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James Van Der Zee portfolio

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Collection Data

Description
Collection consists mainly of studio portraiture, most likely of Harlem residents, from the 1910s to the 1940s, as well as depictions of some of the activities of Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (1924); Harlem street scenes and public events (1920s-1950s); and exterior and interior views of Harlem businesses, public space, and living space (1920s-1930s). Also included are portraits of VanDerZee (ca. 1920s) and members of his family in Lenox, Massachusetts (ca. 1909-10); and a view of a blacksmith shop in Pheobus, Virginia (1907). Of note are interior views of VanDerZee's Seventh Ave. photography studio (ca. 1930s); panoramic street views of Central Harlem following a snow storm (1920s); an interior view of the Division of Negro Literature, History and Prints at the New York Public Library's 135th Street Branch (1928), now the Schomburg Center; and an undated view of an outdoor banquet given by religious leader Father Divine. The studio portraiture consists mainly of individual or group portraits of African American men, women and children, often posing in formal or costume attire against highly stylized studio backdrops. Included are families, entertainers, newlyweds and organization members, as well as some ceremonial or celebratory events. The collection does not include examples of VanDerZee's allegorical images. Other noted individuals depicted include Adam Clayton Powell, Sr., J.A. Rogers, Lester Walton, Daddy Grace and the Barefoot Prophet, as well as a matted photomontage of Florence Mills (ca. 1927). Additional works by VanDerZee may be found in portfolio "James Van DerZee: Eighteen Photographs."
Names
Van Der Zee, James, 1886-1983 (Photographer)
Guarantee Photo Studio (New York, N.Y.) (Photographer)
G.G.G. Photo Studio (New York, N.Y.) (Photographer)
Dates / Origin
Date Created: 1900 - 1959 (Approximate)
Library locations
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Photographs and Prints Division
Shelf locator: Sc Photo Portfolio (VanDerZee, J.)
Topics
Van Der Zee, James, 1886-1983
Garvey, Marcus, 1887-1940
African American men -- New York (State) -- New York (N.Y.)
African American women -- New York (State) -- New York (N.Y.)
African American children -- New York (State) -- New York (N.Y.)
African American families
Business enterprises -- New York (State) -- New York (N.Y.)
African Americans -- Social life and customs
Rooms & spaces -- New York (State) -- New York (N.Y.)
City & town life -- New York (State) -- New York (N.Y.)
Street photography -- New York (State) -- New York (N.Y.)
Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
Genres
Photographs
Portraits
Group portraits
Notes
Statement of responsibility: James VanDerZee.
Content: Title devised by cataloger.
Content: Many photographs bear photographer's name handwritten on negative and printed on recto; many items bear photography studio's hand stamp on verso. One item bears photography studio's name printed on recto. One item bears the Daily News hand stamp on verso; some items bear address label on either recto or verso. Some items bear photographer's signature and handwritten portfolio edition numbers. Some items bear hand stamp of James Van DerZee Institute on verso, or the Institute's blind stamp on recto. Some items bear handwritten captions on either verso or recto; some items bear handwritten captions from negatives printed on recto; some items bear printed captions on recto. Some items bear retouching marks; some items are hand colored. One item bears hand drawn borders on recto. Some items are matted; some items are mounted. Some items, mostly proof images, show signs of wear or aging; some items have missing corners or edges; one image is ripped.
Statement of responsibility: Items bearing photography studio hand stamps are credited to Guarantee Photo Studio, 109 W. 135th St., N.Y.C.; and G.G.G. Photo Studio at three separate addresses: 2065-7th Ave., New York, 2077-7th Ave., N.Y.C., and 272 Lenox Ave., New York. All addresses were based in Harlem, New York.
Biographical/historical: James VanDerZee, 1886-1983, was a Harlem photographer best known for his studio portraits of Harlem residents and his work for Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association, during the 1910s to early 1940s. His studio work was noted for his subjects posing against stylized backdrops, and for his use of multiple printing and negative retouching techniques. After a period of declining business, VanDerZee's photographs were featured in the "Harlem on my Mind" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, in 1969, which renewed public interest in his work.
Physical Description
Extent: 137 items (.9 cubic ft., 3 boxes)
Extent: 117 photographic prints :gelatin silver, black and white, some hand colored ;26 x 21 cm and smaller.
Extent: 12 photographic prints :gelatin silver, black and white ;36 x 14 cm.
Extent: 3 photographic prints :gelatin silver, black and white ;36 x 28 cm and smaller.
Extent: 5 photographic postcards :gelatin silver, black and white ;14 x 9 cm.
Type of Resource
Still image
Identifiers
RLIN/OCLC: 984127883
NYPL catalog ID (B-number): b21254852
Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): 9b3acc10-fe73-013b-b03a-0242ac110002
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x Name: Garvey, Marcus, 1887-1940