Aaron Siskind archive

Material in this archive spans more than six decades of Aaron Siskind's life. The earliest material begins with his graduation from City College of New York in 1926 and consists mainly of unpublished poetry manuscripts which reflect his early ambition to be a writer. The earliest material on his photographic career dates from the 1930's when he was active in the Photo League producing documentary photographs. The bulk of this collection dates from the late 1960's to the present. After 1970 the amount of correspondence from photographers, students, friends, and institutions is considerable. There is a nearly complete file on his exhibitions from 1939 onwards. Teaching files currently contain very little material. There are periodicals, books, and clippings with reproductions of his work as well as books by and about Siskind. There are also book galleys, maquettes, and dummies used to prepare his publications, Beans and Bacon, Pleasures and Terrors, and Places. Siskind's negative files are well organized and complete.

Series 1, correspondence, 1947-1990, contains correspondence to Siskind from artists, students, family, friends, admirers, and others dating from 1947 - 1990. Enclosures such as photographs, clippings, and announcements are present in this series

This collection is particularly strong in correspondence from students who studied under Siskind during his years at the Institute of Design and the Rhode Island School of Design (R.I.S.D.), as well as friends made during his international travels. The majority of the correspondence dates from the 1970s and 1980s with less than 10% of the material dating from before 1960. There is no correspondence dating from Siskind's years with the Photo League or the Institute of Design. There is no correspondence pertaining to Siskind's early projects and publications.

The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence received by Siskind. While some lists and memoranda are included in this series, Siskind did not generate carbons or photocopies of his own writings, leaving less than 1% of the material to represent his outgoing correspondence.

The correspondence has been broken down into three subseries: greeting cards, general correspondence, selected correspondence. The selected correspondence has been cross referenced by correspondent and institution, for example, Szarkowski, John see also Museum of Modern Art.

Series 2, exhibition and auction files, 1939-1990, contains exhibition announcements, brochures, checklists, reviews, catalogs, clippings, and other items relating to exhibitions. The amount of material on each exhibition varies greatly. Most of Siskind's exhibitions are documented. An asterisk (*) alongside the entry in the inventory indicates that only the announcement is on file.

Series 3, writings, 1924-1960, includes published and unpublished writings by Siskind in the form of typed and handwritten manuscripts of poetry and expositional writing on photography. The poetry, written during his years at the College of the City of New York, appears in a variety of manuscripts and many of the works tend to be duplicated.

Series 4, biographical materials, 1926-1990, contains chronologies, bibliographies, interviews, awards, appointment calendars, a scrapbook, passports, and other documents dating from the mid-1920s through 1990. Audio-visual materials including audio and video taped interviews are included in this series. Totaling 8 audio cassettes, 3 video cassettes, 2 films and 1 film strip. See also the Carl Chiarenza Archive (AG87) for extensive interviews on audio tapes with Siskind.

Series 5, activity files, 1939-1990, contains materials related to Siskind's activities as a photographer and teacher. Included are certificates of membership to a variety of organizations. This series contains material pertaining to his involvement with the Photo League and includes meeting minutes, advertisements, clippings, and press releases. Subseries divisions include miscellaneous reference materials which related to subjects of general interest to Siskind, shows both curated and juried by Siskind, lectures given by Siskind throughout his career, teaching materials, and special projects or events in which he took part. In the subseries pertaining to lectures an asterisk (*) alongside the entry in the inventory indicates that only the announcement is on file.

Series 6, photographic materials, include negatives, contact sheets, proof prints, portraits of Siskind.

Series 7, publication files, circa 1939-1990, contains books by or about Siskind, book design materials, portfolios, and posters. The major publishing endeavors of Siskind's career, including Beans and Bacon, (ca. 1939), Places (1976), Harlem Document (1981) and Pleasures and Terrors (1983) are well represented. The subseries of illustrative material contains books, book jackets, album sleeves, and calendars by friends and associates of Siskind to which he lent his work. See also AG87, Carl Chiarenza Archive, for material pertaining to the publication of Pleasures and Terrors.

Series 8, personal library, 1945-1990, contains books, magazines, and clippings containing photographs by Siskind, biographical information about Siskind [see also Biographical Files subseries Interviews] and reviews of his books.

Series 9, business files, circa 1965-1991, contains material that relates to Siskind's career as a photographer and artist. Included are Light Gallery exhibitions, print sales and loan receipts, and materials which resulted from his daily activities (e.g., travel, utility, automobile, property and investment records). Also included is a subseries containing accounts and correspondence regarding the institutionalization of Sidonie Siskind.

Series 10, memorabilia, 1969-1991, contains miscellaneous objects retained by Siskind for their personal value, including plaques, medals and academic robes.