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Lyle Ball: Western American Architectural Photography

CAE2201

Summary Note

Artist Lyle Ball (1909-1992) traveled extensively throughout the Western United States, capturing a unique photographic record of many architectural structures that have since been lost.

Biographical Note

Lyle Ball (1909 - 1992) descended from a pioneer family whose connection to the lands of Nevada around Reno spanned more than 150 years. Following his retirement in 1968 as owner of the Ball Sign Company in Reno, Ball pursued a second career painting architectural landmarks throughout northern Nevada and became one of the most prolific painters in the history of the visual arts in Nevada. Like many of his fellow Nevada artists, Ball described Nevada’s landscapes as having “a power” over him that could not be described in words alone. He was largely self-taught but acknowledged the influence of Craig Sheppard and Hans Meyer-Kassel, both of whom are represented in the collection of Nevada Museum of Art. Ball qualified for membership in the Society of Western Artists in 1970 and thereafter placed the initials S.W.A. after his signature, which assists in dating his works. Jack Bacon, ISA AM, is a longtime resident of Reno, Nevada with over 40 years of experience as an autograph and rare book specialist, art gallerist, consultant and appraiser. In 2018, Bacon was guest curator of an exhibition at the Nevada Museum of Art featuring the paintings of Hans Meyer-Kassel - 1872-1952. Bacon also published the first major book on the life and works of the artist in association with the Nevada Museum of Art coinciding with the exhibition. He was a long-standing friend of Lyle Ball and in 1984 published The Art of Lyle V. Ball with an introduction by noted Nevada author Robert Laxalt.

Scope and Content

Lyle Ball traveled extensively by car throughout Nevada and adjacent states seeking out architectural landmarks large and small, formal and vernacular. The 35mm slides served as aide-memoires for the artist, and now constitute a unique record of many structures since lost through time, development, and other factors. Materials include 35mm slides, sketchbooks, and loose sketches.

Arrangement

This archive is organized in five series organized by subject.
  • Series 1: Artist Information
  • Series 2: Images by Subject
  • Series 3: Images by State
  • Series 4: Images by State
  • Series 5: Artistic Output

Inclusive Dates

1955-1996

Bulk Dates

1966-1977

Quantity / Extent

2 cubic feet

Language

English

Related Archive Collections

  • CAE1110: Fred Sigman, Bottomlands: Photographs of the Las Vegas Wash Portfolio
  • CAE1311: Fred Sigman: The Las Vegas Wash

Related Publications

Ball, Lyle. The Art of Lyle V. Ball. Reno, NV: Native Nevadan Publications, 1984.

Container Listing by Series:

CAE2201/1 Series 1: Artist Information, 1966-1992

Series 1 contains biographical information about the artist Lyle Ball, as well as documentation of his painting processes and painting lessons with instructor Ralph Love.

  • ARCH-FILE 98-1

    • 1-1 Artist Biography, 1980-1992
    • 1-2 Painting Process, 1966
    • 1-3 Lessons with Ralph Love, 1968-1971

CAE2201/2 Series 2: Images by Subject, 1963-1986

Series 2 contains slides taken by Lyle Ball that he chose to organize by theme.

  • ARCH-FILE 98-1

    • 2-1 Americana West, 1970-1977
    • 2-2 Barns, 1972-1986
    • 2-3 Churches, 1963-1977
    • 2-4 Houses, 1966-1985
    • 2-5 Ranches, 1966
    • 2-6 Trains, 1968-1975
    • 2-7 Treehouses, 1975
    • 2-8 Wagons, 1966-1979
    • 2-9 Windmills, 1965-1975

CAE2201/3 Series 3: Images by State, A-C, 1955-1985

Series 3 includes images from the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, and Colorado.

