Arrangement note
Biographical/Historical note
Scope and Contents note
Conditions Governing Use note
Preferred Citation note
Processing Information note
Conditions Governing Access note
Bibliography
Title: Papers of Michael and Dorothy Blankfort
Identifier/Call Number: BLA.001.001
Contributing Institution:
Los Angeles County Museum of Art Balch Art Research Library
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
5.0 Linear feet
, 12 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1961-1995
creator:
Blankfort, Dorothy
Arrangement note
This collection is arranged alphabetically. Items that were originally filed in the "Misc." folder have been interfiled; these
are denoted by an asterisk (*) in the folder list.
Biographical/Historical note
Michael and Dorothy Blankfort began collecting art in the late 1950s. The couple focused on contemporary art in Los Angeles,
New York, and Europe. They were both involved with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in various capacities. In
1961, they were founding members of LACMA's Modern and Contemporary Art Council (MCAC); Dorothy chaired MCAC from 1974-1976
as well as participating in and chairing the Acquisitions, Education and Membership committees; and Michael served on the
Board of Trustees from 1971-1982. Upon their deaths, the couple left a generous bequest to LACMA.
Michael Blankfort (1907-1982) worked as a college professor, psychologist, and writer. He wrote 13 novels, several short stories,
plays, and screenplays. In 1950, he was nominated for an Oscar for the film "Broken Arrow"; his name, however, was used as
a front for the blacklisted screenwriter, Albert Maltz. From 1967-1969 he served as President of the Writers Guild of America
West. From 1969-1971 he served as a governor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Dorothy Stile Blankfort (1910-1998)
worked as a literary agent.
Scope and Contents note
The 12 boxes (5 linear feet) that comprise this collection contain correspondence, clippings, greeting cards, checks, receipts,
photographs, transparencies, and other realia in connection with the art collection of Michael and Dorothy Blankfort. The
files concern items in their personal collection; gifts and loans to galleries and museums; correspondence from friends; clippings
of newspaper and magazine articles, both about the artists in their collection as well as art history; and correspondence
to institutions. The items range in date mostly from 1961-1995.
Conditions Governing Use note
Contact the Balch Research Library at 323-856-6118 or library@lacma.org for information on publishing or reproducing materials
included in these records. Permission will be granted by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art as the owner of the physical
materials, and does not imply permission from the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all
necessary permissions from the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation note
[Description of item], Papers of Michael and Dorothy Blankfort, 1961-1995, Los Angeles County Museum of Art Balch Art Research
Library, BLA.001.001.
Processing Information note
Processed by Mali Griffen and Heather Cleary; processing completed in September 2001; input into Archivists' Toolkit by Joel
Parham, March 2011.
Conditions Governing Access note
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment only through the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Balch Art Research
Library. Telephone 323-857-6118 or email library@lacma.org.
Bibliography
The Michael and Dorothy Blankfort Collection, Maurice Tuchman and Anne Carnegie Edgerton, with an introduction by Michael
Blankfort. Los Angeles, Calif.: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1982.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Blankfort, Michael, 1907-1982 -- Correspondence
Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Modern and Contemporary Art Council.
Art donors
Art, Modern--20th century
Art--Collectors and collecting
Clippings (information artifacts)
Correspondence
Ephemera
Financial records
Photographs