Archives Scrapbooks

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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, January 1929-December 1931

ARCH.2003.25, Rendition: 794264

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The image shows a section of a newspaper or magazine clipping. The clipping is titled "Edgell Answers Cram's Criticism of Harvard Plan" and discusses a rebuttal by Dean George H. Edgell of the Harvard University faculty of architecture to a criticism from Ralph Adams Cram regarding plans for an addition to Robinson Hall, the quarters of the School of Architecture at Harvard.

The article is written by Harland R. Ratcliffe and includes multiple paragraphs discussing Dean Edgell's defense of the Robinson Hall suggestion and his acceptance of the "Mary Ann Back" phrase. It also mentions that the response to Cram's criticism is continued on Page Six.

The paper appears to be a historical document, with some wear and tear visible, particularly on the bottom right corner. The text is in a standard newspaper font, and the article is framed with a brown border. The document is pinned to a light background, possibly for display or study purposes.

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This image shows a newspaper clipping mounted on a piece of paper. The clipping is titled "Edgell Answers Cram's Criticism of Harvard Plan" and is written by Harland R. Ratcliffe. The article discusses a debate between Professor George H. Edgell and Ralph Adams Cram regarding plans for an addition to Robinson Hall, which is part of the Harvard School of Architecture. Cram had criticized the plans, calling them a "Queen Anne front and Mary Ann back," to which Edgell responded, defending his design and the phrase.

The article is split into two columns, with the left column containing the main body of the text and the right column containing a continuation of the article. The text is printed in a standard newspaper font and is neatly arranged. The clipping is slightly yellowed, indicating its age.

The paper on which the clipping is mounted has some handwritten notes on the left side, which appear to be dates and possibly a signature. The overall condition of the paper and the clipping suggests that it is an archival document, likely from the early 20th century.

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Here is a detailed description of the image:

The image displays a single, aged newspaper clipping or printed article that has been mounted or taped onto a larger, off-white sheet of paper. The underlying sheet has three standard binder holes punched vertically along its left edge, suggesting it was placed in a binder or folder for archival purposes.

The printed article itself is on yellowed, newsprint-style paper, indicating it is likely from the mid-20th century. It is formatted in a traditional newspaper column layout with dense text.

The headline, printed in a bold, large font, reads:
“Edgell Answers Cram’s Criticism of Harvard Plan”

A smaller sub-headline or lead-in directly below reads:
“Defends Robinson Hall Suggestion — Accepts ‘Mary Ann Back’ Phrase”

The byline identifies the author as “By Harland H. Ratcliffe”.

The main body of the article is a detailed letter or formal reply from Professor George H. Edgell, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at Harvard, responding to an open letter written by Balthus Adams Cram, a Boston architect. Cram had criticized Edgell’s proposed plans for an addition to Robinson Hall.

The article is broken into several sub-sections with bold headings that structure the argument:

  • “Only a Suggestion”: Edgell clarifies that his proposal was an informal suggestion, not a final architectural plan, intended to invite discussion.
  • “Not Architecture”: He agrees with Cram that the initial sketch is “not ‘architecture’” but a conceptual “sketch” that needs to be studied and refined.
  • “An Honest Little Person”: Edgell addresses Cram’s use of the phrase “Queen Anne front and Mary Ann back,” accepting the phrase as a “wholly felicitous phrase” and defending his use of it.
  • “New Building Impracticable”: He counters Cram’s objections to his suggestion of building a connecting structure, arguing that such additions are feasible and necessary to harmonize with the existing structure.
  • “Literally a Sketch”: He further elaborates on his view that the initial proposal was merely a sketch, not a formal design, and that its function was to initiate dialogue.
  • “An Honest Little Person” (repeated heading): He concludes by reaffirming his intentions and defending the character of the project and himself.

Handwritten in pencil in the upper left margin of the newspaper clipping, near the headline, are the words “Taped 4/19/72”, indicating the date the clipping was affixed to the larger sheet.

