Richard Stone Reeves Archive MC0064
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Archives & Manuscript Collections National Sporting Library Middleburg, VA Richard Stone Reeves Archive MC0064 Name: Reeves, Richard Stone, 1919-2005 Materials: Correspondence, Photographs, Transparencies, Newspaper Clippings, Magazines, Documents, Scrapbooks, Photo Album, Book, Programs, Art Tools Dates: 1931-2005 Usage: Unless otherwise stated by NSL staff, these records are open for research without restrictions. Biographical Note Richard Stone Reeves was a prolific equine artist, painting portraits of approximately 1,000 race horses over the course of his long career. He was born in New York City in 1919 and was raised on Long Island, close to Belmont Park where he enjoyed spending time in his youth. From an early age, Reeves knew he wanted to combine his love for art with his interest in horses and racing. He attended Syracuse University and graduated in 1941 with a degree in Fine Arts. Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Reeves enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He spent his first two years in the Navy working in the Bureau of Aeronautics in Washington and then volunteered for a combat mission in China where he spent 1944 and 1945. A chance meeting with Lt. Commander Robert G. Johnson in China would give Reeves the start to his career as an equine painter. Johnson happened to be the president of Roosevelt Raceway on Long Island and admired the sketches and paintings Reeves created in his free time. He learned that Reeves’ ambition was to paint racehorses, and after the war was over, Johnson commissioned Reeves to portray six champion horses for the Roosevelt Raceway. Reeves was then commissioned by the Daily Racing Form to paint Armed, the 1947 Horse of the Year. This painting was reproduced and printed in the April 12, 1948 edition of Life magazine, which in turn gained Reeves national recognition and sparked his career. By 1958, he had become known internationally by horse racing enthusiasts and was travelling abroad on commissions. During his career, Reeves painted top horses in the U.S. and around the world, including seven Triple Crown winners. His portraits were done in oil on canvas in neo-romantic style, capturing the sleek, muscular build of the horse against an impressionistic, pastoral background. Most of Reeves’ work hangs in private collections, but his paintings can also be found at most major tracks and at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, NY. In 2000, Reeves donated one of his paintings, Montpelier, Schooling, to the National Sporting Library & Museum where it hangs on display. Eight books have been published on Reeves’ work, and reproductions of his paintings have appeared in other publications, as well. Reeves died in 2005 in Greenport, NY. Collection Description The materials in this collection primarily relate to the professional life of Richard Stone Reeves and include reference photographs used by Reeves to create his paintings, as well as, photographs and transparencies of his works. Also included are professional correspondences, articles about Reeves, information relating to exhibits and book publications, and some of his art tools. In addition, memorabilia collected by Reeves, family photographs, and personal correspondence are included. The collection has been arranged into eight series. Oversize materials are included. Series and Subseries I. Personal, 1933-2005 9 Folders This series consists of materials relating to RSR’s personal life. It has been divided into five subseries and contains typescripts, photographs, correspondence, racing programs, and a yearbook. Oversize materials are included. A. Biographical, 1970-2005 1 Folder This subseries contains biographical and genealogical information, including a biographical summary written by RSR and obituaries for RSR and his brother. It also includes the print of a portrait done by 19th century painter, Thomas Sully, ancestor of RSR, as well as, a Sully family history. B. Photographs, 1940s-1992 1 Folder This subseries contains personal photographs and negatives, including family photos and photocopies of pictures taken in China during WWII. Small photographs and negatives are contained in a photo box. C. Correspondence, undated-2005 1 Folder This subseries contains personal correspondence that has been arranged chronologically. D. Financial Documents, 1990-2002 1 Folder This subseries contains personal financial documents, including stock portfolios and insurance information. E. Memorabilia, 1933-1978 5 Folders This subseries contains memorabilia collected by RSR, including programs from horse races, a Syracuse University yearbook, a National Geographic certificate, and a real estate listing with photos. Oversize materials are included. II. Professional