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Richard (Dick) Sprang Collection
NAU.MS.370 NAU.PH.2002.20
Creator:
Sprang, Dick, 1915-2000
Collection Name
Richard (Dick) Sprang Collection,
Inclusive Dates:
1873-2000.
Quantity:
19 Linear feet textual materials,
2303 Photographic slides,
8030 Photographic prints,
19 Maps
20 Open reel audiotapes
Abstract:
The Richard (Dick) Sprang Collection
contains correspondence, journals, subject files, articles pertaining to the canyon country,
manuscript drafts of his unpublished Westerns, creative art work, photographs and maps. The
photographs, ranging from 1946 to the late 1990s comprise, nearly half of the collection,
including many aerial photographs of Glen Canyon in the 1950s. Smaller in volume are
documents and correspondence related to his family, as well as Sprang's career as a Batman
artist with D.C. Comics. There are also several reel-to-reel audio tapes. The bulk of the
collection centers on Sprang's interest in the canyon country of southern Utah and northern
Arizona, as well as Glen Canyon.
Collection Number
NAU.MS.370 NAU.PH.2002.20
Language:
English .
Biographical Note
Richard "Dick" Sprang was born on July 28, 1915 in Fremont, Ohio to William and Hannah
(Hintz) Sprang. After graduating from Fremont High School, Sprang lived in Toledo, Ohio and
later New York City working as a newspaper artist, Western pulp fiction writer, and as one
of the first Batman cartoonists.
In 1946 Sprang moved west to the town of Sedona, Arizona, with his wife, Lora Neusiis (aka
Pat Gordon). They were divorced in 1951. Sprang was married to three other women: Dudy
Thomas from 1956 until her death in early 1958, Elizabeth Lewis from 1958 until 1972, and
Marion Lyday from 1973 until his death in 2000. Marion Sprang died in 2001.
Though he had moved west to be free of work demands, the first few years in Sedona were
consumed with drawing Batman for D.C. Comics. The Sedona post office in the 1940s was unable
to handle the special packaging of the artwork, necessitating frequent trips north to
Flagstaff.
In October 1950, Sprang, along with his companion, Dudy Thomas, and Sedona local, Elmer
Purtymun, launched a six week trip on the Colorado River in Glen Canyon. On this trip, they
met a lone boatman, Harry Aleson. Sprang and Aleson became fast friends and would remain so
for two decades. Sprang, Thomas, Purtymun, and Sedonan Bill Towne repeated their trip in
1951. Not long after this trip, Sprang proposed a plan to Aleson that would entail forming a
research team designed to conduct a study of Glen Canyon in half-mile increments. Aleson
accepted and Canyon Surveys began its first river reconnaissance in October 1952.
On this first reconnaissance trip, the team of Aleson, Sprang, and Thomas explored an
unnamed canyon to its head. They discovered perfectly preserved ruins and a large pictograph
they named "Three Warrior." Thomas called the canyon "Forgotten Canyon." The pictograph and
ruins were later named "Defiance House," the currently accepted name that was bestowed on
the area by the University of Utah archaeologists who "discovered" them in 1959.
Canyon Surveys conducted trips in 1953 and again in 1955; however, by then the group's
goal of recording geology, ruins, and endemic flora and fauna had petered out in favor of
long hikes and relaxing days spent in camp. Sprang would go on two more Glen Canyon river
trips in 1959 and 1962.
In 1956, Sprang and Thomas bought a ranch in Wayne County, Utah, where they ran cattle and
explored the slick rock terrain. In early 1957, Thomas died of a brain tumor. Sprang turned
to close friend and widow, Elizabeth Lewis, for comfort and advice, and the two were married
six months later. They lived first in Lewis' Fruita, Utah home, and later at Fish Creek
Ranch, after the government exercised its right to eminent domain and claimed Fruita as part
of the expansion of Capital Reef National Park.
The 1960s seemed to be a trying period for Sprang. He and Elizabeth began constructing a
home and studio at Fish Creek Ranch that encompassed much of their time. By 1963 he had
stopped drawing for D.C. Comics, the house construction had stalled and Sprang was
experiencing depression. He began dividing his time between Fish Creek Ranch, Phoenix, and
Sedona, where he visited an old friend, Marion Lyday. Although Sprang and Elizabeth would
remain married, they essentially lived separate lives until 1972 when they divorced. Once
Fish Creek was completed, they sold it. Eventually, Sprang and Lyday married in 1973 and
moved to Prescott, Arizona.
Without the constraints of Batman deadlines and the house construction, Sprang was free to
pursue his interest of hiking the backcountry of northern Arizona and southern Utah as well
as researching and writing about the early white explorers of this area. For several years
he tried his hand at writing Westerns, with aid from friend, Robert MacLeod, a noted artist
and Westerns author. His writing was deemed too formulaic and thin of plot by editors. He
did, however, lend his editing abilities to several friends, including Katie Lee and Pearl
Baker. When the Utah State Historical Society acquired the papers of Harry Aleson, Sprang
became an invaluable asset to their understanding of Aleson and his experiences in Glen
Canyon. He was interviewed by the National Park Service for an oral history about Arth
Chaffin and the Hite Ferry and corresponded for years with noted authorities of the
Southwest and the Colorado River, including Dock Marston and Stan Jones.
