1. Search and Browse Collections
  2. Esphyr Slobodkina papers, circa 1925-1995
  3. Contents and Arrangement

Esphyr Slobodkina papers, circa 1925-1995

Contents and Arrangement

Creator

Occupation

Make a Request

  • To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
  • To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.
Select containers from the following list if you want to request them for reading room use or reproduction

Series 1: Correspondence , 1934-1992
0.4 Linear feet
Box 1

Correspondence is primarily with Slobodkina's family, friends, and business associates. The series includes significant correspondence from her first husband, Ilya Bolotowsky, as well as abstract artists George L.K. Morris, Paul Kelpe, Ruth Eckstein, Leo Rabkin, and Harry Tedlie. The series also includes correspondence regarding her publications, including her children's books, the folio on Ilya Bolotowsky, and Slobodkina's autobiography.
Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent, then followed by correspondence related to Slobodkina's book projects.
Description Container Select
A-Z, Miscellaneous, 1940-1990
1
1
Bolotowsky, Ilya , 1934-1947, 1988
For typescripts of handwritten letters and English transcriptions of letters written in Russian, see Box 1, Folder 33.
1
2
Eckstein, Ruth, circa 1965-1992
1
3-5
Forest Lake School, 1980
1
6
Gallatin, A.E., 1940-1949
1
7
Hulbeck, Beate, 1966-1973
1
8
Kelly, Isabel, circa 1980-1989
1
9
Kelpe, Paul, circa 1960-1973
1
10
Mason, Alice Trumbull, 1942-1967
1
11
Meierhaus, Joe, 1942-1975
1
12
Morris, George and Suzy Frelinghuysen, 1947-1959
1
13-15
Nieuwe Kerk Museum, 1990
1
16
Rabkin, Leo, circa 1970-1990
1
17
Sennhauser, John, 1949-1983
1
18
Shaw, Charles G., circa 1940-1979
1
19
Slobodkina, Esphyr, circa 1960-1990
1
20
Tedlie, Harry, circa 1970-1975
1
21
Washburn Gallery, 1975-1984
1
22
Publication of Children's Books, 1974, 1983-1989
1
23
Publication of Ilya Bolotowsky, 1986-1987
1
24
Receipt of Notes for a Biographer, Friends, 1977, 1981-1987
1
25
Receipt of Notes for a Biographer, Institutions, 1977-1986
1
26
Letters and Inscriptions to Recipients of Unidentified Book, circa 1960-1990
1
27
Unknown and Illegible, circa 1940-1990
1
28
Back to Top

Series 2: Writings , circa 1920-1985
6 Folders
Box 1

Writings include 3 essays by Slobodkina on abstract art, the autobiography Notes for a Biographer (vol. 1), the edited folio Ilya Bolotowsky, and a small notebook kept by Ilya Bolotowsky during the 1920s-30s. The folio reprints a selection of Bolotowsky's drawings and his correspondence to Slobodkina during their marriage, which are typescript and translated from Russian.
Materials are arranged by author, then by document type.
Description Container Select
Slobodkina, Esphyr, Notes for a Biographer (Part I), 1976
1
29
Slobodkina, Esphyr, "My Secret Life With George Morris", 1961
1
30
Slobodkina, Esphyr, "Small Abstract Line Drawing", circa 1960
1
31
Slobodkina, Esphyr, "What is Abstract Art?", 1961
1
32
Slobodkina, Esphyr (folio editor), Ilya Bolotowsky, 1985
For original letters, see Box 1, Folder 2.
1
33
Bolotowsky, Ilya, Notebook, circa 1920-1939
1
34
Back to Top

Series 3: Printed Material , circa 1939-1994
7 Folders
Box 1, OV 4

Printed material consists of clippings; samples of announcements, cards, and brochures designed by Slobodkina; exhibition announcements and catalogs; press releases, and miscellaneous printed material.
Materials are arranged by document type.
Description Container Select
Clippings, circa 1939-1994
Oversized material housed in OV 4.
1
35
Designs by Esphyr Slobodkina, circa 1955-1985
1
36
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1950-1963
1
37
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, Other Artists, 1961-1993
1
38
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, Other Artists, Group Shows, 1984-1991
1
39
Postcard, circa 1978
1
40
Press Releases, 1988
1
41
Oversized Clipping, circa 1936-1970
Oversized material from Box 1, Folder 35.
4
Back to Top

Series 4: Photographs , circa 1925-1970
3 Folders
Box 1

Photographs are of Slobodkina and her paintings and sculptures, as well as photographs of artwork by other abstract artists.
Materials are arranged by subject matter.
Description Container Select
Photographs of Esphyr Slobodkina, circa 1925-1970
1
42
Photographs of Artwork by Esphyr Slobodkina, circa 1940-1964
1
43
Photographs of Artwork by Others, circa 1938-1965
1
44
Back to Top

