Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America
Archives related to: Kramrisch, Stella, 1898-1993
| title | Stella Kramrisch Papers | repository | Philadelphia Museum of Art |
| description | The Stella Kramrisch papers document her activities, correspondence and publications as a collector and historian of Indian art. Dating from 1921 to 1998, the material pertains to the art objects acquired by Kramrisch for her personal collection, most of which were gifted or bequeathed to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and to her writings and research. Printed material related to Dr. Kramrisch’s research and scholarship comprises most of the collection. Photographs of Indian architecture, paintings and sculpture are also significant in number. |
| extent | 60 linear feet |
| formats | Correspondence Photoprints Inventories |
| access | Collection is open for research use. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact archivist. |
| record link | http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017/d/pacscl/PMA_PMA001 |
| record source | http://dla.library.upenn.edu/dla/pacscl/index.html |
| finding aid | Available as a PACSCL finding aid on the Penn LibrariAes Web site. |
| acquisition information | Transferred from the Indian Art Department, Philadelphia Museum of Art. |
| updated | 02/14/2025 10:07:48 |
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| title | Nancy Wilson Ross Papers, 1913-1986 | repository | University of Texas, Austin |
| description | The Nancy Wilson Ross Papers, 1913-86, contain virtually complete documentation of her professional writing career, extensive personal correspondence, and files reflecting her interest in Far Eastern culture. Types of materials found in the collection include holograph manuscript notes; typed manuscripts, carbons, and photocopies; photographs; galley and page proofs; contracts and royalty statements; book announcements; dust jackets; publicity clippings; correspondence; pencil, ink, and watercolor sketches; reports; exhibit announcements and catalogs; newspaper clippings; and periodical publications. Early drafts and working manuscripts of books, (cont.) an unpublished first novel, short stories, poetry, articles, and reviews, along with supplementary correspondence document her writing career. Her works deal with numerous topics, among them, the Pacific Northwest, the Bauhaus, and Asian culture and religion. Extensive correspondence with family, friends, and numerous other associates is present. Correspondence, organization records, and publications represent Ross's participation on various boards, such as the Asia Society, the Martha Graham Foundation, the San Francisco Zen Center, and the Tibetan Foundation. Bio/History: American author and noted authority on Asian religion and art. |
| extent | 138 linear feet |
| formats | Correspondence Manuscript Photocopies Printed Materials Drawings |
| access | Open for research |
| record link | http://research.hrc.utexas.edu:8080/hrcxtf/view?docId=ead/00114.xml |
| finding aid | Available online |
| acquisition information | Purchase, 1972 (R5717) |
| updated | 02/14/2025 10:07:48 |
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| title | W. Norman (William Norman) Brown, 1892-1975, Papers, 1912-1975 | repository | University Archives and Records Center |
| description | W. Norman Brown was an eminent Sanskritist and organizer of the first South Asia area studies program in the U.S., The documentary record of his career reveals the broad range of his lifelong interest in every aspect of South Asian scholarship and cultural activity. His talent in philology and translation was equaled by an administrative ability to arrange archeological dig permits, shepherd authors and printers through the publication process, teach, lecture, consult, publish personal work, travel, and continually strive for increased institutional and government support for area related studies. His papers include personal and scholarly correspondence, lecture notes, drafts and completed papers, and materials related to research, archeology, travel, and government service. The collection includes correspondence (letters and documents related to research, organizations, and individuals), 1920-1973; research notes, 1919-1973; lecture notes, 1919-1965; Chanhu-daro, Sind expedition, 1934-1943; government reports from the Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.), 1941-1947; professional association papers, 1927-1970; and Merganthaler Linotype Company files, 1934-1955 . |
| formats | Correspondence Notes Business Papers |
| access | Contact the repository for access and restrictions. |
| record link | https://archives.upenn.edu/collections/finding-aid/upt50b879/ |
| record source | https://find.library.upenn.edu/catalog/9914776793503681?hld_id=22297693760003681 |
| finding aid | Finding aid available online and at repository. |
| updated | 04/15/2025 11:48:24 |
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| title | Henri Gabriel Marceau Curatorial Records, 1929-1956 | repository | Philadelphia Museum of Art |
