Joseph Cornell papers, 1804-1986, bulk 1939-1972

Series consists of material relating to some of Cornell's personal and professional dealings apart from his more artistic activities and shedding light on some different aspects of his biography. Included are: a school paper on Harry Houdini and a program from Cornell's days as a student at Andover; miscellaneous family papers (such as typescripts of Helen S. Cornell's writings as a child, a baptism notice for Robert Cornell, and Betty Cornell Benton's notes on family history); various personal papers (including Cornell's psalm book, some notes and jottings exchanged between Cornell and his family, and papers such as notes, correspondence, exhibition announcements, dream writings, ink blot drawings, and other material, which may have been those in his desk at the time of his death); official documents (such as copies of Cornell's birth and death certificates, and social security cards); address books; scattered business records (such as notes and correspondence with galleries, including the Egan Gallery, Stable Gallery, Richard Feigen Gallery, and Robert Schoelkopf Gallery, regarding consignment and sales of art work); scattered financial records (such as notes on income and expenses, receipts, and income tax returns); scattered legal records regarding the estate of Helen S. Cornell; and notes (including copies of Cornell's notes on art work and his "Rationale" most likely collected by Benton, his notes on the Bebe Marie doll, and his notes to his family in case of his death). Related material can be found amongst Cornell's estate papers.

Material is, for the most part, arranged into files according to format or documentary type. Files are arranged alphabetically.

The bulk of this series has been scanned with the exception of routine financial records and receipts.