Dixie Selden papers, 1837-1936, 1993-2001

Biographical material dates from circa 1890s-1930s and includes an address book, a resume, and scattered legal documents.

Correspondence dates from 1837-1935 and circa 1998, and includes frequent correspondence between Selden and her parents, particularly while traveling abroad. Letters provide detailed descriptions of foreign sites, museums, hotels, and sea crossings. Postcards sent and received by Selden accounts for one file. Also included are letters from Emma Mendenhall, and letters to and from the Goldman family, to which Selden was related by the marriage of her first cousin, Minnie Schaffner. Letters to and from Selden's parents, John and Martha are also included. Martha Selden's letters are primarily addressed to her mother. John Selden's letters are primarily from an unidentified friend in Brussels or relate to business. One file contains letters to the donor and relative, Marcia Widenor, about Dixie Selden.

Writings date from circa 1890s-1930s and include writings on art, a juvenile novel excerpt, and other unidentified notes.

Diaries date from 1878-circa 1934 and were kept during Selden's frequent travels abroad. Seven diaries are included in which she recorded daily activities and descriptions of foreign sights.

Printed material dates from circa 1850-1936 and 1993-2001, and pertains to Selden's career, world travels, and family and friends. Items include books in Selden's collection, booklets, clippings, exhibition catalogs and announcements, maps, theater programs and ephemera belonging to John and Martha Selden, and an extensive postcard collection. Also included is an earlier version of the catalog essay for the 2001 book by Genetta McLean, Dixie Selden.

The scrapbook dates from circa 1889 and contains writings and clippings of poetry and articles relating to Selden, family, or friends.

Photographs date from circa 1860s-1935 and 1995 and include photographs of Selden's painting class with Frank Duveneck, artworks, friends and family including the Goldman's, homes and places, portraits of Dixie Selden, and her extensive travel.

Artwork dates from circa 1900s-1920s and includes sketches and prints by Selden, sketches by her friend and teacher Fernand Lungren, and sketches by unidentified artists.

Sketchbooks date from circa 1900-1931 and were kept by Selden during her travels. Pencil sketches of foreign sights dominate the nine sketchbooks, although some sketches were done in pastel. Location is identified when known.

Artifacts date from circa 1890s-1930s and include an accordion file used by Selden to store clippings, a book jacket, a notebook cover, a palette, and an engraved thimble.