Prior to the damming of Glen Canyon, Sprang and Elizabeth wrote prodigiously to state
representatives and senators, providing ample evidence of the beauty and value of Glen
Canyon. They worked with the Desert Protective Council in the fight to stop construction of
Glen Canyon Dam. Despite their efforts, the dam was finished in 1963. Sprang, like many
hikers and boatmen of Glen Canyon, was resentful and saddened by the destruction of what he
considered an Edenic escape filled with irreplaceable ancient relics. In the 1980s Sprang
and several friends began meeting every October at Halls Crossing on Lake Powell, Sprang
driving and boating as his younger friends hiked trails he had traversed decades before. He
had a rich memory for the trails and canyons of trips past and wrote many a long letter
detailing them. For this reason he was considered an authority on the canyon country of
southern Utah and northern Arizona.
It wasn't until the 1980s that Sprang gained recognition for his Batman art, working
previously (1943-1963) as a ghost artist under Bob Kane's signature. His style, however, was
distinct and followed by fans, some of whom later commissioned limited edition lithographs.
He is known as one of the best Batman artists of the 'Golden Age' of comics.
Dick Sprang died on May 10, 2000 in Prescott, Arizona.
Scope and Content
The Richard (Dick) Sprang Collection documents his activities and research on the Colorado
Plateau and to a lesser extent, his career as an illustrator of Batman for DC Comics. The
majority of the collection is comprised of photographs and correspondence, ranging primarily
from the 1940s to the 1980s. These materials are complemented by diaries, trip logs, subject
files, articles, news clippings, drawings, manuscripts, maps, and reel-to-reel audio tapes.
The materials relating to Sprang's family and his career as a Batman artist are smaller in
volume.
This collection significantly contributes to the study of the Colorado Plateau, as it
provides in depth accounts, through photographs, journals, correspondence and articles. Of
particular interest are the materials related to Glen Canyon, providing a more comprehensive
understanding of a now submerged place. Correspondents of note include Harry Aleson, Katie
Lee, Stan Jones, Otis 'Dock' Marston, Robert MacLeod, Harry C. James, Dr. Angus Woodbury,
and Brooks Shephard.
The Richard (Dick) Sprang Collection consists of 18 linear feet arranged in eight series.
The inclusive dates of the collection are 1873-2000; however, the bulk dates are
1946-1989.
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the
copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees,
heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Arizona Board of Regents for Northern Arizona University, its officers, employees, and
agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner
of copyright.
[Title or brief description of file or item.] Richard (Dick) Sprang Collection
[manuscripts], NAU.MS.370, Series [ ], Box [ ], Folder [ ]. Special Collections and
Archives. Northern Arizona University. Cline Library. Flagstaff, Arizona.
[Title or brief description of file or item.] Richard (Dick) Sprang Collection
[photographs], NAU.PH.2002.20[ ], Box [ ], Folder [ ]. Special Collections and Archives.
Northern Arizona University. Cline Library. Flagstaff, Arizona.
[Title or brief description of file or item.] Richard (Dick) Sprang Collection [moving
images], NAU.MI.2002.20[ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Northern Arizona University.
Cline Library. Flagstaff, Arizona.
The Canyon Country series contains subject files specific to the canyon country of
northern Arizona and southern Utah with an emphasis on Glen Canyon and is arranged
alphabetically by folder title. Some of the files included in this series were created
by Harry Aleson, such as copies of his river logs, a typed film show presentation,
letters, notes, and photocopies of the Utah State Historical Society index of Harry
Aleson's papers and films. There are several folders concerning Glen Canyon and Rainbow
Bridge, including news clippings, articles, official reports, as well as folders
containing notes, sketches, and journals of Canyon Surveys. The remainder of the series
consists of logs and journals, government agency reports, environmental impact
statements, articles, news clippings, notes by Sprang, and brochures. The correspondence
found in this series was included in subject files created by Sprang. The series
occupies 1.2 linear feet with the inclusive dates of 1914-1987.
Box-folder
1.1
302nd Air Rescue Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona; Air Force
Association, 1973.
Box-folder
1.2
[Aleson Arch, Proposal], 1982.
Box-folder
1.3
Aleson, Harry, Hermit Lake Journal, Photocopy, USHS, November 1954.
"Down The Colorado," Kelly, Charles, Annotated by Dick Sprang, August 1932.
Box-folder
2.3
The Elite and Esoteric Rim Society of The Greater Southwest,
Notes, Undated.
Box-folder
2.4
Etter, Alfred G. "Keeping The Child In Touch With The Earth," June 1962.
Box-folder
2.5
Field Notes, Canyon Surveys, Book #1, October-November 1953.
Box-folder
2.6
Field Notes, C.L. Bernheimer Expedition, 1929.
Box-folder
2.7
Finding of No Significant Impact, Glen Canyon Powerplant
Uprating, December 1982.
Box-folder
2.8
[Food and Gear Checklist, Glen Canyon], 1950s.
