Print / View Finding Aid as Single Page
Guide to the
New-York Historical Society Portrait Collection
circa 1640-2020 (bulk, 1800-1950)
PR 52
Descriptive Summary
| Creator:
|
New-York Historical Society |
| Title: |
New-York Historical Society portrait collection |
| Dates [inclusive]: |
circa 1640-2020 (bulk, 1800-1950) |
| Abstract: |
Collection consists of circa 45,000 prints and photographs of varying format and media,
from ordinary black-and-white engravings based on paintings to rare hand-colored mezzotints,
and from posed, professional studio photographs to informal snapshots. Likenesses
of American men who achieved national fame before 1930 predominate. There are also
numerous images of prominent New Yorkers, theatrical personalities, eminent Europeans
who figure in United States history, and views of birthplaces, tombs, statues, and
associated items. Includes many portraits of American presidents through Franklin
D. Roosevelt, of poet Walt Whitman, and other celebrities of the 1800s. People or
organizations whose papers or artwork are at the New-York Historical Society tend
to be well-represented, including statesman Albert Gallatin, sculptor John Rogers,
the Seventh Regiment of the New York National Guard, hotel association members, and
the Salmagundi Club. Several large collections are dispersed in the file by sitters'
names: thousands of portraits culled chiefly from illustrated books and donated by
Robert Fridenberg and circa 250 prints by Albert and Max Rosenthal of celebrated historical
figures.
|
| Quantity: |
125 Linear feet (177 boxes; 71 drawers of flat files) |
| Language: |
The documents in the collection are in English. |
| Call Phrase: |
PR 52 |
