<ead xmlns="urn:isbn:1-931666-22-9" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="urn:isbn:1-931666-22-9 http://www.loc.gov/ead/ead.xsd http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink http://www.loc.gov/standards/xlink/xlink.xsd" audience="external" relatedencoding="MARC21">
<eadheader audience="external" countryencoding="iso3166-1" dateencoding="iso8601" scriptencoding="iso15924" relatedencoding="MARC21" repositoryencoding="iso15511" langencoding="iso639-2b">
<eadid countrycode="US" mainagencycode="US-RPD" identifier="23.10.xml">US-RPD-23.10</eadid>
<filedesc>
<titlestmt>
<titleproper>
Guide to the Robert J. Flaherty - John Howard Benson Documentary Film
<date type="inclusive" era="ce" calendar="gregorian" normal="1944/1958" encodinganalog="$245f">1944-1958</date>
<date type="bulk" era="ce" calendar="gregorian" normal="1944/1958">(bulk 1944-1958)</date>
</titleproper>
<author>Finding aid prepared by Andrew Martinez.</author>
</titlestmt>
<publicationstmt>
<publisher>Rhode Island School of Design Archives</publisher>
<date era="ce" calendar="gregorian" normal="2022-05-24" encodinganalog="260$c" type="publication">2022 May 24</date>
<address>
<addressline>2 College Street</addressline>
<addressline>Rhode Island School of Design Archives</addressline>
<addressline>Providence, RI 02903</addressline>
<addressline>Tel: 401-709-5922</addressline>
<addressline>
<extptr xlink:actuate="onLoad" xlink:href="mailto:risdarchives@risd.edu"/>
E-mail: risdarchives@risd.edu
</addressline>
</address>
</publicationstmt>
</filedesc>
<profiledesc>
<creation>
Finding aid encoded by Andrew Martinez
<date era="ce" calendar="gregorian" normal="2022-05-24" encodinganalog="260$c" type="publication">2022 May 24</date>
</creation>
<langusage>
<language langcode="eng" scriptcode="Latn">English</language>
</langusage>
<descrules>Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)</descrules>
</profiledesc>
</eadheader>
<archdesc level="collection" type="inventory" relatedencoding="MARC21">
<did>
<langmaterial>
<language langcode="eng" encodinganalog="546">English</language>
</langmaterial>
<repository encodinganalog="852">
<corpname>
Rhode Island School of Design Archives
<subarea>University Archives</subarea>
</corpname>
<address>
<addressline>2 College Street</addressline>
<addressline>Providence, RI 02903</addressline>
<addressline>Tel: 401-709-5922</addressline>
<addressline>
<extptr xlink:actuate="onLoad" xlink:href="mailto:risdarchives@risd.edu"/>
E-mail: risdarchives@risd.edu
</addressline>
</address>
</repository>
<origination>
<persname source="local" encodinganalog="100" role="creator" normal="Flaherty, Robert J., d1884-1951">Flaherty, Robert J., 1884-1951</persname>
</origination>
<unittitle type="primary" encodinganalog="245$a">Robert J. Flaherty John Howard Benson Documentary Film</unittitle>
<unitdate type="inclusive" era="ce" calendar="gregorian" encodinganalog="245$f" normal="1944/1977">1944-1977</unitdate>
<unitdate type="bulk" era="ce" calendar="gregorian" encodinganalog="245$g" normal="1944/1977">(bulk 1944-1977)</unitdate>
<unittitle type="filing" encodinganalog="246$a">Flaherty (Robert J.) - Benson (John Howard) Documentary Film</unittitle>
<physdesc>
<extent encodinganalog="300$a">15,000 feet reel(s)</extent>
</physdesc>
<abstract encodinganalog="520$a">16mm footage from an unfinished film by Robert J. Flaherty documenting the calligraphy and stone-carving work of RISD Professor John Howard Benson. Includes film footage from subsequent attempts (1950s) to complete the film.</abstract>
<unitid encodinganalog="099" countrycode="US" repositorycode="US-RPD" type="collection">23.10</unitid>
</did>
<bioghist encodinganalog="545">
<head>Historical note</head>
<dao xlink:href="http://www.riamco.org/img/US-RPD.jpg"/>
<p>16mm footage from an unfinished film by Robert J. Flaherty documenting the calligraphy and stone-carving work of RISD Professor John Howard Benson, commissioned by Gordon Washburn, the Director of the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art (RISD Museum). The collection includes 16mm footage from subsequent attempts by Charles Arnold, Jr. (1950s) to augment and complete the unfinished film project. Over time, the films were deposited with the RISD Museum, and subsequently transferred to the RISD Archives in 1998 and 2012.</p>
</bioghist>
<descgrp type="descriptive">
<head>Collection information</head>
<accessrestrict encodinganalog="506">
<p>An appointment is required to view materials.</p>
</accessrestrict>
<userestrict encodinganalog="540">
<p>The use of certain documents and collections may be restricted. Please consult the Archives staff for further details.</p>
</userestrict>
<prefercite encodinganalog="524">
<p>Robert Flaherty John Howard Benson Documentary Film, 23.10, Rhode Island School of Design.</p>
</prefercite>
<scopecontent encodinganalog="520">
<p>This collection represents an unfinished, orphaned 1944-1946 film by the director Robert J. Flaherty documenting the work of the calligrapher, stone-carver, and RISD Professor of Design John Howard Benson. After the film project was abandoned by the two principals, several attempts were made to complete a film using the Flaherty footage by Charles Arnold, Jr., a RISD graduate, former RISD Museum of Art employee, and professor of photography at the Rochester Institute of Technology and by Dan Jones, a producer at NBC television in New York. The film was revisited once more by Rebecca Miller, a student majoring in film at RISD from 1976-1978 (see RISD Collection Number 16.2.51, Rebecca J. Miller Papers).</p>
</scopecontent>
<arrangement encodinganalog="351">
<p>
Chronological
<list>
<item/>
</list>
</p>
</arrangement>
</descgrp>
<descgrp type="administrative">
<head>Administrative information</head>
<acqinfo encodinganalog="541">
<p>Film commissioned by Gordon Washburn, the Director of the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art (RISD Museum). The collection includes 16mm footage from subsequent attempts by Charles Arnold (1950s) to augment and complete the unfinished film project. Over time, the films were deposited with the RISD Museum and subsequently transferred to the RISD Archives in 1998 and 2012.</p>
</acqinfo>
</descgrp>
