Inventory of the Rudolph Wendelin Papers, 1930 – 2005

Descriptive Summary

Abstract: Rudolph “Rudy” Andreas Michael Wendelin (1910-2000) is best known as the artist behind the United States Forest Service mascot and spokesman “Smokey Bear.”

The collection comprises the personal papers and artwork of Rudolph “Rudy” Wendelin, dating from the 1930s to 2005 and consisting of: correspondence, publicity materials, published articles, awards, photographs, drawings, cartoons, books, ephemera, sculptures made of wax, clay, or plaster, and sculpture molds. The collection documents Rudy Wendelin’s work as an artist who spent the majority of his career designing for the United States Forest Service and who was primarily responsible for creating the image of Smokey Bear that became widely recognized during the latter half of the 20th century. Wendelin’s designs for several conservation-themed U.S. postage stamps are also well represented, as is his work for other publications and organizations, particularly after retirement.

Title: Rudolph Wendelin Papers, 1930 – 2005

Creator: Wendelin, Rudolph.

Repository: Forest History Society Library and Archives

Call Number: 2007-001

Language of Material: Material in English

Extent: 34 linear feet (26 archival boxes, 2 oversize boxes)

Biographical Note

Rudolph “Rudy” Andreas Michael Wendelin (1910-2000) is best known as the artist behind the United States Forest Service mascot and spokesman “Smokey Bear.”

After his childhood in Ludell, Kansas, Wendelin was a student at the University of Kansas School of Architecture and at art schools in Milwaukee and Washington, D.C. He began his Forest Service career in 1933 in Milwaukee as a draftsman and illustrator, then transferred to the Washington office in 1937. Returning to the Forest Service after a stint as a Navy artist during World War II, Wendelin was given responsibility for the Smokey Bear project and proceeded to create hundreds of Smokey representations that highlighted natural resources conservation and forest fire prevention.

Under Wendelin’s direction, Smokey assumed the more humanesque form by which he is best known – wearing a solemn expression, ranger’s hat and jeans, and carrying a shovel. Wendelin continued his association with Smokey after retiring from the Forest Service in 1973, producing numerous calendar and book illustrations. Smokey’s immense popularity is apparent through the many awards Wendelin received for his work, including the Medal of Honor presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Horace Hart Award from the graphic arts industry, and both Silver and Gold Smokey Bear Awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Wendelin is also known as a creative painter of landscapes, a sculptor, political cartoonist, and the artist behind the Forest Service’s 1948 watershed protection film “The Adventures of Junior Raindrop.” He designed or co-designed six commemorative U.S. postage stamps, including the Forest Conservation stamp in 1958, the 1964 John Muir stamp, the 1969 John Wesley Powell stamp, and the 1984 stamp featuring Smokey Bear.

Note: The above biographical information about Rudolph Wendelin was drawn from the following sources: (1) “Rudolph Wendelin Dies at Age 90; Artist for ‘Smokey'” by Richard Pearson, Washington Post, September 3, 2000, (2) “Rudolph Wendelin, Designer of the 1964 John Muir Commemorative Postage Stamp,” part of the Sierra Club’s online John Muir Exhibit, John Muir Education Project by Harold Wood (accessed 17 July 2007).

Collection Overview

Collection comprises the personal papers and artwork of Rudolph “Rudy” Wendelin, dating from the 1930s to 2005 and consisting of: correspondence, publicity materials, published articles, awards, photographs, drawings, cartoons, books, ephemera, sculptures made of wax, clay, or plaster, and sculpture molds. The collection documents Rudy Wendelin’s work as an artist who spent the majority of his career designing for the United States Forest Service and who was primarily responsible for creating the image of Smokey Bear that became widely recognized during the latter half of the 20th century. Wendelin’s designs for several conservation themed U.S. postage stamps are also well represented, as is his work for other publications and organizations, particularly after retirement.

Collection Arrangement

Artwork, Animation, Sketches, Photographs, Awards, and Related Materials, 1948-2001.
Forest Service Files of Rudolph Wendelin, 1930s-1990s.
Rudolph Wendelin Stamp Files, 1958-1984.
Smokey Bear Files of Rudolph Wendelin, 1950s-1999.
Sculpture by Rudolph Wendelin, 1952-1990s, and undated.
Oversize Artwork, 1952-1989.

Subject Headings

Advertising — Forest fire prevention — United States.
Drawing, American — 20th century.
Forest fires — Prevention and control.
Political cartoons.
Smokey Bear.
Smokey Bear — Pictorial works.
Smokey Bear — Sculpture.
United States. Forest Service
Wendelin, Rudolph.

Detailed Description of the Collection

1. Artwork, Animation, Sketches, Photographs, Awards, and Related Materials, 1948-2001.

Includes materials related to the Smokey Bear campaign, The Adventures of Junior Raindrop, and political cartoons created for a Northern Virginia newspaper, the Arlington Sun.

