Guide to the Lea Van Puymbroeck Miller Papers, 1944-1958
Processed by William M. Roberts
The Bancroft Library.
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu
© 1999
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Note
History -- History, University of California -- History, UC Berkeley History -- History, California Geographical (By Place) -- California
Guide to the Lea Van Puymbroeck Miller Papers, 1944-1958
Collection number: BANC MSS 89/199 c
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Contact Information:
- Processed by:
- William M. Roberts
- Date Completed:
- 1992
- Encoded by:
- Xiuzhi Zhou
© 1999 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Lea Van Puymbroeck Miller Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1944-1958
Collection Number: BANC MSS 89/199 c
Creator:
Miller, Lea Van Puymbroeck
Extent:
Number of containers: 1 box
Linear feet: .4
Repository: The
Bancroft Library.
Berkeley, California 94720-6000
Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Abstract: Primarily correspondence concerning her weaving and exhibitions, her contributions to periodicals on weaving and textile arts,
and her search for newly developed fabrics as weaving materials.
Languages Represented:
English
Information for Researchers
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft
Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which
must also be obtained by the reader.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Lea Van Puymbroeck Miller Papers, BANC MSS 89/199 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California,
Berkeley.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
The Lea Van Puymbroeck Miller papers were transferred to The Bancroft Library from the Lowie Museum of Anthropology in December
1988, after being received there from the California Academy of Sciences.
Biography
Lea Van Puymbroeck Miller was born in Oswego, Oregon, on May 2, 1898 of Belgian parents. She received a BFA and MFA from the
University of Washington in 1924 and 1934, and at various points between and after these degrees worked privately with a number
of sculptors and designers. Before coming to the University of California, Berkeley, Miller taught art and design in Seattle
high schools and at the University of Washington.
Subsequently Miller became better known as a weaver, specializing in gauze techniques, stimulated by an interest in Peruvian
textiles derived from the research of Lila O'Neill. She was interested in the utilization of new, synthetic materials in her
weaving, adapting them to the gauze techniques in which she specialized. She exhibited her works extensively and won an impressive
number of awards, recognizing her importance in developing and extending modern weaving design and technique.
Miller's career at the University of California began in 1941, when she was appointed as a Lecturer in the Department of Decorative
Art; she retired as full Professor in 1965 from the Department of Design, College of Environmental Design. She was apparently
an enthusiastic teacher and also served as a student adviser in the College of Letters and Science. Lea Van Puymbroeck Miller
died on December 13, 1979.
Scope and Content
The Lea Van Puymbroeck Miller Papers consist almost entirely of correspondence, and represent only a portion of her career,
mainly from about 1945 to 1958, although most of the correspondence is concentrated in the 1949-1953 period. Major topics
are her weaving and exhibitions, her contributions to periodicals on weaving and textile arts, and her search for newly developed
weaving materials. There are a few letters which deal with her work as a student adviser and one folder, at the end, contains
a small number of personal and family papers.
folder 2
American Craftsmen's Council
1944-50
Some written by his wife, Barbara
Mainly written on behalf of
Handweaver and Craftsman
folder 7
California State Fair
1951-53
Written by Grant Duggins, exhibit supervisor for art
folder 8
Carnegie Institution of Washington. Division of Historical Research.
1948
Written by Marjorie Harrison
folder 9
Craft and Hobby Book Service
1951-57
folder 11
Denny, Grace G. (Grace Goldena), d. 1971
1947-50
Written for
Craft Horizons
folder 27
Professional Weavers' Association
1952
Includes typescript of his "Handweaving as an art form"
folder 30
Ryan, Beatrice Judd
1947-51
folder 33
Tensolite Corporation
1947-48
folder 35
University of California, Berkeley. College of Letters and Science
1948-55
Written by deans, A. R. Davis and Lincoln Constance, mainly relatin to student advising
folder 36
University of Tennessee
1948-49
Written by Marion Heard, Professor of Craft Design, College of Home Economics, Dept. of Related Arts and Crafts
folder 37
University of Washington
1951-53
Written by various individuals, mainly relating to her teaching there in summer of 1952
Telegrams regarding the death of her mother and memorial program; draft of her husband's will