John E. Browning papers, 1930-1999

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Summary

Creator:
Browning, John E., 1915-2000
Abstract:
John E. Browning (1915-2000) was a commercial artist, designer, and naval architect who worked in the outdoor advertising and maritime industries in New Jersey. This collection spans the years 1930-1999 and includes billboard designs, photographs and digitized negatives, sketches, correspondence, and printed materials relating to commercial art and typography. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Extent:
0.4 Linear Feet
120 Items
Language:
Material in English
Research Center:
John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History
Collection ID:
RL.00162

Background

Scope and content:

The John E. Browning Papers span the years 1930-1999 and include billboard designs, photographs and digitzed negatives, sketches, correspondence, and printed materials relating to commercial art and typography.

Biographical / historical:

John E. Browning (1915-2000) was a commercial artist, designer, and naval architect who worked in the outdoor advertising and maritime industries in New Jersey. He graduated from the Pratt Institute in 1938 with a degree in advertising design, then worked briefly as a layout artist for O'Mealia Outdoor (Jersey City) before joining J. C. Williams Co. (Asbury Park) as a designer in 1939. In 1942, Browning worked as a civilian designer for the U. S. Army Signal Corps, and in 1943, he enlisted in the U. S. Army. Browning was a designer for Welin Davit and Boat Corporation frmo 1943 until 1965, when he joined the Marine Safety Equipment Corporation of Farmingtion, New Jersey. He retired in 1987 as vice president of the company.

In addition to his formal employment, Browning worked as a free-lance artist and poster designer for various civic groups, including Women's Clubs and Library Clubs; illustrator for a cook book; and exhibited his artwork on several occasions.

Browning died on October 31, 2000, in Neptune, New Jersey.

Chronology List
Date Event
1915
Born, South Amboy, N.J.
1938
Graduated, Pratt Institute, degree in Advertising Design
Circa 1938
Layout artist, O'Mealia Outdoor, Jersey City, N.J.
1939-1942
Artist, J. C. Williams Co., Asbury Park, N.J.
1942
Civilian designer, U.S. Army Signal Corps
1943
U.S. Army, Fort Sill, Okla.
1943-1965
Designer, Welin Davit and Boat Corp., Perth Amboy, N.J.
1965-1987
Designer, then supervisory positions, Marine Safety Equipment Corp., Farmington, N.J.
1987 Mar. 31
Retired as Vice President, Marine Safety Equipment Corp.
Acquisition information:
The John E. Browning Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 1998 and 2004.
Processing information:

Processed by Noelle Suaifan, February 2011.

Encoded by Richard Collier, February 2011.

Six nitrate negatives were digitized and deaccessioned in February 2026 and only exist in digitized form.

Accessions described in this collection guide: 1998-0011, 2004-0141

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Access note. Some materials are digital files that require special equipment. Contact Research Services with questions.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], John E. Browning Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University

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