Series 19320
Centennial Commission (1947) Seal design competition entries
Dates: 1946.
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
This series is made up of original entries submitted in a competition for a design to be selected as a seal for use by the Utah Centennial Commission. Included with some of the proposed seal designs are the cover letters and explanations of the artwork, symbolism, and preferred colors submitted in a contest sponsored by Utah Covered Wagon Days, Inc. Open to Utah residents only, the competition attracted approximately 70 designs from some 40 individuals throughout the Beehive State. Three U.S. Savings Bonds ($200, $100, and $50) were offered as contest prizes. A design submitted by Christian Jensen was selected as the winner. Sage green and sunset orange, the colors used in Jensen's design, were officially adopted as the centennial colors and incorporated in all decorations. The official seal was used on certificates and decorative street banners where a clear-cut, easily reduced official design was wanted. Protected by copyright against indiscriminate and objectionable use, it was necessary to have written permission to use the seal in advertising and sale promotions. No charge was made for use of the seal on an article which would not be sold. A fee was charged for the privilege of using the seal on articles which were to be sold.
The commission later contracted with a professional artist for a second design to more adequately express the spirit and meaning of the centennial observances. This alternate rendering became the official centennial emblem.
Arrangement
Alphabetical by the contest entrant's surname
Research Note
Among the seal entries is one proposal submitted by Della Carson in a design competition for a commemorative Utah Centennial postage stamp to be issued by the U.S. Postal Service.
Related Records
Reports from the Centennial Commission (1947), Series 2228, mention the design competition in the General Report and the Final Report of the Committee on Intra-State Planning (which also includes a copy of the seal in appendices G and I).
Custody History
Records of the Centennial Commission originally were deposited with the Utah Historical Society, which in 1949 was designated by Governor J. Bracken Lee as the official repository for the records of the commission. The newly independent Utah State Archives retained custody of the records following its removal from the Historical Society in 1969.
Access Restrictions
This series is classified as Public.
Preferred Citation
Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.
Gaps in Series
The original sketch submitted by contest winner Christian Jensen showing the proposed official seal and centennial colors is missing.
Processing Note
Archival processing of these records was completed in May 1998 by W. Glen Fairclough, Jr.
Indexing Terms
- Utah—Centennial celebrations, etc.
Container List
| BOX | FOLDER | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Amussen, Heber S.; Logan; (1 design) |
| 1 | 2 | Bearnson, Dorothy; Salt Lake City; (1 design) |
| 1 | 3 | Brown, Alice V.; Salt Lake City; (1 design) |
| 1 | 4 | Carson, Della; Lehi; (1 design) |
| 1 | 5 | Colvin, Frank; Park City; (1 design) |
| 1 | 6 | Davis, Mrs. J. H.; Salt Lake City; (1 design) |
| 1 | 7 | Dimas, John; Bingham Canyon; (3 designs |
| 1 | 8 | Gawan, Inez; Salt Lake City; (1 design) |
| 1 | 9 | Gawan, L. B.; Salt Lake City; (1 design) |
| 1 | 10 | Greathouse, Miss Lillian; Magna; (1 design) |
| 1 | 11 | Green, Mrs. Elmer; Parowan; (1 design) |
| 1 | 12 | Hague, Don, and Bob Mayfield; Salt Lake City; (5 designs) |
| 1 | 13 | Hammond, Roger; Bountiful; (9 designs) |
| 1 | 14 | Humpage, Leslie; Brigham City; (2 designs) |
| 1 | 15 | LaVarn, Mae Rae; Salt Lake City; (1 design) |
| 1 | 16 | Lee, Mrs. Chant; Panguitch; (1 design) |
| 1 | 17 | Lewis, Hugh C.; Salt Lake City; (1 design) |
| 1 | 18 | Lockhart, Mrs. Bert; Salt Lake City; (1 design) |
| 1 | 19 | Martin, Frank; Salt Lake City; (1 design) |
| 1 | 20 | Mitchell, R. T.; Price; (1 design) |
| 1 | 21 | Munk, J.R.; Manti; (1 design) |
| 1 | 22 | Munk, Mary Louise; Manti; (1 design) |
| 1 | 23 | Nelson, Norma D.; Ephraim; (1 design) |
| 1 | 24 | Nielson, Theris; Richfield; (1 design) |
| 1 | 25 | Partridge, Ed R.; Orem; (1 design) |
| 1 | 26 | Price;, Norman F.; Salt Lake City; (1 design) |
| 1 | 27 | Rees, Peggy; Coalville; (1 design) |
| 1 | 28 | Richards, Mrs. Maggie; Magna; (1 design) |
| 1 | 29 | Roth, Mrs. Ruth; Lehi; (4 designs) |
| 1 | 30 | Scoville, Rollin C.; Salt Lake City; (2 designs) |
| 1 | 31 | Smith, Omar Kim; Provo; (3 designs) |
| 1 | 32 | Steele, Mrs. R.; Salt Lake City; (1 design) |
| 1 | 33 | Stubbs, M.C.; Provo; (1 design) |
| 1 | 34 | Taniguchi, George; Brigham City; (1 design) |
| 1 | 35 | Thorne, Mrs. Andrew D. (Mamie design); Salt Lake City; (2 designs) |
| 1 | 36 | VanWagoner, Boyd; Salt Lake City; (1 design) |
| 1 | 37 | Vaughn, George G.; Salt Lake City; (5 designs) |
| 1 | 38 | Wall, LaVeta C.; Salt Lake City; (3 designs) |
| 1 | 39 | Young, Ruth; Midvale; (2 designs) |
Page Last Updated October 18, 2012.