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Josef Presser and Agnes Hart papers, 1913-1980

Creator

Occupation

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Series 1: Josef Presser , 1913-1977
3 Linear feet
Boxes 1-3, Box 5

The series is arranged as 8 subseries:
  • 1.1: Biographical Material, 1913-1968
  • 1.2: Correspondence, 1927-1977
  • 1.3: Writings, circa 1940s-1974
  • 1.4: Teaching Files, circa 1940s-1960s
  • 1.5: Personal Business Records, 1939-1966
  • 1.6: Printed Material, 1938-1975
  • 1.7: Artwork, circa 1950s-1960s
  • 1.8: Photographs, 1946-1966

1.1:: Biographical Material, 1913-1968

Materials consist of an address book and addresses, curriculum vitae, family history, and personal identification records, including immigration, employment, and military records, passport and travel papers, membership cards, and death certificates.
Description Container
Address Books, circa 1940s-1950s
1
1
Addresses, circa 1940s-1960s
Oversized material housed in Box 5, Folder 1
1
2
Curriculum Vitae, circa 1950s-1960s
1
3
Death Certificate, 1968
1
4
Employment and Labor Records, 1935-1958
1
5
Family History, circa 1950s
1
6
Immigration and Naturalization Records, 1926, 1935
1
7
Medical Cards, 1944-1966
1
8
Membership Cards, 1913-1966
1
9
Military Records, 1940-1945
1
10
Passport and Travel Documents, 1929-1967
1
11
Wallet, 1967
1
12
Will and Estate Documents, circa 1940s-1967
1
13
Oversized Addresses scanned with Box 1, Folder 2, circa 1940s-1960s
5
1

1.2:: Correspondence, 1927-1977

Presser's personal correspondence is with family and friends, including the artists Charles Hopkinson and Vera Fraser. Business related correspondence is with various collectors, galleries, museums, art associations, and art schools. There is also correspondence related to Presser's law suit against the New York Port Authority, and Presser and Hart's real estate purchases in Hurley and Woodstock, New York. Hart's correspondence concerns Presser's estate and artwork after his death, including letters related to the organization of Presser's memorial exhibition in 1968.

1.2.1: Family, 1934-1966

Family correspondence with family includes letters from Agnes Hart, letters from the lawyer of Presser's first wife, Olga Mason, and letters from Presser's siblings, Ilonka, Charles, and Harry.
Description Container
Hart, Agnes, circa 1940s-1966
1
14
Pototsky, Ilonka, 1945-1966
1
15
Presser, Charles and Harry, 1962-1964
1
16
Presser, Olga Mason, 1934
1
17
Letters from Nieces and Nephews, circa 1950s-1960s
1
18

1.2.2: General, 1927-1967

General correspondence is with various artists, collectors, galleries, museums, and art associations concerning the creation, purchase, sales, and exhibition of Presser's work. These include the artists Charles Hopkinson and Vera Fraser and the collectors Mrs. John D. Rockerfeller, Alfred S. Campbell, and Ray Austrian. There is also correspondence with art schools, including Cooper Union, New York University, and Queens College, concerning the logistics of Presser's employment. Correspondence related to Presser's law suit against the New York Port Authority, Presser and Hart's real estate purchases in Hurley and Woodstock, New York, and Christmas cards sent to Presser and Hart are also included in the subseries.
Description Container
A, Miscellaneous, 1927-1967
1
19
Aetna Life Insurance Company, 1947-1954
1
20
American Aid Society of Paris, Inc., 1966-1967
1
21
Artists Equity Association, 1948-1951
1
22
Associated American Artists, 1937-1956
1
23
Audubon Artists, 1952-1962
1
24
Austrian, Ray, circa 1950s-1967
1
25
B, Miscellaneous, 1936-1961
1
26
Brooklyn Museum, 1946-1955
1
27
Bullowa, Arthur M., 1962-1965
1
28
Bullowa, Arthur M., 1966
1
29
Bullowa, Arthur M., 1967
1
30
Campbell, Alfred S., 1956-1960
1
31
C, Miscellaneous, 1934-1966
1
32
Christmas Cards, circa 1950s-1960s
1
33
Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, 1950-1956
1
34
D, Miscellaneous, 1934-1966
1
35
Delius Gallery, 1949-1957
1
36
Downtown Community School, 1952-1961
1
37
E-F, Miscellaneous, 1930-1962
1
38
Fontana Gallery (Kushner, Lois), 1961-1970
1
39
Fraser, Vera, 1947-1957
1
40
Fraser, Vera, 1962-1964
1
41
Fraser, Vera, 1966
1
42
G, Miscellaneous, 1929-1967
1
43
Gelber-Epstein Custom Framing, 1964
1
44
H, Miscellaneous, 1929-1963
1
45
Hopkinson, Charles, 1938-1953
1
46
I-J, Miscellaneous, 1929-1967
1
47
K, Miscellaneous, 1945-1966
1
48
Kalish, Irving L., 1960-1966
1
49
Klein, Arnold, 1963-1967
1
50
L, Miscellaneous, 1939-1967
1
51
Little Studio Inc., 1955-1959
1
52
M, Miscellaneous, 1945-1963
1
53
N, Miscellaneous, 1927-1966
1
54
New York University, 1947-1964
1
55
O-P, Miscellaneous, 1934-1967
1
56
Port of New York Authority, 1962-1966
2
1
Presser, Josef, circa 1960s-1966
2
2
Queen's College, 1953-1958
2
3
R, Miscellaneous, 1929-1966
2
4
Real Estate Related (Hurley and Woodstock, New York), 1958-1964
2
5
S, Miscellaneous, 1930-1967
2
6
Sally Cox Fine Art, 1959-1966
2
7
T, Miscellaneous, 1937-1963
2
8
U, Miscellaneous, 1942-1966
2
9
University of Wisconsin, 1950-1951
2
10
V, Miscellaneous, 1948-1966
2
11
W, Miscellaneous, 1937-1960
2
12
X-Z, Miscellaneous, 1944-1966
2
13
Unidentified and Illegible, circa 1950s-1960s
2
14
Undelivered Mail, 1967
2
15

