Archives of American Art

A Finding Aid to the American Artists Group Records, 1931-1966, in the Archives of American Art

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.amerartg
Creators:
American Artists Group
Dates:
1931-1966
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
12 Microfilm reels
0.4 Linear feet
Unmicrofilmed
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The records of the American Artists Group include 12 microfilm reels, plus 0.4 linear feet of printed material, and date from 1931 to 1966. The collection documents the organization's attempt to provide a market for artists affected by the Great Depression by using original artwork for greeting cards. Microfilmed materials include correspondence, photographs, clippings, biographical data on artists, and press notices.
Christmas Card material includes a portfolio of 106 Christmas cards, with the envelopes and original packing materials, printed and distributed by the American Artists Group in 1935. This is a nearly complete set (missing only two cards) and the first set published by the group.
Publication material includes three publications: "Handbook of the American Artists Group," 1935, "Original Etchings, Lithographs, and Woodcuts Published by the American Artists Group, Inc.," 1937, and "Ten Years, A Christmas Card Adventure," circa 1944.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged as 3 series:
  • Series 1: Correspondence and Subject Files, 1931-1966 (Reels NAG01-NAG12)
  • Series 2: Christmas Cards, 1935 (.4 linear feet; Box 2-5)
  • Series 3: Publications, 1935-circa 1944 (1 folder)

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
The American Artists Group, a greeting card company, was founded by Samuel Golden in 1934 in New York City. One of its aims was to popularize contemporary American art by publishing fine reproductions of original etchings, lithographs, drawings, and paintings on greeting cards.

Administration

Author
Evangeline Avila
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials on reels NAG1-12 lent for microfilming by the American Artists Group, 1966-1968. Unmicrofilmed material donated 1994 by Allen P. Golden, son of Samuel Golden who founded the American Artists Group.
Existence and Location of Copies
35mm microfilm reels NAG 1 through NAG 12 available at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
Existence and Location of Originals
Reels NAG1-NAG12: Originals returned to American Artists Group after microfilming.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Art -- Marketing -- New York (State) -- New York Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Art -- Reproduction Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Greeting cards industry Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Greeting cards Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Golden, Samuel, 1895-1963 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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