Box-folder
2.9
[Food and Gear Checklist, Various Trips], (c.1970s-1980s).
Box-folder
2.10
[Forgotten Canyon, Notes about], October 24, 1952.
Box-folder
2.11
"Glen Canyon Archaeological Sites Have Been Stabilized," Undated.
Box-folder
2.12
Glen Canyon, Colorado River, News Clippings, 1950-1952.
Box-folder
2.13
Glen Canyon Dam, Brochures, 1959-1961.
Box-folder
2.14
Glen Canyon Dam, News Clippings, 1956-1985.
Box-folder
2.15
Glen Canyon Journal, October-November 1961.
Box-folder
2.16
Glen Canyon Log and Notes, October-November 1959.
Box-folder
2.17
Glen Canyon-Monument Valley Flight, Undated.
Box-folder
2.18
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Project and Environs, July 1959.
Box-folder
2.19
[Glen Canyon Notes], 1955.
Box-folder
2.20
Glen Canyon, Sketch, Undated.
Box-folder
2.21
Government Coupons, 1956.
Box-folder
2.22
"Grand Canyon Notes," Topping, Gary, May 28-June
1, 1983.
Box-folder
2.23
Grand Gulch Plateau Management Plan, October 1980.
Box-folder
2.24
Holmstrom, Haldane (Buzz), Journal Fragment, Photocopy, November
1-5, 1937.
Box-folder
2.25
[Index to unknown], (c.1980s).
Box-folder
2.26
Index to USGS Field Notes: San Juan and Glen Canyon Region, USGS Library,
Denver, 1909-1932.
Box-folder
2.27
Information Packet: Hall's Crossing Airport, Environmental Impact
Statement, December 17, 1987.
Box-folder
2.28
Interpretive Prospectus, Glen Canyon National Recreational Area, February 6, 1962.
Box-folder
2.29
Jiffy Meal, (c.1950s).
Box-folder
2.30
Kelly, Charles, Log of Colorado River Trip, Photocopy; Birney, Hoffman, Log
of Colorado Trip, Photocopy, July 1-23,
1932; July 3-22, 1932.
Box-folder
2.31
Lake Powell Echo, Spring 1983.
Box-folder
2.32
Lake Powell Journal, Sprang, Marion, October 1973.
Box-folder
2.33
Lake Powell, News Clippings, 1967-1980.
Box-folder
2.34
Larabee and Aleson Western River Tours, Bill of Sale, February 25, 1972.
Box-folder
2.35
Larabee and Aleson Western River Tours, Fliers, 1952-1953,
1956.
Box-folder
2.36
Loper, Bert (from), Miser, H.D.(to); Christensen; Bernheimer, Charles L.
(from); Wetherill, Typescript, USHS March 2, 1922; March 5, 1922; December 17, 1937.
Box-folder
2.37
Lyman, Albert and Miller, D., USHS, 1960.
Box-folder
2.38
Mancos Mesa Wilderness Study Area (WSA), (c.1986).
"Material on Tape of Harry Longabaugh, Jr. Lecture in Ogden," June 24, 1970.
Box-folder
2.42
Mission 66 For Capital Reef National Monument, National Park
Service, (c.1956).
Box-folder
3.1
Moser, Joe, Note to Dick Sprang in Glen Canyon, October 29, 1953.
Box-folder
3.2
News Clippings, Miscellaneous, 1945-1982.
Box-folder
3.3
Notebook: Flora and Fauna of Glen Canyon, Things to Remember, Kitchen
Supplies, Undated.
Box-folder
3.4
Notes on the Jim Black Trail, Undated.
Box-folder
3.5
Notes re Lake Canyon Quad, March 1984.
Box-folder
3.6
Protective Works, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Glen Canyon Unit,
Colorado River Storage Project, A Preliminary Report, Bureau of
Reclamation, August 1959.
Box-folder
3.7
The Rainbow Bridge-Monument Valley Expedition, Beauchamp, Bayne,
Photocopy, July 8, 1935.
Box-folder
3.8
Rainbow Bridge National Monument Brochure, 1951.
Box-folder
3.9
Rainbow Bridge, News Clippings, 1960-1977.
Box-folder
3.10
Rainbow Bridge, Protection of, 1958-1961.
Box-folder
3.11
Rapid at Mi. 88.7, Illustrates RWS Run, May 15, 1953.
Box-folder
3.12
Register to the Papers of Neil Merton Judd, Glenn, James R.,
1982. 1873-2000
Box-folder
3.13
[Reilly, P.T., Commentary on Otis (Dock) Marston Oral History,
USHS], September 3, 1985.
Box-folder
3.14
Reilly, P.T., Norman D. Nevills as I knew Him, Photocopy, USHS, October 16, 1985.
Box-folder
3.15
River Notes of Letter to Marston/Letter to Scott re S. Juan/ My 1959 Journal,
1953 Notes. 1873-2000
Box-folder
3.16
River Running, Colorado River, News Clippings, 1950-1987.
Box-folder
3.17
River Running, News Clipping, 1953-1980.
Box-folder
3.18
Robertson, Robert, An Introduction to the Botany of Glen Canyon, 1955.
