Artkraft Strauss records 1927-2004

ArchivalResource

Artkraft Strauss records, 1927-2004

Artkraft Strauss records 1927-2004

http://archives.nypl.org/mss/17768

The Arkraft Strauss Sign Corporation was one of New York City's preeminent sign designers and manufacturers, responsible for creating some of the most iconic signs in American advertising. Particularly known for their "spectaculars"-giant illuminated signs often incorporating special effects and moving parts-Artkraft Strauss' most famous works include the "smoking" Camel Cigarettes sign, the "flying" Anheuser-Busch eagle, and the Coca-Cola sign at 2 Times Square. The company was also responsible for the New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square, a tradition they began in 1907, until 1996. The records of Artkraft Strauss document over seventy years of operations of this family-owned and family-operated business. The records date primarily from the mid-1930s through 2004; little material pertaining to its early decades is present. The collection contains executive office files; management correspondence; electrical division records; ledgers; press and promotional material; photographs; and, most notably, job files, which illustrate the creation of many of Artkraft Strauss' projects in New York City, Atlantic City, Boston, and elsewhere, from 1936 to 2004. Work represented includes numerous projects for the Anheuser-Busch Company, such as breweries, stadium signage, and multiple Budweiser spectaculars; a British Air spectacular in Times Square involving a scale model of a Concorde jet; theater marquees; and movie signage. The collection also contains a large quantity of audiovisual material, which is closed pending preservation transfer.

153.31; 301 boxes, 36 volumes; 119 videos

New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division