Small Archive of Christine Duhlstine, a prospective student at the  Federal School of Commercial Designing, including correspondence on letterhead, original illustration art, trade catalog for art supplies, & prospectus/ catalog for the school.

Bauer, E.F. (president). Your Future and how you can realize it in the opportunities awaiting the trained commercial designer through instruction by the Federal faculty and authors. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Federal School of Commercial Designing, 1927. Quarto (10.25" x 7.5"), 63 & [1] pages, profusely illustrated in color & black & white. Publisher's pictorial, stapled stiff paper wraps. With:

Two typed letters addressed to Ms. Duhlstine on Federal Schools letterhead soliciting her enrollment (one signed by Department Instructor J. Hudson dated January 3, 1929; the other by Vice President Joseph Almars dated April 19, 1929),

Two large, skillfully accomplished original pen & ink drawings by Ms. Duhlstine on Strathmore drawing board (14.5" x 11.5") dated November, 1929 & February, 1930. The illustrations, depicting "Toilet Articles Found on Madam's Dresser" & "Shoes for all Occasions at Dayton's," were apparently submitted as part of the application process, presumably to to demonstrate her potential as a commercial artist.

An illustrated trade catalog for art supplies available from the school.

& a photograph of illustration art.

Catalog with moderate edge wear including a small loss affecting the lower right corner & title page, lightly soiled, some corner creasing, otherwise Very Good. Drawings with edge wear, soiling & small stains. Correspondence folded for mailing, with light edge wear, toning & soiling. Art Supplies catalog & photograph fine.

Ms. Duhlstine, of Sayre, Pennsylvania, also known as "Student 53359-20," was indeed quite adept at commercial design. Whether she went on to a career in the field could not be determined. She passed away at age 94 in 2005.

Founded in 1919, the Federal School of Commercial Designing was located in Minneapolis, Minnesota The school promised "a well-rounded, practical preparation for a profession" that was recognized by the Home Study Institute and the Midland National Bank of Minneapolis.