Paul Hollister papers, bulk 1947-2004, circa 1883-2004

Collection Information

Size: 9.4 Linear feet

Summary: The Paul Hollister papers measure 9.4 linear feet and date from circa 1883 to 2004, with the bulk of the papers from 1947-1996. Biographical material and correspondence both personal and professional are included, in addition to project files documenting various writing, teaching and curatorial projects, as well as ongoing working relationships with various institutions. Also included are topical projects that overlapped with specific research interests, containing a considerable amount of research material. Writings by Paul Hollister include manuscript material spanning the breadth of his professional writing career, from his work as a columnist, to his articles on glass, as well as some works of fiction. Also included is a full manuscript of one of Hollister's books on glass paperweights. The published portion of this content is mirrored in the printed material series. The business records of Paul Hollister contain financial information about his household and collections, as well as his family's estate. Also included are records relating to Paul Hollister's art studio and an inventory of his paintings and other works of art in the form of index cards. Select photographs of Hollister's collection of art objects are included, along with images of Paul and Irene Hollister.

Biographical/Historical Note

Paul M. Hollister (1918-2004) was a glass historian, collector, painter, and writer in New York, NY. Hollister wrote on the topics of art history, journalism and fiction and is most well-known for his numerous books published about glass paperweights, and later a variety of other topics in the history of glass production in the decorative arts. Hollister was born in Boston and raised in New York City, where he worked as a journalist and simultaneously pursued his career as a widely-exhibited painter after graduating Harvard College with a degree in fine arts. After inheriting a small collection of European glass paperweights from his mother, Hollister developed a passion for the study of these objects, which led to him publishing books including the Encyclopedia of Glass Paperweights (1969) and Glass Paperweights of the New-York Historical Society (1974). Hollister traveled extensively lecturing at various museums and colleges, as well as occupying a regular adjunct position at Bard Graduate Center, where he later donated his personal library, and his estate would endow a lecture series in 2007.

Provenance

The Paul Hollister papers were donated to the Archives of American Art in 1978 by Paul Hollister, with additions in 1999 and 2000. One further addition of photographs was donated by the Estate of Irene Hollister in 2018.

Related Materials

Related materials include the Paul M. Hollister Collection, circa 1806-2004 at the Rakow Research Library, The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York.

Language Note

English .