Cricket” from students at Greenacres School, Scarsdale, NY
Box 2.
Folder 1. Dear Enemies and Aliens. Original typescript with carbon copy.
Folder 2. Listen to me (Rhymes). Original typescript.
Folder 3. A Heart Dies. Original typescript.
Folder 4. Merry Christmas from Johnny. Typescript, carbon.
Folder 5. Rags. Original typescript.
Folder 6. They Look Alike. Original typescript.
Folder 7. Have You Failed Your Child? Typescript, carbon.
Folder 8. Articles and newsclippings about the author and her work: Woman's College (UNCG) Alumnae News, July 1947. Charlotte Observer, May 25, 1947. McCall’s, October, 1948. Also Christmas card from Rowlett to Marjorie Hood with original illustration and letter to a Miss Byrd dated May 26, 1947.
A skirt made with cotton fabric with the “Cricket” design was transferred to the UNCG School of Home Economics Historical Costume and Textile Collection in January 1985.
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