David Berger papers, circa 1939-1986

Biographical material consists of Veterans Administration records, student transcripts, enrollment correspondence, diplomas from Massachusetts School of Art and Cranbrook Academy of Art, and other student records. Also found are obituaries and documents from the memorial service held for Berger in 1966. Also of note are a transcript of an interview with Berger and a script for a video on Boston printmakers which features Berger.

Personal business records consist of Berger's employment records for his teaching positions, as well as scattered financial documents such as bills, receipts, and royalty statements for book illustrations. Also found are files documenting his submissions for juried art exhibitions, including letters notifying of awards and rejections. Inventory and sales records consist of lists of works, price lists, and documents regarding works sold by galleries. Also included is a separate sales notebook. These records were maintained by Berger's wife, Ruth, after his death. Additional records document the construction of Berger's house and studio in the late 1950s, designed by architect Marvin E. Goody.

Files are arranged alphabetically. Items within each folder are arranged in rough chronological order.

Correspondence primarily concerns the sale and exhibition of David Berger's artwork. Early correspondence also concerns his education and teaching career. Correspondence after Berger's death in November, 1966 is addressed to his wife Ruth. Letters are from art galleries, professional organizations, publishers, Cranbrook Academy of Art, and individuals who purchased works by Berger. Also found are a few greeting cards which he designed. Researchers should note that additional correspondence can be found within the gallery files in Series 4 and among the personal business records in Series 2.

Correspondence is arranged chronologically.

Gallery files include correspondence, price lists, artwork sales and loan records, exhibition planning documents, notes, and gallery publications. After Berger's death in 1966, files were maintained by his wife Ruth and include her notes and correspondence with galleries.

Files are arranged alphabetically by gallery name. Documents are arranged in rough chronological order within each folder.

Printed material consists of magazines, newsletters, and news clippings documenting David Berger's career, as well as catalogs and announcements for exhibitions of works by Berger and other artists. Also found are newsletters, handbooks, programs, and other publications from Massachusetts College of Art and Cranbrook Academy of Art. One children's book includes illustrations by David Berger.

Material is arranged by type. Items are arranged in rough chronological order within each folder.

Photographs depict David Berger at art exhibitions and with his wife and daughters at home and in his studio. Also found are numerous photographs of his artwork.

Nine sketchbooks contain various figure studies in pencil, ink, pastel, and charcoal.