Reference and Rotating Collection

The Works on Paper Collection includes prints, drawings, photographs, letters, portfolios and books, which comprise reference and rotating collections and archives. Items from Wright’s own collection of books and prints attest to his early interests and influences, while drawings, photographs and correspondence illuminate the prolific output of Wright’s Oak Park Studio.

Highlights of the reference and rotating collection include rare sketches executed by Wright and Catherine Tobin Wright on their honeymoon in 1889, family photographs - including the 1905 album of photographs taken by Wright during his first trip to Japan, and limited and first edition books authored and/or illustrated by Wright, including The House Beautiful (1896), The Japanese Print: An Interpretation (1912) and the 1901 Chicago Architectural Club Catalogue with Wright's handwritten revisions to his landmark essay "The Art and Craft of the Machine." The collection is available for study by appointment. To schedule a visit please contact: research@flwright.org.

The Trust also offers a specialized collection of photographic resources available for study purposes and for publication. The collection comprises a substantial archive of historic photographs of buildings and projects executed by Wright’s Oak Park Studio. The Trust Archives is temporarily closed pending a move to the new Arts and Education Center, anticipated to reopen in early-2025.

Primary Collection Highlights

Wright’s Publications

The House Beautiful (original edition 74 of 90), 1896-97, Frank Lloyd Wright, Hardcover book, 1979.03.08, Gift of Phillip Jacklin

Ausgeführte Bauten und Entwürfe von Frank Lloyd Wright. Studies and Buildings Executed by Frank Lloyd Wright, The Wasmuth Portfolio, 1910 edition, Frank Lloyd Wright, lithograph, 1995.17, Trust Purchase

Wright’s Photography

Photo Album from 1905 Trip to Japan, 1905, Frank Lloyd Wright, 1981.01.50.01, Gift of David Wright

Photograph of Catherine Tobin Wright, c. 1908, Frank Lloyd Wright,1976.09, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Wright’s “Honeymoon” Drawings

Drawing of a residence with figures in a landscape, c. 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.01, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Drawing of an Architectural Structure, 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.02, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Drawing of a female figure and two buildings, 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.03, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Drawing of Several Homes with Sketches of People, 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.04, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Logo Drawing, 1892, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.05, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Drawing of figures wearing hats, 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.06, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Sketch of an Umbrella, 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.07, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Sketch of landscape with trees, 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.09, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Drawing of a Boathouse, 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.10, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Sketch showing large flowers in a vase on a table, 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.11, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Bachelor's Button plant study., 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.11, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Sketch showing 2 branches with leaves and blossoms, 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.11, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Sketch of single branch with leaves and blossoms, dated June 19, 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.11, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Various sketches of leaves and blossoms, 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.11, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Sketch grass like plant with two blossoms, dated June 18, 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.11, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Sketch of plants, 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.11, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Sketch of an umbrella, 1889, Frank Lloyd Wright, pencil on paper, 1987.35.08, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Maginel Wright Barney

Christmas Sketch with Two Figures, early 20th c. , Maginel Wright Barney, pencil and watercolor, 1997.07.01, Gift of Eric Lloyd Wright

Christmas Sketch with Four Figures, early 20th c. , Maginel Wright Barney, pencil and watercolor, 1997.07.02, Gift of Eric Lloyd Wright

Portrait of Catherine and Children, 1905, Maginel Wright Barney, pencil with pastel, 1976.07, Gift of Thomas L. and Mary B. Wright

War Gardens Victorious Poster, c 1919, Maginel Wright Barney, lithograph, 2003.06.01, Trust Purchase

Maginel Wright Barney Archive, various, Maginel Wright Barney items, 1989.5, Gift of Nicholas W. Gilham, Oliver Gilham, Robert Gilham

Hiram and Maginel Wright Barney Family Archive, Various, Maginel Wright Barney items, 2009.11, Gift of Nicholas W. Gilham

Maginel Wright Archive (Correspondence, Drawings, sketches, manuscripts), Maginel Wright Barney, 1991.22, Gift of Nicholas and Carol Gilham

Maginel Wright Archive (Printer's Blocks and Drawings), various, Maginel Wright Barney, woodblocks, ink on paper, 1991.27, Gift of Edgar Tafel

Wright’s Library Books with inscriptions

The Art and Craft of the Machine, 1901, Frank Lloyd Wright, 1988.52, Trust Purchase

Inspiration, 1886, Louis Sullivan, 1978.0703, Trust Purchase

Rugs, Oriental and Occidental, Antique and Modern, 1915, W.D. Ellwanger, Dodd and Mead, New York,1981.01.39.02.04, Gift of John Lloyd Wright

The Word of the Spirit, Jenkin Lloyd Jones., 1894, Jenkin Lloyd Jones, Unity Publishing Co., Chicago, 1981.01.42, Gift of David Wright

On the Firing Line: In the Battle for Sobriety, 1910, Jenkin Lloyd Jones,1981.01.41, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

The Grammar of Ornament, 1856, Owen Jones, Day and Sons, London, 2009.15, Trust Purchase

The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau (letter from B. Harley Bradley on inside page.), 1901, 1981.01.14, Gift of David Wright

Two Lectures on Architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright, 1931,The Lakeside Press, 1976.0805, Gift of Thomas D Mackay

Letters of H. Ibsen, 1905, Fox, Duffield & Co, Book, 1987.26, Gift of Margaret H. Marsh

Works of Edgar Allen Poe (4 Volumes), 1875, Edgar Allen Poe; Adam and Charles Black, Edinburgh, 1981.01.69, Gift of David Wright

The Holmes Birthday Book, (with multiple Wright family inscriptions), 1889, 1981.01.1, Gift of David Wright

Heroes, Hero-Worship and the Heroic in History, 1898, Thomas Carlyle; Scribner and Sons, New York, 1898, Book, 1981.01.18, Gift of David Wright

The Complete Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, 1905, MacMillan and Co. Ltd, New York, 1905, 1981.01.29, Gift of David Wright

Matsukukush (Japanese book acquired during 1905 trip), 19th century,1990.3412, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Shin Bijutsukai #29 (Japanese Design Periodical acquired during 1905 trip), 19th century, 1990.3412, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

The Floral Art of Japan, 1899, 1981.01.31, Gift of David and Gladys Wright

Wright Family

Frank Lloyd Wright's Passport, 1905, printed by the United States Secretary of State,1981.01.01, Gift of Anne Baxter Klee

Catherine's Passport, 1905, printed by the United States Secretary of State, 1981.01.02, Gift of Anne Baxter Klee

John Lloyd Wright Collection and Manuscripts, John Lloyd Wright, 1980.03.01.05, Gift of John Lloyd Wright

Five Wright Family Scrapbooks compiled by Gladys Wright, 2009.09, Gift of Anne-Levi Wright

Wright Family Genealogical Charts, Gladys Wright Scrapbooks, 1987.27, Gift of Gladys Wright

Photo of Catherine, Lloyd and two grandmothers, 1892,1987.23, Gift of Gladys Wright

Robie Family

Robie Family Photo Album, 1904, F.C. Robie Jr (compiled by),1999.05.02, Gift of Lorraine Robie O'Connor

Robie Family Scrapbooks, 1904, F.C. Robie Jr (compiled by), 1999.05.01, Gift of Lorraine Robie O'Connor