The entire document is presented flat against a neutral, solid light-gray background, with soft, even lighting that suggests a professional scan or photograph for archival or research purposes. The overall impression is one of historical documentation, preserving a specific moment of architectural debate at Harvard University.

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The image shows a newspaper clipping with two articles. The first article is titled "Edgell Answers Cram's Criticism of Harvard Plan" and the second article is titled "Defends Robinson Hall Suggestion - Accepts "Mary Ann Back" Phrase." The articles are dated June 23, 1931, and June 24, 1931, respectively. The articles discuss the controversy surrounding the proposed addition to Robinson Hall at Harvard University and the naming of the front and back of the building. The articles feature quotes from Dean Edgell, who is defending the plans for the addition and the naming of the building, and Ralph Adams Cram, who is criticizing the plans.

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The image shows a page from a newspaper or a magazine, featuring an article titled "Edgell Answers Cram's Criticism of Harvard Plan." The article is divided into two columns, with the left column containing the main text and the right column containing a smaller excerpt or continuation of the article.

The main text on the left column is written in a bold, black font and is centered at the top of the page. It discusses the response of Dean Edgell to criticism raised by Professor Cram regarding the Harvard Plan. The article mentions the addition of an architectural structure called "Mary Ann Back" and the suggestion of Professor Cram to remove it. Dean Edgell defends the plan and provides a detailed explanation of the reasoning behind the design.

The right column contains a smaller excerpt or continuation of the article, written in a smaller font. It includes additional details and arguments related to the Harvard Plan and the response of Dean Edgell to Professor Cram's criticism.

The image also shows a few holes or marks on the page, possibly indicating that it has been bound or stored in a book or folder. The overall appearance of the page suggests that it is an old or historical document, possibly from the early 20th century.

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The image shows a page from a publication, likely a magazine or journal, featuring an article titled "Edgell Answers Cram's Criticism of Harvard Plan." The page is divided into two main columns of text, with a header at the top that reads "Edgell Answers Cram's Criticism of Harvard Plan." The article appears to be a response to criticisms leveled by Cram regarding a plan for Harvard University, specifically addressing the design of Robinson Hall.

Key Details from the Image:

  1. Title and Header:

    • The main title at the top of the page is "Edgell Answers Cram's Criticism of Harvard Plan."
    • The subtitle below the title reads: "Defends Robinson Hall Suggestion — Accepts 'Mary Ann Back' Phrase."
    • The article is attributed to Gertrude R. Edgell, who is identified as a professor of architecture at Harvard.
  2. Content Overview:

    • The article discusses a debate surrounding the architectural design of Robinson Hall, a proposed addition to Harvard University.
    • Edgell defends the design, which was suggested by Adams Cram, and addresses criticisms raised by Cram.
    • The article includes a letter from Dean Edgell, who supports the design and clarifies misunderstandings about the plan.
    • There is mention of a "Mary Ann back" phrase, which Edgell accepts as a critique but defends as a reasonable design choice.
  3. Layout and Structure:

    • The text is formatted in a traditional newspaper or magazine style, with justified alignment and clear paragraph breaks.
    • The left column contains the main body of the article, while the right column includes additional text, likely related to the same topic or a continuation of the discussion.
    • The right column begins with the phrase "Continued from Page On," indicating that the article spans multiple pages.
  4. Visual Elements:

    • The page has a slightly faded, aged appearance, suggesting it is from an older publication.
    • There are handwritten markings or annotations in the top-left corner, including the word "Traces" and some numerical markings (e.g., "22" and "Traces 22"), which may indicate cataloging or reference purposes.
    • The text is printed in a serif font, typical of early to mid-20th-century publications.
  5. Additional Text on the Right Column:

    • The right column includes a continuation of the discussion, with phrases like "Only a Suggestion" and "Not Architecture."
    • There is also a section titled "Literally a Sketch" and "An Honest Little Berson," which appear to be separate articles or commentary related to architectural design or critique.