Correspondence, 1948-2005 36 Folders This series contains professional correspondence, arranged first alphabetically, then chronologically. The majority of correspondence relates to commissions, and his patrons include the Aga Khan, Allaire duPont, Ogden Phipps, and Anne, Duchess of Westminster, as well as other prominent individuals. A letter from First Lady Nancy Reagan is also included. III. Paintings, 1938-2003 36 Folders This series contains photographs and transparencies of RSR’s paintings, as well as 1 folder of sketches. It is arranged into three subseries. Small transparencies and photographs are contained in a photo box. Oversize materials are included. A. Sketches, 1938-undated 1 Folder This subseries contains sketches of horses, as well as a coat of arms painting. B. Photographs 25 Folders This subseries includes photographs of RSR’s paintings, which have been arranged alphabetically by subject. Small photographs are contained in photo boxes, and photo album is contained in oversize storage. C. Transparencies 9 Folders This subseries includes transparencies of RSR’s paintings, which have been arranged alphabetically by subject. Small transparencies are contained in photo boxes. IV. Reference Materials, 1936-2004 55 Folders This series contains materials that Reeves referenced when creating his paintings. The bulk of materials include photographs of horses and landscape/background shots. Also included are articles and clippings about horses, people, and places, as well as, prints and photographs of artwork from other artists. The series is arranged alphabetically by subject. Small photographs are contained in photo boxes. V. Tools and Supplies, undated; 1996 1 Folder This series contains art supplies used by RSR, information about the supplies he used, and a 1996 price list for his paintings. Oversize materials are included. VI. Publicity Materials, 1944-2005 6 Folders This series contains publicity materials and is arranged into three subseries. Oversize materials are included. A. Photographs, 1948-1997 4 Folders This subseries primarily contains publicity shots of RSR. Also included are photo negatives, press photos, and photographs from public appearances. B. Articles, 1944-2005 1 Folder This subseries includes newspaper and magazine articles written about RSR. Oversize materials are included. C. Advertisements, 1980s-1997 1 Folder This subseries includes magazine clippings and fliers advertising RSR books and print reproductions of his paintings. VII. Exhibitions, 1977-1992 3 Folders This series contains materials relating to RSR exhibitions. It includes correspondence, clippings, press releases, photographs, booklets, brochures, and lists of paintings. VIII. Books and Publications, 1957-2004 10 Folders This series contains materials relating to seven of the eight books published about RSR’s paintings, as well as to other publications that used print reproductions of his works. It includes correspondence, image use agreements, contracts, royalty statements, press releases, book reviews, typescripts, and photographs. Oversize materials are included. Container List MC0064 I. Personal 9 Folders A. Biographical, 1970-2005 1 Folder Box Folder Contents Dates J20 01 RSR biographical summary 1970-2005 Typescript, RSR obituary, Dougal Reeves obituary, Sully Family Genealogy, Thomas Sully Art print J20 27 Clipping, invitation, and book 1979 Poster (donated 2017 by David Spranza) B. Photographs, 1950s-1992 1 Folder Box Folder Contents Dates J20 02 Family photographs, photocopies of 1950s-1981 RSR in China during WWII J40 76 Photos of China – WWII 1944-1945 L29 Family photographs & negative 1950s-1992 C. Correspondence, undated-2005 1 Folder Box Folder Contents Dates J20 03 Letters and holiday cards undated-2005 D. Financial, 1990-2002 1 Folder Box Folder Contents Dates J20 04 Insurance correspondence, 1990-2002 Value of personal property, Stock portfolio documents E. Memorabilia, 1933-1978 5 Folders Box Folder Contents Dates J20 05-08 Racing programs 1933-1978 J40 79-81 Racing programs 1933-1991 09 National Geographic Society 1958-undated Membership Certificate, Real Estate Listing & photographs L31 Syracuse University Yearbook 1941 II. Professional Correspondence, 1948-2005 36 Folders Box Folder Contents Dates J20 10 A – includes Adena Springs, 1985-2005 Arlington Park & others 11-12 Aga Khan 1981-2002 13 John Amerman 1981-2005 14 B – includes August Belmont, 1978-2003 Breeders Cup, Mike Brown & others 15 Blood Horse – includes logo 1992-2003 Designs and drawings by RSR 16 C – includes Calmut Farm, Graham 1981-1996 Campbell & others 17 Copyright – includes certificates 1948-1990 For specific paintings, legal Dispute with Newmarket Gallery 18 Cross Gate Gallery 1994-2004 19 D – includes Daily Racing Form, 1979-2000 Laddie Dance, Allaire DuPont & Others