Lois W. Newman Essay Award

Program Type: Publication Award for Shorter Works

Focus Areas:

• Outstanding scholarship in American historical prints
• Shorter works published in journals and edited volumes
• Exhibition catalogues and digital formats
• Articles in AHPCS journal Imprint (one essay award designated for best Imprint article)
• 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

Word Length: Essays between 3,000 and 10,000 words will be considered

Eligibility:

• Published essays, articles, and shorter works
• Works in journals, edited volumes, exhibition catalogues, digital formats
• Publications 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:

• Journal articles on American historical prints
• Essays in edited volumes
• Exhibition catalogue essays
• Digital format publications

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. One award designated annually for best article in AHPCS journal Imprint.

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

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

Named For: Lois W. Newman, a founding member of AHPCS and generous supporter of publication awards after her husband's death

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

Background: Award established in 2023 to recognize shorter works. Complements the Ewell L. Newman Book Award.

Submission Requirements:

1. Format: Submit published work as hard copy or digital attachment
2. Word Length: Essays between 3,000 and 10,000 words will be considered
3. Publication Types Accepted:
   • Journal articles
   • Essays in edited volumes
   • Exhibition catalogue essays
   • Digital format publications
4. 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
• Focus on American historical prints and their imagery as visual culture

Special Designation:

• One essay award annually designated for best article published in AHPCS journal Imprint, as selected by Newman Award Committee

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