John Evans papers, 1957-2012, bulk 1970-2012

Most letters are from other mail artists. Many are about correspondence art and the artists' careers. Letters from some artists who became close friends focus on personal and family news. There is a digital version of Collected Essays by John Held, Jr. Other letters contain invitations to exchange work, exhibit, or participate in mail art projects. Enclosures are frequent and include found objects, a wide variety of printed materials, and a few small artifacts.

Letters are alphabetized by name of sender. Miscellaneous files for each letter of the alphabet contain letters from correspondents represented by fewer than 5 letters; within each folder, material is in rough alphabetical order.

Throughout this series, envelopes precede their contents and the address sides of post cards and aerograms face upward. Letters without envelopes, empty envelopes, and separated enclosures are placed at the ends of folders. Researchers must take care to maintain the order and should notify reference staff if the arrangement appears to have been disturbed.

Writings by Evans include a book review of Correspondence Art by Michael Crane, circa 1984. A brief essay, "Correspondencing by Tattoo," in which he recalls meeting Ray Johnson and being introduced to other mail artists at a party. His tattoo of a knife became a topic of conversation that led to friendships with some of the artists and, eventually, to becoming a mail artist.

Based on written materials and interviews with mail artists and others with knowledge of the subject, Trianfellos' thesis, "A Mail Art Experience" includes an essay about the history, definition and forms of mail art and documentation her mail art project's conception and execution. A note accompanying the thesis thanks Evans for his participation and indicates the project may be expanded.

A few writings by others are found scattered among the letters (Series 1).

Among the periodicals are (Tacit…), an Italian publication titled Bambù, and an issue of New Observations devoted to mail art. Ray Johnson exhibition catalogs dated prior to 1995 and after 2000 are found in the file titled Mail Art Shows and Events. There are two digital audio recordings attributed to Ray Johnson's memorial tributes.

Additional art stamps by many artists and a few small periodicals are found scattered throughout the letters (Series 1).

Condolence notes to the Evans family are enclosed with several pieces of "Fake John Evans Collages" received soon after his death in 2012.

John Evans' projects are followed by those of other artists, alphabetized by name of artist. Both volumes of "Fake John Evans Collages" were received in 3-ring binders which were dismantled for better storage. The original order of each volume has been maintained. In addition, announcements of mail art projects initiated by others and stray pieces of mail art from Evans' projects are found scattered among the letters (Series 1).