Edward Stevenson Collection, Idaho State University Library

Eli M. Oboler Library

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Department of Special Collections and University Archives

The Edward Stevenson Collection

sketch of Susan Hayward in David and Bathsheba Susan Hayward
David & Bathsheba (1951)

Biography

Edward Stevenson was born May 13, 1906 in Pocatello, Idaho. The only son of an Idaho railroad superintendent, Stevenson moved to California with his widowed mother during his high school years. He interned with designer 'Andre-ani' before beginning to design for movies. He was named Head designer for RKO Studios in 1936. His work on The Facts of Life (1960) with Edith Head earned him an Oscar. He spent 18 years designing for Lucille Ball before his death in 1968.

For a longer biography, please click here.

sketch of Ginger Rogers in The First Traveling Saleslady
Ginger Rogers
The First Traveling Saleslady (1956)

The Collection

The Stevenson Collection was a gift to Idaho State University from Stevenson's family. The collection includes several hundred sketches of costumes by Stevenson from his early days as an apprentice to his final years as costume designer for DesiLu Productions. Also included are some sketches by other designers, numerous scrapbooks and photographs of both his family and his Hollywood associations.

sketch of Lucille Ball from The Lucy Show, circa 1960
Lucille Ball
The Lucy Show (c. 1960)

Accessing the Collection

The bulk of Stevenson's drawings are being made available as part of the Special Collections Department's CONTENTdm database. These images are very often details of the larger original sketches. Anyone wishing to view the collection in person should contact the Special Collections either by e-mail at stanrobi@isu.edu or by phone at (208) 282-3608.