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Women's Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art Records, 1883-1989, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
14.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The collection documents the role of the Women's Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in support of the Museum, its affiliates, and the Philadelphia arts community. The records illustrate approximately one hundred and twenty five years of successful service and leadership in planning various events and programs, and provide insight into the Women's Committee's untiring efforts, dedication, and expertise. The collection consists of minute books, scrapbooks, financial records, reports, and plans of events, marketing strategies, public relations, and special projects such as publishing a cookbook.

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

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A. E. (Albert Eugene) Gallatin Papers, 1927-1943 (inclusive)

Extent:
1 linear foot
Abstract:
These three scrapbooks document the first museum gallery in America devoted to modern art and founded by the collector and art historian Albert Eugene Gallatin. The scrapbooks contain newspaper and magazine clippings, press releases and announcements of exhibitions, acquisitions and new publications. Coverage starts with the 1927 announcement of the opening of the Gallery of Living Art, which was housed and operated by New York University on its main Washington Square campus, and concludes in 1943 when the University closed the facility, which by then operated as the Museum of Living Art, and Gallatin's collection was transferred to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

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

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Arthur Edwin Bye Papers, 1903-1907, 1920-1965, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
4 linear feet
Abstract:
During his 80+ years of life, Arthur Edwin Bye (1885-1969) worked as an artist, art dealer, art restorer, curator and scholar. Based on the content of his four unidentified scrapbooks as well as the two short writings, this collection reflects a few of Bye's multiple interests and practices in the fine and decorative arts, including graphic design and printmaking.

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

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Christian Brinton Research Collection, 1902-1926 (inclusive)

Extent:
1 linear foot
Abstract:
Through his writings and the exhibitions he curated, Christian Brinton (1870-1942) promoted modern and contemporary art, particularly from the areas outside of the traditional western European school, and has been credited with introducing Nordic, Slavic and Teutonic modernism to Americirca This collection consists of material compiled by Brinton pertaining to two contemporary artists, namely the Spanish painter Ignacio Zuloaga and the Russian sculptor Prince Paul Troubetzkoy. Files pertaining to Zuloaga make up the first series and consist primarily of correspondence, 1904-1922, from the artist to Brinton. There are also clippings about the artist and many photographs of his works, as well as some of Brinton's notes and draft writings. The second series pertains to Paul Troubetzkoy, and consists primarily of Brinton's research notes and photographs and prints of the artist's objects, as well as reference files of newsclippings and other journal writings about Troubetzkoy.

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

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Earl Horter Collection, 1908-1980, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
2 linear feet
Abstract:
Philadelphia-area artist, teacher and collector Earl Horter (1881-1940) was one of the city's most influential practitioners and promoters of modern art. This collection consists primarily of photographs, clippings, and exhibition catalogues and checklists pertaining to Horter during his lifetime, as well as some correspondence, writings and ephemera. Several items, particularly newsclippings of posthumous retrospective exhibitions are also included as well as a death mask and hand of the artist, given by his widow. Item-level inventories were prepared in 1995 and 1999.

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

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Edwin Atlee Barber Papers, 1885-1916 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Edwin Atlee Barber was Director/Curator of the Philadelphia Museum of Art from 1901 to 1916, and Honorary Curator of American Pottery and Porcelain from 1893 to 1916. His great interest was pottery, porcelain, and ceramics, primarily early American works. This collection contains a small selection of his writings and research about these topics.

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

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Frances Lichten Research Collection, circa 1850-1961, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
8 cubic feet
Abstract:
The Frances Lichten Research Collection covers a broad range of styles and subjects within the broad category of "decorative arts." Lichten's work as a Research Associate at the Philadelphia Museum of Art was concentrated on Pennsylvania German folk art, the foundation of which was Ms. Lichten's work on the WPA Index of American Design project in the 1930s. This series contains many photographs and drawings, as well as magazine and newspaper clippings. Frances Lichten published numerous books, the last of which was "Decorative Arts of Victoria's Era." The Research Collection contains the majority of research files for this book, which are rich in illustrations, Victorian paper artifacts, and records of the social standards of this era. This collection contains also materials relating to general categories within decorative arts, mainly in the form of clippings from magazines and newspapers.

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

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George Kubler Records of the Arensberg Collection Catalog, 1954 (inclusive)

Extent:
1 linear foot
Abstract:
In preparing a catalog of the pre-Columbian sculpture in the Louise and Walter Arensberg art collection, the Philadelphia Museum of Art called upon the expertise of Yale art historian George Kubler to classify and annotate each object. This collection consists of the annotated photographs of each of the 197 objects illustrated in the catalog, which was published in 1954. Based on certain markings, these were the photographs used by the printer. A second "Miscellaneous" series of photographs, some with annotations, primarily document other objects in the Arensberg collection that did not appear in the catalog. Some are unidentified.

