The University of Louisville Library owns the largest institutional archive of the works of Edgar
Rice Burroughs. The collection contains over 67,000 items ranging in scope from the author's
earliest school books to promotional materials from the 1990s. The Tarzan myth has proved
hardy and long-lived.An exhibition at the University of Louisville Photographic Archives (November 20-December 22, 1995) will include film stills and posters featuring the nineteen Tarzan actors; the best and most celebrated book artists, including J. Allen St. John (1872-1957) who illustrated a total of 33 first editions of Burroughs. During Burrough's lifetime, St. Johns' images were considered the paradigm of graphic depictions of the Tarzan characters. Other artists featured in the exhibition include the fantastic Frank Frazetta, whose works adorned the first paperback Burroughs books of the 1960's, and John Coleman Burroughs, the author's son, who illustrated eleven first editions of his father's stories.
Also on exhibition will be samples from Burroughs' personal life and affairs, samples of his books, pulp editions, letters, merchandising doodads and many photographs taken over a period of the last 100 years.
The exhibition will be on display from November 20 through March 22, 1996 in the galleries of the Photographic Archives and Rare Books departments in the Ekstrom Library on the Belknap Campus of the Univesity of Louisville. Hours are 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday with hours extended until 8:00 PM on Thursdays. The galleries are closed on Saturdays and Sundays, and will be closed December 23 through January 1. For additional information call 502/852-6752. For Belknap Campus parking information and directions, call the Visitor Information Center at 502/852-6565.
Most famous film Tarzan. Johny Weissmuller (1904-1984) was the first Tarzan of talking pictures (TARZAN, THE APE MAN,, 1932) and made 12 Tarzan movies before he retired in 1948. His Jane for the first 6 Tarzan talkies was Maureen O'Sullivan, who is pictured above in TARZAN FINDS A SON along with Johnny Sheffield. Ms. O'Sullivan was guest of honor at the 1995 Burroughs Convention in Rutland, Vermont.
First film Tarzan. Elmo Lincoln (1889-1952) was the first movie Tarzan. He was born in Rochester, Indiana and died in Hollywood. He is shown here mourning the death of his ape foster-mother "Kala" in TARZAN OF THE APES (1918).
Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950). Burroughs was the creator of Tarzan, John Carter of Mars, and many other superheroes, some of whom are finding their way into the films of the 1990's. Burroughs served in WWII as the oldest war correspondent for United Press Association where this photograph was taken in 1944.
Early Jane. Natalie Kingston, last Jane of the silent films, made two Tarzan films: TARZAN THE MIGHTY (1928) and TARZAN THE TIGER (1929). Her leading man for both films was gymnastic champion Frank Merrill.
Early pulp magazine. Tarzan of the Apes was first published in 1912 as a complete novel in the October issue of All-Story. The credit for the world's first picture of Tarzan goes to cover artist Clinton Pettee. All of Burroughs' stories were published in pulp magazines before appearing in hardback editions.