4:25 p.m., Jan. 14, 2003--“Samuel L. Schmucker: The Discovery of His Lost Art” is the title of an exhibition running now through March 28 at the University Gallery. The exhibition of his rare original paintings and selected postcard sets represents one of the first times Schmucker’s works have been shown to the public.

Schmucker is considered the preeminent artist from the “Golden Age of the Postcard” (1895-1915), and his postcard images are some of the finest ever produced. His fanciful works, with their intense colors and expert compositional designs, have long captivated postcard collectors.

Although collectors have esteemed his work for years, it is only recently that scholars discovered Schmucker to be the artist behind the pictures. In 1995-96, more than 85 of his original paintings, submitted as postcard art to the Detroit Publishing Co. in the early 1900s, were discovered in estate sales in Montana and Utah by collectors Jack and Susan Davis of Bozeman, Mont.

The exhibition chronicles Schmucker’s life from art school in Philadelphia to his advertising career in New York City, from his connections to Wilmington to his premature death at the age of 42.

The works on view were loaned by Jack and Susan Davis; Dorothy Ryan of Newark; Dale and Shirley Hendricks of Emmaus, Pa; Dennis and Shellie Goreham of Salt Lake City, Utah; Thomas Mulvaney of Helena, Mont.; and the Reading Public Museum, Reading, Pa.

Special events
Special events include a Collectors’ Reception from 5-7 p.m., Friday, March 7, in the gallery.

Collectors Jack and Susan Davis will speak from 2-3 p.m., Saturday, March 8, on “The Story Behind the Discovery of Samuel L. Schmucker’s Lost Art” and again at noon, Wednesday, March 12, on “A Brief History of the American Postcard.” Both talks will be held in the University Gallery.

A brief overview of the histories of commercial printing and the rise of postal communication in America will be also presented.

Special children’s events
Special children’s programming will take place from 1:30-2:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, with “Let’s Celebrate the Holidays: Postcards All Year ‘Round.” Children will celebrate all the holidays on the calendar with stories, games and postcard making. The program is designed for children ages 5-8 and is limited to 12 participants.

From 1:30-3 p.m., Saturday, March 15, “The Man and the Moon: A Lun-y Workshop” will be held for children ages 9-11. Starting with mystery partners, participants will journey through the gallery in search of the many moons drawn by Samuel L. Schmucker. Participants also will create a postcard to send to their partner. The event is limited to 10 participants.

All events are free and open to the public. Seating may be limited and pre-registration is required for the children’s workshops by calling 831-8242.

The University Gallery is located on the second floor of historic Old College, on the corner of Main Street and North College Avenue in Newark. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesdays; and 1-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, call 831-8242, fax 831-8251 or TDD 831-4563. Visit the University Gallery online at [www.museums.udel.edu].

Article by Beth Thomas
Artwork by Samuel L. Schmucker