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Tag: Elizabeth Broman

Preserving Alphabets and Needlework – the Smithsonian Women’s Committee

The Smithsonian Women’s Committee granted the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Library an award in 2012-13 for the preservation and re-housing of two important and rare embroidery and lace manuals dating from the early 17th and late 18th century. Due to their poor and fragile condition, they could not be handled and would have continued to deteriorate if left untreated.

Robes et Femmes

Cover of Robes et Femmes by Enrico Sacchetti
Cover of Robes et Femmes by Enrico Sacchetti

 

 New York Fashion Week is held in February and September of each year in  New York City; dates for 2013 are  September 5–12th. The Special Collections  of the Cooper- Hewitt National Design  Library in New York have always been a  great research resource for people working in the fashion and related industries. We have in our collection a rare fashion title Robes et Femmes, published in 1913 by the Italian designer  Enrico Sacchetti (1877-1967).

Conducting a Condition Survey of Special Collections

Le Document du décorateur, troisième série : fleurs stylisées. fNK3449.D62 CHMSC
Le Document du décorateur, troisième série : fleurs stylisées. (18–?) fNK3449.D62 CHMSC

In 2011, The Cooper-Hewitt Museum National Design Library was awarded a $96,000 grant from the CCPF (Collections Care and Preservation Fund, an internal grant awarding source) of the Smithsonian Institution to conduct a condition assessment survey of approximately 4,000 items of its Special Collections. We’ve done many preservation and book housing projects over the years, with repairs and custom enclosures made when the occasion demanded, but we’ve never had the opportunity or plan in place to look at the condition of our Rare Book  collection as a whole before.

Patio Furniture Time! Woodard Furniture

Woodard Furniture catalog 1934
Woodard Furniture catalog 1934

 

Over the past several years I’ve noticed a growing interest in wrought iron furniture- for both indoor and outdoor use, with people requesting information and images of furniture going back to the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Is there is a retro revival going on? Are people restoring their old patio furniture or finding missing or replacement pieces at auctions and yard sales?