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Alfred Bendiner papers

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Held at: University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center [Contact Us] 3401 Market Street, Suite 210, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center. 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

Call Number:
UPT50 B458
Repository:
University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center
Extent:
1.28 cubic feet (1 record carton)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
The Alfred Bendiner papers (1919-1990) UPT50 B458, University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center
Date:
1920-1990 (inclusive) and 1920-1964 (bulk)
Creator:
Bendiner, Alfred
Form:
Cartoons, Drawings, Photographs, Clippings, Obituaries, Programs, Articles, Correspondence, and Caricatures
Abstract:
Alfred Bendiner (1899-1964) was an architect, author, and artist, who was best known for his caricatures and essays. He received bachelor and master's degrees in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania in 1922 and 1927, respectively. The collection primarily contains examples of his writing and artwork, in the form of published reproductions and originals.

Alfred Bendiner (1899-1964) was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Hungarian immigrants Armin Bendiner and Rachel Hartmann. He attended Northeast High School in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Museum School of Industrial Arts before entering the Army in 1918. He received a bachelor and master's degrees in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania in 1922 and 1927, respectively. Bendiner was a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and in 1952 served as president for the Philadelphia Chapter. He worked most of his life as an architect, but he is best known for his writing and artwork.

In 1937, Bendiner accompanied the University of Pennsylvania Museum's archeological expedition to Tepe Gawra and Khafaji, Iraq, where he made drawings of these sites. He also made drawings for the university's Tikal-Tikal archeological expedition to Guatemala in 1960. Bendiner worked from 1938 to 1946 as a music critic for the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, with his work featuring an original caricature of the artists he reviewed. His lithographs, watercolors, and ink and crayon drawings are held in the collections of private collectors and museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the National Gallery in Washington.

Bendiner's essays and illustrations of buildings and city life regularly appeared not only in University of Pennsylvania publications, but also in the Philadelphia Bulletin, the Atlantic Monthly, Harper's, and other newspapers and magazines. His published books included Music to My Eyes (1952), Bendiner's Philadelphia (1964), and Translated from the Hungarian (1967).

Alfred Bendiner passed away at his home near Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, March 19, 1964.

The Alfred Bendiner papers are arranged alphabetically and primarily contains examples of his writing and artwork, in the form of published reproductions and originals. Other materials include items from his time as an architecture student at the University of Pennsylvania, exhibit brochures and ephemera, a small set of correspondence and newspaper clippings, and obituaries.

The collection is arranged alphabetically.

These papers were accessioned 28 September 1973 (Accession number 66:73).

Held at the University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts:

Alfred Bendiner papers, Ms. Coll. 783 Alfred Bendiner original drawings of actors and actresses, Ms. Coll. 1441

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives:

Tepe Gawra, Iraq expedition records, 1021 Tikal Project, 1112

Organization
Subject
Occupation

Publisher
University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center
Finding Aid Author
Kenneth Cleary
Finding Aid Date
August 13, 2025
Access Restrictions

Access to collections is granted in accordance with the Protocols for the University Archives and Records Center.

Use Restrictions

Copyright for official university records is held by the University of Pennsylvania; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Collection Inventory

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The Alfred Bendiner Foundation brochure, circa 1990.
Box 1 Folder 1
American Block Print calendar, 1937.
Box 1 Folder 2
Bennett Hall architectural details - photographs, undated.
Box 1 Folder 3
Check list - original rough inventory of collection, 1973.
Box 1 Folder 4
Class of 1922, 40th reunion program and newsletter, 1962.
Box 1 Folder 5
Correspondence - regarding Cultural Olympics, speaking, and with widow, 1941-1973.
Box 1 Folder 6
Council Notes, National Council of the University of Pennsylvania - photocopy of article on architectural details, 1967.
Box 1 Folder 7
Custom greeting cards with original artwork, 1935 and undated.
Box 1 Folder 8
Drawings, featured in non-University publications, 1943-1965.
Box 1 Folder 9
Drawings, original artworks, 1920-1921 and undated.
Box 1 Folder 10
Drawings, printed reproductions in Class publications, 1922.
Box 1 Folder 11
Drawings, printed reproductions in University publications, circa 1920-1970.
Box 1 Folder 12
Drawings, printed reproductions in University publications, circa 1920-1970.
Box 1 Folder 13
Drawings, printed reproductions in University publications, circa 1920-1970.
Box 1 Folder 14
Exhibition and lecture programs, circa 1954-1965.
Box 1 Folder 15
Junior Annals - inscribed, 1922.
Box 1 Folder 16
Mask and Wig Club program, 1930.
Box 1 Folder 17
Newspaper clippings - regarding art shows, circa 1951-1964.
Box 1 Folder 18
Obituaries, Alfred Bendiner, 1964.
Box 1 Folder 19
Photographs (2) of student life, including "The Juniors, smock fight.", 1922.
Box 1 Folder 20
Portraits of Alfred Bendiner, wallet size, undated.
Box 1 Folder 21
Published articles, illustrated, 1943-1964.
Box 1 Folder 22
Published articles, not illustrated, 1931, 1964 and undated.
Box 1 Folder 23
Regulations, School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania, 1920-1921.
Box 1 Folder 24
Regulations, Towne Scientific School, 1920-1921.
Box 1 Folder 25
Review of the Department of Architecture, School of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania, 1922.
Box 1 Folder 26
Student handbook, University of Pennsylvania, 1919-1920.
Box 1 Folder 27
The Sunday Bulletin Magazine, 1964-1965.
Box 1 Folder 28
This is the Story of Man, exhibit photograph featuring original artwork, undated.
Box 1 Folder 29
University Museum News [University of Pennsylvania], 1952.
Box 1 Folder 30
University of Pennsylvania diploma and Pennsylvanian article on Students' Army Training Corps - photographic prints made from microfilm, 1920,1927.
Box 1 Folder 31
University of Pennsylvania Placement Service records, 1934.
Box 1 Folder 32

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