Harry Sternberg papers, 1927-2000

Biographical materials include career summaries and lists of his achievements, a transcript of an interview with Sternberg by art curator Malcolm Warner, and two ledgers containing price lists for etchings, sale records, dealer lists, and address lists. Other items found here include scattered financial documents and business contracts for the publishing of his books and teaching jobs. Sternberg also maintained files for certain activities he identified as "business ventures" including the design and production of Prest-Glass, a corrugated fiberglass. Also found is a file on his design and production of an easel seat, including original drawings for the design, and a file regarding the film, "The Many Worlds of Art", which he produced and directed. This file includes contracts, program notes, correspondence, and printed material about the project. Audio recordings of interviews with Sternberg are found in Series 7.

Items are arranged chronologically within each folder.

Sternberg's personal and professional correspondence includes correspondence with friends and fellow artists Rockwell Kent, Philip Evergood, and Peter Blume; art collector Hudson Walker; curator Carl Zigrosser, and author and friend Erle Stanley Gardner. Also found is correspondence with art organizations, art galleries and museums regarding the loan, sale, and exhibition of his artwork, and with colleges and universities regarding the exhibition of his work and teaching and lecture opportunities. Additional correspondence includes letters from former students and art scholars as well as letters of congratulations. This series also includes a large number of letters written by Sternberg to his friend William Karp, letters to Sternberg from his former teacher Harry Wickey, and holiday cards designed by Sternberg.

General correspondence is arranged in chronological order followed by undated correspondence which is arranged in alphabetical order.

Writings by Sternberg include draft typescripts and manuscripts for a book on etching, a draft of a lecture "Art as Skilled Activity", a guide on buying art written with Verna Small for the Artists Equity Association, and other miscellaneous drafts of essays, talks, and autobiographical writings. Writings by others include a homemade newsletter written by artist Arthur Secunda, a statement written and signed by artist and political activist David Alfaro Siqueiros, and a thesis about Sternberg's work. Among the miscellaneous writings about Sternberg is an article by gallery owner Harry Salpeter. The author of a talk entitled "The Lost Island" is unidentified, but may have been written by Sternberg.

There is a wide variety of printed materials, including academic catalogs and brochures, mostly from the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts; publications from the Art Students League, such as catalogs, brochures, and newsletters; and several books written by Sternberg and others. Also found are exhibition announcements, invitations, and catalogs for exhibitions of Sternberg and others including several of his former students. News Clippings, magazines, and journals consist of articles about Sternberg, exhibitions of his work, reproductions of his artwork, and art-related events. Other items found here which document significant events during his career include newsletters, press releases, and programs.

Folders are arranged by type of material and items are arranged chronologically within each folder.

Photographs include those which depict Harry Sternberg posing with his artwork, in his studio, at the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts, with students, and with his wife Mary. Also found are two group photographs of faculty at the Art Students League, including Sternberg. Additional photographs are of his murals and other artwork and designs; exhibitions, including a 1949 exhibition at the Carnegie Institute and an unidentified exhibition.

Photographs are arranged by subject.

Artwork in this series includes two sketchbooks belonging to Sternberg. The sketchbook from circa 1928 contains sketches in pencil and ink of subway riders, including many close-ups of their faces. The second sketchbook of a later date contains annotated ink drawings of Sternberg's design ideas for art tools, furniture, and other functional objects. Also found in this series are two loose drawings of subway riders and a drawing of a tugboat all by Sternberg and a Poster depicting Sternberg created by his students for his birthday party at the Idyllwild School.

This series contains audio and video recordings documenting Sternberg's career as an artist. Included are audio recordings of Sternberg's interview with art curator Malcolm Warner, and three video interviews of Sternberg conducted by the Felicita Foundation, Tony di Gesu for KUSI-TV in San Diego, and by the television program "Made in America." Also found is a videocassette copy of the film "Many Worlds of Art" directed and produced by Sternberg.

This series consists of one disbound scrapbook containing newspaper and magazine clippings and a few exhibition printed materials documenting Harry Sternberg's career as an artist.