Box 1
Smokey Bear
- Folder 1
  Campaign Materials (Smokey Bear), 1948-1981
  - Includes materials from the following years: 1948, 1950, 1952, 1953 1954, 1955, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1980, and 1981.
- Folder 2
  Region 9-Christmas Greeting
- Folder 3
  Smokey Bear Ephemera, 1980s and 90s
- Folder 4
  Smokey Cub at Zoo with Lyle Watts (Newspaper Clipping)
- Folder 5
  Smokey Bear Manuals
- Folder 6
  Smokey Bear Transparencies
- Folder 7
  Smokey Bear Litter Bag
- Folder 8
  Miscellaneous
Box 1
Forest Service Chief Portraits, Awards, and Other Materials
- Folder 9
  Original portraits of FS Chiefs
- Folder 10
  Photographs of Original Portraits of Forest Service Chiefs
- Folder 11
  Political cartoon: Byrd Report, 1936
- Folder 12
  Awards to Rudulph Wendelin
  - Horace Hart Award, 1969
  - Honorary and Lifetime Membership Washington Society of Landscape Painters, 1995
  - Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department Participants Award, 1998
  - Honorary Life Member Hotfoot Teddy Collectors Association
  - Trees for Israel
  - Certificate of Merit GIECO Public Service Award, 1992
  - Membership Society of Federal Artists and Designers
  - Award for Excellence Society of Federal Artist and Designers, 1961
  - Citation Outstanding Achievement in Wildfire Prevention, 1993 and 1994
  - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Completion of 39 Years of Service, 1973
  - Appreciation 40 Years of Dedicated Service, 1973
  - USDA Superior Service, 1970
  - Silver Smokey, 1969
  - USDA Superior Service, 1960
  - USDA Superior Service, 1957
  - State of KA Resolution Smokey Bear Day, August 9, 1994
  - Department of Natural Resources “Admiral” KT, 1968
  - Arlington County, Virginia, Resolution, 1994
Box 2
Smokey Bear
Folder 13-15
- Autograph Requests, 1990s
- People Magazine, August 22, 1994, p. 103
- Southwest Art Magazine, August 1994, p. 93
Folder 16
- Letters from Children
- Milford Magazine, August 2001, Memoriam to Rudolph Wendelin
Box 3
The Adventures of Junior Raindrop
- Folder 17-18
  Animation Cells
- Folder 19
  Script
  - Includes small storyboard pencil sketches.
- Folder 20-21
  Original Sketches
  - Sketch from The Adventures of Junior Raindrop, drawn by Rudy Wendelin, circa 1948.
- Folder 22
  Background Painting: Watercolor Illustration Board of Dry Gulch
- Folder 23
  Copyright Drawings
- Folder 24
  Copyright Papers
- Folder 25
  Still Photographs and Negative
- Folder 26
  Article in the Washington Star Pictorial Magazine, May 21, 1950
- Folder 27
  Venice Biennial Certificate, Diploma of Participation, 1949
Box 4
Political Cartoons, 1978-1980
Box 5
Political Cartoons, 1981-1984
Box 6
Political Cartoons, undated

2. Forest Service Files of Rudolph Wendelin, 1930s-1990s.

Subject files are arranged alphabetically.

Includes correspondence, awards, publications, illustrations, and other materials.

