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  2. Bernard and Phyllis Fischer papers, circa 1905-1983, bulk 1928-1977
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Bernard and Phyllis Fischer papers, circa 1905-1983, bulk 1928-1977

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Select containers from the following list if you want to request them for reading room use or reproduction

Series 1: Biographical Material, 1918-1983
0.1 Linear feet
Box 1, 4

Biographical material consists of resumes for both Fishers and a copy of their marriage certificate, along with certificates corresponding to the Fishers respectively, such as Bernard Fischer's baptismal certificate and Phyllis Fischer's college diplomas. Also found is an essay documenting Bernard Fischer's family history.
Description Container Select
Resumes and Biographical Summaries, circa 1954-1957
1
1
Marriage Certificate, Notarized Copy, 1983
1
2
Notarized Letter of Lost Birth Certificate, Bernard Fischer, 1983
1
3
Baptismal Certificate, Bernard Fischer, 1983
1
4
Family History Essay, Bernard Fischer, circa 1971
1
5
School Diplomas, Phyllis Fischer, 1918-1929
4
1
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Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1928-1972
0.4 Linear feet
Box 1

Correspondence is primarily professional in nature with a small number of personal letters and holiday greeting cards from friends. Professional correspondence relates to job opportunities, Phyllis Fischer's WPA work, project manufacturing costs and supplies, project designs and price quotes. Also found are two address books. The series has been arranged in chronological order by each Fischer.
Description Container Select
Bernard and Phyllis Fischer Correspondence, circa 1936-1972
1
6
Bernard Fischer Correspondence, circa 1934-1961
1
7
Phyllis Fischer Correspondence, circa 1933-1947
1
8
Phyllis Fischer Correspondence, 1948-1954
1
9
Phyllis Fischer Correspondence, 1955-1956
1
10
Phyllis Fischer Correspondence, 1957-1971
1
11
Holiday and Greeting Cards, circa 1928-1951
1
12
Address Books, circa 1936-1972
1
13
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Series 3: Writings, circa 1914-1977
0.5 Linear feet
Box 1

The writings series contains fourteen of Phyllis Fischer's diaries which span nearly sixty years, along with the notes on multiple subjects such as art projects and techniques, planning advertising and manufacturing of their enamel works, and resume drafts. Also found is a piece of writing titles what to do with beads which includes collaged images of beads alongside descriptions of beading techniques.
Description Container Select
Phyllis Fischer Journals, circa 1914-1920
1
14
Phyllis Fischer Journals, circa 1923, 1926
1
15
Phyllis Fischer Journals, circa 1929-1934
1
16
Phyllis Fischer Journals, 1937, 1941
1
17
Phyllis Fischer Journals, 1947-1953
1
18
Phyllis Fischer Journals, 1958
1
19
Phyllis Fischer Journals, 1968-1970, 1973
1
20
Phyllis Fischer Interior Decoration School Notebook, circa 1921
1
21
"What to Do With Beads" Collaged Writing, circa 1920s-1950s
1
22
Art Process and Project Notes, circa 1924-1956
1
23
Advertising and Manufacturing Notes, circa 1939-1950
1
24
Resume Drafts and Career Notes, circa 1937-1939
1
25
Travel Notes, circa 1977
1
26
Miscellaneous Notes, circa 1948-1977
1
27
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Series 4: Personal Business, 1928-1961
0.6 Linear feet
Box 2

The personal business series documents the Fischers careers through financial material along with Phyllis Fischer's Works Progress Administration records, professional organization memberships and Bernard Fischer's teaching records. Financial records include weekly planners, account ledgers, price lists and sale records; the WPA files include numerous reports co-written by Mrs. Fischer on the project's fieldwork in crafts educational initiative and employee records detailing her job position and responsibility. The teaching records document Mr. Fischer's time as a ceramic's teacher at a New York City junior high school and as guest instructor at the Brooklyn Museum Art School through performance evaluations, schedules, correspondence and lesson plans.
Description Container Select
Financial
Appointment Diaries, 1954-1955
2
1
Appointment Diaries, 1956-1957
2
2
Account Ledgers, 1928-1929
2
3
Account Ledgers, circa 1953-1961
2
4
Price Lists and Sale Records, circa 1953-1960
2
5
Supply and Shipping Receipts, circa 1937-1960
2
6
Bernard Fischer Royalty Statements, 1955
2
7
WPA Employee Assignment and Identification Slips, 1936-1939
2
8
WPA Education and Recreation Department Reports of Fieldwork in Crafts, 1938
2
9
Miscellaneous WPA Material Relating to Recreation Training School, circa 1936-1939
2
10
Bernard Fischer Teaching Records, circa 1954-1960
2
11
Phyllis Fischer Job Applications, 1943
2
12
The American Designers Institute , 1949
2
13
Industrial Designers' Institute, circa 1953-1956
2
14
New York Society of Craftsmen, circa 1955-1957
2
15
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Series 5: Printed Material, circa 1939-1960
7 Folders
Box 2

