Signa Gallery records, 1957-1963

Scope and Contents

The records of the Signa Gallery measure 1.4 linear feet and date from 1957 to 1963. The records document the history of the gallery through administrative files; correspondence; guestbooks, artist biographies, and photographs of Franz Kline paintings and exhibition opening; exhibition files for exhibitions at the gallery; insurance documents, ledgers, invoices, and other financial records; clippings, ehixibition announcements and catalogs, and other printed material.

Administrative files are comprised of a lease for the gallery and a certificate of incorporation for the gallery. Correspondence is between gallery managers Alfonso Ossorio, Elizabeth Parker, and John Little and other galleries, business associates, and artists, including Fritz Bultman, Philip Guston, and Jack Tworkov. Guestbooks and notes include a guestbook and an address book for the gallery, various artist biographies, and some miscellaneous notes. Also included are a file of photographs of exhibition openings, and a file of photographs of Franz Kline paintings.

Exhibitions and Lecture files are comprised of photographs, press material, and correspondence related to exhibitions at the gallery. Also included are a series of lectures and two untranscribed audio tape reels that accompany one of the lectures.

Financial material includes insurance documents, bank records such as checking accounts, invoices, consignments, and some ledgers.

Printed material is made up of newspaper clippings, exhibition announcements, and exhibition catalogs.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated 1981 by Alfonso A. Ossorio, one of the initial founders and owners of the gallery.

Sponsor

Processing Information

The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Ricky Gomez in 2021.