<descgrp type="cataloging">
<controlaccess>
<head>Names</head>
<p/>
</controlaccess>
<controlaccess>
<head>Subjects</head>
<p/>
</controlaccess>
<controlaccess>
<head>RIAMCO Browsing Terms</head>
<subject altrender="nodisplay" source="riamco" encodinganalog="690">Art</subject>
</controlaccess>
<controlaccess>
<head>Titles</head>
<p/>
</controlaccess>
<controlaccess>
<head>Types of materials</head>
<p/>
</controlaccess>
<controlaccess>
<head>Occupations</head>
<p/>
</controlaccess>
<controlaccess>
<head>Functions</head>
<p/>
</controlaccess>
</descgrp>
<descgrp type="additional">
<head>Additional information</head>
<p/>
</descgrp>
<dsc type="combined">

<c id="c1" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">1</container>
<unittitle>Repeat Material, over Benson shoulder as he writes w/reed</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c2" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">2a</container>
<unittitle>Examples of Writing and Lettering Not on JHB [John Howard Benson] or Stills from E of L 			[Elements of Lettering] etc.</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c3" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">2b</container>
<unittitle>#1 (Black and White), Sept. 1943 R. Arnold in yard at 56, with Mother and Dad. Scene of 			Kitten in yard. Groff children on Poplar St. Benson children playing in yard. View of 			Poplar St., View of Washington St. View of St. John's Church. View of Poplar St. Shore			</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943-09">1943 Sep</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c4" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">3</container>
<unittitle>Old SPQR</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c5" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">4</container>
<unittitle>John Howard Benson: Film of 'The Quill' by Robert Flaherty</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c6" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">5</container>
<unittitle>Misc. Cut Outs Old Mat.</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c7" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">6</container>
<unittitle>Using Pens, Foreign Writing, Flourished Caps, Skeleton Alphabet, Examining Pen, Penstrokes, 		etc., Hebrew, Syria, Flourish Caps, Pen Strokes, Ethiopic</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c8" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">7</container>
<unittitle>Possible Mat. Reel #1</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c9" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">8</container>
<unittitle>Empty</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c10" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">9</container>
<unittitle>Signs, Hosp. Trust and Mod Inscriptions, Roman Inscrip.</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c11" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">10</container>
<unittitle>Making Pens</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c12" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">11</container>
<unittitle>Portraits, Mark and Paint, Pan and Closeups, "S," "P," "Q," "R"</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c13" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">12</container>
<unittitle>Misc. Shots Not Useful for Film. Nancy Writing, Hunter House, Copey Robinson, Olice, Graham 		Writing, Gravestones</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c14" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">13</container>
<unittitle>Untitled</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c15" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">14</container>
<unittitle>Historic Hands. and Age. Bene. and Age - age. Cutouts. Presses. Small Rolls, Presses, ager, 			AGEage, age to ages, Caroline and Black Letters, New Uncials, and Ins Half func Lombardic, 			Rustic Old X New Still Square Rustic Caps, Square Old and New</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c16" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">15</container>
<unittitle>Untitled</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c17" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">16</container>
<unittitle>Clips of Quill Film</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c18" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">17</container>
<unittitle>Jan 14 1945, #1 Foreign Writing, Syria and Ethiopia</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="19450114">1945 Jan 14</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c19" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">18</container>
<unittitle>Jan 14 1945, #2 Hebrew, Loose Roll, Reel 5 183 Heavy CAPS, no endings. N-Z</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="19450114">1945 Jan 14</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c20" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">1</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">19</container>
<unittitle>Jan 14 1945, #6 Church Let.</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="19450114">1945 Jan 14</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c21" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">1</container>
<unittitle>Dan Jones  Benson ftg., Rejected when inspected for water damage 4/30/58. Saved just for 			evidence</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="19580430">1958 Apr 30</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c22" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">2</container>
<unittitle>K-5538 Rhode Island School of Design 'Lettering' Part 1 and 2 Orig. Rev.</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c23" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">3</container>
<unittitle>3-30-76 Orig. Reversal Charles Arnold, Physical image looks unmarred, Film slightly 				brittle, RPC</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="19760330">1976 Mar 30</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c24" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">4</container>
<unittitle>Roll D One</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c25" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">5</container>