1.2.3: Agnes Hart's Correspondence Regarding Presser's Estate and Artwork, 1965-1977

Hart's correspondence concerns Presser's estate and artwork, including letters to and from the American Embassy in Paris in the months after Presser's death, and from Gallery 5 East, which handled the sales of Presser artwork from 1974 to 1977. There is also correspondence related to the organization of Presser's memorial exhibition in 1968.
Description Container
Condolences, A-K, 1967
2
16
Condolences, L-Z, 1967
2
17
Condolences, Art Museums and Institutions, 1967
2
18
A-G, Miscellaneous, 1967-1970
2
19
H-Z, Miscellaneous, 1967-1977
2
20
American Embassy in Paris (Chiavarini, Mary), 1966-1967
2
21
American Embassy in Paris (Chiavarini, Mary), 1967
2
22
American Embassy in Paris (Chiavarini, Mary), 1968
2
23
American Embassy in Paris (Chiavarini, Mary), 1969-1970
2
24
Chase Manhattan Bank, 1967
2
25
Cipes, L. Richard, 1965-1967
2
26
Douglas, Richard M., 1967-1977
2
27
Gallery 5 East, 1974-1977
2
28
Grinspan, Maurice, 1967-1968
2
29
Grossman, Allan, 1967
2
30
Lawrence, Michael, 1967-1968
2
31
Martha Ross Gallery, 1967-1968
2
32
Monarch Life Insurance, 1967
2
33
Neikrug Galleries, Inc., 1967-1968
2
34
Memorial Exhibition Arrangements, 1968
2
35
Memorial Exhibition Invitees, A-L, 1968
2
36
Memorial Exhibition Invitees, M-Z, 1968
2
37

1.3:: Writings, circa 1940s-1974

Writings by Presser include essay fragments, the essay, "Picric Pied Piper," and 4 notebooks containing scattered references, addresses, quotations, and note fragments. The unbound note fragments contain similar references, addresses, and miscellaneous notes. The subseries also includes 3 poems by Presser and 2 short essays by Arsene Alexandre and Frank Mele.
Description Container
Essay Fragments, circa 1950s
2
38
Essay, "Picric Pied Piper", circa 1950s
2
39
Notebook #1, circa 1950s-1960s
2
40
Notebook #2, circa 1950s-1960s
2
41
Notebook #3, circa 1950s-1960s
2
42
Notebook #4, circa 1950s-1960s
2
43
Notes, Handwritten, circa 1940s-1960s
2
44
Notes, Handwritten, circa 1950s-1960s
2
45
Notes, Handwritten, circa 1950s-1960s
2
46
Notes, Handwritten, circa 1950s-1960s
2
47
Notes, Handwritten, circa 1950s-1960s
2
48
Notes, Handwritten, circa 1950s-1960s
2
49
Notes, Handwritten, circa 1950s-1960s
2
50
Notes, Handwritten, circa 1960s
2
51
Notes, Handwritten, circa 1960s
2
52
Notes, From Sketchbooks, circa 1950s-1960s
2
53
Notes, From Sketchbooks, circa 1950s-1960s
2
54
Notes, From Sketchbooks, circa 1950s-1960s
Oversize material housed in Box 5, Folder 2
2
55
Notes, From Sketchbooks, circa 1950s-1960s
2
56
Poetry, 1956
2
57
Alexandre, Arsene, "Rare Case of the Painter Leon Bonhomme", circa 1950s
2
58
Mele, Frank, "One Man Show or Barney's Bread and Lox", 1974
2
59
Oversized Notes, From Sketchbooks scanned with Box 2, Folder 56, circa 1950s-1960s
5
2

1.4:: Teaching Files, circa 1940s-1960s

Teaching files include department memoranda, syllabi, class assignments, and class lists from Presser's tenure at New York University from 1947-1952. There are also memoranda from the New York School of Visual Arts and the Prospect Hill School.
Description Container
New York University, Department of Art, circa 1940s-1960s
2
60
New York University, Syllabi, circa 1940s-1950s
3
1
New York University, Miscellaneous Assignments, circa 1940s-1950s
3
2
New York University, Notes, circa 1940s-1950s
Oversize material housed in Box 5, Folder 3
3
3
Prospect Hill School, circa 1950s
3
4
School of Visual Arts, New York, 1958-1959
3
5
Oversized Notes scanned with Box 3, Folder 3, circa 1940s-1950s
5
3

1.5:: Personal Business Records, 1939-1966

Records include bank registers, artwork sales records, and receipts from Presser's residency in Paris in the 1960s.
Description Container
Bank Registers, 1957-1963
3
6
Painting Sales and Revenue, 1939-1959
3
7
Painting Sales and Revenue, 1939-1959
3
8
Painting Sales and Revenue, 1960-1966
3
9
Painting Sales and Revenue, 1960-1966
3
10
Receipts, Art Materials, circa 1960s
3
11
Receipts, Art Materials, circa 1960s
3
12
Receipts, Books, circa 1960s
3
13
Receipts, Medical, circa 1960s
3
14

1.6:: Printed Material, 1938-1975

Material consists of bulletins, clippings, and exhibition announcements and catalogs related to Presser's career. There are also draft and final versions of Presser's memorial exhibition catalog, a copy of the 1951 conference Artist and the Museum sponsored by the Artists Equity Association and the Woodstock Artists Association, and a copy of the Artists Equity Association's 1950 and 1953 Improvisations catalogs.
Description Container
Book, Artist and the Museum: A Conference Report, 1951
3
15
Bulletins, circa 1950s-1963
3
16
Clippings, 1938-1959
3
17
Clippings, 1967
3
18
Clippings, 1968
3
19
Clippings, 1974-1975
3
20
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1941-1949
3
21
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1950
3
22
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1950
3
23
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1952
3
24
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1953
3
25
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1954-1959
3
26
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1960
3
27
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1960
3
28
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1961-1968
3
29
"Josef Presser Memorial Exhibition" (1968), 1968
Includes an exhibition guest book register.
3
30
"Josef Presser Memorial Exhibition" (1968), 1968
3
31
"Josef Presser Memorial Exhibition" (1968), 1968
3
32
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1974-1975
3
33
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, Other Artists, circa 1950s-1963
3
34
Playbills, 1961
3
35
Miscellaneous Printed Material, circa 1950s-1970s
3
36

1.7:: Artwork, circa 1950s-1960s

Found are loose sketches, primarily of women, children, and figurative outlines; artwork drawn and painted over postcards and printed material; and 9 sketchbooks dating from the 1950s to 1960s of thematically similar subjects.
Description Container
Loose Sketches, circa 1950s-1960s
3
37
Loose Sketches, From Sketchbooks, circa 1950s-1960s
3
38
Loose Sketches, On Stationary, circa 1960s
3
39
Postcards and Printed Material Art, circa 1950s-1960s
3
40
Sketchbooks, #1-3, circa 1950s
3
41
Sketchbook #4, circa 1950s
3
42
Sketchbook #5, circa 1950s
3
43
Sketchbook #6-7, circa 1950s
3
44
Sketchbook #8, circa 1960s
3
45
Sketchbook #9, circa 1960s
Oversized material housed in Box 5, Folder 4
3
46
Oversized Sketchbook #9 scanned with Box 3, Folder 46, circa 1960s
5
4

1.8:: Photographs, 1946-1966

There are photographs of Presser with friends and family, and photographs of his New York studio and his artwork. There are also 4 photographs of the artist Abraham Walkowitz dating from the 1940s, which were used by Presser to paint a portrait for Walkowtiz's 100 Portraits project.
Description Container
Josef Presser, 1949-1966
Oversized material housed in Box 5, Folder 5
3
47
Josef Presser with Friends, 1946-1965
3
48
Studio of Josef Presser, 1960-1963
3
49
Walkowitz, Abraham, circa 1940s
3
50
Unidentified Friends, circa 1950s
3
51
Works of Art by Josef Presser, circa 1940s-1950s
3
52
Oversized Photographs of Presser scanned with Box 3, Folder 47, 1949-1966
5
5
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Series 2: Agnes Hart , 1930-1980
1.3 Linear feet
Boxes 3-4

