Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the William Metzig Papers

Summary
Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.1269
Creators:
Metzig, William, 1893-1989
Dates:
circa 1925-1979
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
16 Cubic feet
Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
The materials in this collection span the years from the late 1920s to the 1970s and document Metzig's work in Germany and the United States. Little background and biographical information is available.
Project files : More than 500 examples of the designer's work, including letterheads, logos, trademarks, brochures, book jackets, magazine covers and layouts, certificates, awards, and product labels.
Printed Materials : Includes articles written by Metzig and a copy of his publication, "Art Lettering and Design," which was done for the International Correspondence Schools of Pennsylvania in 1957. This collection does not include any business records or correspondence.
Other Visual Materials : Photographs, slides, and transparencies of many of Metzig's designs.
Arrangement
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into three record groups: 1) printed materials; 2) project files; and 3) other visual materials. Project files are arranged in alphabetical order by name of client. Extensive files for projects done for distilleries and publishing companies are alphabetized separately.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Graphic designer and artist. Born Hanover, Germany, 1893. Metzig apprenticed with a lithographer prior to establishing his own studio in the 1920s. He designed trademarks, logos, letterheads, brochures, and posters for clients. He is best known for his work for Pelikan Ink Company.
He also designed book covers, magazine covers, and page layouts. In the 1930s, Metzig became known as a leading calligrapher and advertising artist in Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1939 and settled in New York where he taught calligraphy and did freelance graphic design until his death in 1989.
Administration
Author
NMAH Staff
Custodial History
The collection was transferred from the Cooper-Hewitt Design Archives to the Archives Center in 2012.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated by Mr. Metzig's daughter, Mrs. Matthew Murgio, and a former student and friend of Metzig's, Lili Wronker, 1990.
Processing Information
Collection is unprocessed.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Restrictions on Access
Permission of staff required to photograph materials.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Preferred Citation
William Metzig Papers, ca. 1925-1979, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Keywords
Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Magazine covers -- Design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Posters -- Design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Greeting cards -- Design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Works of art Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Graphic arts -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Calligraphy Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Graphic arts -- Germany Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Book jackets Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Slides Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Graphic designers Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
advertising Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Illustrators Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Drawings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Letterheads -- Design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Packaging -- Design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Labels -- Design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Logos (Symbols) -- Design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Graphic artists Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Trademarks -- Design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Corporate image -- Design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pamphlets -- Design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Book jackets -- Design -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Transparencies Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Brochures Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Advertisements Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Heubelin, Inc. Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Fieldcrest Mills Inc. Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Metzig, William, 1893-1989 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Popov Distilling Company Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Murgio, Matthew, Mrs. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pelikan Ink Company Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Fawcett Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cooper-Hewitt Design Archive Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Dutton Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu