Peter Mansbendel Wood Carvings
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Library Banner | Located in the Austin High library, this piece, carved in black walnut, was commissioned in 1930 by librarian Miss Harrison.
In 1912, the Austin School board hired Miss Alice Harrison as the only librarian in the district until the 1920's. She regularly loaded books into her Model "T" Ford and took them to the junior high and elementary schools on a regular basis. This could be said to be Austin's first "Book Mobile." She was a strict protector of her precious books. A student who did not return checked out library books paid a few pennies a day. By 1930, she had accumulated several hundred dollars in "fines" and commissioned Peter Mansbendel to carve a "Library" wall piece. http://www.petermansbendel.com/carvings/
Stephen F. Austin Portrait | This portrait carving of Stephen F. Austin hung in the main office for many years, as a memorial to Garrie Bray, class of 1948. Garrie Bray died of cancer in 1952 at the age of 21. (Mansbendel died in 1940, so this piece was likely purchased or given, not commissioned.) During the 2020-2021 school year, the carving was retired from display and is now in the archive.
In 1912, the Austin School board hired Miss Alice Harrison as the only librarian in the district until the 1920's. She regularly loaded books into her Model "T" Ford and took them to the junior high and elementary schools on a regular basis. This could be said to be Austin's first "Book Mobile." She was a strict protector of her precious books. A student who did not return checked out library books paid a few pennies a day. By 1930, she had accumulated several hundred dollars in "fines" and commissioned Peter Mansbendel to carve a "Library" wall piece. http://www.petermansbendel.com/carvings/
Stephen F. Austin Portrait | This portrait carving of Stephen F. Austin hung in the main office for many years, as a memorial to Garrie Bray, class of 1948. Garrie Bray died of cancer in 1952 at the age of 21. (Mansbendel died in 1940, so this piece was likely purchased or given, not commissioned.) During the 2020-2021 school year, the carving was retired from display and is now in the archive.
Peter Masbendel | Born in Switzerland, Mansbendel developed a passion for wood carving early in life and trained under a local master. After serving in the Swiss Artillery, he traveled to London and France pursuing his passion. Mansbendel immigrated to America in 1907. While in New York, he met Clotilde Shipe at a tea in his studio. Shipe's father, Monroe M. Shipe, was a prominent Austin real estate developer. Mansbendel followed her back to Austin and he and Miss Shipe were married in 1911. One of Austin's most notable artists, Peter Mansbendel's work can be found among city buildings, university campuses, churches, museums, businesses, and in many private homes throughout Austin, as well as many locations across the state.
http://www.petermansbendel.com
http://www.petermansbendel.com