The series is arranged as 5 subseries:
  • 2.1: Biographical Material, 1937-1978
  • 2.2: Correspondence, 1934-1978
  • 2.3: Teaching Files, 1953-1976
  • 2.4: Printed Material, 1930-1980
  • 2.5: Photograph, 1937

2.1:: Biographical Material, 1937-1978

Materials include 2 engagement calendars, curriculum vitae, consignment lists, critiques by other artists, art institution membership cards, and travel documents from a 1966 trip to Europe.
Description Container
Application, Creative Artists Public Service Program, 1976
3
53
Certificates, 1947-1970
3
54
Consignment Lists, 1948-1978
3
55
Critiques, circa 1950s-1970s
3
56
Curriculum Vitae, 1972
3
57
Engagement Calendars, 1967
3
58
Engagement Calendars, 1976
3
59
Family History, circa 1960s-1970s
4
1
Membership and Identification Cards, 1937-1977
4
2
Travel Documentation, 1966
4
3

2.2:: Correspondence, 1934-1978

Hart's correspondence with family and friends includes letters from artist and mentor Lucile Blanch, journalist Agnes Smedley, and Yaddo director Elizabeth Ames. Business correspondence is with galleries, collectors, and art associations concerning the creation, purchase, sales, and exhibition of Hart's work. There is also correspondence with the Art Students League and Dalton School regarding the logistics of Hart's employment as an art instructor.
Description Container
A, Miscellaneous, 1941-1977
4
4
Art Students League, 1965-1967
4
5
Art Students League, 1968-1977
4
6
B, Miscellaneous, 1934-1977
4
7
Blanche, Lucile, 1947-1977
4
8
C, Miscellaneous, 1937-1971
4
9
D, Miscellaneous, 1947-1970
4
10
Dalton School, 1961-1963
4
11
Davis, Roselle, 1950-1969
4
12
E-G, Miscellaneous, 1937-1971
4
13
H, Miscellaneous, 1951-1976
4
14
Harris, Marguerite, circa 1960s-1970s
4
15
Hart, Mike, 1975-1977
4
16
Hyde, Helen, 1971-1973
4
17
I-L, Miscellaneous, 1965-1977
4
18
M, Miscellaneous, 1948-1971
4
19
Meyers, Ben, 1963-1976
4
20
N, Miscellaneous, 1951-1977
4
21
O, Miscellaneous, 1952-1968
4
22
P, Miscellaneous, 1950-1976
4
23
Peyer-Abel, Sylvia, 1971
4
24
Presser, Josef, circa 1950s-1960s
4
25
Q-R, Miscellaneous, 1954-1972
4
26
S, Miscellaneous, 1955-1976
4
27
Smedley, Agnes, circa 1940-1949
4
28
T, Miscellaneous, 1955-1973
4
29
Tassoni, Ruth, 1947-1971
4
30
Terrell, Elizabeth, circa 1960s
4
31
Treggor-Majoni, Cynthy, 1959-1971
4
32
U-V, Miscellaneous, 1936-1973
4
33
W, Miscellaneous, 1936-1976
4
34
Woodstock Artists Association, circa 1950s-1978
4
35
Y, Miscellaneous, 1972
4
36
Yaddo (Ames, Elizabeth), circa 1940s-1977
4
37
Unidentified and Illegible, circa 1950s
4
38

2.3:: Teaching Files, 1953-1976

Files include employment contracts, class catalogs, newsletters, and photographs from Hart's tenure at the Art Students League (1965-1975), and class catalogs and memoranda from Dalton Schools and Parnassus Square.
Description Container
Art Students League, circa 1965-1975
4
39
Art Students League, 1970-1976
4
40
Art Students League, circa 1965-1977
4
41
Art Students League, 1965-1976
4
42
Dalton Schools, 1961-1963
4
43
Parnassus Square, 1953-1954
4
44

2.4:: Printed Material, 1930-1980

Material includes bulletins, clippings, and exhibition announcements and catalogs related to Hart's career. There are also draft and final versions of the Woodstock Artists Association's 1956 Yasuo Kuniyoshi memorial exhibition catalog.
Description Container
Booklet, 1935
4
45
Bulletins, 1946-1977
4
46
Clippings, 1948-1980
4
47
Clippings, On Others, 1962-1974
4
48
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, circa 1930s-1970s
4
49
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1930-1949
4
50
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1950-1956
4
51
"Yasuo Kuniyoshi Memorial Exhibition" (1956), 1956
4
52
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1956-1959
4
53
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1960-1969
4
54
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1970-1972
4
55
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1973-1974
4
56
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, 1975-1978
4
57
Playbills, 1956-1961
4
58
Press Releases, circa 1950s-1975
4
59

2.5:: Photograph, 1937

Consists of a photograph of the Central Cown Art Center, a gallery Hart managed in 1937.
Description Container
Central Cown Art Center, 1937
4
60

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.