Stephen Antonakos papers, 1932-2014, bulk 1960-2014

Series documents Antonakos's Packages begun in the early 1970s which Antonakos sent to friends and colleagues with the stipulation that they be opened only on a specified date, or after the artist's death, or never. Naomi Spector Antonakos provided "Orientation Information" about the organization of the Packages based on documents she discovered after Antonakos's death.

Records include some of Antonakos's original lists and notes, correspondence, and many letters of transmittal signed by recipients of the Packages acknowledging that they will not open their Package until the prescribed date, will not attempt to discover the contents of the Package, and will inform Antonakos when the Package has been opened. Also found are printed material, postal receipts, gift agreements, and photographs of some recipients opening Packages.

This series houses a Package mailed to the Archives of American Art in 1975 and opened, as requested, after his death. The Package contained a 35mm microfilm of a sketchbook kept by Antonakos between 11 February 1974 to 19 March 1975, with sketches and notes about his neon projects.

Records related to Packages sent to Richard Artschwager, Daniel Buren, Sol LeWitt and Robert Ryman in 1974, can be found in 5.1., Box 13, Folders 23-25.

Series is generally arranged according to documentation of the projects provided by Naomi Spector Antonakos, discovered in Antonakos's records after his death.