| description | Henri Gabriel Marceau, an internationally known scholar, art historian, and architect, held numerous roles at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from 1926 to 1964, including Curator of the Johnson Collection, Curator of Fine Arts, and Museum Director. The Henri Gabriel Marceau Curatorial Records (1929-1956) document his work at the museum and are arranged into three series. The first, Correspondence, Lectures, and Other Materials, includes letters from 1929 to 1946, lecture materials spanning 1938 to 1956, as well as notes, photographs, and undated slide lectures. The second, Exhibition Files, consists primarily of photographs of artwork from exhibitions, along with Marceau’s notes, biographical research, letters, and newspaper clippings. The third, Film, contains unprocessed rolls that likely depict exhibitions or other museum-related subjects. The collection is open for research, with literary rights held by the Philadelphia Museum of Art Archives for materials created by museum personnel. |
| extent | 13 linear feet |
| formats | Correspondence |
| access | Contact the repository for access and restrictions. |
| record link | https://pmalibrary.libraryhost.com/repositories/3/resources/176 |
| finding aid | Finding aid available online and at repository. |
| updated | 08/26/2025 11:09:46 |
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| title | Indian Art Department Records, 1896?-1999, n.d. | repository | Philadelphia Museum of Art |
| description | In 1931 the Philadelphia Museum of Art appointed W. Norman Brown (1892-1975) as its first curator of Indian art. At the time of his curatorial appointment, the Indian Art office was part of the Division of Eastern Art. In 1954, Museum Director Fiske Kimball persuaded Dr. Stella Kramrisch (1896-1993) to join the Museum and assume the curatorial position. During Kramrisch's tenure, the formal designation of her department was also modified. In 1956 the Museum renamed the division "Oriental Art," with curators in Indian and Far Eastern art. In 1972, it dropped the divisional title, and separately recognized the two curatorial offices. In the Museum's 1995 annual report, the department was listed for the first time as Indian and Himalayan Art, which remains its current title. This record group consists primarily of general correspondence and exhibition records that document the department's activities during most of Stella Kramrisch's curatorial tenure. Correspondence is alphabetically arranged by name of individual or institution, as well as a few files identified by subjects, such as scroll painting, lectures, and projects. Institutional correspondents include museums, galleries, universities, publishers and organizations dedicated to the promotion of Asian studies. Examples of the latter include the non-profit American Council of Southern Asia Art (ACSAA) and the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS), which is a consortium of universities and colleges that promotes teaching and research about India. The most extensively documented exhibition is "Manifestations of Shiva," which was mounted in 1981. The 13 linear feet of records include a subseries of general files, which are topically arranged and document issues such as budget, travel, openings, publicity, and related symposium. The many "history" files that are a subgroup to the general files appear to pertain to the initial work, research and contacts made in preparing for the exhibition. The second subseries consists of lender files, which are grouped by location, namely American, European and Indian, and within each georgraphic division, by type of lender, either private or institution. The exhibition catalogue is the third subseries, and documentation consists primarily of catalogue entries and photographs of each object, as well as research material. Most of the material comprising the "Other subjects" series pertaining to a biographical project about Kramrisch undertaken after her death by the department's curatorial and administrative assistant has been transferred to the Stella Kramrisch Papers. |
| extent | 36.75 linear feet |
| formats | corrCorrespondence Photographs Research Files Writings |
| access | The collection is open for research |
| record link | http://www.philamuseum.org/pma_archives/ead.php?c=IND&p=hn |
| record source | http://www.philamuseum.org/archives/findingaids.html |
| finding aid | Available online |
| updated | 02/14/2025 10:07:48 |
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| title | Evan H. Turner Records, 1964-1978 | repository | Philadelphia Museum of Art |
| description | Evan H. Turner served as Director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art from 1964 to 1978, leading the museum through significant expansion, the creation of new departments, and the landmark Marcel Duchamp retrospective. The Evan H. Turner Records document his tenure through correspondence, reports, and exhibition planning materials, as well as his role in Philadelphia’s Bicentennial celebrations and national arts organizations. The collection is arranged into four series covering official correspondence, special projects, professional affiliations, and subject files, reflecting his contributions to museum growth, community outreach, and the acquisition of major collections. |
| extent | 146 linear feet |
| formats | Correspondence Memoranda Reports |
| access | Contact the repository for access and restrictions. |
| record link | https://pmalibrary.libraryhost.com/repositories/3/resources/282 |
| finding aid | Finding aid available online and at repository. |
| updated | 08/26/2025 11:09:52 |
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