RAY CRUZ PAPERS

de Grummond Children's Literature Collection
The University of Southern Mississippi

	Creator:	Ray Cruz
	Title:	Ray Cruz Papers
	Dates:	1971 - 1988
	Quantity:	4.30 cubic feet (6 boxes)
	Identification:	DG0240

Biographical Note

Raymond Cruz was born in New York City in 1933 to Ramon and Rosaline Cruz. He grew up in Spanish Harlem and began drawing at age five. After studying at the High School of Art and Design in New York City and at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, Cruz graduated from Cooper Union, majoring in fine and graphic arts. He worked in many areas of art and design, including textile and wallpaper design, and he created advertising illustrations, fashion illustrations, and cosmetic package designs for New York City advertising agencies.

As a children's book illustrator, Cruz found remarkable success. He illustrated more than twenty books, none more popular than Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, the story of a crabby little boy who has a series of misadventures. The success of the original Alexander book inspired several sequels, all illustrated by Cruz. Cruz lived in New York City until his death.

Sources:
Something About the Author, v. 6, pp. 54-55
Illustrators of Children's Books, 1967 - 1976, p.110

Scope and Content Note

The Ray Cruz Papers contain original illustrations, color separations, layouts, and book dummies for nine books illustrated by Cruz between 1971 and 1987. They also include correspondence between Cruz and the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection between 1977 and 1988. The material is organized into two series: books and correspondence.

The material in the books series includes original illustrations and early sketches, book dummies, layouts and color separations for nine books published between 1971 and 1987. Most illustrations are made either in pencil or pen & ink, but two dust jacket color illustrations appear to have been painted in gouache, a watercolor variation. The papers in the book series are arranged alphabetically by title and the material for each book is arranged chronologically in order of creation where known.

The correspondence series contains correspondence between Ray Cruz and the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection between 1977 and 1988. The letters have been selected and photocopied from the de Grummond Collection correspondence file because they provide information on Cruz's life, personality, or work. They are arranged chronologically.

Restrictions

Restrictions on Use

Noncirculating; available for research.

Copyright Restrictions

The collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). Reproductions can be made only if they are to be used for "private study, scholarship, or research." It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials, other than that noted above.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item and cite the series), Ray Cruz Papers, de Grummond Children's Literature Collection, University of Southern Mississippi Libraries.

Provenance

These papers were donated to the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection of the University of Southern Mississippi Libraries by Ray Cruz and Doubleday Publishers between 1977 and 1988.

Processing Information

Processed by C. Alder, February 2002. Encoded into EAD Version 1.0 by Danielle Bishop Stoulig. This finding aid is the product of a grant funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Related Collections

The Peggy Mann Papers (DG1283); The Marjorie Weinman Sharmat Papers (DG0885); The M. Jean Craig Papers (DG0232)

Container Listing

Contact:
The de Grummond Children's Literature Collection
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive, #5148
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
(601) 266-4349
Comments and Questions

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The University of Southern Mississippi
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