Box 7
A
- Advertising Images (resource materials)
- Alaska Trip, 1972
- Alaska: Photographs
- American Forestry Association (AFA) Conference, 1972
- Rudolph Wendelin and Bill Bergoffen Stage design layout
- American Forests Magazine, 1953: “The Whole Story” by R.W. Sawyer
- American Forests Magazine, 1966: “You Can be a Conservationist,” illustrated by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Young man modeled after son, David Wendelin
- American Forests Magazine, 1969: Cartoon illustration by RW
- American Forests Magazine, 1970: “Trees and People,” illustrations by Rudolph Wendelin, p. 43 (1/2 page cut out of magazine)
- American Forests Magazine, 1976: Living Legacies Flyer, Trees planted by George Washington at Mount Vernon in 1785
- American Forest: Global Releaf
- American Junior Red Cross News: April, May, October, and November 1953, illustrations by Rudolph Wendelin on back page of each magazine
- Animals (resource materials)
- Anniversary, Forest Service, 50th, 1955 (photograph of poster by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Anniversary, Forest Service, 75th, 1980 (Rudolph Wendelin information on painting made for this)
- Apollo Mission XIV, 1970: Medallion Design by Rudolph Wendelin (copy of original bronze medallion retained by family)
- Arbor Day-Clippings, 1957 and 1961
- Audubon (poor quality copies of illustrations by Rudolph Wendelin, no date)
- Awards
  - Award: USDA 10 years
  - Award: 1942 “Salvage for Victory” poster contest
  - Award: 1957 Superior Service
  - Award: 1958 Certificate of Participation Theodore Roosevelt Association
  - Award: 1959 Certificate of Merit
  - Award: 1960 Post Office (Photograph with award and Postmaster General in Photograph Notebook)
  - Award: 1960 and 1967 Society of Federal Artists and Designers
  - Award: 1969 Silver Smokey
  - Award: 1969 Horace Hart
  - Award: 1970 Superior Service
  - Award: 1973 Golden Smokey
  - Award: 1983 Rudolph Wendelin Day, Wisconsin
  - Award: 1996 Cradle of Forestry Lifetime Achievement
  - Award: 1997 and 1998 Daughters of the American Revolution, Chapter Award and Medal of Honor
  - Award: 2005 Forest Service Centennial Congress
  - Awards: other than United States Forest Service
  - Honorary Fire Chief, Fairfax County, Virginia, 1995
  - Distinguished Service, Forest Service, 1994
  - Thank you from California, USDA Forest Service, 1988
  - Smokey’s Special Friends, to Rudy and Carol, 1996
  - Honorary Member, Ballston, Virginia, Volunteer Fire Department, 1995
  - Awards Designed/Executed by Rudolph Wendelin
Box 7
B
- Birds (resource materials)
- Booklets, Forest Service (no art by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Boy Scouts of American, Forest Service, USDA, Soil Conservation
- Paul Bunyan, circa 1933: 36 original sketches and flyers from Region 9
Box 7
C
- Camping (resource materials)
- Cards, 1936: Forest Service Girls Club
- Cartoons: poor copies of Forest Service related cartoons by Rudolph Wendelin
- Centennial Mini-Histories of the Forest Service
- Certificate, George Washington University National Engineering Defense Training, 1942
- Chatahoochee National Forest, 50th Anniversary, 1986
- Christmas Cards
- Civilian Conservation Corp, 1930s
- Civilian Conservation Corp, 50th Anniversary, 1983
- Civilian Conservation Corp, 50th Anniversary, Rudolph Wendelin and Carrol Wendelin Trip, 1983
- Clippings: Miscellaneous
- Correspondence, undated
- Correspondence, 1930s
- Correspondence, 1940s
- Correspondence, 1950
- Correspondence, 1951-1957
- Correspondence, 1958 (Designer of Forest Conservation Stamp, 1958)
- Correspondence, 1959
- Correspondence, 1960 (Co-designer World Forestry Congress Stamp, 1960)
- Correspondence, 1961 (Designer of Range Conservation Stamp, 1961)
- Correspondence, 1962
- Correspondence, 1963
- Correspondence, 1964 (Designer of John Muir Stamp, 1964, and bust of John Muir)
- Correspondence, 1965
- Correspondence, 1966
- Correspondence, 1967
- Correspondence, 1968
- Correspondence, 1969 (Designer of John Wesley Powell Stamp-1969)
- Correspondence, 1960s-1970s
  - Includes materials related to John Muir, found in Rudolph Wendelin’s copy of The Wilderness World of John Muir, edited by Edwin Way Teale, 1954, as well as a small original sketch of Muir.
- Correspondence, 1970
- Correspondence, 1971
- Correspondence, 1972
- Correspondence, 1973 (Retired from the Forest Service, June)
- Correspondence, 1970s
- Correspondence, 1980s (Designer of Smokey Bear Stamp, 1984)
- Correspondence, 1985
- Correspondence, 1990s
Box 7
D