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

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Giuseppe Donato Papers, 1897-1965, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
6 linear feet
Abstract:
This collection consists primarily of personal correspondence between the French sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) and his former student Giuseppe Donato (1881-1965), who became a noted Philadelphia sculptor. There are approximately one dozen original items written by Rodin, and photocopied versions of the 30 pieces of correspondence sent by Donato. Letters from a few other individuals associated with Rodin are also included, as well as a small portrait photograph Rodin autographed to Donato and a clip of Rodin's hair. All 20 pieces of correspondence, including the notated calling cards, are in French. The 1965 obituary of Donato published in the Philadelphia Bulletin is also included.

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

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Gloria Braggiotti Etting Photographs, 1935-1994, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
0.75 linear foot
Abstract:
Born in Italy's Tuscan region, author and photographer Gloria Braggiotti Etting easily made her home among Philadelphia's high society upon her marriage to artist Emlen Etting. Her photographs, taken primarily from the 1960s to 1980s, record some of the most prominent citizens, as well as noted artists, authors and celebrities the world-over. While some of the subjects Etting photographed are formally posed in portrait fashion, many are more candid as they casually mingle at black-tie dinners and other social gatherings. Etting did not take all of these photographs, although it is unclear how many. For many of the photographs, Etting identified each person. Few, however, are dated. Several pieces of correspondence are also included. Most are from American composer Ned Rorem, as well as a published score of his 1970 composition "Gloria."

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

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Graham Hood Papers of Bonnin and Morris Porcelain Manufactory, 1965-1976, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
1 linear foot
Abstract:
This collection consists primarily of correspondence curator and scholar Graham Hood generated during his 1965 to 1970 research of America's first porcelain manufactory, and during and after the publication of his book regarding the same. The work, entitled "Bonnin and Morris of Philadelphia: the first American porcelain factory, 1770-1772," was published in 1972. The collection also contains photographs, which include those used in the book, reports and other writings. The folder-level inventory included with the collection was created in 2002.

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

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Hannah Ann Zell Scrapbook, 1873-1904, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
0.25 linear foot
Abstract:
Hannah Ann Zell devoted her scrapbook to the Centennial Exhibition held in Philadelphia in 1876, as well as to the Pennsylvania Museum's School of Industrial Art and the Associate Committee of Women, which primarily raised funds on behalf of the school. Her scrapbook, which consists of clippings, ephemera and occasional correspondence, attests to the civic spirit of women of the period.

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

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Hollingsworth Pearce Papers, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
1 linear foot
Abstract:
Approximately 60 black and white photographs comprise this collection, documenting the work of Hollingsworth Pearce (1878-1936), Philadelphia designer, metalsmith and engraver. There is also a hand-written inventory of the photographed objects, which are primarily silver or pewter items Pearce crafted for several churches and chapels, such as altar and processional crosses, sanctuary lamps and a baptismal bowl. Tablets, trophy cups and bowls are also illustrated.

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

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Joan Root Collections, 1876-1926, 1969-2000 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.25 linear foot
Abstract:
Most of the material comprising the Joan Root Collections consists of correspondence she received from Carl Otto Kretzschmar von Kienbusch, who amassed one of the world's greatest private collections of arms and armor, which he bequeathed to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Their correspondence began in 1969 when Mrs. Root became vice chair (and later chairman) of the Museum's Guides, and continued until von Kienbusch's death in 1976. There are also a few pieces of correspondence from some of von Kienbusch's associates and other PMA staff members. Other related material includes writings about von Kienbusch and the PMA's acquisition of his collection as well as photographs. The second subgroup highlights a completely different interest of Mrs. Root--a small compilation of ephemera pertaining to the City of Philadelphia, namely the Centennial, Sesqui-centennial and dedication of the equestrian monument of George Washington in Fairmount Park.

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

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John G. Johnson Papers, 1846-1918, 1927-1955, 1973-1993, undated [bulk: 1880-1918] (inclusive)

Extent:
26.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Born, raised and educated in Philadelphia, John Graver Johnson (1841-1917) became one of the city's preeminent citizens, noted not only for his long and successful practice as a corporate lawyer but also for his extensive collection of European art. The John G. Johnson Papers consist of correspondence, hundreds of photographs and other documents that make evident Johnson's consultation with noted scholars and art dealers and his own methodology in building and refining an art collection. Estate inventories and appraisals and a copy of Johnson's will outline the disposition of those acquisitions and other personal belongings after his death. Also well documented are three of Johnson's European excursions. Oversized photograph albums hold more than twelve hundred images of the sites Johnson took in with his wife Ida. The lives of Johnson and his wife are also chronicled through portraits--Johnson from the ages of six to sixty-six and Ida from little girl to young mother to...(see more)

