Sketchbook

Title:

Sketchbook

Object Name:

Sketchbook

Object ID:

2002.008.03

Creator:

Jordan, Robert (1925-1993)

Place of Origin:

England

Date:

1945

Description:

Sketchbook of Robert Jordan (1925-1993), U.S. Army Air Force, World War II. Contains 88 pages (9 blank) of pencil sketches documenting Sergeant Jordan's experience as a prisoner of war in Germany, including his capture, forced march, and recovery in England. Drawings were done in 1945 while he was recovering in the 103rd General Hospital in Tidworth, England. Brown cloth-bound book, front cover separated. Pencil sketch of three planes on front cover. Inscriptions inside front cover: "SGT ROBERT JORDAN 42101534 / USAAF", in pencil; "To Bob with love from 'Mom'. 1945", in ink; "English hospital / volunteer", in ink, in reference to "Mom"; and names and addresses of four people, in pencil. Also some sketches of misc. other subjects, including horses and cowboys. Each page cataloged separately.

Material:

Paper

Dimensions:

H-10.25 W-14.5 inches

Provenance:

Robert Jordan (1925-1993) was a tail gunner when his plane was shot down over Hanover, Germany, on Nov. 26, 1944. He was captured and marched to a prisoner of war camp, Stalag Luft 4. After liberation, he recovered in a hospital in England, where a Red Cross nurse ("Mom") bought him this sketchbook. After the war, he earned degrees from Dartmouth and Columbia, and became a talented landscape painter. In 1952, he bought a farm as a summer home in Eaton, NH, and returned every summer. In 1943, he worked as a cowboy in the Southwest at age 16.

Credit Line:

Gift of the Estate of Robert Jordan

People:

Jordan, Robert (1925-1993)

Subjects:

World War II, Prisoners of war, POW's, Prisoners, Prisons, Air forces, Sketches, Sketchbooks