- DAR: Trash Bag (possibly designed by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Deer (resource materials)
- Directory: Forest Service, 1942
- Directories
- Duck Stamp Judge, 1977 and 1978
Box 7
E
- Earth Day, 1990
- Engineering, 1938
- Environmental Education
- Exhibit: Forests Help Defend America, circa 1952-1953
- Exhibit: AFA, 1984
- Exhibit: AFA, 1986
- Exhibit: Retrospective at Grey Towers, 1984
- Exhibit: Society of American Foresters, 1990
Box 7
F
- Farming (resource materials)
- Flyers: Forest Service events
- Flyers: Information Digest, Christmas Greetings, 1952-1971
- Forest and the Flame in the Bible, 1962
- Forest Anecdotes, 1936 (Original ink drawings)
- Forest Fires (Articles)
Box 8
F (continued)
- Forest Fire Fighters Memorial Sculpture, 1989 (Designed by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Forest Fire Medallion, circa 1945-1935 (Designed by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Forest Fires…, circa WWII paper stickers
- Forest Fires (resource materials)
- Forest Service Chiefs
- Forest Service: “A Community Forest” (original pencil and ink sketch layout)
- Forest Service Golf Association, 1939-1940 (Cartoons by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Forest Service History Center, 1996
- Forest Service Invoices for Art Supplies
- Forest Service: Miscellaneous
- Forest Service Personnel (Resource photographs for retirement art by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Forest Service Photographs, USDA F Street Building (photos of Wendelin and others at work in the drafting office, 1930s-1940s)
- Forest Service Policy, 1974
- Forest Service Publications, 1933-1936 (Artwork by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Forest Service Publications, 1937-1939
- Forest Service Publications, 1941-1942
- Forest Service Publications, 1940’s and 1950’s (Artwork by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Forest Service Publications, 1955
- Forest Service Publications, 1960’s and undated (Artwork by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Forest Service Publications (not positive if artwork done by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Forest Service-Region 9: Christmas Cards
- Forest Service-Region 9, 1934 and 1935: Flyers, Newsletters, Pamphlets by Rudolph Wendelin
- Forest Service-Region 9: Illustrations for Publications, Announcements by Rudolph Wendelin
- Forest Service-Region 9: Miscellaneous Materials
- Forest Service-Region 9: Bulletin, 1934: Volume 6, No. 5-12
- Forest Service-Region 9: Bulletin, 1935: Volume 7: No. 1, 3-8
- Forest Service-Region 9: Miscellaneous Illustration, Cartoons, 1933-1936
- Forest Service-Region 9: Publications, Covers/Illustrations by Rudolph Wendelin, 1934-1936
- Forest Service-Region 9: Bulletin, 1936: Volume 8: No. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8
- Forest Service-Region 9: Handbook Covers by Rudolph Wendelin
- Forest Service-Region 9: 1936 North Woods Diorama, Forest Conservation Project (Photographs and negative)
- Forest Service Retiree Club, 1977 (cover by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Forest Service Safety Flyers by Rudolph Wendelin, 1934 and 1973
- Forest Service Symbols (working sketches)
- Forest Service Telephone Handbook, 1937
  - Wendelin was employed under Engineering and contributed to illustration
- Forest Service-USDA, 1962: Chief, Deputy Chiefs, Directors
- Forest Service: United States Constitution Bicentennial Celebration, 1987 (commissioned painting by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Forest Service Watercolor Trip, 1963: Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado
- Forest Service Watercolor Trip, 1971: National Forests in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado
- Forest Service Watercolor trip, 1987: Mark Twain and Clark National Forest, Missouri
- Forest Service Watercolor trip, 1990: Grey Towers, Pennsylvania
- Forest Service Watercolor trip, 1992: Superior National Forest-Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Minnesota
- Forest Service Watercolors, 1997: Inventory of Rudolph Wendelin Paintings
Box 8
G
- Grey Towers General Information
- Grey Towers, 1986: Gifford Pinchot bust sculpture by Rudolph Wendelin
- Grey Towers, 1984: Retrospective Exhibit
Box 9
H
- History, Forest Service, 1969
- History Line, Forest Service, 1980s and early 1990s
- Humble Way, 1966 (cover by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Hydroelectric Power (resource materials)
Box 9
I
- Information Digest, 1972-1974
- Information and Education (I & E)