Box-folder
3.19
Russell, Terry, 1958, 1965.
Box-folder
3.20
San Juan River Reconnaissance Trip, May 15-29,
1953.
Box-folder
3.21
Schematic Map of the Colorado River, Lees Ferry to North Wash, Undated.
Box-folder
3.22
"Selected Reading List for the Colorado Plateau and its
Borderlands," Undated.
Box-folder
3.23
S.E. Utah Book VII, Gregory, Herbert E., 1925.
Box-folder
3.24
S.E. Utah Book VIII, Gregory, Herbert E., 1927.
Box-folder
3.25
[Slide Show, Notes About,], Undated.
Box-folder
3.26
Status of Repairs to Glen Canyon Dam Spillway Tunnels, September 22, 1983.
Box-folder
3.27
Topping, Gary, Notes About, (c.1990).
Box-folder
3.28
Topping, Gary, Notes, Undated.
Box-folder
3.29
Topping, Gary (to), Thatcher, Leonard, June 28, 1989.
The Comics series contains articles, lithographs, comic convention fliers and program
books, brochures, and newsletters. There are lecture notes from an art class in which
Sprang was a guest speaker, as well as a log of Batman receipts and expenditures for
1954. The inclusive dates of the series are 1940 to 1995. This series is arranged
alphabetically by folder title and occupies .4 linear feet with the inclusive dates of
1940-1996. There are no original comic books or art.
Box-folder
4.1
Articles, 1978, 1980.
Box-folder
4.2
Articles (about), Sprang, Dick, 1988-1989.
Box-folder
4.3
"Batman," Detective Comics, No. 485, September 1979.
Family is organized alphabetically, thereunder chronologically. The vast majority of
the subseries consist of correspondence between Sprang and his mother, Hannah Sprang
(1935-1976). Several folders contain letters between Sprang and his uncle, Henry
Sprang, concerning Ohio farm land Dick inherited from his grandfather (1947-1955).
Also prominently represented in this subseries are letters between Sprang and his
first wife, Lora Neusiis (aka Pat Gordon) before they were married (1937-1943).
Several of these letters contain graphic illustrations and have been placed in a
separate folder. Also included are letters between Sprang and his third wife,
Elizabeth, several written to his fourth wife, Marion, and one note from his second
wife, Dudy Thomas. There are a few letters to Dudy from friends. The inclusive dates
of this subseries are 1935 to 1992 and it occupies 1.2 linear feet.
Box-folder
5.1
Hintz, Esther (Dick's Maternal Aunt), 1960-1971.
Box-folder
5.2
Lewis, Elizabeth, (Outgoing), 1957.
Box-folder
5.3
Russell, Renny, 1985-1997.
Box-folder
5.4
Sprang, Elizabeth 1964-1965.
Box-folder
5.5
Sprang, Elizabeth, 1966-1969.
Box-folder
5.6
Sprang, Elizabeth, 1970-1992.
Box-folder
5.7
Sprang, Elizabeth, Letters To and From Hannah Sprang and Esther
Hintz, 1958-1970.
Box-folder
5.8
Sprang, Elizabeth, Others, 1964-1970.
Box-folder
5.9
Sprang, Elizabeth, Undated.
Box-folder
5.10
Sprang, Dudy, August 20, 1954.
Box-folder
5.11
Sprang, Dudy, Family, Letters to Dick, 1962,
1964-1965.
Box-folder
5.12
Sprang, Hannah and William (to), 1935-36,
1938.
Box-folder
5.13
Sprang, Hannah, 1939,1944.
Box-folder
5.14
Sprang, Hannah, 1951-55,
1957.
Box-folder
5.15
Sprang, Hannah, 1958-59.
Box-folder
5.16
Sprang, Hannah, 1960.
Box-folder
5.17
Sprang, Hannah, 1961.
Box-folder
5.18
Sprang, Hannah, 1962.
Box-folder
5.19
Sprang, Hannah, 1963.
Box-folder
5.20
Sprang, Hannah, 1964.
Box-folder
5.21
Sprang, Hannah, 1965.
Box-folder
6.1
Sprang, Hannah, 1966.
Box-folder
6.2
Sprang, Hannah, 1967.
Box-folder
6.3
Sprang, Hannah, 1968.
Box-folder
6.4
Sprang, Hannah, 1969.
Box-folder
6.5
Sprang, Hannah, 1970.
Box-folder
6.6
Sprang, Hannah, 1971.
Box-folder
6.7
Sprang, Hannah, 1972.
Box-folder
6.8
Sprang, Hannah, 1973.
Box-folder
6.9
Sprang, Hannah, 1974.
Box-folder
6.10
Sprang, Hannah, 1975.
Box-folder
6.11
Sprang, Hannah, 1976.
Box-folder
6.12
Sprang, Hannah and Russell, Herbert, 1973-1975.
Box-folder
6.13
Sprang, Hannah (Outgoing), Others, 1967, 1973.
Box-folder
6.14
Sprang, Hannah, Undated.
Box-folder
6.15
Sprang, Henry, 1947-51.
Box-folder
6.16
Sprang, Henry, 1952.
