WEB SITE CONTENTS:

Poe, editor of The Saturday Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1842, liked Felix's work and gave him the break that he needed with publishers. Philadelphia was the American publishing capital at that time.

• Dr. Nancy Finlay, Curator of Prints, Connecticut Historical Society, formerly with the New York Public Library. Without the diligence of Dr. Finlay, neither the NYPL nor the Brandywine River Museum exhibits would be taking place.
• The New York Public Library
• The Library of Congress
• Princeton University Library,
• Sleepy Hollow Restoration, Inc.
• The Hudson River Historic Homes, Inc.
• The Cambridge [MA] Historical Society
• Ms. Martha Schiek [Claymont] owner of the Allen and Elizabeth Schiek Darleyana Collection
• The Delaware Art Museum
• The Brandywine River Museum
• Winterthur Museum and Library
• Ms. Carol Digel, whose long hours of research are reflected in the many links and several 'photos'.

LATEST "FRONT PAGE FEATURES":

NOTE: The Resolution needed CO-SPONSORS in both the House and Senate ... that were NOT from Delaware. The stamp resolution never came to the floor in either chamber as we were only able to get one NC Rep., and one NY Rep. in addition to our own representatives.

For these "joint resolutions" to make it, one must have WIDE support via co-sponsors of the resolutions. (A lot of resolutions are introduced, but few make it.)

August, 2001:

Carol Digel, from the Darley Society and the Philadelphia Branch (Dickens Fellowship) presented a slide show about noted American illustrator, Felix O. Darley, starting out with a Darley illustration of Washington Irving's home, Sunnyside, and finishing with a series of Darley illustrations of Dickens novels, Carol neatly tied together these three contemporaries--Irving, Darley and Dickens-- in her fascinating presentation. ... ... The theme of the conference was "Dickens in New York" (Ray's note: where he met Washington Irving, thus the tie-in to Darley). GOOD JOB, CAROL !! "THANKS!!"

(THE US HOUSE RESOLUTION .. SENATE VERSION ABT. SAME)

``REMEMBERING DARLEY, ILLUSTRATION PIONEER, ACT OF 2001''

The United States was less than fifty years old at the time of F.O.C. Darley's birth in 1821, and contemporary writers often lamented the new nation's lack of myths, legends, and historical associations. However, in collaboration with the writers whose works he illustrated, Darley helped to popularize such icons of national identity as the Pilgrim, the Pioneer, the Minutemen, and the Yankee Peddler. In so doing, he helped define the ways in which American readers imagined much of their own past.

Self-taught, Felix Octavius Carr Darley created an immense volume of work over a long career Beginning as a staff artist with a Philadelphia publisher and then moving to Delaware in 1859, he illustrated on a wide variety of subjects.

While in Delaware, Darley illustrated such famous literary works as Charles Dickens' ``A Tale of Two Cities;'' Nathaniel Hawthorne's ``The Scarlet Letter;'' Clement Clark Moore's a ``A Visit From Saint Nicholas;'' Washington Irving's ``The Legend of Sleepy Hallow,'' ``Rip Van Winkle,'' and the five-volume ``Life of George Washington;'' and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's ``Evangeline.''

Later, in New York, his work was reproduced by numerous book publishers, Harpers Weekly, and other magazines.

So great was Darley's fame during his lifetime that many books were advertised as ``Illustrated by Darley,'' as was the case with Clement Clark Moore's ``A Visit From Saint Nicholas.'' Moore's name did not actually appear on the original cover, only Felix Octavius Carr Darley.

Darley was elected a member of the Academy of Design in 1852. Later he became a member of the Artist's fund Society; and, most recently Darley was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 2001.

Presently, the Delaware home of Felix Ocatvius Carr Darley is listed on the National Historic Register and is maintained by members of the Darley Society.

It is for these reasons that we should take the steps necessary to honor the very first in a long line of great American illustrators, Felix Ocatvius Carr Darley by enacting legislation that will require the Postmaster General to issue a stamp commemorating his great achievements. There is no easier way to show our support for the arts, and for those persons, such as F.O.C. Darley, that have dedicated their lives to brushing just a bit of color into the imaginations of countless Americans.

I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this legislation and recognize Darley's fine work and contributions to our American heritage.

SENATOR JOSEPH BIDEN'S RESOLUTION:

Mr. BIDEN (for himself and Mr. CARPER) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs:

S . Con . Res . 99

Whereas Felix Octavius Carr Darley, a prolific 19th century illustrator and designer, was born on June 22, 1821, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and completed most of his major works while living in Claymont, Delaware, before he died on March 27, 1888;

Whereas Darley was the illustrator for Washington Irving's ``The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'', ``Rip Van Winkle'', ``Tales of a Traveler'', and the five-volume ``Life of George Washington'';

Whereas Darley created the sketches for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's ``Evangeline'', and was the illustrator for the American publications of Charles Dickens, including ``A Tale of Two Cities'';

Whereas Darley designed and executed the two woodcut illustrations for the first printing of Edgar Allen Poe's ``The Gold-Bug'' in the Philadelphia Dollar Newspaper;

Whereas Darley provided illustrations for the first known publication of Clement Moore's ``A Visit from St. Nicholas'', the edition featuring the first change of the last line from ``happy Christmas to all'' to ``merry Christmas to all'';

Whereas, in 1875, Darley engaged in preparing 500 drawings to illustrate a book entitled ``History of the United States'', by B. J. Lossing;

Whereas Darley illustrated more than 500 designs for James Fenimore Cooper's works, including a project involving designs for 64 steel engravings and 120 wood engravings, leading to the publication of ``The Cooper Vignettes'' which showcased the artist's works;

Whereas Darley provided the line drawings for Nathaniel Hawthorne's ``The Scarlet Letter'';

Whereas Darley was elected a member of the Academy of Design in 1852;

Whereas Darley was a member of the Artist's Fund Society and was one of the early members of the American Society of Painters in Watercolors;

Whereas Darley was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 2001; and

Whereas, for his accomplishments, Darley is credited by many scholars with helping to create the pioneer image of American History: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that--

(1) a commemorative stamp should be issued honoring Felix Octavius Carr Darley; and

(2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.

Mr. BIDEN. Madam President, I am pleased to submit today a resolution calling on the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend a commemorative stamp honoring the 19th century illustrator, Felix Octavius Carr Darley. My distinguished colleague from the other body, Congressman MICHAEL CASTLE, has already introduced an identical resolution in the House of Representatives.

Felix Darley was the consummate American artist. He was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1821, but spent much of his later years in Delaware, where he died in 1888. In fact, for the last 29 years of Darling's life he lived in my hometown of Claymont, DE, where he produced many of his most famous and renowned drawings. As a Delawarean, and a resident of Claymont, Felix Darley has special significance for me. But he also has a special significance for the entire Nation.

Mr. Darley has been described as ``one of the most famous illustrators of his time'' and ``the first major American illustrator.'' His works have even been said to have forged our very national identity. Felix Darley was the illustrator of books produced by the legendary writers of his time, including such masterful storytellers and poets as Charles Dickens, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edgar Allan Poe, Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and James Fenimore Cooper. Moreover, he is credited with helping to capture the image of the American frontier, which has become such an integral image of our collective imagination and consciousness. As a testament to his greatness, he was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame last year.

Through his works, Felix Darley commemorated and captured our history and the creative achievements of some of our greatest writers. It is time we commemorate his life and his works for posterity by honoring him with a memorial postage stamp. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in sponsoring this resolution which calls on the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend such a stamp. It is a small, but needed step to recognize an American artist who gave us so much.