Archives Scrapbooks

This image shows a collection of newspaper clippings and announcements from the early 20th century, likely from a Harvard-related publication or archive. The documents appear aged, with some yellowing and wear, indicating their historical value.

The main textual elements include:

1. Announcement of an Exhibition of American Art:

   • The Harvard Society for Contemporary Art, Inc., is hosting an exhibition from February 19 to March 15, 1929.
   • The exhibit takes place at the Harvard Coöperative Building, Rooms 207, 208, located at 1400 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

2. News Article about the Widener Treasure Room:

   • This article is dated February 20, 1929, and discusses three exhibitions currently on display in the Widener Treasure Room.
   • The exhibits include:
     • An Elizabethan literature display.
     • A modern typography display.
     • A display of Spanish books.
   • The article mentions specific books and their historical significance, such as a copy of Shakespeare's "Defense of Poesie," published in 1595, and a copy of Spenser's "Prothalamion" printed in 1596.

3. Review of the Exhibition:

   • A review of the exhibition is included, dated February 19, 1929.
   • The review discusses the opening of the first exhibit by the Harvard Society for Contemporary Art, noting the restraint exhibited and the potential for future radical productions.
   • It also mentions the purpose of the society, which is to sponsor artwork that may not be accepted elsewhere.

The clippings and their titles suggest an interest in art, literature, and academic institutions from the early 1920s. The Harvard Society for Contemporary Art and the Widener Treasure Room are focal points, reflecting a time when Harvard was engaging with contemporary art and literature.

The image is of an open scrapbook or journal with various clippings and documents pasted to its pages. The main document on the left side is a flyer from "The Harvard Society for Contemporary Art, Inc." It announces "An Exhibition of American Art" scheduled from February 19 to March 15, 1929. The flyer also mentions the location as the "Harvard Coöperative Building Rooms 207, 208, 1400 Massachusetts Avenue Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts."

On the right side, there is a newspaper clipping titled "THREE EXHIBITIONS NOW ON DISPLAY IN WIDENER." It discusses three displays in the Widener Treasure Room, focusing on Elizabethan literature, modern typography, and Spanish books. The clipping provides details about the exhibits, such as the books on display and their historical significance.

Below the main flyer on the left, there is a section labeled "SALON" dated Tuesday, February 19, 1929. It appears to be a review or commentary on the exhibition, discussing the opening of the first exhibit by the Harvard Society for Contemporary Art and the approach taken by the organizers to ensure the success of the project.

The pages of the scrapbook are bound together with a visible spine, and there are some plastic clips or fasteners visible, likely used to keep the pages in place. The overall appearance suggests that this is a historical document, possibly part of a collection or archive related to the Harvard Society for Contemporary Art.

This image displays an open, aging scrapbook or archival album, showcasing a collection of newspaper clippings and a formal exhibition announcement from 1929. The pages are yellowed with age, and the materials are secured within the book with thin white threads or ribbons.

Left Page:

Top Section – Exhibition Announcement:

• A large, professionally printed announcement for:

  “AN EXHIBITION OF AMERICAN ART”

• Sponsored by:

  “THE HARVARD SOCIETY FOR CONTEMPORARY ART > INC <”

• Dates:

  February 19 to March 15, 1929

• Location:

  Harvard Cooperative Building, Rooms 207, 208, 1400 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts

This announcement is neatly placed on the page and is the most prominent visual element.

Bottom Section – Newspaper Clipping:

• Headlined: “SALON”
• Dated: Tuesday, February 19, 1929
• The article discusses the opening of the Harvard Society for Contemporary Art’s first exhibition, praising its “restraint” and thoughtful curation. It contrasts it favorably with more sensationalist approaches and notes its success in gaining patron support without alienating conservative tastes.
• The clipping bears the handwritten word “Crimson” at the top, likely indicating the newspaper source (The Harvard Crimson).

