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  2. Jake Berthot papers, circa 1958-1994, bulk 1970-1992
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Jake Berthot papers, circa 1958-1994, bulk 1970-1992

Creator

Occupation

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

Series 1: Correspondence, circa 1962-1994
1.5 Linear feet
Box 1-2

The series is arranged as 2 subseries:
  • 2.1: Personal Correspondence, 1968-1993
  • 2.2: Professional Correspondence, 1962-1994
The series has been arranged in alphabetical order by date.

2.1

Personal Correspondence, circa 1968-1993
Personal Correspondence address Berthot's personal relationships and illuminate artistic ideas and trends of Berthot and his colleagues. By far the largest amount of correspondence comes from Berthot's mother Sara, who wrote to him almost every week from 1970 to 1991. These letters offer a great amount of information regarding personal developments in Berthot's life. Other personal correspondents include his ex-wives and partners Ginny McKenzie, Edith Gould, and Suzanne Chamlin, as well as his son John. Berthot also communicated with other artists including Jim Huntington, Sam Messer, Peter Plagans, Harvey Quaytman, and Adya Yunkers as well as the art critic Dore Ashton. These letters discuss both personal artistic concerns of the artists as well as commentary on more broad art trends and the art world.
Description Container
A, circa 1971-1989
1
1
Dore Ashton, circa 1972-1992
1
2
B, 1972-1993
1
3
John Berthot, circa 1971-1991
1
4
Sara Berthot, 1970-1974
1
5
Sara Berthot, 1975-1979
1
6
Sara Berthot, 1980-1982
1
7
Sara Berthot, 1983-1984
1
8
Sara Berthot, 1985-1991
1
9-10
C, 1982-1993
1
11
Suzanne Chamlin, circa 1989-1992
1
12
D, circa 1972-1992
1
13
E, 1983-1991
1
14
F, circa 1968-1989
1
15
G, circa 1972-1992
1
16
Edith Gould, circa 1987-1992
1
17
H-J, circa 1972-1992
1
18
Jim Hutington, circa 1974-1989
1
19
K-L, circa 1975-1992
1
20
M, 1970-1991
1
21
Sam Messer, circa 1977-1992
1
22
Ginny McKenzie, circa 1971-1992
1
23
N, circa 1979-1992
1
24
O, circa 1983-1992
1
25
P-Q, 1972-1987
1
26
Frances and Harvey Quaytman, circa 1970-1982
1
27
R, circa 1973-1992
1
28
S, 1973-1992
1
29
T, 1976-1991
1
30
U-V, circa 1982-1992
1
31
W-Y, circa 1970-1992
1
32
Miscellaneous, Last Name Unsigned, 1970-1979
1
33
Miscellaneous, Last Name Unsigned, 1980-1989
2
1
Miscellaneous, Last Name Unsigned, 1990-1992
2
2
Miscellaneous, Last Name Unsigned, circa 1968-1993
2
3

2.3

Professional Correspondence, circa 1962-1994
Professional correspondence are from museums, galleries, and other professional organizations. Correspondence regarding Berthot's Guggenheim Fellowhsip and NEA grantare included in this series. Subjects addressed in the letters include the use of Berthot's works in exhibitions, the purchase of his works, and related concerns. Also found in this subseries are correspondence related to Berthot's career as an art professor including letters from students with whom Berthot kept in touch or who asked for recommendations. Notable correspondence includes the David McKee Gallery, Nielsen Gallery, Yale and Cooper Union.
Description Container
A, circa 1971-1988
2
4
B, 1972-1992
2
5
C, circa 1974-1988
2
6
D, 1977-1987
2
7
F, circa 1965-1990
2
8
G, circa 1962-1992
2
9
H-J, circa 1974-1989
2
10
L, 1979-1988
2
11
M, 1972-1989
2
12
David Mckee Gallery, circa 1977-1992
2
13
N-O, circa 1972-1989
2
14
Nielson Gallery, circa 1974-1984
2
15
P-R, circa 1964-1989
2
16
S-V, circa 1972-1994
2
17
W, circa 1971-1994
2
18
Whitney Museum of Art, circa 1969-1978
2
19
Y, 1979-1981
2
20
Inquiries and Collectors, circa 1971-1992
2
21
Publications, circa 1974-1988
2
22
Colleges and Universities, circa 1971-1992
2
23-24
Students, circa 1970-1991
2
25-26
Miscellaneous, Last Name Unsigned, circa 1989-1992
2
27
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Series 2: Writings, circa 1971-1994
0.2 Linear feet
Box 2

