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Extent:

5 linear feet

Abstract:

The painter John Raphael Covert (1882-1960) was an active participant in the American avant-garde art movement between 1915 and 1923. He later became a travelling salesman for his family's Vesuvius Crucible Company and pursued his intense interest in cryptography, word games and magic squares. The John Raphael Covert Papers consist of the artist's correspondence, word and number puzzles (such as anagrams, acrostics, and riddles), financial records, photographic portraits, and a few sketches. Approximately half of the papers are in code, and thus are cryptic in both intent and meaning.

Held at: Philadelphia Museum of Art Archives [Contact Us]