Archives
Erwin E. Smith was a ranch life and cowboy photographer documenting this unique culture in Texas and surrounding states. The Carter holds several archives of Erwin E. Smith materials. The Erwin E. Smith Papers cover 1886 to 1947 and consist of:
- Correspondence: mostly regarding travels and projects such as a planned movie production with actor William S. Hart and a sculptural project with Gutzon Borglum
- Arts education: publications from art schools, salons, and correspondence courses that provide insight into his artistic development
- Technical literature: primarily catalogs and manuals for photography equipment
- Published materials: examples of Smith’s work in publications such as Western Camera Notes and The Cattleman
- Ephemera: material that documents his interests and background, including an oversized buffalo nickel and his autographed season ticket from Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill’s Great Far West Show
The Mary Alice White Pettis Collection of Erwin E. Smith Papers
Mary Alice White Pettis was Smith’s half-sister. The Mary Alice White Pettis Collection of Erwin E. Smith Papers covers 1947 to 1983 and consists of:
- Correspondence: mainly between Pettis and the Library of Congress regarding requests for use of Smith’s images
- Published materials: examples of Smith’s published work
- Ephemera: material collected by Pettis on family history, along with collections of Smith’s material at other organizations