- Invoices, 1980s and 1990s
- In Your Service, 1955
Box 9
J
- Job List of Forest Service Activities, 1963
- Journal of Forestry: Correspondence, reprints
- Journal of Forestry: Covers and Illustrations by Rudolph Wendelin, 1963, 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979
- Journal of Forestry, 1966, 1979, 1980, and 1981
Box 9
L
- Lassie Forest Rangers, circa 1965
- Litterbug Poster, 1963 (National Park Service and United States Department of Agriculture)
- Logging (resource materials)
Box 9
M
- Maps
- McKaye, Benton
- Men of Engineering in Military Service
- Miscellaneous: Friends of Rudolph Wendelin
- Miscellaneous: Illustrations by Rudolph Wendelin
- Miscellaneous: Other
Box 9
N
- “Nat Forest” Concept and Original Sketches
- National Forests: The Story of Our…
  - Includes handwritten outline in Rudolph Wendelin’s hand.
- National Forests: America’s Playground, 1961
- National Forests: Brochures
- National Forest: Centennial, 1991 Poster Competition (Rudolph Wendelin, Judge)
- National Forest: Highlights, 1959 SW Region
- National Forest Sign (original sketch)
- National Forest System, 1991 Stamp Contest
- National Geographic Magazine, 1955: “Our Green Treasury, the National Forests”
- National Park Service (original sketches)
- National Recreation Recreation Area, 1966 Logo Concepts
- North American Fire Management Group, 1974 Symbol by Rudolph Wendelin
Box 9
O
- Outdoor Scenes (resource materials)
Box 9
P
- Painting, 1991: “Serving People since 1891” by Rudolph Wendelin (Gift to AFA from Forest Service)
- Painting: Forest Reserves Act, 1891 (original watercolor sketch on matboard)
- Performance Ratings, 1950 and 1970s
- Peshtigo Forest Fire Disaster
- Photographs-Miscellaneous
- Pisgah National Forest, 1952
- Pig-Nicker, circa 1956 (original cartoon)
- Pinchot, Gifford (bronze bust by Rudolph Wendelin)
  - Bronze bust by Rudolph Wendelin
- Planned Pattern Harvest
- Policy Alternatives for Non Industrial Private Forest, 1977 (cover by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Pyne, Stephen, 1982-1984
- Publications about Rudolph Wendelin, 1968 and 1972
Box 2
R
- Ranching (resource materials)
- Ranger Rick
- Recognition Day, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Forest Service, 1987
- Renewable Natural Resources Foundation, 1973
- Retirement of Rudolph Wendelin, 1973
- Retirement Pictures by Rudolph Wendelin
Box 9
S
- Safety Calendar by Rudolph Wendelin, 1950
- Scenes (resource materials)
- Service Bulletin, 1940 (cover by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Signs, 1960
- Signs, Multiple Use, circa 1960
- Signs and Posters, 1967-1968
- Signs: Firefighters Symbols, 1969-1970
- Sketches of People, by Rudolph Wendelin
- Ski Scenes (resource materials)
- Society of American Foresters (original sketch)
- Society of American Foresters, 1977 and 1979
- Society of Federal Artists and Designers
- Soil Conservation
- Spruce Knob, West Virginia: Visitor Center Design by Rudolph Wendelin, 1965 and 1975
- Spunky Squirrel, 1980s
- Staff Meeting, March 4, 1947
- Symbol, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (original sketch)
- Symbols, 1969-1970
- Symbols (original art)
Box 10
T
- Timber Management (resource materials)
- Timber Tips, Cartoons/Illustrations by Rudolph Wendelin
- Tinker, E.W., 1936
- Travel Vouchers, 1950s
- Travel Vouchers, 1960s
- Travel Vouchers, 1970s
- Travel Vouchers, 1980s
- Trees (resource materials)
- Trees, Atlanta, 1988
- Trees, Art Glass Mugs for AFA, 1986
- Trees of the Forest, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Forest Service, 1964
- Trees
- Trees (original sketches)
- Trees, Teachers Guide, 1964
Box 10
U
- United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, 1960s
Box 10
V
- Visitor Activity Program
- Visuals (resource materials)
- Volunteer
Box 10
W
- Water Activities (resource materials)
- Watershed Exhibit at Desert Museum, Arizona, 1958
- Watts, Lloyd
- Wilderness Idea, TV series, 1973
- Wilderness Society, 1976
- Wisconsin CCC, Correspondence
- Wisconsin CCC, 1985-1986
- Wisconsin State Fair, 1936
  - Includes original sketch of exhibit by Rudolph Wendelin.
- Wood… Colors and Kinds, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Forest Service, 1956
- Woodsy Owl, 1974
- Woodsy Owl, 1975
- Woodsy Owl, 1977
- Woodsy Owl, 1997
- Woodsy Owl, Memorabilia
- Workload Control Log, 1960
Box 10
Plaques
- Contributions in Region 9, 1984
- Appreciation from Mid-Atlantic Forest Service, 1993
- Support, Alexandria, Virginia Fire Department, 1995
- State Forester’s Award, KS, 1994
Box 10
Retirement Notebook