Series 5: American Abstract Artists , circa 1936-1995
0.9 Linear feet
Box 1-3, OV 4

The series American Abstract Artists includes administrative material, correspondence, writings, selected exhibitions, and printed material.
Administrative material includes copies of the constitution, meeting minutes, membership lists, and a treasurer's report. Correspondence is with officers of the AAA regarding meetings, member dues, and publication projects. Writings include three essays on the AAA and draft copies of American Abstract Artists, 1936-1966. Exhibitions include substantial correspondence regarding the logistics of two early exhibitions, the "National Exhibition" (1940/1940-1941) and the "Traveling Exhibition of Matted Works" (1940-1941). Printed material contains clippings; exhibition announcements, catalogs, and posters; sample organizational letterhead; and a copy of American Abstract Artists: Its Publications, Catalogs, and Membership.
Administrative materials, writings, and printed materials are arranged by document type. Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent, then followed by correspondence related to book projects. Exhibitions are arranged alphabetically by exhibition title.
The series is arranged as 5 subseries.
  • 5.1: Administrative materials, 1949-1995
  • 5.2: Correspondence, 1940-1995
  • 5.3: Writings, circa 1936-1994
  • 5.4: Exhibitions, 1939-1966
  • 5.5: Printed Material, 1936-1992

5.1: Administrative Material, 1949-1995

Description Container
Constitution, 1949
1
45
Meeting Minutes, 1949-1995
1
46-47
Membership Lists, 1958-1991
1
48
Treasurer's Report, 1965-1982
1
49

5.2: Correspondence, 1940-1995

Description Container
A-Z Miscellaneous, 1940-1986
1
50
Goodyear, John, 1983-1990
1
51
Kelpe, Paul, circa 1956-1965
1
52
Mason, Alice, 1949-1962
1
53
Rabkin, Leo, 1961-1979
1
54
Riese, Beatrice, 1988-1995
1
55
Rousseau, Irene, 1979-1982
1
56
University of New Mexico, 1973
1
57
Membership Dues, circa 1961-1978
1
58
Publication of American Abstract Artists, 1936-1966, 1966-1968
2
1
Requests for American Abstract Artists: Its Publications, Catalogs, and Memberships, 1979-1984
2
2

5.3: Writings, circa 1936-1994

Description Container
Book Draft, American Abstract Artists, 1936-1966, circa 1966
2
3-7
Slobodkina, Esphyr, On American Abstract Artists and Art, circa 1960-1990
2
8
Slobodkina, Esphyr, "Historical Outline", circa 1966
2
9
Unknown Author, "Pioneers in the Field", 1962
2
10
Notes, circa 1936-1994
2
11

5.4: Exhibitions, 1939-1966

Description Container
"28th Annual Exhibition" (1964), circa 1964
2
12
"American Abstract Artists, 1936-1986" (1986), 1984-1986
2
13
"Exhibition in Honor of Albers, Morris, Rice-Pereira, and Shaw" (1976), 1976
2
14
"National Exhibition" (1940), Administrative Memorandum, 1939-1940
2
15
"National Exhibition" (1940), Lehigh University, 1939-1940
2
16
"National Exhibition" (1940), University of Minnesota, 1939-1940
2
17
"National Exhibition" (1940), Declines to Exhibit, 1939-1940
2
18
"National Exhibition" (1940-1941), Declines to Exhibit, 1940
2
19
"Riverside Museum Show" (1966), circa 1966
2
20
"Traveling Exhibition of Matted Works" (1940-1941), Administrative Memorandum, 1940-1941
2
21
"Traveling Exhibition of Matted Works" (1940-1941), Cranbrook Academy of Art, 1940
2
22
"Traveling Exhibition of Matted Works" (1940-1941), Norfolk Museum, 1940
2
23
"Traveling Exhibition of Matted Works" (1940-1941), Declines to Exhibit, 1940
2
24

5.5: Printed Material, 1936-1992

Description Container
Book, American Abstract Artists: Its Publications, Catalogs, and Membership, 1979
2
25
Book Draft, American Abstract Artists: Its Publications, Catalogs, and Membership, 1979
3
1-2
Clippings, 1936-1988
3
3
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1948-1992
3
4-7
Exhibition Posters, 1956-1982
Oversized material housed in OV 4.
3
8
Letterhead, circa 1960-1969
3
9
Newsletters, circa 1960-1969
3
10
Press Releases, 1972-1991
3
11
Miscellaneous Printed Material, circa 1960-1969
3
12
Oversized Exhibition Posters, 1956-1982
Oversized material from Box 3, Folder 8.
4

Make a Request

  • To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
  • To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.