James Van Der Zee

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Description: A portfolio of fine art prints consisting of studio portraits of individuals, couples and families, and group portraits of a swim team and a congregation of Black Jews, in Harlem, New York, from 1915 to 1938; a combination print depicting a Universal Negro Improvement Association militia and Marcus Garvey with other U.N.I.A. officials during a parade review in Harlem (1924); a view of beach goers at Atlantic City, New Jersey (1930); a view of Black students in class at Whittier Preparatory Academy, in Pheobus, Virginia (1907); and portraits of VanDerZee, his family, and an acquaintance in Lenox, Massachusetts (1905-1908). Of note are studio portraits of religious leader Daddy Grace (1938), a Garveyite family (1924), and a wedding couple, done as a composite print with a small child possibly representing the couple's anticipated first child (1926). Other images by VanDerZee may be found in the James VanDerZee Photographers Portfolio.
Names: Van Der Zee, James, 1886-1983 (Photographer); Benson, Richard, 1943-2017 (Photographer); Perry, Reginia (Author); Graphics International Ltd. (Publisher)
Dates / Origin: Date Issued: 1974; Place: Washington, D.C.; Publisher: Graphics International Ltd.
Library locations: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Photographs and Prints Division; Shelf locator: Sc Photo Portfolio (VanDerZee, J. Eighteen photographs)
Topics: Van Der Zee, James, 1886-1983; Daddy, Grace, 1882?-1960; Universal Negro Improvement Association; African American men; African American women; African American children; African American couples; African American families; African Americans -- Social life -- 1910-1939; Black Hebrews -- New York (State) -- New York; Nudes -- 1920-1929; Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
Genres: Photographs
Notes: Statement of responsibility: James Van DerZee.; Content: Title taken from portfolio booklet.; Content: Portfolio published in January 1974 by Graphics International Ltd., in cooperation with the James Van DerZee Institute, consisting of an edition of 75 copies with an additional 15 proof copies (numbered I-XV) reserved for the Van DerZee Institute.; Content: Schomburg Center copy is number I of the XV proof copies reserved for the Van DerZee Institute. The copy numbers are handwritten on recto of mount.; Content: "The photographs have been printed by Richard Benson from the original Van DerZee negatives with the exception of photographs 11 and 12 which were photographed from vintage prints because the negatives have been lost." - Portfolio booklet.; Content: "The photographs have been printed on different portrait papers of the type used in the period in which they were taken. The photographs are mounted on Bainbridge four ply all rag museum board. Each photograph is signed on the mount by Mr. Van DerZee." - Portfolio booklet.; Content: Portfolio is accompanied by a booklet with a biographical essay by Professor Regenia Perry, a Van DerZee life chronology, brief descriptions of the photographs, and information on the production of the portfolio.; Biographical/historical: James VanDerZee, 1886-1983, was a Harlem photographer best known for his studio portraits of Harlem residents and his work for Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association, during the 1910s to early 1940s. His studio work was noted for his subjects posing against stylized backdrops, and for his use of multiple printing and negative retouching techniques. After a period of declining business, VanDerZee's photographs were featured in the "Harlem on my Mind" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, in 1969, which renewed public interest in his work.
Physical Description: Extent: 1 portfolio (18 photographic prints) ;41 x 33 cm; Extent: 18 photographic prints :gelatin silver, black and white, mounted ;24 x 19 cm and smaller (prints), 38 x 32 cm (mounts)
Type of Resource: Still image
Identifiers: RLIN/OCLC: 984128488; NYPL catalog ID (B-number): b21254902; Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): 97b4ce80-5e4a-013d-ac27-0242ac110003

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James Van Der Zee

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