Special Exhibition Records
This accession consists of materials documenting the research and production of the exhibition "Magnificent Voyagers, United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842," curated by Herman J. Viola. Materials include research materials, funding proposals, contact sheets, speech notes, loan records, evaluations, committee materials, drafts of some chapters, and some oversize graphics.
Rockwell Kent papers
bulk 1935-1961
The Rockwell Kent papers measure 88.0 linear feet and date from circa 1840 to 1993 with the bulk of the collection dating from 1935 to 1961. The collection provides comprehensive coverage of Kent's career as a painter, illustrator, designer, writer, lecturer, traveler, political activist, and dairy farmer.
Records
These records consist of press releases, memoranda, tapes documenting Museum activities, newspaper clippings concerning the Museum, correspondence, exhibition catalogues, exhibition scripts, invitations, guest lists, and photographs. Material pre-dating the appointment of Rebecca Bean consists entirely of news clippings.
The Garden Club of America collection
33 Linear feet ((garden files))
3,000 Lantern slides
This collection contains over 37,000 35mm slides, 3,000 glass lantern slides and garden files that may include descriptive information, photocopied articles (from journals, newspapers, or books), planting lists, correspondence, brochures, landscape plans and drawings. Garden files were compiled by Garden Club of America (GCA) members for most of the gardens included in the collection. Some gardens have been photographed over the course of several decades; others only have images from a single point in time. In addition to images of American gardens, there are glass lantern slides of the New York Flower Show (1941-1951) and trips that GCA members took to other countries, including Mexico (1937), Italy, Spain, Japan (1935), France (1936), England (1929), and Scotland. A number of the slides are copies of historic images from outside repositories including horticultural and historical societies or from horticultural books and publications. The GCA made a concerted effort in the mid-1980s to acquire these images in order to increase its documentation of American garden history. Because of copyright considerations, use of these particular images may be restricted.
Department of Anthropology records
Smithsonian Institution. Department of Anthropology
Smithsonian Institution. United States National Museum. Department of Anthropology
The Department of Anthropology records contain administrative and research materials produced by the department and its members from the time of the Smithsonian Institution's foundation until today.
Wurlitzer Company Records
The collection documents the history and development of the Wurlitzer Company and consists of company publications, business records, employee files, manufacturing records, sales and marketing records, product information, publicity, advertising, photographs, audiovisual materials, and organ installation drawings.
N W Ayer Advertising Agency Records
1869-2006
Collection consists of records documenting one of the oldest advertising agencies created in Philadelphia. The company then moves to New York and expanses to international markets. During its history NW Ayer & Sons acquires a number of other advertising agencies and is eventually purchased. The largest portion of the collection is print advertisements but also includes radio and television. NW Ayer is known for some of the slogans created for major American companies.
Exhibition Records
These records consist of exhibition design, production, and installation information including proposals and narratives, scripts, schedules, graphic designs, construction contracts and specifications, floor plans, blueprints, schematic drawings, and photographs. The records also include Department of Exhibits administrative files such as correspondence, memoranda, monthly progress reports, budget information, space planning, and …
Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music, Series 9: Domestic and Community Life
Sam DeVincent loved music and art and began collecting sheet music with lithographs at an early age. Series 9: Domestic and Community Life documents family, love, marriage, home, and social organizations. An overview to the entire DeVincent collection is available here: Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music.
Jacques Seligmann & Co. records
bulk 1913-1974
The records of Jacques Seligmann & Co. measure approximately 203.1 linear feet and date from 1904 to 1978, with bulk dates from 1913 to 1974. The collection includes extensive correspondence files, reference material on American and European collectors and their collections, inventory and stock records, financial records, exhibition files, auction files, and the records of subsidiary companies. The collection is an invaluable resource in tracing the provenance of particular works of art and provides a comprehensive view of the activities of collectors and art dealers in the years leading up to and following World War II.