Box-folder
6.17
Sprang, Henry, 1953-54.
Box-folder
6.18
Sprang, Henry, 1955.
Box-folder
6.19
Sprang, Marion, (ca.1963-65).
Box-folder
6.20
Sprang, Marion, 1963-1982.
Box-folder
6.21
Sprang, Marion, Cards, Undated.
Box-folder
6.22
Sprang, Marion, Envelopes, Undated.
Box-folder
6.23
Sprang, Marion, Family, Letters To and From Dick, 1982-1983, 1985, 1990.
Box-folder
6.24
Sprang, Marion (Incoming), Others, 1956, 1978.
Box-folder
6.25
Sprang, Marion, Letters To Hannah Sprang, 1973-1976.
Box-folder
6.26
Sprang, Marion, The Silverton Story, (ca.1963-1965).
The Comics subseries contains two distinct periods of Sprang's career as a Batman
illustrator: 1930-1963, when he was illustrating for DC Comics and other comics, and
1970-1999, after he had gained public recognition as a 'Golden Age' Batman artist. The
earliest letters are between Sprang and several friends whom he met and worked in
Toledo, Ohio and New York City. There are several from DC Comics executives in the
1940s through the 1960s when Sprang was living in Sedona, Arizona and Utah. They are
represented primarily in short notes explaining the type of work wanted for a specific
story. The later correspondence from the latter period is primarily from fans and
fellow artists who sent examples of their own work, including a young artist who
attended Sprang's guest lecture at Northern Arizona University. There are letters and
Christmas cards from DC Comics executives (1980-1995) acknowledging Sprang's prior
contributions and granting approval to draw recreations of covers. The inclusive dates
of this sub series are 1937 to 1999.
The Canyon Country subseries contains correspondence between Sprang and friends,
acquaintances, and business relations related to his activities and research in
northern Arizona and southern Utah. Of particular interest are letters between Sprang
and Harry Aleson (1950-1972) documenting their travels, shared experiences in the back
country and mutual interest in early trails and explorers of this region. Letters
between Sprang and Aleson in the 1950s deal primarily with Glen Canyon and Canyon
Surveys trips. Also of interest are correspondence between Sprang and Stan Jones ('Mr.
Lake Powell'), discussing trips on the lake and hiking in Glen Canyon Recreation Area
(1970-1997). Other notable correspondents found in this subseries are Katie Lee
(1971-1973), Otis 'Dock' Marston (1952-1979), Robert MacLeod (1966-1983), Dr. Angus
Woodbury (1960-1961), Henry C. James (1960-1963), and Brooks Shephard (1951-1955).
Within a folder of correspondence between Sprang and Joe Moser is an original letter
from Barry Goldwater to Joe Moser concerning Rainbow Bridge (1961). The majority of
the correspondence in this subseries is between Sprang and his friends. The inclusive
dates of this subseries are 1950-1999, occupying 1.6 linear feet.
Box-folder
9.1
Abbey, Edward, (Draft), Undated.
Box-folder
9.2
Adkins, Gene, 1972-1999.
Box-folder
9.3
Aleson, Dorothy (Dotty), 1963-1982.
Box-folder
9.4
Aleson,Harry, 1950-1952.
Box-folder
9.5
Aleson, Harry, 1953.
Box-folder
9.6
Aleson, Harry, 1954-1956.
Box-folder
9.7
Aleson, Harry, 1957-1958.
Box-folder
9.8
Aleson, Harry, 1962-1969.
Box-folder
9.9
Aleson, Harry, 1970-1972.
Box-folder
9.10
Aleson, Harry, Undated.
Box-folder
9.11
Arizona Highways, 1951.
Box-folder
9.12
Ash, Gene and Virg, 1972, 1983.
Box-folder
9.13
Baker, Pearl, 1972.
Box-folder
9.14
Bayles, Eric (Cowboy) and Sharon, 1986-1995.
Box-folder
9.15
Belknap, Bill, November 18, 1954.
Box-folder
9.16
Blaisdell, Bob, 1958.
Box-folder
10.1
Brew, John O., 1966.
Box-folder
10.2
Brimhall, Dean, 1956-1965.
Box-folder
10.3
Cater, John, 1973-1974.
Box-folder
10.4
Chaffin, Arthur (Arth), 1953, 1965.
Box-folder
10.5
Chaffin Trail, 1965-1966.
Box-folder
10.6
Conrad Buff Painting, 1982-1983.
Box-folder
10.7
Crampton, C. Gregory, February 27, 1962.
Box-folder
10.8
Daughtry, Stan and Billie, 1982.
Box-folder
10.9
Davidson, George, 1987.
Box-folder
10.10
Fish Creek Ranch, 1965,
1971-1974.
Box-folder
10.11
Fisher, Lisa, 1984.
Box-folder
10.12
Greene, Art, Canyon Tours, 1962-1966.
Box-folder
10.13
Hall's Crossing, Utah, 1980,
1983-1989, 1995.
Box-folder
10.14
Hedlund, Ann Lane, 1982.
Box-folder
10.15
Inglesby, Arthur (Doc), Undated.
Box-folder
10.16
Jackson, Malan and Linda, 1971-1972.
