The E. M. Viquesney "Spirit of the American Doughboy" Database
FREDERIC L. HOLLIS
In the immediate years after Viquesney's death, there were a few attempts to keep his legacy alive; T. Perry Wesley, editor of the local Spencer newspaper, The Evening World, did extensive research on the artist and tried to get a Viquesney museum going, and one of Mr. Wesley's business friends, Milton Waymire, bought up the remaining stock of Viquesney miniatures from company in Lousville, Kentucky (probably the one below).
But it was Frederic L. Hollis, who ran American Art Studio in Gosport, Indiana who had any real success in keeping Viquesney's statuary business going. Hollis had business dealings with at least two of the companies that had handled Viquesney's accounts, Louisville Composition Products Company, Louisville, Kentucky (for the miniatures), and Raphael Groppi Studio in Chicago, Illinois (for the large statues).
Hollis operated until at least into the early 1950s, as referenced by the dates on the correspondences below, but he may still have been in business as late as 1958, when the last Viquesney monument was installed, Chicago's "Spirit of the Fighting Yank".
But it was Frederic L. Hollis, who ran American Art Studio in Gosport, Indiana who had any real success in keeping Viquesney's statuary business going. Hollis had business dealings with at least two of the companies that had handled Viquesney's accounts, Louisville Composition Products Company, Louisville, Kentucky (for the miniatures), and Raphael Groppi Studio in Chicago, Illinois (for the large statues).
Hollis operated until at least into the early 1950s, as referenced by the dates on the correspondences below, but he may still have been in business as late as 1958, when the last Viquesney monument was installed, Chicago's "Spirit of the Fighting Yank".
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge.
 |
 |
