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Sabine Lipten
Scope and Contents
The Bernard and Phyllis Fischer papers measure 3.4 linear feet and date from circa 1905-1983 with bulk dates from 1928-1977. The papers document the Fischers' careers as art teachers and craft business administrators through biographical material, correspondence, writings and personal business files. Also found are printed material, photographs and an extensive amount of artwork. 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 college diplomas. Also found is an essay documenting Bernard Fischer's family history. Correspondence is foremost professional in nature with a marginal 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.
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. 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. 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. 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. Also found are a small number of photographs of the Fishers' paintings. The artwork series includes thirteen sketchbooks, approximately two hundred loose drawings plus an additional 16 drawings done on hard plastic sheets. Also found are watercolors, prints and paper cutouts.
Language
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated 1986 by Norma Kerlin, the Fischers' niece.
Funding
Sponsor
The processing of this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund, administered by the National Collections Program and the Smithsonian Collections Advisory Committee.
Processing Information
The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Sabine Lipten in 2023.