Box-folder
10.17
James, Harry C., 1960-1963.
Box-folder
10.18
Johnson, Elmer and Ilda, 1952-1965.
Box-folder
10.19
Jones, Stan, 1970-1978.
Box-folder
10.20
Jones, Stan, 1979.
Box-folder
10.21
Jones, Stan, 1980.
Box-folder
10.22
Jones, Stan, 1981.
Box-folder
10.23
Jones, Stan, 1982.
Box-folder
11.1
Jones, Stan, January-August 1983.
Box-folder
11.2
Jones, Stan, September-December 1983.
Box-folder
11.3
Jones, Stan, 1984-1985.
Box-folder
11.4
Jones, Stan, 1986-1997.
Box-folder
11.5
Jones, Stan (incoming), Undated.
Box-folder
11.6
Jones, Stan (outgoing) Undated.
Box-folder
11.7
Kelly, Charles, Letter to Archie, January 18, 1962.
Box-folder
11.8
Knee, Lurt and Alice (Landell), 1977.
Box-folder
11.9
Knipmeyer, James H. (Jim), 1993.
Box-folder
11.10
Leake, Harvey, 1982-1987.
Box-folder
11.11
Lee, Katie, 1971-1973.
Box-folder
11.12
Littauer and Wilkenson, 1968-1969.
Box-folder
11.13
MacLeod, Robert and Laurie, 1966-1972.
Box-folder
11.14
MacLeod, Robert and Laurie, 1974-1983.
Box-folder
11.15
Marston, Otis (Dock), 1952-79.
Box-folder
12.1
Mattsson, Carvel, 1965,
1971-1973.
Box-folder
12.2
Miscellaneous, Alphabetical. 1873-2000
Box-folder
12.3
Moore, Margaret (Marge), 1959-1971.
Box-folder
12.4
Moser, Joe and Donna, 1952-1972.
Box-folder
12.5
Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company, 1961.
The Writings series is divided into two subseries. Subseries i consists of writings by
Dick Sprang, principally Westerns and material he gathered for a novel about Glen
Canyon. Subseries ii consists of writings by others including manuscripts of works by
Katie Lee, Pearl Baker, and Eleanor Inskip (1970s-1990s).
Lee, Katie. "All My Rivers are Gone," chapters 1-8
Box-folder
15.16
Lee, Katie. "All My Rivers are Gone," chapters 9-14
Box-folder
16.1
Lee, Katie. "All My Rivers are Gone," chapters 9-14
Box-folder
16.2
Lee, Katie. "All My Rivers are Gone," critique and notes by Dick
Sprang
Box-folder
16.3
Lee, Katie. "Joshua"
Box-folder
16.4
Lucas, Jay. "Black Horses"
Box-folder
16.5
"Camp Smoke" (dedicated to Dudy Thomas in appreciation of the friendship
found in the desert, Picacho, Calif., May 4, 1929)
Box-folder
16.6
Short, Luke. "Hard Case"
Box-folder
16.7
Smith, Henry Justin. "Deadlines"
Box-folder
16.8
Topping, Gary. "Overland Emigration, the California Trail, and the Hastings
Cutoff," (chapter 2, unrevised)
Box-folder
16.9
Reynolds, Horace. "Waterway of the Old Emigrant Route to the West," a book
review of "The Allegheny" by Frederick Way, Jr. from New York Times Books Review,
June 21, 1942
Box-folder
16.10
Reviews of "The Rain People" (Francis Coppola) and "The Wild Bunch" (David
Peckinpah) from Big West Magazine, Oct. '69
Box-folder
16.11
Excerpt from the outline of MacLeod's "Gemini & Taurus"
Box-folder
16.12
"Clara Adams, First Flight Travelogs of the Air" (brochure)
Box-folder
16.13
"Administrative Policies for Natural Areas of the National Park
System"
Box-folder
16.14
Bauer, Bessie B. "North Woods"
Box-folder
16.15
Bibliography of Stories (handwritten by Richard Sprang)
Box-folder
16.16
Bibliography of Stories by Richard Sprang along with notes as to whether
published, how much was paid, etc.
Box-folder
16.17
Bibliography of works of fiction prepared by Richard Sprang
Box-folder
16.18
Western Books of Recent Imprint Buying List
Box-folder
16.19
Cartoon art clips
Box-folder
16.20
List of character names for men and for women plus canyons, places,
etc.
Box-folder
16.21
Civil war notes
Box-folder
16.22
Drafts and notes
Box-folder
16.23
Drafts and notes
Box-folder
17.1
Drafts and notes
Box-folder
17.2
Drawings
Box-folder
17.3
Gang-plank & boat tie-up, diagrams for construction
Box-folder
17.4
Journal of the Military Service Institution, list of volume numbers and
issues for each
Box-folder
17.5
Map list, quadrangles and special maps, together with prices
Box-folder
17.6
Miscellaneous
Box-folder
17.7
Mystery Ranch inventory
Box-folder
17.8
Observations of Elmer Purtyman
Box-folder
17.9
Story outlines, writings, notes
Box-folder
17.10
Plot cards for Sprang stories
Box-folder
17.11
Plot, clue, and time chart
Box-folder
17.12
Mock-up for a publication called "Timber"
Box-folder
17.13
Useful phrases list
Box-folder
17.14
Vocabulary, word lists, etc.
