Archive related to the dean of American heraldry and the founder of the U.S. Institute of Heraldry, Arthur E. DuBois

Compiled by Arthur E. DuBois and others

Published by Primarily Washington, DC, 1949

About this Item

Includes DuBois's unfinished monumental reference work on military ribbons of the world. The archive is contained in an 11"x11.75"x3" Kempco file box. Its principal component is a two-volume, unpublished manuscript in two binders, each measuring 9"x11". Together they contain approximately 100 pages of manuscript text, eight pages of hand-colored charts, one card of ribbon samples, and approximately 41 U.S. ribbons accompanied by meticulously drawn design schematics. The samples include a Medal of Honor ribbon. A separate document protector containing an additional 25 pages of working papers along with a "U.K Ribbon Colours Identity Chart" containing 36 samples, one page of 13 primarily U.S. ribbon samples and color drawings, a hand-colored planning chart for the proposed multi-volume work, a letter from the U.K. with an advertisement for "The Gale & Polden Chart of Decorations and Medals" enclosed, and an advertising flyer for a German medal collector service. Other items include: A 1956 press photo of DuBois showing a newly designed U.S. Army flag to a general, Two National Geographic Magazines from 1943 and 1945 with articles about U.S. military insignia including "The Traditions and Glamour of Insignia", both written by DuBois, A xerographic copy of an article about DuBois from a 1945 article in Yank magazine, and Recently downloaded copies of two articles DuBois wrote for The Quartermaster Review (1928 and 1954). The file box is worn but the hinge is holding and the clasp works as it should. The ribbon samples are all in nice shape. Some of the text pages have toned and a few have dampstains. One binder is missing its front cover. In a draft preface to his unfinished work, DuBoise wrote that "This index of ribbons is the result of approximately 35 years" of work. He first began to work as a civilian for the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps in the very early 1920s just as its heraldry section was being organized. A legendary stickler with regard for heraldic rules, he soon became its dominant force and eventually director of what was to become The Institute of Heraldry, which was expanded in 1954 to include the responsibility for developing and managing the symbolism associated with all federal services and departments. Not only did DuBois ensure heraldic rules were scrupulously followed, he personally designed many insignia, medals, flags, and other items including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, and the U.S. Army's marksmanship badges. DuBoise apparently retired around 1960. Unfortunately, for unknown reasons, he did not complete this work. Although the draft does not consistently follow his plan as laid out in the table of contents, the work is extraordinary, especially his alphabetical listing of every medal or ribbon in the world-as of 1949-with annotations regarding its colors and issuing country. Unique. A testament to the man behind much of the heraldic symbolism found in the shields, seals, and other devices used by the U.S. military and government today. With some additional research and elbow grease, DuBois's plan and his remarkable compilation of organized data could be used to publish a relatively easy-to-use guide to facilitate the identification of world-wide military medals and awards by the colors of their ribbons. Seller Inventory # 009223

Bibliographic Details

Title: Archive related to the dean of American ...

Publisher: Primarily Washington, DC

Publication Date: 1949

Binding: Loose-leaf binder

Condition: Very good