Frank Weitenkampf papers 1886-1962

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Frank Weitenkampf papers 1886-1962

Frank Weitenkampf (1866-1962) worked for the New York Public Library for 61 years. He started as a page at the Astor Library in 1881, became head of the NYPL Art Department, and served as Curator of Prints from 1921 until his retirement in 1942. Weitenkampf wrote several books and numerous articles on prints, was a print collector, and corresponded with artists and other collectors. Early in his career he used the pseudonym Frank Linston White. Collection consists of Weitenkampf's correspondence and his writings. Letters, spanning the years 1888-1962, include those received by Weitenkampf and drafts of his replies. A portion of the letters relates to Weitenkampf's official duties at NYPL. There are rarely more than a few letters from any one individual except for the following: Samuel P. Avery (1822-1904), a merchant and art collector; Edwin D. French (1851-1906), an engraver; and Julius J. Lankes (1884-1960), who was a printmaker specializing in woodcuts. The rest of the collection consists of Weitenkampf's own writings, both published and unpublished. Two of the manuscript works, Social History of the United States in Caricature and American Life in American Prints, are valuable for locating visual source material for American history. Living in One Man's Reading is a typed collection of quotations that appealed to Weitenkampf. Copies of his published works are all annotated by Weitenkampf with corrections or additions to the text. There is also an 8-volume scrapbook containing clippings of articles written by Weitenkampf, clippings mentioning him, and a few letters from editors concerning his articles.

6 linear feet (10 boxes, 10 v., 1 package)

Related Entities

There are 4 Entities related to this resource.

Lankes, Julius J., 1884-1960

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6pg1qkj (person)

Woodcut artist; Durham, North Carolina. From the description of Letter : Durham, North Carolina, 1955-1956. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122539131 Julius J. Lankes was a maker of woodcuts whose work was represented at the Weyhe Gallery. Carl Zigrosser admired his work and promoted his career. As with many American artists of his generation, Lankes' career was never financially stable, and he also worked as an illustrator, an art educator and as a technical artist for the F...

French, Edwin Davis, 1851-1906

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6rr2rfx (person)

Engraver of New York City and Saranac Lake, New York; best known for his design and engraving of bookplates. From the description of Papers, 1894-[1908?]. (New York University). WorldCat record id: 58664306 Edwin Davis French (1851-1906) was an engraver of silver and copper, famous for the bookplates he designed and engraved. He was interested in artificial languages, especially Volapük and Esperanto, and was active in Volapük societies. From the guide to the Edw...

Weitenkampf, Frank, 1866-1962

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6bc41vv (person)

Frank Weitenkampf (1866-1962) worked for the New York Public Library for 61 years. He started as a page at the Astor Library in 1881, became head of the NYPL Art Department, and served as Curator of Prints from 1921 until his retirement in 1942. Weitenkampf wrote several books and numerous articles on prints, was a print collector, and corresponded with artists and other collectors. Early in his career he used the pseudonym Frank Linston White. From the guide to the Frank Weitenkampf...

New York Public Library

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6fp1w8g (corporateBody)

The New York Pubic Library purchased Arthur A. Schomburg's collection of books, pamphlets, prints and photographs in 1926 with funds from the Carnegie Corporation and housed at the 135th Street Branch Library of The New York Public Library. L. Hollingsworth Wood was appointed in 1925 by the Board of Trustees of The New York Public Library to purchase and provide guidelines for the Schomburg Collection of Negro Literature. Members of the Advisory Committee of the Arthur A. Schomburg Collection, i...