<unittitle>Roll D Two</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c26" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">6</container>
<unittitle>Roll D Three</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c27" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">7</container>
<unittitle>Roll D Four</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c28" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">8</container>
<unittitle>Untitled</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c29" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">9</container>
<unittitle>Untitled</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c30" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">10</container>
<unittitle>Roll C One, 1st Graffiti</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c31" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">11</container>
<unittitle>Roll C Four</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c32" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">12</container>
<unittitle>Roll C Five</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c33" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">13</container>
<unittitle>6 Flaherty manuscripts, silver monogram, mixing paint color - Newport Harbor - Flowers			</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c34" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">14</container>
<unittitle>Roll E One</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c35" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">15</container>
<unittitle>Roll C Six</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c36" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">16</container>
<unittitle>Roll C Seven</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c37" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">17</container>
<unittitle>Roll C Eight</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c38" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">18</container>
<unittitle>Roll C Ten</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c39" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">2</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">19</container>
<unittitle>Flaherty Leader</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c40" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">1</container>
<unittitle>Roll A One</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c41" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">2</container>
<unittitle>Roll A Two</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c42" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">3</container>
<unittitle>Roll A Four</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c43" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">4</container>
<unittitle>Roll A Roll 8, Original Reversal - Jones Says C. Arnold looks like a recent print of 			Flaherty Stuff. Entire "Cutting A Reed Sequel," Donny Jones NBC "The Quill"</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c44" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">5</container>
<unittitle>Removed for D?????, Roll A Nine</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c45" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">6</container>
<unittitle>Roll A Eleven</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c46" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">7</container>
<unittitle>Roll A Twelve</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c47" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">8</container>
<unittitle>Roll A Thirteen</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c48" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">9</container>
<unittitle>Roll A Fourteen, 27 Original Reversal Cutting</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c49" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">10</container>
<unittitle>Roll A Sixteen</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c50" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">11</container>
<unittitle>Roll A Seventeen</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c51" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">12</container>
<unittitle>Roll B One</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c52" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">13</container>
<unittitle>Roll B Three</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c53" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">14</container>
<unittitle>Roll B Four, Reel 6 Original Rev. Rob J. Flaherty 'Calligraphy' Trust Hospital - Signs - 			Modern Press - Stone Carving - Newport Bank - Cutting S.P.Q.R. - Pen made from reed - 			printing press</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c54" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">15</container>
<unittitle>Roll B Five</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c55" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">16</container>
<unittitle>Roll B Six</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c56" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">17</container>
<unittitle>Roll B Seven</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c57" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">18</container>
<unittitle>Roll B Eight</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c58" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">19</container>
<unittitle>Main Title "Cutting a Quill," 1st Version -  Work Print (Not used no music credit)				</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c59" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">20</container>
<unittitle>Color</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c60" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">21</container>
<unittitle>Flaherty Frames</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>
<c id="c61" level="file">
<did>
<container type="box" label="Box">3</container>
<container type="film" label="Film">22</container>
<unittitle>Varying shots of sharpening reed and quill. Proj. Pos. Silent</unittitle>
<unitdate normal="1943/1958">1943-1958</unitdate>
</did>
</c>



</dsc>
</archdesc>

</ead>