  • ARCH-FILE 98-1

    • 3-1 Alaska/Canada Trip, 1964
    • 3-2 Arizona, 1978
    • 3-3 Arizona, Tucson, 1980-1981
    • 3-4 Arizona, Vulture, Not dated
    • 3-5 Arizona, Wickenburg, 1977
    • 3-6 California, Altaville, 1966
    • 3-7 California, Apple Valley, 1971
    • 3-8 California, Auburn, 1965
    • 3-9 California, Baker, 1975
    • 3-10 California, Bakersfield, 1964
    • 3-11 California, Balls Canyon, 1981-1982
    • 3-12 California, Borrego Springs, 1971-1975
    • 3-13 California, Bishop, 1968-1977
    • 3-14 California, Boca, 1968-1976
    • 3-15 California, Bodie, 1955-1977
    • 3-16 California, Bridgeport, 1970-1981
    • 3-17 California, Brockway, 1970-1971
    • 3-18 California, CA Route 49, 1969-1983
    • 3-19 California, Calpine, 1969
    • 3-20 California, Cedarville, 1979
    • 3-21 California, Clear Lake, 1961
    • 3-22 California, Coloma, 1966-1978
    • 3-23 California, Death Valley, 1960-1971
    • 3-24 California, Downieville, 1983
    • 3-25 California, Doyle, 1976
    • 3-26 California, Escondido, 1972
    • 3-27 California, Fiddletown, 1965-1970
    • 3-28 California, Fort Bidwell, 1979
    • 3-29 California, Fort Bragg, 1967
    • 3-30 California, Galt, 1965-1985
    • 3-31 California, Glenbrook, 1983
    • 3-32 California, Grass Valley, 1966-1967
    • 3-33 California, Hemet, 1971-1972
    • 3-34 California, Honey Lake, 1977
    • 3-35 California, Hornitos, 1966
    • 3-36 California, Jolon, 1973
    • 3-37 California, Keddie, 1966
    • 3-38 California, Lake Tahoe, 1962-1976
    • 3-39 California, Lodi, 1965-1968
    • 3-40 California, Loyalton, 1969-1973
    • 3-41 California, Monterey, 1967
    • 3-42 California, Motherlode Area, 1966-1978
    • 3-43 California, Napa County, 1971
    • 3-44 California, Nevada City, 1966-1967
    • 3-45 California, Nicasio, 1968
    • 3-46 California, Norden, 1971
    • 3-47 California, Onyx, 1966
    • 3-48 California, Owens Valley, 1971
    • 3-49 California, Palm Springs, 1967-1971
    • 3-50 California, Placerville, 1967
    • 3-51 California, Pollardville, 1970
    • 3-52 California, Ramona, 1975
    • 3-53 California, Randsburg, 1966-1971
    • 3-54 California, Rocklin, 1968
    • 3-55 California, Sacramento, 1970
    • 3-56 California, San Jose, 1967
    • 3-57 California, San Miguel, 1973
    • 3-58 California, Santa Maria, 1973
    • 3-59 California, Sattley, 1969
    • 3-60 California, Shasta, 1963
    • 3-61 California, Sierraville, 1983
    • 3-62 California, Stockton, 1966
    • 3-63 California, Susanville, 1983
    • 3-64 California, Sutter Creek, 1966
    • 3-65 California, Truckee, 1962-1965
    • 3-66 California, Vinton, 1974
    • 3-67 California, Volcano, 1966
    • 3-68 California, Walnut Creek, 1965
    • 3-69 California, Winchester, 1973
    • 3-70 Colorado, 1962-1968
    • 3-71 Colorado, Cimarron, 1968
    • 3-72 Colorado, Durango, 1968
    • 3-73 Colorado, Frisco, 1968
    • 3-74 Colorado, Georgetown, 1968
    • 3-75 Colorado, Gunnison, 1968
    • 3-76 Colorado, Leadville, 1964-1968
    • 3-77 Colorado, Loveland Pass, 1968
    • 3-78 Colorado, Nevadaville, 1968
    • 3-79 Colorado, Ouray, 1968
    • 3-80 Colorado, Rockwood, 1968
    • 3-81 Colorado, Russel Gulch, 1968
    • 3-82 Colorado, Saint Elmo, 1968
    • 3-83 Colorado, Silver Plume, 1968
    • 3-84 Colorado, Silverton, 1968

CAE2201/4 Series 4: Images by State, M-W, 1960-1987

Series 4 includes images from Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Wisconsin, followed by a folder for slides with unknown locations.

  • ARCH-FILE 98-1

    • 4-1 Missouri, Saint Louis, 1968
    • 4-2 Nevada, Austin, 1968-1976
    • 4-3 Nevada, Beatty, 1970-1971
    • 4-4 Nevada, Belmont, 1969
    • 4-5 Nevada, Berlin, 1972
    • 4-6 Nevada, Carson City, 1964-1985
    • 4-7 Nevada, Cherry Creek, 1969
    • 4-9 Nevada, Coaldale, 1974
    • 4-10 Nevada, Dayton, 1963-1974
    • 4-11 Nevada, Denio, 1979
    • 4-12 Nevada, Diamond Valley, 1975
    • 4-13 Nevada, Dodge, 1973
    • 4-14 Nevada, Eastgate, 1975
    • 4-15 Nevada, Elko, 1969-1985
    • 4-16 Nevada, Ely, 1969
    • 4-17 Nevada, Eureka, 1969-1987
    • 4-18 Nevada, Fallon, 1967-1978
    • 4-19 Nevada, Gardnerville, 1966-1977
    • 4-20 Nevada, Genoa, 1965-1972
    • 4-21 Nevada, Getchell Mine, 1966
    • 4-22 Nevada, Golconda, 1986
    • 4-23 Nevada, Goldfield, 1969-1980

