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Pierre and Dollie Chareau Collection
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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Louise Dorothee (Dollie) Dyte Chareau (1880-1967) was born to Dr. David Hyman Dyte and Sarah Dyte in England. Although raised in a degree of privilege, Dollie was forced into the workforce at age fifteen when her father died. She first worked as a nursery governess to seven children and then became an English teacher in Paris. In 1904, Dollie married Pierre Chareau (1883-1950), a well-known architect and the son of winemakers Georges and Esther Chareau. Chareau designed furniture and worked as a decorator before serving in World War I; following his service, he became a decorator, private architect, and furniture designer in Paris. From 1927 to 1932, Chareau built the Maison de Verre for the Dalsace family, which propelled him into the public eye for his skills working with glass.
In 1940, the Chareaus left Paris to live in the United States due to anti-semitic laws. Pierre Chareau died in New York in 1950 and Dollie Chareau died in 1967.
This collection consists mainly of correspondence between Harold Rubinstein (1891-1975) and Dollie Chareau (1880-1967), and between Michael Rubenstein (1920-2001) and Chareau scholars, including Marc Vellay, Margaret Antalopoulos, and Margaret Tallet. These letters begin with Harold Rubinstein's inquiries regarding Dollie Chareau's family history, but, as a friendship develops between them, the letters become more personal and discuss the Chareaus' life in Paris and subsequent escape from persecution, and their new life in America after 1941. A letter in 1932, written during the construction of the Maison de Verre, documents the intense pressure placed upon architect Pierre Chareau and the worry of his wife on his behalf. After moving to the United States in 1941, letters describe the emigrants' dilemma of belonging and loss. After the deaths of Pierre (1883-1950) and Dollie, Harold Rubenstein's son, Michael, corresponded with several Chareau scholars and followed the exhibitions and scholarly debate surrounding the architect's reputation.
In addition to correspondence, the collection also contains several photographs of Pierre and Dollie Chareau, a monograph entitled "My Father," written by Dollie Chareau, and newspaper and magazine article clippings about Pierre Chareau and his work.
Arranged in chronological order.
Purchased in 2013 May.
This collection was processed by Holly Mengel in 2013. Finding aid written by Holly Mengel in 2013.
This collection was processed by Holly Mengel in 2013. Finding aid written by Holly Mengel in 2013.
No material was separated during 2013 processing.
People
- Chareau, Dollie, 1880-1967
- Chareau, Pierre
- Rubinstein, Harold F., 1891-1975
- Rubinstein, Michael, 1920-2001
Subject
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Author
- Holly Mengel
- Finding Aid Date
- 2013
- Access Restrictions
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The collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
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Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
Collection Inventory
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