Printed material includes advertisements for the Fisher's commercial work and exhibition announcements along with pamphlets and event flyers related to unionizing and socialist organizations the Fishers were interested in. Also found are sixteen screen printed war time postcards created by the Unitary Socialist Party.
Description Container Select
Enamel Business Advertisements, circa 1954-1956
2
16
Exhibition Announcements, circa 1960
2
17
Gallery Invitations, circa 1956-1957
2
18
Craft Student League, 1955
2
19
Political Organizing Ephemera, circa 1943-1952
2
20
Italian Unitary Socialist Party (P.S.U) Blank Postcards, circa 1939-1945
2
21
Miscellaneous Printed Material, circa 1954-1955
2
22
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Series 6: Photographic Material, circa 1905-1977
0.8 Linear feet
Box 2-3

Photographic material contains many photographs of the Fishers spanning most of their lives along with a substantial number of photographs of the Fishers' sculptural and functional artwork. Functional artwork includes ceramics, mirrors and lamps the couple designed and decorated. Also found are a small number of photographs of the Fishers' paintings and two photographs of the north wall of the Detroit Industry Mural painted by Diego Rivera, located in the Detroit Institutes of Arts museum.
Some images in this series may be offensive to viewers. It is presented as it exists in the original documents for the benefit of research. This material in no way reflects the views of the Archives of American Art or the Smithsonian Institution.
Description Container Select
Photographs, The Fischers, circa 1916-1977
2
23
Photographs, The Fischers, circa 1916-1977
2
24
Photographs, Residence and Studios, circa 1924-1974
2
25
Photographs, Family and Friends, circa 1905-1976
2
26
Photographs, Family and Friends, circa 1905-1976
2
27
Photographs, Travel, circa 1930-1934
2
28
Photographs, Sculptures, circa 1939-1975
2
29-31
Photographs, Sculptures, circa 1939-1975
3
1-2
Photographs, Ceramics and Homeware, circa 1952-1975
3
3-5
Photographs, Paintings, circa 1952-1975
3
4
Photographs, Detroit Industry Murals (1932-1933), By Diego Rivera, circa 1932-1933
3
5
Negatives, Artwork, circa 1952-1975
3
6
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Series 7: Artwork, circa 1915-1979
0.8 Linear feet
Box 3-5

The artwork series includes thirteen sketchbooks, approximately teo hundred loose drawings plus an additional 16 drawings done on hard plastic sheets. Also found are watercolors, prints and paper cutouts. The drawings and paintings depict several subjects ranging from cartoon to realistic sketches of animals, figure drawings and landscapes, cermaic and textile design and flyers for Works Progress Administration and political organizing initiatives.
Description Container Select
Sketchbooks, circa 1915-1977
3
7-16
Drawings on Plastic, circa 1933-1977
3
17-19
Drawings, WPA and Political Flyers, circa 1936-1979
4
2
Drawings, Animals, circa 1936-1979
4
3
Drawings and Paintings, Ceramics, circa 1936-1979
4
4
Drawings, Textiles, Furniture and Technical, circa 1936-1979
4
5
Drawings, Christmas, circa 1936-1979
4
6
Drawings, Miscellaneous, circa 1936-1979
4
7
Fabric Pattern Paintings, circa 1936-1979
4
8
Screen Prints, circa 1936-1979
4
9
Paper Cutouts, circa 1936-1979
4
10
Watercolors , circa 1936-1979
5
1

Make a Request

  • To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
  • To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.