The writing series contains writings by Berthot and others. Writings by Berthot include 3 notebooks; essays on art and creative writing; gallery layout plan notes and miscellaneous notes including an annotated calender page. Writings by others include typescript essays on Berthot and creative writing, namely poetry.
Description Container Select
Resumes, circa 1973-1981
1
28
Notebooks, circa 1976
2
29
Cooper Union Course Roll Notebooks, circa 1975-1979
2
30
Cooper Union Class Lists, 1975-1979
2
31
Creative Writing by Berthot, circa 1971-1972
2
32
Gallery Plan Notes, circa 1977
2
33
Essay Typescripts on Berthot by Others, circa 1977-1989
2
34
Tony Scherman, Jake Berthot: Paintings and Drawings (June-July 1994), Signed Exhibition Guestbook, Photocopies, 1994
2
35
Creative Writing by Others, circa 1988
2
36
Miscellaneous Notes and Writings, circa 1981
2
37
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Series 3: Personal Business, 1958-1989
3 Folders
Box 2

Personal business consists of an exhibition price list, artwork shipping invoices and miscellaneous personal receipts including travel reciepts and ticket stubs.
Description Container Select
Young American Artists Exhibition Price List, circa 1960s
2
38
Artwork Shipping Invoices, circa 1972-1988
2
39
Personal Receipts, 1958, 1972-1989
2
40
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Series 4: Printed Material, circa 1963-1994
1.6 Linear feet
Box 2-4, OV 6-7

Printed material documents Berthot's life and career as an artist through exhibition catalogs, flyers and announcements, news and magazine article clippings and personal ephemera such as basketball cards, travel attraction brochures and retail catalogs. Also found are a number of exhibition flyers and announcements sent to Berthot from other artists.
Description Container Select
Exhibition Catalogs, Berthot, 1969-1971
2
41
Exhibition Catalogs, Berthot, 1972
2
42
Exhibition Catalogs, Berthot, 1973-1975
2
43
Exhibition Catalogs, Berthot, 1976-1979
3
1
Exhibition Catalogs, Berthot, 1980-1983
3
2-3
Exhibition Catalogs, Berthot, 1984-1986
3
4
Exhibition Catalogs, Berthot, 1987-1992
3
5
Exhibition Catalogs, Other Artists, circa 1969-1994
3
6
Exhibition Announcements, Berthot, circa 1969-1994
3
7-8
Exhibition Announcements and Flyers, Other Artists, 1964-1969
3
9
Exhibition Announcements and Flyers, Other Artists, 1970-1974
3
10
Exhibition Announcements and Flyers, Other Artists, 1975-1979
3
11
Exhibition Announcements and Flyers, Other Artists, 1980-1984
3
12
Exhibition Announcements and Flyers, Other Artists, 1985-1986
3
13
Exhibition Announcements and Flyers, Other Artists, 1988-1989
3
14
Exhibition Announcements and Flyers, Other Artists, 1990-1991
3
15
Exhibition Announcements and Flyers, Other Artists, 1992-1994
3
16
Exhibition Announcements and Flyers, Other Artists, circa 1964-1994
3
17
Exhibition Posters, Berthot, 1984-1985
6
1
Exhibition Posters, Other Artists, 1973-1991
7
1
Clippings, Berthot, circa 1963-1994
4
1-2
Clippings, Other Artists, circa 1972-1991
4
3
Clippings, Reference Artwork, circa 1976
4
4
Resumes, Other Artists, circa 1987
4
5
Retail Catalogs and Brochures, circa 1976-1993
4
6
Political Flyers, circa 1982-1994
4
7
Travel, circa 1976
4
8
Memorial Service Programs, 1988-1992
4
9
New York Nicks Basketball Cards and Ticket Stub, circa 1973, 1977
4
10
Blank Postcards, circa 1981-1991
4
11
Miscellaneous Printed Material, circa 1977-1993
4
12
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Series 5: Photographic Material, circa 1961-1992
0.2 Linear feet
Box 4-5

Photographic materials include both personal snapshots and images of Berthot's and other artists' works of art. Many of the personal images were mailed to him from family and friends. Photographs of Berthot's works of art include the painting Untitled (Yellow-Yellow) and an untitled ink drawing from 1984. A few images of works of art in a gallery setting are also included. Images of other artists' works include color slides and photographs sent by students and colleagues.
Description Container Select
Photographs of Berthot, Family and Friends, circa 1961-1992
4
13-14
Photographs and Slide of Artwork, circa 1985-1991
4
15
Photographs of Artwork, Other Artists, circa 1971-1983
5
1
Slides of Artwork, Other Artists, circa 1971-1983
5
2
Negatives of Artwork, circa 1975-1976
5
3
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Series 6: Artwork, circa 1970-1992
0.2 Linear feet
Box 5, OV 8

The Artwork series includes drawings, small paintings, and other works of art created by Berthot, as well as works created by other artists, including Sam Messer; former students; and Berthot's family.
Description Container Select
Sketches, Berthot, circa 1978-1986
5
4
Hand-Drawn Berthot Family Christmas Dinner Menu, 1974
5
5
Gallery Layout Sketches, circa 1977
8
1
Drawings by Others, circa 1972
5
6
Paintings by Others, circa 1970-1992
5
7
Childhood Artwork, circa 1970s
5
8

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.