  • ARCH-FILE 98-2

    • 4-24 Nevada, Hamilton, 1968
    • 4-25 Nevada, Hazen, 1967
    • 4-26 Nevada, Hiko, 1974
    • 4-27 Nevada, Ione, 1972-1974
    • 4-29 Nevada, Jarbidge, 1966
    • 4-30 Nevada, Lake Mead, 1972
    • 4-31 Nevada, Lamoille, 1966-1969
    • 4-32 Nevada, Las Vegas Wash, 1972
    • 4-33 Nevada, Leadville Mine, 1965
    • 4-34 Nevada, Lee, 1966
    • 4-35 Nevada, Lovelock, 1965
    • 4-36 Nevada, Luning, Not dated
    • 4-37 Nevada, Manhattan, 1969-1970
    • 4-38 Nevada, Marietta, 1972-1976
    • 4-39 Nevada, Midas, 1977
    • 4-40 Nevada, Mina, 1967
    • 4-41 Nevada, Minden, 1977
    • 4-42 Nevada, Mogul, 1970
    • 4-43 Nevada, Nixon, 1980
    • 4-44 Nevada, Olinghouse, 1965-1972
    • 4-45 Nevada, Osceola, 1968
    • 4-46 Nevada, Palisade, 1966
    • 4-47 Nevada, Panaca, 1974
    • 4-48 Nevada, Paradise Valley, 1964-1986
    • 4-49 Nevada, Pyramid Lake, 1980-1983
    • 4-50 Nevada, Rawhide, 1965-1969
    • 4-51 Nevada, Reno, 1960-1983
    • 4-52 Nevada, Reno Area Ranches, 1967-1984
    • 4-53 Nevada, Ruby Valley, 1975
    • 4-54 Nevada, Ruth, 1969
    • 4-55 Nevada, Sparks Area Ranches, 1963-1982
    • 4-56 Nevada, Starr Valley, 1971
    • 4-57 Nevada, Stillwater, 1978
    • 4-58 Nevada, Tonopah, 1967-1974
    • 4-59 Nevada, Tuscarora, 1966-1968
    • 4-60 Nevada, Unionville, 1965-1975
    • 4-61 Nevada, Verdi, 1966-1983
    • 4-62 Nevada, Virginia City, 1962-1979
    • 4-63 Nevada, Wadsworth, 1965-1977
    • 4-64 Nevada, Washoe Valley, 1965-1985
    • 4-65 Nevada, Winnemucca, 1965-1973
    • 4-66 Nevada, Yerington, 1966-1973
    • 4-67 New Mexico, Albuquerque, 1974
    • 4-68 New Mexico, Chama, 1975
    • 4-69 New Mexico, Cuervo, 1977
    • 4-70 New Mexico, Taos, 1968-1975
    • 4-71 Oregon, Bend, 1977
    • 4-72 Oregon, Fort Klamath, 1979-1980
    • 4-73 Oregon, Lakeview, 1979-1980
    • 4-74 Oregon, Sisters, 1977-1979
    • 4-75 Wisconsin, Wagner, 1977
    • 4-76 Unknown, 1972-1986

CAE2201/5 Series 5: Artistic Output, 1958-1985

Series 5 contains slides of finished watercolors, loose sketches, and sketchbooks, many of which contain sketches related to images of architectural photography taken throughout the western United States.

  • ARCH-FILE 98-2

    • 5-1 Finished Artworks, 1958-1985
    • 5-2 Loose Sketches and Sketchbooks (1, 2 & 3), Not dated
    • 5-3 Sketchbook (4), Not dated
    • 5-4 Sketchbook (5), Not dated
    • 5-5 Sketchbook (6), Not dated
    • 5-6 Sketchbook (7), Not dated
    • 5-7 Sketchbook (8), Not dated
    • 5-8 Sketchbook (9), Not dated
    • 5-9 Sketchbook (10), Not dated

Additional Materials

  • ARCH-OBJ

    • 5-2#9 Sketchbook (2), not dated
    • 5-2#10 Sketchbook (3), not dated

  • Archive S-Box 47

    • 5-2#1 South Congregational Church, Sketch, Pencil on paper, not dated
    • 5-2#2 Untitled (Bridge Over Road), Sketch, Pencil on paper, not dated
    • 5-2#3 Untitled (Bridge Over Road with House on Hill), Sketch, Pencil on paper, not dated
    • 5-2#4 Untitled (Two-Story House), Sketch, Pencil on paper, not dated
    • 5-2#5 Untitled (House on a Cliff), Sketch, Pencil on paper, not dated
    • 5-2#6 Untitled (House on a Dock), Sketch, Pencil on paper, not dated
    • 5-2#7 Untitled (Boat Dock), Sketch, Pencil on paper, not dated
    • 5-2#8 Untitled (Fishing Dock), Sketch, Pencil on paper, not dated