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A. H. Anderson Collection

 Collection
Identifier: H029-85

Scope and Content

This collection contains narratives, clippings, certificates, pilot’s logbooks, photographs, scrapbooks, ephemera, and memorabilia that were created and/or collected by A. H. Anderson during his lifetime. The A. H. Anderson Collection is housed in one non-standard box and one object totaling 3.0 linear ft.

The collection arrived in fair condition. However, over time, the plastic sleeves in the scrapbook emitted a residue that made the materials stick to the plastic. Though the collection arrived in 1985, it had never been processed or described. The materials were discovered during a move of the archive. The curator identified five series with the first series being the Personal Papers Series, which is further organized into two subseries: 1. Biographical Information and 2. Pilot’s logbooks.

Subseries 1. contains a biographical narrative written by Anderson, clippings regarding his funeral, and a certificate of appointment to the rank of Colonel in the Confederate Air Corps.

Subseries 2. contains Anderson’s pilot logbooks including a portrait image in one of them.

The second series is the Publications Series, which contains clippings about Anderson’s encounter with Wiley Post, the Gee Bee airplane, and Charles A. Lindbergh’s final resting place in Hawaii, Hawaii.

The third series is the Photographs Series, which contains images depicting Anderson receiving the Oldtimers Night Award, George C. Matthews, and his airplanes: Ravon (?), tail number NC911; Great Lakes, tail number NC844H with Massey’s Fine Vanillas, Chicago markings on fuselage; biplanes, single engine airplanes, and Mono Aircraft Inc., tail number 5884; and Travel Air Ways and Army Air Corps hangars with biplanes parked in front and people gathered for a group photograph.

The fourth series is the Scrapbook Series, which contains clippings, ephemera, photographs, posters, postcards, correspondence, membership cards, newsletter Taxi-Strip, certificates, and newsletter The Commercial Appeal.

Topics are: general aviation, aircraft accidents, air races, Vincent Bendix National Air Races, Thompson Race, women in aviation, Texas Centennial Exposition, Ruth Chatterton Air Derby, Makato airport, “Doc” DeCelles, Ed Hudlow, St. Louis Robin Endurance Flight, Roscoe Turner and his lion (image signed by Turner), silent movie star Harold Lloyd, Wiley Post, Oklahoma State Air Tour, Jackass Club, Oklahoma Air Patrol, Back Seat Driver’s Club, Martin’s V.V.O. Dog House, Good Will Fliers visiting Beaumont, Texas; Women’s Aeronautical Club, Jack B. Story, Keith Kahle, Navion Delux 205, tail number N8843H; aerial photograph of an estate, and Spanish Athletes of America.

The fifth series is the Memorabilia Series, which contains a trophy, a silk scarf with A. H. Anderson and wing emblem printed on all four corners, an Oklahoma Air Tour pin, a brass Quiet Birdmen membership card, and a W.N.A.A. Governor's Trophy, silver with spout and lid with an airplane attached to it. The trophy is dedicated to Edna Anderson for outstanding work in 1938-1939.

Dates

  • 1926 - 1985
  • Majority of material found within 1932 - 1957

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection is in English.

Access Restrictions

Materials in this collection are open for research.

Literary rights Statement

Permission to publish material from this collection in any form, current or future, must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.

Biographical Sketch

Arthur H. Anderson was born on August 30, 1897, in Mankato, Minnesota. In the early 1920s, Anderson worked as a sales representative for Massey and Massey Co. in Chicago, Illinois, selling wholesale vanilla extract to ice cream manufacturers. The company sent him to Dallas, Texas to establish the regional sales department. In 1935, Anderson married Ms. Edna.

In a personal account, Anderson described his first encounter with airplanes flying over his head while driving a car on a business trip from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Dallas in 1927. This sparked his idea to become a pilot. He took lessons from Howard Woodall and Walter McAllister at Love Field, Dallas. He soloed on September 18, 1927.

About a year later, on June 15, 1928, he was finally able to purchase an airplane, a Luscomb Monocoupe, tail number NC5884. At first, Anderson saw flying as a hobby. However, he discovered that flying an airplane as a sales represenatative would improve his sales. Over time, he flew other airplanes, such as the Waco 10, Great Lakes Model 2T1 NC844H, or the Fairchild 24, to name a few. On a flight to Los Angeles, California, he had the opportunity to meet the Hollywood actress Ms. Mary Pickford.

Anderson was a member of the OX5 Club, the Confederate Air Corps, and a supporter of the History of Aviation Archives at The University of Texas at Dallas, where he met George E. Haddaway.

