Series 8 : Books and Printed Material , 1806-1968
0.5 Linear feet
Boxes 19, 23
Series consists of several books, and various publications and clippings collected by Cornell apart from that which he accumulated as source material.
The books found here most likely comprise the remainder of Cornell's library, which was transferred to the Joseph Cornell Study Center, Smithsonian American Art Museum. They reflect some of Cornell's wide-ranging interests, including Christian Science, astronomy, and literature. Notable ones include a copy of Nevertheless , inscribed to Cornell and signed by the author, Marianne Moore; a copy of New Testament - Psalms , which appears to have been a gift to Cornell from his mother; and a copy of Sylvie - Recollections of Valois by the French author, Gerard de Nerval, whose writing had a tremendous influence on Cornell. Some of the books actually seem to have belonged to Cornell's sister, Betty Cornell Benton, including one of the copies of Christian Science and Its Discoverer , and Christina Rossetti's Poems , which appears to have been a gift from Cornell.
Printed material includes booklets and publications that likewise reflect Cornell's interest in Christian Science, as well as his interest in art and ballet. Found are magazines with articles on other artists and a copy of Allison Delarue's privately-printed monograph on Henry Wikoff, the impressario who brought the Austrian dancer, Fanny Elssler, to America in the 1840s. Printed material also includes clippings and press releases relating to exhibitions of Cornell's art work at New York University (1963) and the Guggenheim Museum (1967), as well as a copy of the December 1957 issue of Art News , which featured an article on Cornell and which includes his annotations indicating his negative reaction to how he was portrayed.
Books and printed material are arranged chronologically. For descriptive purposes, books are treated as one file with a list of titles (provided below).
This series is partially scanned. Books have not been digitized and only covers, title pages and/or relevant pages of other printed materials have been scanned.
Description
Container
Select
Books, 1806-1967, undated
Select: Books, 1806-1967, undated Scope and Contents note Titles include: Celebrated Women Travellers of the Nineteenth Century, W.H. Davenport Adams (1883)Christian Science and Its Discoverer, E. Mary Ramsey (1935) (2 copies)Comet Lore, Edwin Emerson (1910)Legends of the Rhine, H.A. Guerber (1895)Nevertheless, Marianne Moore (1944)New Testament - Psalms (undated)Poems by Christina Rossetti (1953)The Poetical Works of John Milton, Vol. II (1806)Star Names and Their Meanings, R.H. Allen (1936)The Story of Flushing, Cornwall, Ursula Redwood (1967)Sylvie - Recollections of Valois, Gerard de Nerval (1887)
Christian Science Booklets, 1904-1966
Select: Christian Science Booklets, 1904-1966
Miscellaneous Printed Material, 1946, 1964, undated
Select: Miscellaneous Printed Material, 1946, 1964, undated
Magazines, Articles on Other Artists, 1948, 1965
Select: Magazines, Articles on Other Artists, 1948, 1965
Art News , Article on Cornell, 1957
Select: Art News, Article on Cornell, 1957
Cornell Exhibit at New York University, 1963
Select: Cornell Exhibit at New York University, 1963
Cornell Exhibit at Guggenheim Museum, 1967, undated
Select: Cornell Exhibit at Guggenheim Museum, 1967, undated Scope and Contents note Includes handmade card from Paul Waldman ( See also Series 2).
The Chevalier Henry Wikoff, Impresario 1840 by Allison Delarue, 1968
Select: The Chevalier Henry Wikoff, Impresario 1840 by Allison Delarue, 1968
Image assets for this folder have not been fully processed.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