Contextual Clues:

  • The article is part of a larger debate about architectural design at Harvard University, specifically focusing on the proposed addition of Robinson Hall.
  • The mention of "Mary Ann back" suggests a critique of the design's aesthetic or functional aspects, which Edgell addresses and defends.
  • The inclusion of Dean Edgell's letter indicates institutional support for the design and an effort to clarify misunderstandings.

Overall Impression:

The image depicts a historical document from an architectural or academic journal, capturing a professional debate about university architecture. The layout, tone, and content suggest it is from the early to mid-20th century, reflecting the discourse surrounding architectural planning and design at elite institutions like Harvard.

OpenAI, gpt-4

This image shows a newspaper clipping from what appears to be an older publication, possibly several decades old given the yellowing of the paper. The clipping is mounted on a light beige background with three punched holes on the left side, indicating it was likely stored in a binder or folder. There are handwritten notes and markings on the beige background to the left of the clipping.

The article's headline reads "Edgell Answers Cram's Criticism of Harvard Plan," suggesting an academic or architectural debate regarding plans for Harvard University. The article is continued from another page as indicated by the text "Continued from Page One." There are two columns with dense text in a small serif font, with various parts underlined, indicating that someone highlighted specific parts of the text. A secondary title within the article itself is "Defends Robinson Hall Suggestion Accepts 'Mary Ann Beck' Phrase."

The clipping seems to be part of a discussion or argument, likely regarding architectural plans for a part of Harvard University, and references to various individuals involved in this discussion are made in the text. The overall context, while not entirely clear from the image, suggests historical discourse with regard to university planning or policy.

OpenAI, gpt-4o-2024-05-13

The image depicts a handwritten note and two newspaper clippings attached to a piece of paper. The note reads: "Tuesday A.M. F.S. --- 7/21" and is positioned in the left margin. The clippings are articles titled "Edgell Answers Cram’s Criticism of Harvard Plan." The first article is continued into the second clipping.

The articles discuss Harvard Dean George H. Edgell's response to criticism from Mr. Ralph Adams Cram regarding the Harvard Plan. Edgell defends the suggestion related to Robinson Hall and accepts the term "Mary Ann Back." Both articles, written by Harland R. Ratcliff, delve into further discussion about plans and suggestions for Robinson Hall and the overall architecture and aesthetic of Harvard University.

The paper onto which these clippings are attached has some holes on the left margin, suggesting it might have been part of a binder or file. The style of the articles, as well as the aged and yellowed appearance of the clippings, indicates they are from an older publication.

OpenAI, gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07

  • A beige scrapbook page with three old newspaper clippings glued to it.
  • The clippings share the headline: “Edgell Answers Cram’s Criticism of Harvard Plan” (two copies, left and center).
  • The left clipping also has a subhead: “Defends Robinson Hall Suggestion — Accepts ‘Mary Ann Back’ Phrase.”
  • The right clipping continues the article (with “Continued from Page One”) and includes small subheads like “Literally a Sketch” and “An Honest Little Person.”
  • The articles are printed in dense columns of small text and appear aged/yellowed.
  • The page has binder holes on the left and a small handwritten note in the margin; a narrow torn piece is attached at the bottom.

OpenAI, gpt-4o-2024-11-20

This image is of a newspaper clipping featuring an article titled "Edgell Answers Cram’s Criticism of Harvard Plan." The article spans multiple columns on the clipping and discusses details related to criticisms and responses about the Harvard Plan. It is authored by someone identified as Harland F. Ratcliff.

The text reflects a formal and academic tone addressing architectural and structural critiques, with specific reference to Robinson Hall and other associated elements. The paper has perforated holes on the left edge, indicating it was likely stored in a binder or document collection.

It is mounted on a cream-colored background for preservation purposes, likely in an archival context, with a handwritten note in the margin that reads "Taken from BH 12."