Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Solley, Thomas T.
- Abstract:
- The Solley mss., 1888-2006, consists of the automobile and coachbuilder catalogs, photographs, and related automobile literature of architect Thomas T. Solley, 1924–2006.
- Extent:
- 35 Boxes
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Solley mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Born in New York City, Solley served in the U.S. Army, European Theatre from 1943–1946. In 1950, he received his B.A. in Architecture from Yale University, and pursued graduate studies at that institution prior to leaving in 1951 to become an Architectural Project Engineer at Eli Lilly & Co. in Indianapolis from 1951–1961. A grandnephew of Josiah K. Lilly, Solley left private practice as an architect to pursue a graduate degree in Art History at Indiana University earning an M.A. in 1966. In 1968, he was appointed Assistant Director of the Indiana University Art Museum in Bloomington becoming its Director in 1971. During Solley's tenure (1971-1986), the Art Museum's holdings grew from 4,000 to more than 30,000 works of art. In recognition of his service and commitment to the Art Museum as administrator, academic, and philanthropist, Solley was awarded the first Indiana University Medal (1982) and the President's Medal for Excellence (1997). In 2002, Indiana University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree. Solley passed away in 2006 at his home in St. Prex, Switzerland.
- Scope and Content:
The collection is arranged by the following series: I. Automobile Catalogs; II. Coachbuilder Catalogs; III. Miscellaneous. Catalogs are geographically arranged with automobile/coachbuilder catalogs alphabetically listed (in chronological order) within the grouping. Photographs, articles, and renderings, among other items (where identified) have been filed with the automobile/coachbuilder.
As a youth, Solley became interested in automobile and coachbuilder catalogs and spent more than 60 years systematically amassing a collection of them focused on the "automobile as art." The catalogs served as the basis for his 2008 monograph Prestige, Status, and Works of Art: Selling the Luxury Car 1888-1942, in which many of them are described in fulsome detail. Solley, also a discriminating collector of luxury automobiles (most notably Rolls-Royce and Bentley), did not limit his catalog collecting solely to Great Britain although these makes et al. are particularly well represented. The collection is also particularly strong in automobile and coachbuilder catalogs from France (Bugatti, Delage, Hispano-Suiza; Henri Chapron, J. Saoutchik), Germany (Horch, Mercedes-Benz; Glaserkarosserie G.M.B.H.), Italy (Alfa Romeo, Isotta Fraschini, Lancia; Castagna), and the United States (Cadillac, Chrysler, Lincoln, Packard; Fleetwood, LeBaron).
- Acquisition information:
- Acquired: 2002-2003
- Arrangement:
The collection is arranged by the following series: I. Automobile Catalogs; II. Coachbuilder Catalogs; III. Miscellaneous. Catalogs are geographically arranged with automobile/coachbuilder catalogs alphabetically listed (in chronological order) within the grouping. Photographs, articles, and renderings, among other items (where identified) have been filed with the automobile/coachbuilder.
- Physical location:
- ALF (Auxiliary Library Facility)
Indexed Terms
- Subjects:
- Automobiles --History --Pictorial works.
- Names:
- Solley, Thomas T.
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research.
Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Solley mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
1200 East Seventh StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
(812) 855-2452liblilly@iu.edu