Ewell L. Newman Book Award

Program Type: Publication Award

Focus Areas:

• Outstanding scholarship in American historical prints
• Prints depicting or reflecting North American history and culture, made either in America or elsewhere
• Original research, fresh assessments, and fluent synthesis of known material
• Emphasis on quality and outstanding contribution to the subject

Eligibility:

• Published books on American historical prints
• Works remain eligible from year of publication through following year (approximately 2-year window)
• Once reviewed by jury, works will not be considered in subsequent cycles except in substantially revised editions

What They Support:

• Scholarly books enhancing appreciation and understanding of American historical prints
• Works with original research and fresh assessments

What They Do NOT Support:

• Works not centered on American historical prints
• Print culture history focusing on texts and printing history rather than visual culture

Geographic Scope: North America (prints made in or about North America)

Selection Process: Awards not necessarily presented each year; determined by quality of submissions. Occasionally multiple winners in individual year.

Jury: AHPCS members including collectors, curators, and scholars of American prints

Funder: American Historical Print Collectors Society (AHPCS), New York, NY

Mailing Address for Submissions: Helena E. Wright, 4628 49th Street NW, Washington, DC 20016

Background: The Ewell L. Newman Book Award has been recognizing significant scholarship in American historical prints for more than thirty years. In 2023, AHPCS added essay awards to recognize shorter works.

Submission Requirements:

1. Format: Submit published work as hard copy or digital attachment
2. Multiple Copies: If possible, provide multiple copies to facilitate distribution among Committee members and speed their work

Deadline:

• December 1 annually for consideration in award cycle announced the following spring

Submission Address:

• Mail to: Helena E. Wright, 4628 49th Street NW, Washington, DC 20016

Selection Criteria:

• Original research
• Fresh assessments
• Fluent synthesis of known material
• Quality of work
• Outstanding contribution to field of American historical prints

Jury Evaluation:

• AHPCS Newman Award Committee (all AHPCS members)
• Includes collectors, curators, and scholars of American prints
• Focus on visual culture of American historical prints, not print culture or printing history