Box-folder
17.15
List of character names for men and for women plus canyons, places,
etc.
The Personal and Family Material series is partially processed and contains family
documents, such as birth certificates and confirmation records, and papers created in
Ohio and New York.
Box-folder
18.1
Richard Sprang's birth certificate and baptismal certificate
Box-folder
18.2
Richard Sprang's boy scout memorabilia
Box-folder
18.3
School yearbooks, 1930-1931
Box-folder
18.4
School yearbooks, 1932-1933
Box-folder
18.5
Richard Sprang's high school diploma and certificates
Box-folder
18.6
Richard Sprang's high school memorabilia
Box-folder
18.7
Postcards-photos by Richard Sprang
Box-folder
18.8
Postcards-Sedona and Oak Creek
Box-folder
18.10
Richard Sprang's last will and testament (void)
Box-folder
18.11
Miscellaneous articles about Dick Sprang
Box-folder
18.12
A Sprang family history by Norman Jacobs
Box-folder
18.13
Obituaries, funeral cards, etc. from the Sprang family
Box-folder
18.14
Correspondence related to Sprang Electric (the family business)
Box-folder
18.15
Legal documents related to the inheritance by Richard Sprang of some farm
property left to him by his grandfather
Box-folder
18.16
Esther Hintz papers
Box-folder
18.17
William H. Sprang confirmation certificate, obituaries and funeral register
book
Box-folder
18.18
Probate court documents relating to the estate of William H.
Sprang
Box-folder
18.19
Diaries
Box-folder
19.1
Hannah H. Sprang's birth certificate, confirmation certificate, family
register, and marriage certificate
Box-folder
19.2
Hannah H. Sprang's notes
Box-folder
19.3
Hannah H. Sprang's diaries (?)
Box-folder
19.4
Hannah H. Sprang's memory card, sympathy card
Box-folder
19.5
Dudy Thomas (Gertrude Sprang) death notice, disposition of her
estate
Box-folder
19.6
Elizabeth Sprang-items related to her lithography
Box-folder
19.7
Elizabeth Sprang's dog Moby-picture and pedigree
Box-folder
19.8
Richard & Elizabeth Sprang marriage notice
Box-folder
19.9
Richard & Elizabeth Sprang divorce papers
Box-folder
19.10
Articles about Elizabeth Sprang's art work
Box-folder
19.11
Marriage license and marriage certificate, Richard Sprang and Marion
Lyday
Box-folder
19.12
"Love Essay" by Richard Sprang to Marion Lyday
Box-folder
19.13
Essays and poems by Richard Sprang about Marion Lyday
Box-folder
19.14
Notes for a slide selection made for Marion Lyday
Box-folder
19.15
Fish Creek Ranch. Items related to ownership, deeds, and property
lines
Box-folder
19.16
Fish Creek Ranch water rights
Box-folder
19.17
Fish Creek Ranch property inventory-Richard and Elizabeth Sprang
Box-folder
19.18
Sale of Fish Creek Ranch
Box-folder
19.19
Miscellaneous notes by Richard Sprang
Box-folder
19.20
Glen Canyon float trip diary
Box-folder
19.21
Small notebook with addresses and notes for a Lake Powell trip
Box-folder
19.22
Letters to Jean Collins, Renny (?), George Davidson, serial letter
(?)
Maps located in NAU.MS.370, box 17, folders 16 - 22 are road and aeronautical maps of
the Southwest. All other maps are oversized river file and profile maps located in the
map cases
Box-folder
17.16
Bryce Canyon aeronautical chart. Gila River aeronautical chart
Box-folder
17.17
Richards, L.W. "Geologic History at a Glance"
Box-folder
17.18
Grand Canyon sectional aeronautical chart, Green Creek Township, Sandusky
County, Ohio map, Topographic map of the Henry Mountains region in Utah
Box-folder
17.19
Lake Powell find your way guide
Box-folder
17.20
Lake Powell find your way map, Rainbow Bridge National Monument
NAU.MS.370.map.1243.01
Sheet N - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang."
General
Annotated by Richard Sprang.
NAU.MS.370.map.1243.02
Sheet O - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang."
General
Annotated by Richard Sprang.
NAU.MS.370.map.1243.03
Sheet P - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Richard Sprang.
NAU.MS.370.map.1244.01
Sheet A - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Richard Sprang.
NAU.MS.370.map.1244.02
Sheet B - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Dudy Thomas, Richard's wife.
NAU.MS.370.map.1244.04
Sheet D - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Richard Sprang.
NAU.MS.370.map.1244.04
Sheet E - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Richard Sprang.
NAU.MS.370.map.1244.05
Sheet F - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Richard Sprang.
NAU.MS.370.map.1244.06
Sheet G - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Richard Sprang.
NAU.MS.370.map.1244.07
Sheet H - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Richard Sprang.
NAU.MS.370.map.1244.08
Sheet I - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Richard Sprang.
