Pélissier (George) Photographs and Papers, ca. 1872-1925

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Summary

Title:

Georges Pélissier photographs and papers

Dates:

ca. 1872-1925

Creators:

Pélissier, Georges Constantin

Abstract:

Art historian, lecturer, and cultural advisor to Tiffany and Company. In his wide travels, Pélissier both collected and created photographic images on diverse subjects, including buildings, monuments, gardens, city views, decorative arts, as well as family and friends. The images in this collection represent various formats and processes, including stereographs, lantern slides, glass negatives, and rare Lumière autochromes. Materials used to present, preserve, and repair stereo views are included, as well as some original stereo view boxes. The small representation of Pélissier's writing includes photocopies of several articles and partial essays, mostly concerning decorative arts.

Extent:

4350 items (53 boxes)

Language:

French .

Preferred citation:

Georges Pélissier photographs and papers, ca. 1900-1925, Research Library, The Getty Research Institute, Accession no. 94.R.66.

http://hdl.handle.net/10020/cifa94r66

Background

Scope and content:: The Georges Pélissier archive contain photographs and some photocopies of published writings. The articles pertain to decorative arts, sculptures, and artists. The more than 4,000 photographs represent five different formats: photoprints on paper, black and white glass stereographs, black and white lantern slides, autochromes, and glass negatives. The majority of the photographs are of different places, many of which were subsequently altered in the course of two world wars, and a number of images of decorative arts and sculptures. There is also a large number of portraits of Pélissier's family and friends. The remainder of the collection consists of a sample of the boxes for the stereo views and a few of the original supplies used to preserve the plates. The collection's arrangement generally reflects Pélissier's organization, particularly in the photographic component.
Biographical / historical:: Georges Pélissier (1865-1931) was employed by Tiffany and Co., in Paris and New York, as a cultural advisor and purchasing clerk. An art historian and lecturer, Pélissier published many writings on decorative objects, art theory, and artists (see the following bibliography). During extensive travels, he collected a substantial number of photographs ranging in subject from decorative arts and architecture, to portraits. Georges Pélissier dedicated the majority of his life's work to the promotion and study of the decorative arts.
Acquisition information:: The Getty acquired this collection in 1994.
Processing information:: Michael Baker began processing the collection in mid-August 1995. Much of the collection was sent to the conservation lab for rehousing, and so glass photographs could be cleaned and re-bound. Processing was completed, and the finding aid written, in late December 1995.
Arrangement:: The collection is organized in eight series: Series I. Published articles, 1907-1908, undated; Series II. Personal photoprints, ca. 1900-1925; Series III. Stereo views, ca. 1900-1925; Series IV. Lantern slides, ca. 1872-1925; Series V. Autochromes, ca. 1907-1914; Series VI. Negatives, ca. 1900-1920; Series VII. Original boxes for stereo views, 1904(?), undated; Series VIII. Photographic supplies, 1920-1925, undated.
Physical location:: Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the catalog record for this collection. Click here for the access policy.
Rules or conventions:: archives, personal papers, and manuscripts

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:: Michael Baker.
Date Encoded:: This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-05-14 13:51:33 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:: Open for use by qualified researchers.
Terms of access:: Contact Library Rights and Reproductions.