Arthur H. Anderson passed away in August, 1985, after complications of leukemia at the Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas at the age of eighty-seven. He is survived by his wife Edna, nieces, and nephews. George E. Haddaway, Marvin A. Krieger, Robert C. Quinlan, and G. Edward Rice were among the pallbearers.

Sources

Source
"A. H. Anderson," Narrative A. H. "Andy" Anderson, Folder 1, Box 1, Series I, History of Aviation Archives, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
Source
"A. H. Anderson," Certificate Confederate Air Corps, Folder 1, Box 1, Series I, History of Aviation Archives, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
Source
"A. H. Anderson," "Arthur H. Anderson services scheduled for today," "The Dallas Morning News," August 8, 1985, Folder 1, Box 1, Series I, History of Aviation Archives, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
Source
"A. H. Anderson," "Death and Funeral Announcements," "The Dallas Morning News," August 8, 1985, Folder 1, Box 1, Series I, History of Aviation Archives, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
Source
"A. H. Anderson," "Aerial Salesman is Visitor Here," May 18, 1932, Folder 2, Box 1, Series I, History of Aviation Archives, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.

Extent

3.0 Linear Feet (One non-standard box (14.5x11.5x3) and one object (13.0x3.5).)

Abstract

Arthur H. Anderson was a private pilot flying numerous airplanes throughout his life. He was a resident of Dallas, Texas.

Series Description

The A. H. Anderson Collection is arranged in five series:

Series I. Personal Papers 0.2 linear ft. (two folders), 1928-1985.

Arranged in two subseries: 1. Biographical Information and 2. Pilot’s Logbooks.

Subseries 1. Biographical Information 0.1 linear ft. (one folder), 1954-1985.

Arranged by topic.

Subseries 2. Pilot’s Logbooks 0.1 linear ft. (one folder), 1928-1957.

Arranged by topic.

Series II. Publications 0.1 linear ft. (one folder), 1932-1975.

Arranged by topic.

Series III. Photographs 0.1 linear ft. (one folder), undated.

Arranged by topic.

Series IV. Scrapbook 0.2 linear ft. (two folders), 1926-1952.

Arranged by topic.

Series V. Memorabilia 0.3 linear ft. (four items), 1939.

Arranged by topic.

Provenance Statement

The A. H. Anderson Collection was donated to the History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas, by A. H. Anderson in multiple accessions in 1985.

Existence and Location of Copies

The scrapbook was copied in an electronic PDF file. Contact the curator to request a copy.

Additional Sources

Additional information can be found in the History of Aviation Archives in the following collections:

History of Aviation Archives, George Haddaway Collection, and Keith Kahle Collection.

Image ID

It is the researcher's responsibility to secure permission from copyright holders of materials to which this institution does not own copyright.

Images in this collection are identified by a unique number that provides information about the format, record group, collection, series, box, folder, and image numbers. Please use this number when ordering reproductions of images from this collection.

Record Group Code

1 = CAT/Air American Archives

2 = Doolittle Archives

3 = Lighter than Air Archives

4 = George H. Williams, Jr., World War I Aviation Library

5 = History of Aviation Archives

6 = University Archives

7 = HAC Stacks

8 = WPRL Stacks

9 = Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Collection

10 = Belsterling Collection

11 = Closed Stacks

12 = Unidentified

13 = Chance Vought Archives

14 = Twirly Birds Archives

Image Format Code

P = Photograph/Postcard

S = Slide

N = Negative

T = Positive Transparency

B = Black and White

C = Color

Example: 5AHA-1-1-PB1

5 = History of Aviation Archives

AHA= A. H. Anderson Collection

= Series Number

1 = Box Number

1 = Folder Number

P = Photograph/Postcard

B = Black and White

1 = Image Number

Images archived in plastic image holders may also have a location code in the format: 1/TL. In this example, the number is the sheet number and the letters indicate the top left position on the sheet. Position indicators are T = top, L = left, R = right, M = middle, and B = bottom. Position indicators may be combined to describe the position on the sheet, as shown in this example.

Note to the Researcher

The scrapbook was in poor condition, due to the plastic emitting a residue on the surface of most items. It was photocopied on a PDF file to preserve original order, which is available upon request. Where possible the items were detached from their pages and wiped off with a cotton towel. The photographs were either sleeved into polypropylene photographic sleeves or interleaved with acid-free paper. Rusted fasteners were removed and exchanged with coated ones.

Materials Removed List

0.1 linear ft. one folder of photographs and clippings have been de-accessioned and sent to surplus.

Title
Guide to the A. H. Anderson Collection, 1897-1985
Status
Completed
Author
Patrizia Nava, CA
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives Division, History of Aviation Archives. Repository

Contact:
3020 Waterview Pkwy
SP2
Suite 11.206
Richardson Texas 75080 US
972-883-2570