3. Rudolph Wendelin Stamp Files, 1958-1984.

Includes Rudy Wendelin’s designs for several conservation-themed United States postage stamps.

Box 11
Stamps: Forest Conservation, Fifth World Forestry Congress, Range Conservation, John Muir, and Other Materials
- Stamp Cachets by Rudolph Wendelin
- Stamps: The West in Postage Stamps by E. and N. Bathke, 1973
  - Features four of Rudolph Wendelin’s stamps: Forest, Range, Muir, and Powell.
- Stamp Concept: 50th Anniversary of Forest Service by Rudolph Wendelin (never published)
- Forest Conservation, 1958
  - Includes materials about stamp and designer.
- Forest Conservation: American Forestry Association, 1958
  - Includes program, magazines and clippings.
- Forest Conservation: Cancellation Stamp by Rudolph Wemdelin, 1958
- Forest Conservation, 1958: First Day Cover
- Forest Conservation, 1958: Clippings
- Forest Conservation, 1958: Rudolph Wendelin Clippings
- Forest Conservation, 1958: Correspondence
- Forest Conservation, 1958: Original Color Studies and Tracing Paper Sketch)
- Forest Conservation, 1958: Photographs of Printing the Stamp
- Forest Conservation, 1958: Smokey and the stamp
- Fifth World Forestry Congress, 1960: About Stamp/Designer
- Fifth World Forestry Congress, 1960: Correspondence
- Fifth World Forestry Congress, 1960: Program
- Range Conservation, 1961: First Day Covers
- Range Conservation, 1961: Clippings/News Release
- Range Conservation, 1961: Correspondence
- Range Conservation, 1961: Ideas, Concepts (original sketches)
- Range Conservation, 1961: Photographs
- Range Conservation, 1961: Program
- Range Conservation, 1961: Publications
- John Muir, 1964: American Forests Magazine, June, 1964, p. 46
- John Muir, 1964: Bust
- John Muir, 1964: Bust Reproductions, 2000
- John Muir, 1964: Chronology of stamp, thoughts by Rudolph Wendelin
- John Muir, 1964: Correspondence
- John Muir, 1964: Dedication Ceremony, April 29, 1964
- John Muir, 1964: Handwritten Biography (not in Rudolph Wendelin’s hand)
- John Muir, 1964: John Muir Locust Tree
- John Muir, 1964: National Wildlife Magazine, Dec/Jan 1965, p. 22
- John Muir, 1964: Research/Notes about Muir Compiled by Rudolph Wendelin
- John Muir, 1964: Press Release/Clippings
- John Muir, 1964: Publications
- John Muir, 1964: Ranger Rick Magazine, p. 16
- John Muir, 1964: Resource Photographs
- John Muir, 1964: Resource Materials
- John Muir, 1964: Clippings
- John Muir, 1964: Sierra Club Bulletin, Vol. 10, No. 1, Jan. 1916
- John Muir, 1964: S.P.A. Journal, Vol. 27, No.1, “The Muir Stamp Record,” p. 67
- John Muir, 1964: Stamp Sketches, Concepts (originals)
- John Muir, 1964: Stamp Journal, Vol. V , 1970, p. 4
- John Muir, 1964: Stamp Journal, Vol. V, 1970, p. 32
- John Muir, 1964: Stamp Journal, Vol. X , 1975, p. 11
  - Features 2 stamps by Rudolph Wendelin.
- John Muir, 1964: TV Interview/Rudolph Wendelin, “Across the Fence,” May 14, 1964
- John Muir, 1964: United State Department of Agriculture-Forest Service Releases, International Memos, Drafts
- Stamp Concept, 1964: John F. Kennedy
- Stamp Concepts, 1965: Smokey Bear, Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed (original sketches)
Box 12
Stamps: John Wesley Powell, Smokey Bear, Gifford Pinchot and Other Materials
- J. W. Powell, 1969: American Forests Magazine, Sept. 1969 (cover by RW, original painting presented to Cosmos Club, November 1969)
- J. W. Powell, 1969: Correspondence
- J. W. Powell, 1969: First Day Covers
- J. W. Powell, 1969: Information and Sketches of Paintings for Museum (originals)
- J. W. Powell, 1969: Pencil Sketches (originals)
- J. W. Powell, 1969: Photographs
- J. W. Powell, 1969: Prints
- J. W. Powell, 1969: Printed Information by Rudolph Wendelin; Accompanied Print/Stamp Cachet
- J. W. Powell, 1969: Publications, Clippings
- J. W. Powell, 1969: Clippings
- J. W. Powell, 1969: Stamp Ceremony, Page, Arizona, August 1, 1969
- J. W. Powell, 1969: Stamp Concepts (copies)
- J. W. Powell, 1969: Stamp Journal, Vol. IV, 1969, p. 3 and Vol. V, 1970, p. 10-11
- The Man Behind the Stamp: Rudolph Wendelin, 1971
- Stamp Concept-Urban Forestry, 1981
- Stamp: Stamp and Art (article)
- Stamp: American Tree Stamps, 1978 (cover of program by Rudolph Wendelin and used as a cachet)
- Smokey Bear, 1984: Cachet art
- Smokey Bear, 1984: Contract: United States Postal Service and Rudolph Wendelin Correspondence, 1982
- Smokey Bear, 1984: Correspondence
- Smokey Bear, 1984: Clippings/News
- Smokey Bear, 1984: Clippings
- Smokey Bear, 1984: Design Concepts (original pencil sketches)
- Smokey Bear, 1984: Stamp Ceremony, Capitan, New Mexico, August 13, 1984
- Stamp-Postal Commemoratives for MBI, Inc.: Christmas 1986 (original color tracings, photos as study for image)
- Stamp-Postal Commemoratives for MBI, Inc.: Executive Branch, 1989 (original watercolor sketch)
- Stamp Concept: G. Pinchot by Rudolph Wendelin, 1965 (original pencil sketch)
- Stamp Concept: G. Pinchot, 1995 (original sketches)
- Stamp Concept: Our Animal Ancestry (original sketches)
- Stamp Concept: Benjamin Banneker (originals)
Box 13
Notebooks: Photographs, Political Cartoons