NAU.MS.370.map.1244.09
Sheet J - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. Sheet J 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Richard Sprang.
NAU.MS.370.map.1244.10
Sheet K - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Richard Sprang.
NAU.MS.370.map.1245.1
Sheet B - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Dudy Thomas, Richards wife.
NAU.MS.370.map.1245.2
Sheet F - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Dudy Thomas, Richard's wife.
NAU.MS.370.map1245.3
Sheet H - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Dudy Thomas, Richard's wife.
NAU.MS.370.map.1245.4 (a and b)
Sheet I - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 2 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Dudy Thomas, Richard's wife. Item torn in two places.
NAU.MS.370.map.1245.5
Sheet J - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
General
Annotated by Dudy Thomas, Richard's wife.
NAU.MS.370.map.1245.6
Sheet K - Plan and Profile of Colorado River, Lees Ferry, Arizona to Mouth of
Green River, Utah: San Juan River, Mouth to Chinle Creek, Utah: and Certain
Tributaries. 1921 1 Maps or
drawings18 X 25 INLocated in the
map cases, alphabetized by surname. In this case, "Sprang"
The Photographs series consists of a total of 10,332 iamges, 2,302 of which are on
colored 35mm slides and 8030 are prints and/or negatives (mostly b&w). This
collection has been further subdivided into eight subseries: Glen Canyon (1950-1993);
Sedona (1946-1972): Fish Creek Ranch, Utah (1956-1972); Other Southwest; Childhood,
family, and pets (1873-1976); Research aerieals; Comics; Miscellaneous and Unknown
This subseries consists of 1517 35mm colored slides and 1309 prints/negatives. These
were taken by Sprang beginning in 1950 during his pioneering river trips and
subsequently on boating trips on Lake Powell. Many of these photographs document
places now under several hundred feet of water, and include old Anasazi trails, cliff
dwellings, pictograph panels, and side canyons seldom visited. The quality of the
photography is excellent and they document the now-submerged canyons of the Colorda
River very nearly mile-by-mile..
Sprang moved to Sedona in 1946 from New York City with his first wife Lora Neusils
(aka Pat Gordon) and lived there during several periods of his life. This subseries
consists of 87 35mm colored slides and 458 prints/negatives. They document the several
houses in which he lived plus photographs of the scenic red-rock countryside of
northern Arizona. Much of the landscape this depicted was at the time relatively
pristine and unaffected by the wave of tourists and reitree-inhabitants that have
subsequently impacted this region. Hence, the photographs have historic as well as
aesthetic value.
In 1956 Sprang bought a cattle operation in Wayne County, Utah known as Fish Creek
Ranch and moved there with his second wife, Dudy (Gertrude) to run cows and explore
the terrain near Capitol Reef National Monument. When Dudy died of a brain tumor in
1957 he and his third wife, Elizabeth Lewis Sprang, continued to live at the ranch and
commenced building a large, ornate, and spacious home/studio on the property. This
subseries consists of 1261 35mm colord slides and 776 prints/negatives. These
photographs document the small home that came with the property, the setting of the
ranch, and extensive coverage of the construction of the new buildings. Also included
are some photographs of Boulder Mountain and Capitol Reef. It is clear from these
photographs that Sprang considered Fish Creek Ranch to be his Eden, and his coverage
of the locale is loving and extensive. Although ostensibly a cattle operation there
are almost no cattle shown in any of the photographs.
This subseries consists of 191 35 mm colored slides and 1867 prints/negatives. They
document Sprang's visits to other southwestern locales such as the Tucson area, Grand
Canyon, the Mohave Desert, Colorado, and New Mexico.
This subseries consists of 334 35 mm colored slides and 2968 prints/negatives.
Included are photographs of Sprang as a child, his immediate and extended family, his
ancestors on both his mother's and father's side, his wives and their families. Also
included are many, many photographs of the family pets, both dogs and cats.
This subseries consists of 253 prints/negatives. They are exclusively high-altitude
aerial photographs of the Glen Canyon region. The photos are taken at an altitude much
too high for Sprang to have taken himself from the small planes he was accustomed to
flying himself or having others fly for him. Hence, their origin is unknown.
During almost all of his career as an artist for DC Comics, Sprang labored
anonymously drawing Batman and Superman while the names of others appeared on his
work. Late in life, however, DC Comics allowed Sprang to gain some notoriety as the
"pen behind the art" in the so-called "golden age" of comics. His work came to be in
demand, and he not only attended comic book conventions as somewhat of a celebrity but
also began to find a market for lithographs of his work. This subseries consists of
189 35 mm colored sides and 837 colored prints, all showing his work as a graphic
artist.
There are 1152 35 mm colored slides and 955 prints/negatives in this subseries.
Included are photographs of unknown people, street scenes of New York City in the
1930s, shots of apartment furniture, photos of Civil War battlefields such as
Gettysburgh, Harper's Ferry, and Antietem, and vacation trips to Shenandoah National
Park and the Great Smoky Mountains.
The Audio Materials series is contains a number of reel-to-reel and cassette tapes of
conversations, music, television programs, and Sprang's solo road trips.
