Philadelphia Area Archives

Start Over Subject Art Year 1945 to 1949

Katherine Milhous and Frances Lichten papers, 1903-1977 (inclusive)

Extent:: 40.14 linear feet
Abstract:: This is a collection of the manuscripts, illustrations, and papers of Katherine Milhous, and the papers of Frances Lichten. Katherine Milhous manuscript materials include drafts, dummies, proofs, notes, finished art, color separations, and other production materials for her children’s books. Her papers include artwork in various media, correspondence, lecture notes, itineraries, scrapbooks, publicity materials, books, photographs, and subject files. There are also 18 model houses Milhous made for the Works Progress Administration. Frances Lichten materials include correspondence, a small amount of family history material, two albums of photographs and letters from Milhous and Lichten's 1925-1926 trip to Europe, and copies of brochures and small volumes illustrated by Lichten.

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Children's Literature Research Collection [Contact Us]

Russell Smith family papers, 1852-1949 (bulk) 1805-1952 (inclusive)

Extent:: 3.5 linear feet
Abstract:: The Smiths were a family of artists who worked and lived at their home in Edgehill, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Russell Smith (1812-1896) was a prominent theater curtain painter who became a landscape painter, and his son Xanthus (1839-1929) was known for his Civil War naval battle scenes. The bulk of the Russell Smith family papers, 1805-1952, are comprised of financial records and estate records from the Smith family. The collection also includes pencil and ink sketches and watercolors created by Russell and Xanthus Smith.

Held at: Old York Road Historical Society [Contact Us]

American Civil Liberties Union Records: Subgroup 4, 1920-2015 (inclusive) 1970-2000 (bulk)

Extent:: 1068 boxes and 4 items
Abstract:: The ACLU is the preeminent civil liberties organization in the United States. These records document the work of their national office in the areas of civil rights, children and women's rights, freedom of speech (and all First Amendment questions), and due process, among many others, predominantly from 1970 to 2000.

Held at: Princeton University Library: Public Policy Papers [Contact Us]

Joseph and Yehudit Shadur papers, 1894-2002 (inclusive) 1960-2002 (bulk)

Extent:: 1.4 linear feet (4 boxes)
Abstract:: Joseph and Yehudit Shadur were pioneers of Jewish folk art and the subject of Middle Eastern studies and environmental conservation in Israel. Their collection includes two series, one of the writings, correspondence, book reviews, and research by Joseph Shadur, and the other, published works by or about Yehudit Shadur, or containing images of her paper-cuts. These documents date from 1894 to 2002, with the majority of the documents produced from 1960 to 2002.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Margaret Naumburg papers, 1912-1974 (inclusive)

Extent:: 182 boxes
Abstract:: Margaret Naumburg (1890–1983) was an American psychologist, educator, artist, and author. She was one of the first proponents of art therapy and utilitzed art as a method for both diagnosis and therapy. The collection contains materials documenting all the phases of Naumburg's long and productive work life. The materials include correspondence; copies of and materials for Naumburg's writings, lectures, and exhibit catalogs; materials for case studies; lecture notes for the courses she taught and papers her students wrote in those courses; and work by others that she collected and saved. Other media in the collection include slides, photographs, and audio recordings.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Pennell family papers, circa 1882-1951 (inclusive)

Extent:: 8 linear feet (21 boxes)
Abstract:: The Pennell family papers comprise personal correspondence of both Pennells; drafts and galleys for some of their publications; contracts; royalty statements; trust fund account statements; copies of wills; publicity materials; photographs; newspaper clippings; memorabilia; exhibition catalogs, awards, original sketches, watercolors, and prints by Joseph Pennell; and a few works by other artists.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Alfred Bendiner papers, 1932-1955 (inclusive)

Extent:: 5 boxes
Abstract:: The papers of architect, artist, author, and Penn alumnus Alfred Bendiner dating from 1938 to 1955, featuring his caricatures and other drawings among some of his other papers. Images of performers in stage productions, concerts, and operas in Philadelphia were created chiefly for the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. The caricatures are original pencil drawings, ink drawings, or lithographs with some newspaper clippings.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Ursula Sternberg-Hertz papers, 1923-2014 (inclusive) 1950-2000 (bulk)

Extent:: 23 linear feet (39 boxes)
Abstract:: Ursula Sternberg-Hertz (1925-2000) was a Philadelphia based artist who lived in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, England, and Canada before immigrating to the United States in 1971 with her husband, conductor Jonathan Sternberg. The collection documents her artistic career, with artwork ranging from rough sketches to finished pieces, using acrylics, charcoal, markers, pen-and-ink, stamps, watercolor, and other experimental mediums. She produced artwork on paper, metal, fabric, and leather; in sketchbooks; and on objects such as lampshades and boxes. In addition to her artwork, there is also family and personal material; correspondence; diaries, including an extraordinary run of her "visual diaries" from the early 1940s and from the 1970s until her death; and material related to her exhibits.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

James Brewton papers, 1902-2014 (inclusive) 1951-1967 (bulk)

Extent:: 2 linear feet (7 boxes, 5 oversize folders) and 1.2 gigabytes
Abstract:: James Edward Brewton (1930-1967) was an American painter and printmaker who attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and exhibited works in Philadelphia and in Denmark. Brewton's early works are said to be expressionist and his later works incorporate graffiti and the influences of "pataphysics." His life was cut short by suicide at the age of 37. The collection is arranged in four series: I. Personal material; II. Artworks; III. Books and audiovisual materials; and IV. Artifacts and memorabilia.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

William H. Helfand collection of ex-votos and devotional paintings on medical subjects, 1868-2002 (inclusive)

Extent:: 61 item
Abstract:: A gift of historian of pharmacy and medicine Dr. William H. Helfand, this collection of ex-votos and devotional paintings on medical subjects offers insight into Mexican religious folk practices. Ex-votos are votive paintings usually hung in churches and religious venues as a sign of gratitude for received blessings or healings. The collection includes ex-votos dated between 1868 and 2002 and dedicated to Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, Saint Anthony of Padua, Saint James the Moor-slayer, Saint Paschal Baylon, Saint Barbara, Saint Judas Thaddeus, Saint Nicholas, and Saint Cosmas.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]