Maginel Wright Enright Barney (1877-1966), the daughter of William and Anna Lloyd Wright and sister of Frank Lloyd Wright and Jane Wright Porter, was a prominent, early twentieth-century artist whose career spanned more than seventy years. (Many newsletter readers are familiar with her through the new edition of her 1966 book, The Valley of the God-Almighty Joneses.) Today, collectors seek vintage periodicals featuring Maginel’s illustrations as well as copies of the more than forty children’s books that she illustrated between 1902-1940. These include classics such as Heidi, Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates; several books written by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum under his pseudonym, Laura Bancroft; and still others published by the P.F. Volland Company, for which she also designed postcards and calendars.  

A newly produced facsimile of Maginel’s 1917 calendar corresponds to the days and months in 2007. It is printed in the original size (9 x 14 inches) using special archival inks on heavy off white acid-free stock and includes green twist cord like that used to display the vintage version. Limited to 1,000 copies, the Barney calendar features an illustrated front cover, a newly-designed back cover, plus four interior pages, each covering three months. Individual pages feature large seasonal scenes from Nantucket Island, where Maginel owned a house and spent many summers, as well as a band of youthful figures across the lower third of each page. Whether hung on the wall, framed as a series, or given as a gift, the calendar is sure to become a treasured keepsake.  

The new Maginel Wright Barney calendar, as well as a blank greeting card featuring an illustration for which her daughter Elizabeth Enright presumably served as the model, are now being sold with all proceeds benefiting five institutions or organizations. Two maintain archival collections of her artistic work; the other three are engaged in preserving buildings associated with Maginel. One of the five is Unity Chapel, Inc.   For prices and ordering information, please contact Mary Lloyd-Jones at maryllj@merr.com or 608-588-3009.