At the University of Pennsylvania, holdings relating to art and architecture may be found in the Anne & Jerome Fisher Fine Arts Library; the Architectural Archives of the University of Pennsylvania; the University Archives and Records Center; and in the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. What follows is a broad overview of holdings in the Kislak Center. Listings here are not meant to be comprehensive but rather to indicate particular areas of strength.
Medieval and Renaissance eras
Over one hundred early manuscripts in the Kislak Center's holdings contain decorations or illuminations.
View facsimiles of manuscripts with illuminations on the Penn in Hand website.
Many others include illustrations, including drawings and diagrams. The collections also include early manuscripts and printed books on fortification, mathematics, geometry, and related disciplines.
Modern eras
Following is a list of major modern collections and items (19th century-present) connected broadly to art or architecture.
John Haviland Papers, 1808-1868: Daybooks (1820-1837), including sketches and letters,of the architect of the Eastern State Penitentiary and other buildings in the eastern United States.
Gilchrist Family Papers, 1823-1939: correspondence, diaries, photographs, and poems concerning this British family of writers and artists.
Félix Nadar, Autograph album, 1853-1875: Album kept by the photographer, artist, caricaturist, and writer Nadar for sitters at his studio to sign, including drawings, poems, and music.
William H. Helfand collection of medical quackery ephemera, 1736-2006: Prints, cartoons, caricatures, portraits, advertisements, devotional images, and small artworks, satirizing the state of medical practice, politics, or society, primarily from 19th century France.
William H. Helfand collection of ex-votos and devotional paintings on medical subjects, 1868-2002 (61 items): Mexican devotional paintings on metal sheets, primarily including medical imagery.
Paul Philippe Cret Papers, 1865-1976: correspondence and working files (1876-1963) of the Beaux Arts architect and Penn professor of architecture.
Joseph and Elizabeth Robins Pennell Papers: correspondence, manuscripts, and original works of art, 1893-1936, of these illustrators, printmakers, and writers of art criticism and travel books.
Lewis Mumford Papers, ca. 1905-1987: correspondence, manuscripts, and notes by and relating to the life and work of Mumford (1895-1990), writer and critic of cities, technology, and American culture.
Carl Zigrosser Papers, 1891-1971: correspondence, manuscripts, diaries, and research notes regarding Zigrosser's personal and professional life as founder and director of the Weyhe Gallery in New York and as the first Curator of Prints and Drawings at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Wanda Gág Papers:correspondence, diaries, and drawings, 1920-1946, of this American artist and children's book creator.
Philadelphia Art Alliance Records: correspondence, exhibition and events files, minutes, and other records, 1906-1990 (bulk 1915-1980), regarding this center and marketplace for the fine and performing arts.
Institute of Contemporary Art Records: administrative files, exhibition files, catalogs, and other materials of the Penn-affiliated museum.
Wiliam Steig Collection: over 2,500 original drawings, notebooks and scrapbooks, correspondence, books, posters, and other materials by this artist.
Atha Tehon Papers and books: collections of children's book designer and art director Atha Tehon (1926-2012), including files of designs for children's books.
Edward F. Fry Papers, 1947-1992: Correspondence and research materials of this curator and art historian.
Artists' Books: A significant collection 20th and 21st century artists' books displaying a wide variety of inspiration and technique.
Jean-François Vilain and Roger S. Wieck Collection of Private Presses, Ephemera, & Related References: Several thousand books produced by fine and private presses, mainly in America, from the nineteenth century up to the present.
Comics and Graphic Novels [description forthcoming]
Photography collections
Photographs and photography are contained in a number of different collections and, because of their great range, are difficult to categorize fully. The following search provides an overview:
Medieval and Renaissance eras
The Kislak Center holds early manuscript and printed on fortification, mathematics, geometry, and related disciplines.
Modern eras
Paul Philippe Cret Papers: correspondence and working files, 1876-1963, of this Beaux Arts architect and Penn professor of architecture.
Lewis Mumford Papers: correspondence, manuscripts, and notes, 1905-1987, relating to the life and work of Mumford (1895-1990), writer and critic of cities, technology, and American culture.
John Haviland Papers: daybooks, 1820-1837, of the architect of the Eastern State Penitentiary and other buildings in the eastern United States.
Felix Nadar album
Gilchrist Family Papers: correspondence, diaries, photographs, poems, etc., 1823-1941, concerning this British family of writers and artists.
Joseph and Elizabeth Robins Pennell Papers: correspondence, manuscripts, and original works of art, 1893-1936, of these illustrators, printmakers, and writers of art criticism and travel books.
Wanda Gág Papers: correspondence, diaries, and drawings, 1920-1946, of this American artist and children's book creator.
Carl Zigrosser Papers: correspondence, manuscripts, diaries, and research notes, 1891-1971, regarding Zigrosser's personal and professional life as founder and director of the Weyhe Gallery in New York and as the first Curator of Prints and Drawings at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Philadelphia Art Alliance Records: correspondence, exhibition and events files, minutes, and other records, 1906-1990 (bulk 1915-1980), regarding this center and marketplace for the fine and performing arts.
Institute of Contemporary Art Records: administrative files, exhibition files, catalogs, etc., of the Penn-affiliated museum.
Wiliam Steig
Atha Tehon Papers, Art and Design books
Artists Books
Vilain-Wieck--Fine Press
Comics and Graphic Novels
Collections related to art and architecture held in the Kislak Center.