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

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John Stephen Benezet Diaries, 1838-1850, 1892, 1949 (inclusive)

Extent:
2 linear feet
Abstract:
The diaries of John Stephen Benezet offer a glimpse of life in antebellum Philadelphia from 1838 to 1850. By the time he begins to keep these journals, Benezet is already a husband and father supporting a family of at least four children as a clerk at the United States Mint in Philadelphia. In addition to his personal activities, such as attending church, assisting at a school and taking tea and dinner with family and friends, Benezet's entries occasionally give a glimpse of contemporary social and political activities. The most recurring subject is the outbreak of cholera.

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

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Julius Zieget Memorabilia, 1947 (inclusive)

Extent:
1 oversized folder
Abstract:
This collection consists of a 12"x15" chalk on paper caricature of Julius Zieget, who served for nearly four decades as Secretary and Treasurer of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Philadelphia artist Louis Hirshman drew this likeness in 1947.

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

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Mary Curran Papers, 1891-1958, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
10.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Mary Curran (1885-1976) devoted most of her professional life to some of the most progressive practices in social reform and relief during the first half of the 20th century. Her papers primarily document the significant role she played in the education of young working women, which segued into the promotion of modern art in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the management of the federal relief programs for artists in that state during most of the 1930s. The material is arranged in four series: I. Working women's clubs; II. New Students League and the Little Gallery of Contemporary Art; III. Federal Art Project and earlier relief programs; and IV. Personal papers. The bulk of documentation consists of correspondence, clippings, photographs, artist application forms and related reports for federal relief work, and 15-years' worth of bulletins, catalogs and ephemera, primarily from Philadelphia and New York museums, galleries and art alliances. Correspondents include...(see more)

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

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Titus C. Geesey Papers, 1945-1969, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
0.25 linear foot
Abstract:
Titus C. Geesey (d. 1969) was an avid collector of American folk art, particularly Pennsylvania German objects, which were popularly referred to as "Pennsylvania Dutch." This manuscript collection consists of his correspondence primarily with curators and directors of museums and historical societies in the Mid-Atlantic area, written from 1945 to 1969, regarding loans and gifts from his collection. Geesey's offerings in 1953 to the Philadelphia Museum of Art significantly strengthened its rural Pennsylvania collection. Lists of objects accompanying several of the letters suggest the extent of Geesey's holdings, which included walnut and decorated furniture, pottery, porcelain, paintings, silver, glass, frakturs, textiles, wrought iron, toleware, children's books and toys, maps, engravings, lithographs, firearms, tools and cooking utensils.

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

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Sarah Dickson Lowrie Biography of Eli Kirk Price, 1935-1936, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
1 volume
Abstract:
"Price Papers" is the original bound typescript compiled by Sarah Dickson Lowrie that she intended to publish as a biography of Eli Kirk Price (1870-1933), a well-known civic leader, who was closely associated with the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The volume is richly illustrated with maps, clippings, ephemera and photographs and includes some correspondence and typescripts of family letters.

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

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Zieget Shaker Collection Papers, 1841-1868, 1919-1968, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Zieget Shaker Collection Papers underscore Irene and Julius Zieget's reliance on members of the Shaker community in acquiring hundreds of samples of their art and crafts. Correspondence dating from 1929 to 1968 and a journal illustrated with photographs document the Ziegets' interaction with a number of Shaker sisters and eldresses, particularly Sister Marguerite Frost of Canterbury, NH. The papers also include some of the Ziegets' acquisitions--nineteenth- and early twentieth-century manuscript material. Included here are records of deaths, recipes and other household instructions along with spiritual messages, blessings and hymns all recorded neatly in the distinctive and decorative Shaker hand. A scrapbook Irene Zieget compiled of printed material dating from 1881 to 1960 includes published writings by Shakers as well as numerous newspaper and magazine articles and advertisements that chronicle the public's interest in the Shaker lifestyle and aesthetic.

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

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Yasuo Kuniyoshi Papers, 1931-1932, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
0.5 linear foot
Abstract:
This collection consists of approximately five months worth of letters written by the artist Yasuo Kuniyoshi (1889-1953) in which he describes his 1931-1932 journey back to Japan in vivid detail. Writing to his wife Katherine (Schmidt) in New York, Kuniyoshi details every experience, particularly the social and media activities surrounding his one-man exhibitions in Tokyo and Osaka, and his visits to Okayama to spend time with his dying father. A few photographs of Kuniyoshi's train stop in Montana and an original writing in Japanese, laid out in a scroll format, are also included.

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

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