4. Smokey Bear Files of Rudolph Wendelin, 1950s-1999.

Box 14
A
- Ad Council
- Ad: Pullman by Rudolph Wendelin, circa 1950s
- A Day in the Forest with Smokey…, United States Department of Agriculture, by Barry Nehr, 1972
- American Forests Magazine: “Only You…” by Clint Davis, 1951
- Animation-Japanese
- Anniversay, 40th
- Anniversay, 50th: California Poster Art by Rudolph Wendelin, 1991-1993
- Anniversay, 50th: Clippings
- Anniversay, 50th: Correspondence
- Anniversay, 50th: Events
- Anniversay, 50th: Fernbank Museum Exhibit
- Anniversay, 50th: Happy Birthday… United States Department of Agriculture-Forest Service
- Anniversay, 50th: “Kit” Art by M. McConnell
- Anniversay, 50th: Miscellaneous
- Anniversay, 50th: Portland, Oregon
- Anniversay, 50th: Poster by Rudolph Wendelin
- Anniversay, 50th: Preview event, 1993
- Anniversay, 50th: Speech by Rudolph Wendelin
- Anniversay, 50th: Youth Involvement
- Anniversay, 60th
- Autograph Requests
Box 14
B
- Be My Guest
  Bill Bergoffen
Box 14
C
- Calendar Art by Rudolph Wendelin (photographs)
- California Department of Forestry, 1990
- Campaign Materials, 1950s
- Campaign Materials, 1960s
- Campaign Materials, 1970s
- Campaign Materials, 1980s
- Campaign Materials, Undated
- Canada
- Capitan, New Mexico, Smokey Bear Museum, 1958
- Capitan, New Mexico
- Cartoons, Not by Rudolph Wendelin
- Cartoons, by Rudolph Wendelin
- Clip Art
- Clippings, Official United States Department of Agriculture-Forest Service Compilations, 1950s and 1960s
- Clippings
- Clippings, 1950s
- Clippings, 1960s
- Clippings, 1970s
- Clippings, 1980s
- Clippings, 1990s
- Coloring Sheets
- Congressional Act, 1952
- Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention, 1960s and 1970s
- Correspondence: Children
- Correspondence: Smokey
Box 14
D
- Clint Davis
- Director
Box 14
E
- Editorial Comments
- Environment and Smokey
- Evolution of Smokey Bear Image
Box 14
F
- Fire and Smokey, not by Rudolph Wendelin
- Fire Danger Sign
- Fire Management
- Fire Prevention Conference, 1995
- Fire Prevention for the 1990s
- Flyers by Rudolph Wendelin
- Forest Fire Statistics, 1960s
- Friends of Smokey, Capitan, New Mexico
Box 14
H
- James Hansen
- Mal Hardy
- History
- Hot Air Balloon
- Hot Foot Teddy Collectors Association
Box 14
I
- Ideal Toy Corporation, Smokey Bear Doll, 1953
- Interviews with Rudolph Wendelin
Box 14
J
- Japanese Balloon Bombs, 1976
- Junior Forest Ranger Kit
Box 15
L
- Lassie and Smokey, circa 1950s
- William Clifford Lawter, Jr.: Smokey Bear 20252, Correspondence with Rudolph Wendelin
- Licensed Products, Designed by Rudolph Wendelin
- Licensees
- Little Smokey, 1971
Box 15
M
- Mini-Page, 1973 and 1993
- Miscellaneous
- Mobile Smokey Bear Musuem, 1988
Box 15
M
- National Zoo, Housewarming Ceremony, 1979
- National Zoo
- National Zoo, Smokey’s Home
- Noteworthy Company
Box 15
P
- Sharon Pearson, Correspondence with Rudolph Wendelin
- Homer Pickens, Obituary
- Posters
Box 15
R
- Ranger Rick Magazine, “How Smokey Got His Name,” Illustration by Rudolph Wendelin, 1968
- Harry Rossoll, 1980s
- Harry Rossoll, 1990s
- Harry Rossoll, Obituary, 1999
Box 15
S
- Scouts: 50th Anniversary with Smokey (original sketches)
- Sierra Magazine and Smokey, 1993 and 1995
- “Smokey and the Careless Campers” by N. T. Smuck, 1962
- Smokey Bear: Biography and Fact Sheet by Mal Hardy, 1969
- Smokey Bear: California
- Smokey Bear Christmas Cards (photographs)
- Smokey Bear Historical State Park, Capitan, New Mexico
- Smokey Bear: How to Dress in the Suit
- Smokey Bear: Kuderna and Wendelin, circa 1990s
- Smokey Bear Stamp, 1984
- Smokey Bear Statue, International Falls, Minnesota, 1954
- Smokey Bear Style Guide, 1994
- Smokey Bear Workshops, 1970 and 1973
- Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl
- Smokey Bear Zip Code
- Smokey Plaque Suggestion, 1993
- Smokey Says, Cartoons: H. Rossoll vs. Rudolph Wendelin
- Smokey Says, 1966, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1975 (copies)
- Smokey Says, undated (copies)
- Smokey Says: Memos (original ink cartoon)
- Smokey Says: Plates and Clip Art
- Smokey’s Song Book, 1962 (front and back illustrations by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Smokey Sports Information
- Smokey the Bear: Comments, Obituaries, 1974 and 1976
- Smokey the Bear Sutra by G. Snyder
- Storyboard (original felt tip sketch)
Box 15
T
- Talks/Chalk Talks by Rudolph Wendelin
- Teaching Aids
- Teddy Bear Collectors
- Thank You
- TV and Radio Scripts, circa 1950s
Box 15
W
- Lyle Watts and Smokey, 1948 and 1952
- Jackson Weaver, “Voice” of Smokey Bear
- Wildfire Prevention Response Guide
- Wildfire Statistics, 1970s (cover illustrations by Rudolph Wendelin)
- Woodland Catalogues
Box 16
Books
- Books include cover and/or interior by Rudolph Wendelin.
- Conscience of a Conservationist by Michael Frome
- Arlington County, Virginia: A History by C. B. Rose, Jr.
- The Arlington Historical Magazine, October 1977
- Environmental Improvement (Air, Water, Soil), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Toward Policies for Balanced Growth, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Forest Outings by Thirty Foresters, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Tress: Yearbook of Agriculture, 1949, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Improvement Handbook, 1937, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- “Forest Service Sign Handbook”, 1970
- “Timber Resources for America’s Future”, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1958
- 100 Years of Federal Forestry by William Bergoffen
- JAN #1: Uniforms and Insignias, Army & Navy Publication
- Nebraska History, 1983

