Guide to the Robert L. Blake Papers, 1943-1988
Abstract:
Contains the professional papers of Robert L. Blake, Coordinator of the Department of Medical Illustration in the Duke University School of Medicine. Types of materials include sketches, caricatures, and drawings of medical anatomy, Duke University Medical Center people and facilities, clippings, certificates, photographs, slides, and reprints. Major subjects include Duke University School of Medicine, Civilian Public Service Unit No. 61, conscientious objectors during World War II, and medical illustration. Materials range in date from 1943 to 1988.
- Contact Information:
- Duke University Medical Center
Archives and Memorabilia
DUMC 3702
Durham, North Carolina
27710 USA
Phone: (919) 383-2653
Fax: (919) 383-1649
Email: dumc.archives@mc.duke.edu - Processed by
- Archives staff and Emily Glenn
- Date Completed
- July 2003
- Encoded by
- Emily Glenn
- Date Encoded
- January 2004
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Robert L. Blake Papers, 1943-1988
- Creator
- Blake, Robert L.
- Extent
-
- 4 record storage boxes,
- 2,000 items,
- 6 linear feet
- Repository
- Duke University Medical Center Archives.
- Call Number
- MC0048
- Location
- Archives Stacks: 9f, Flat map cabinet: Drawer 2
Information for Users
- Usage Restrictions
- Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
- Preferred Citation
- [Identification of item], Robert L. Blake Papers, Duke University Medical Center Archives.
Biographical Note
Robert L. Blake was raised in Pennsylvania and was known in his high school as the quasi-official class artist. One of his early jobs, during the 1930s, was as a fashion photographer in the clothing firm of Kraft and Phillips of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Blake photographed, but also began drawing more seriously while working near the firm's fashion artists.
In 1942, Blake arrived at Duke University as part of an alternative service program for conscientious objectors, Civilian Public Service Unit #61. At Duke University, Blake was one of many attendants in the hospital operating rooms. It was in the rooms that Blake noticed Elon Clark, then director of the Department of Medical Art and Illustration and coordinator of the Medical Art Facility. After three months in the operating room, Blake moved to Elon Clark's studio to continue drawing, this time paying more attention to anatomy than style.
Together with Elon Clark, Blake helped to create a laboratory for the pioneering work of making facial prostheses. The prostheses were used for accident victims, cancer patients, or people with congenital defects. Blake was interested in creating items that were not perfect, but which perfectly complemented the body of the person receiving the prostheses. Instead of a plastic model, Blake learned make a plaster case of a real nose on a real person to preserve the texture of the pores and natural appearance of the skin. In 1949, Blake became part of the Duke faculty, and finally Coordinator of Medical Art (around 1971) and Acting Director of Audiovisual Education, following Elon Clark's retirement.
In addition to creating simple teaching drawings and pigments for dying scars, Blake illustrated covers for University publications, created posters and signs for campus events, and lettered citations and certificates for various departments and schools. Blake was responsible for lettering the scrolls presented to the members of the Half-Century Club (Duke Alumni who graduated more than 50 years ago), a job that increased markedly each year. Bob Blake also prepared a Poison Control Center exhibit which was shown around the world during the 1960s. He used his three children as the models for pictures of children venturing into dangerous medicine cabinets or broom closets.
In his personal time, Blake continued to paint using watercolors. He showed his own paintings in various areas of the Medical Center, mostly scenes from rural and coastal North Carolina. His work was exhibited annually at the Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill, N.C., for more than 20 years.
Blake retired in 1983 having illustrated approximately 500 scientific articles for medical journals, drawings for over 50 textbooks. In 1988, he stated that he continued to turn out about 75 watercolor paintings per year.
As of 2003, the Department of Medical Illustration is known as the Department of Medical Art, part of Educational Media Services, within the Duke University School of Medicine. Audiovisual Education, continued by Sam Agnello, also became part of Educational Media Services.
Robert Blake was married to Hildur Blake, a nurse at Duke University. Together they had three children.
Collection Overview
Anatomical and Medical Illustrations, ca. 1956-1979; Building Illustrations, ca. 1948-1970; Designs and Lettering, ca. 1953-1960; Clippings and Commercially Published Works, 1959-1981; Photographs, ca. 1944-1966, n.d.; Oversized Anatomical and Medical Illustrations, ca. 1948-1976; Oversized Illustrations of People and Hospital Scenes, ca. 1950-1981; Other Oversized Illustrations and Comics; Oversized Illustrations of Buildings, ca. 1948-1952; Civilian Public Service Unit #61, Illustrations and Photographs, 1943-1944, 1988; Photographic Negatives of Photographs and Illustrations.
Online Catalog Headings
- Blake, Robert L.
- Duke University. School of Medicine. Educational Media Services.
- Medical Illustration.
- Duke University. Hospital.
- Civilian Public Service. Camp No. 61 (Durham, N.C.)
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Conscientious objectors -- United States -- 20th century.
Collection Series
Detailed Description of the Collection
Posters contains in Box 1 have been disassembled for preservation purposes. Both posters were originally mounted on posterboard. Captions of items have been transcribed onto item labels, when applicable. Several items listed within this series have been moved to the flat map cabinet, drawer 2.
Related Material
Collection: Sam A. Agnello Papers.
Repository: Duke University Medical Center Archives.
Collection: Elon H. Clark Papers.
Repository: Duke University Medical Center Archives.