Smithsonian Libraries

Nathan Horwitt collection, [193-]-[196-]

Summary

Collection ID:
SIL-CH.1991-127-1
Creators:
Horwitt, (George) Nathan, 1889-1990.
Dates:
[193-]-[196-]
Languages:
Undetermined
.
Physical Description:
4 Cubic feet
Repository:
This collection documents Horwitt's major projects from the 1930s to the 1960s.Project files include drawings, sketches, blueprints, correspondence, patents, legal correspondence, clippings, financial reports, and advertisements for Horwitt's projects. Samples of logos and letterheads he designed are included as well. The most thorough documentation pertains to the Braquette, the Cyclometer, the Museum Watch, and the Beta Chair. Drawings, sketches, blueprints, and plans are boxed separately, mostly flat. Interviews with individuals who worked with and knew Horwitt are on audio cassettes, "Recollections of Nathan Horwitt." Two short videos, "The Legend behind the Museum Watch" and "Movado Worldwide Museum" are stored on 3/4 in. video cassettes.

Arrangement note

Arrangement note
Arranged in six record groups; 1) Project files; 2) Drawings, sketches, and blueprints; 3) Film and video; 4) Photographs and Transparencies; 5) Sound Recordings; and 6) Reference Material.

Biographical/Historical note

Biographical/Historical note
Industrial designer. Born Romania, 1889. Horwitt studied at City University of New York, New York University, and the Art Students' League, New York. In the 1920s, Horwitt formed his own, short-lived company, Design Engineers, Inc. He served as an advertising copywriter for the pharmaceutical company, E.R. Squibb, after serving in World War II.
Horwitt is best known for his design of a numberless black-face watch that has become known as the "Museum Watch" and was produced by the Movado Watch Company. He also designed the 1930 Beta chair and the Braquette, a frameless picture frame. His innovative designs for timepieces incorporated the classic elements of modern design while retaining some of the traditional elements of telling time, such as the circular face.

Administration

Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Hank Horwitt, the designer's son, gave Cooper-Hewitt all his relevant design materials from his home studio in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, in 1991.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access note
Unrestricted research use onsite by appointment. Permission of staff required to photograph materials.

More Information

Location of Other Archival Materials Note

Location of Other Archival Materials Note
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Applied Arts Department. Models and prototypes of approximately 25 objects, including models of the Museum Clock, the Cyclox clock, the Braquette, and the Beta Chair.
Location of Other Archival Materials Note
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Drawings and Prints Department. Three drawings of Horwitt's designs for perfume bottles.
Location of Other Archival Materials Note
Movado Web Page. Information on Horwitt's work for the Movado Watch Company can be found on the company's web site, http://www.movado.ch/nhorwit.html.

Other Finding Aids note

Other Finding Aids note
19-page Research Guide.


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Postage stamp design -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Radio -- Receivers and reception Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum Watch Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Logos (Symbols) -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Letterheads -- Design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Lamps -- Design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clocks and watches -- Design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Chair design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Beta Chair Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Blueprints Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum Clock Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Braquette Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Financial records Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Speeches Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Drawings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Design, Industrial -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Articles Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Industrial designers -- United States Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Audiocassettes Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Advertisements Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Patents Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Correspondence Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Brochures Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Videocassettes Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sketches Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Negatives Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Slides Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Legal correspondence Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Plans Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Braquette, Inc. Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Design Engineers, Inc. Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cooper-Hewitt Design Archive Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Horwitt, (George) Nathan, 1889-1990. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Howard Miller Clock Company Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Movado Watch Corporation Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Libraries
P.O. Box 37012
NMAH 1041, MRC 672
Washington, DC 20013-7012
AskaLibrarian@si.edu