Ace Reid Accessions
Abstract
An extensive collection of original cowpoke artwork by Asa “Ace” Reid. The bulk of the accession consists of 75 framed pen and ink cartoons, and there are another 35 unframed in box 1. Also framed are 14 original watercolors by Reid, a 6-foot oil painting of Reid, and a banner from Ruidoso Downs. There are several photographs of Ace Reid by himself and with others, as well as photographs of notables such as Governor John Connally, Hank Thompson, and Slim Pickens. Artifacts include Reid’s drawing table, chair, and saddle. The collection was transferred from the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas.
Dates
- 1956 - 1995
Creator
- Reid, Asa E., 1925-1991 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Materials from the Wittliff Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user assumes responsibility for determining copyright status, obtaining permission to publish, and abiding by U.S. copyright laws. https://www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu/research/visit/policies/publication.html
Biographical Note
Asa E. "Ace" Reid was the creator of the cartoon Cowpokes and a Western humorist. Cowpokes, at one time, ran in over 400 weekly newspapers across the United States. He produced many popular cartoon books and calendars during his lifetime.
He was born parents Asa E. Reid, Sr. and Callie Miles Bishopon ,Lelia Lake, Texas . Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Electra, on March 10, 1925. He grew up ranching and cowboying.
During World War II, he served as a machinist's mate in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific aboard the USS Lanier . Cowpokes was born on board the Lanier; "The Sorry Salt" was a cartoon he drew for the ship's newspaper. After the war, "The Sorry Salt" became "Jake", his primary character.
On September 11, 1949, in Dallas, he married Madge Parmley, and they moved to Kerrville, Texas, in 1952. Ace’s first cartoon appeared in West Texas Livestock Weekly that same year. Two years later, their son and only child, Stan, was born. Ace and Madge were living in Kerrville at the time of his death on November 10, 1991. Madge still lives in Kerrville and has kept Cowpokes going since Ace's death.
Extent
2 boxes (Plus 90 framed items and artifacts)
22 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Metadata Rights Declarations
- The descriptive data created for this finding aid is licensed under the CC0 Creative Commons license and is free for use without restriction.
Abstract
An extensive collection of original cowpoke artwork by Asa “Ace” Reid. The bulk of the accession consists of 75 framed pen and ink cartoons, and there are another 35 unframed in box 1. Also framed are 14 original watercolors by Reid, a 6-foot oil painting of Reid, and a banner from Ruidoso Downs. There are several photographs of Ace Reid by himself and with others, as well as photographs of notables such as Governor John Connally, Hank Thompson, and Slim Pickens. Artifacts include Reid’s drawing table, chair, and saddle. The collection was transferred from the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas.
Physical Location
Materials may be stored off-site. Advance notice is required for use: https://www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu/research/makearesearchappointment.html.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gifts of Madge Reid, 2001-2018
- Title
- Guide to the Ace Reid Accessions
- Author
- Katie Salzmann
- Date
- 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Revision Statements
- 2021: Revised for ArchivesSpace by Katie Salzmann
Repository Details
Part of the The Wittliff Collections Repository