5. Sculpture by Rudolph Wendelin, 1952-1990s, and undated.

Box 17
John Muir
- Terra cotta colored plaster cast.
Box 18
Smokey Bear
- Clay, full figured (about 9″ tall). Both arms and part of the base are cracked and loose, hat is also not secure in place. NOTE: The snout and mouth were modified by Elizabeth Wendelin in the late 1990s due to Rudolph Wendelin’s vision limitations.
Box 19
Smokey Bear
- Life-size costume head with fur shirt, designed by Rudolph Wendelin and sewn by wife Carrol Wendelin, 1952. (Hat in Box 23.)
Box 20
Little Smokey at Base of Tree
- Rubber mold in plaster casing, two plaster casts, one white, one painted brown (probably using acrylic paint); both casts have broken bits. An altered version of this image, without the name Smokey, is used as a logo for the Hot Foot Teddy Collectors Association.
Box 21
Gifford Pinchot, plaster
- Plaster, cracked overall. Smaller version of the full size bust.
Box 21
Bear Cub in Burned Tree
- Rubber mold in a plaster casing; two plaster casts, broken bits; and one wax rendering. This depicts the rendering of the exhibit for Smokey Bear at the National Zoo in Washington D.C., dedicated in 1978. Photographs and slides of this event can be found in the 1970-1990s notebook (box ???).
Box 21
Smokey Bear Holding Bucket
- Small plaster image, about 4″, cracked with losses.
Box 22
Gifford Pinchot, wax sculpture
- Wax sculpture, of clay bust. Used in the lost wax casting process.
Box 23
Smokey Bear
- Life-size costume hats, 1952 (head and shirt in Box 19).
Box 24
John Muir
- Silicone mold in plaster casing.
Box 25
Gifford Pinchot, clay sculpture
- Clay sculpture, nearly life size; working clay model for the final bronze bust. Part of the collar was removed by Rudolph Wendelin to be used for other purposes. He coated it with a substance that had made the green clay turn brown in areas.
Box 26
- Fomecore Panels
  - Wooden crate includes 20″ x 30″ panels were prepared by Rudolph Wendelin in 1987. First used in his retrospective exhibit in the capital building in Topeka, Kansas, these panels have been reused many times. If numbers on panels are out of sequence, missing panels have been pulled by the family to retain in personal files.
  - The panels are grouped into four categories: Forest Service-Washington Office (FS-WO); Forest Service-Region Nine (FS-R9);
- Forest Service-Smokey related (FS-Smokey); and Forest Service-Personal Work (Graphics-Wendelin).
  - Forest Service-Washington Office (FS-WO)
  - FS-WO/1. Cooperative Illustrations
  - FS-WO/2. Promotion Kits
  - FS-WO/3. Signs-Symbols
  - FS-WO/4. Movie Animation-Exhibits
  - FS-WO/5. Group of posters: Peshtigo, Wood Products,… for the Tree, Smokey Bear Stamp
  - FS-WO/6. Publications
  - FS-WO/7. Safety Posters
  - FS-WO/8. Program Promotion Folders
  - FS-WO/9. Forest Service Anniversary Commission
  - FS-WO/10. In-Service Flyers
  - FS-WO/11. Award Designs
- Forest Service-Region Nine (FS-R9), 1933-1936
  - FS-R9/1. Engineering Drawings
  - FS-R9/2. Mimeo Stencil Work
  - FS-R9/3. CCC Sketches (two original etchings)
  - FS-R9/4. Cooperative Work
  - FS-R9/5. Mimeo Publications
  - FS-R9/6. Mimeo Portraits
- Forest Service-Smokey related (FS-Smokey)
  - FS-Smokey/2. Samples of Smokey Work
  - FS-Smokey/3. Smokey Promotion Material
  - FS-Smokey/4. Early Transit Car Cards
  - FS-Smokey/5. Smokey Posters: Navy Work
  - FS-Smokey/6. Awards
  - FS-Smokey/7. Commercial Licensee Help
  - FS-Smokey/9. Radio and TV Flyers
  - FS-Smokey/10. Special Smokey Drawings
  - FS-Smokey/11. Smokey Line Drawings
  - FS-Smokey/12. Smokey Says Cartoons
- Forest Service-Personal Work (Graphics-Wendelin)
  - Graphics-Wendelin/3. Cartoon Characters
  - Graphics-Wendelin/4. Society of American Forestry Covers
  - Graphics-Wendelin/5. Commemorative U.S. Postage Stamps

6. Oversize Artwork, 1952-1989.

Oversize Box 1
Original Mark Trail Cartoon by Ed Dodd
Oversize Box 1
Original Smokey Bear Cartoon to Bill Huber with Forest Service Employee Signatures, 1961
Oversize Box 1
Smokey Bear Posters, Not by Rudolph Wendelin
Oversize Box 1
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-National Forest (NF) Posters
Oversize Box 1
To Smokey and Mr. Wendelin, Children’s Letters
Oversize Box 2
Sketch by Rudolph Wendelin, Schenck Lodge, Pisgah National Forest, 1952
Oversize Box 2
Smokey Bear Book Covers, Placemat
Oversize Box 2
Woodsy Owl (original), 1973
Oversize Box 2
Early Smokey Ink and Pencil Drawings, 1950s-1970s
- Includes originals, circa 1950s, and red panel from the 1970s.
Oversize Box 2
Ranger Hal and Smokey (originals)
Oversize Box 2
Photograph: Smokey at Zoo
Oversize Box 2
Miscellaneous Flannel Talk Images
Oversize Box 2
Flannel Talk Images by Rudolph Wendelin
- Includes image from “Pignickers Picnic” and unknown subject matter.
Oversize Box 2 Oversize Image Folder 1
Watercolors to Pack Trip into Sangre de Cristo Mountains, August 1963
Oversize Box 2 Oversize Image Folder 2
Shrink Wrapped Fomecore Panel of photographs of Watercolors (present locations unknown)
Oversize Box 2 Oversize Image Folder 3
Amblin Entertainment, Memorial Firefighters Plaque Design, 1989 (original pencil on tracing paper)

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the Forest History Society’s archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Forest History Society claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Rudolph Wendelin Papers, Library and Archives, Forest History Society, Durham, NC, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Received from donor Carrol Wendelin, wife of Rudolph Wendelin, July 12, 2007.

Processing Information

Processed by Elizabeth Hull, July 2007, and Amanda Ross, September 2008

Encoded by Amanda Ross, September 2008

NOTE: In boxes as received from donor; container list at folder level provided by donor. All materials except 3-D sculpture housed in archival boxes and folders. Original box order altered slightly.

Funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission supported the encoding of this finding aid. Support for digitization and outreach provided by the Alvin J. Huss Endowment.

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