Right Page:

Top Section – Newspaper Clipping:

• Headlined: “THREE EXHIBITIONS NOW ON DISPLAY IN WIDENER”
• Dated: Feb. 20, 1929 (handwritten “Crimson” above it, again suggesting The Harvard Crimson)
• The article describes three different book exhibitions in Widener Library’s Treasure Room:
  1. A Shakespearean collection (gift of W.A. White ’63), featuring works like Sidney’s Defense of Poesie and Spenser’s Prothalamion.
  2. A collection of French publications, including Pouchkine’s Boris Godounov, and Voltaire’s Candide (the 1928 color edition by Rockwell Kent).
  3. Modern American typography and prints from the Society for Contemporary Art.
• The article notes that these exhibits are related to the contemporary art show and are drawn from gifts to Harvard.

Bottom Section – Two Smaller Clippings:

• One is a continuation or excerpt of the “SALON” article from the left page.
• The other is a smaller, less legible clipping with partial text and a visible “Crimson” label.

Overall Context:

This scrapbook page captures cultural life at Harvard in early 1929, documenting the debut of the Harvard Society for Contemporary Art — an important early institutional effort to champion modern American art. The articles reflect the cautious, intellectual climate of the time, noting the need to balance innovation with familiar standards of taste.

The handwritten “Crimson” labels suggest the compiler was carefully curating content specifically from The Harvard Crimson, indicating a scholarly or institutional focus. The preservation in a scrapbook implies personal or institutional archival intent, likely by someone involved with or closely following the Society’s activities.

Physical Details:

• The book’s binding is visible on the right edge — dark, possibly cloth-bound.
• The paper is brittle and foxed, typical of 90+ year old newsprint.
• The clippings are adhered or placed without glue, held by the thread binding mechanism.
• The presentation is orderly yet personal, suggesting a collector or curator’s effort to document a significant cultural moment.

This is a fascinating historical record, capturing the genesis of modern art’s institutional acceptance in America through a local, academic lens.

The image shows a book that is open to two pages. The left page is a white paper with black text that reads, "The Harvard Society for Contemporary Art Inc." and "An Exhibition of American Art, February 19 to March 15, 1929." The right page has text that reads, "Three Exhibitions Now on Display in Widener." The text on the right page is written in a cursive style and is surrounded by a black border.

The image depicts a newspaper clipping, which is a piece of paper cut from a newspaper and used for various purposes, such as scrapbooking, research, or documentation. The clipping is from the Crimson newspaper, dated February 20, 1929. It is placed on top of a page from a book, which is a collection of written or printed sheets bound together. The book is opened to a page with text, and the clipping is positioned on top of it.

The image shows an open book, likely a program or catalog from an art exhibition. The visible pages contain text detailing an exhibition of American art organized by The Harvard Society for Contemporary Art, Inc., held from February 19 to March 15, 1929. The exhibition was hosted at the Harvard Cooperative Building, Rooms 207, 208, 1400 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Key Details from the Image:

1. Exhibition Title and Dates:

   • The title of the exhibition is "An Exhibition of American Art".
   • The dates are clearly stated as February 19 to March 15, 1929.

2. Location:

   • The exhibition took place at the Harvard Cooperative Building, specifically in Rooms 207 and 208, located at 1400 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

3. Content on the Right Page:

   • The right page is titled "Crimson Feb. 20, 1929" and discusses "Three Exhibitions Now on Display in Widener".
   • It mentions an exhibition of Elizabethan Books and Spanish books in the Widener Treasure Room, highlighting the diversity of the collections.
   • The text describes the Elizabethan Literature display, which includes a gift of 260 volumes from members of the W. A. White family, as well as interesting books from Harvard's library.
   • It also references modern books, including a gift from Philip Rofer, and mentions French publications such as "L'iris Godunov" by J. S. Sch, "Boris Godunov" by J. Sch, and "Candide" illustrated by Rockwell Kent.

4. Content on the Left Page:

   • The left page discusses the opening of the exhibition and provides context about the Harvard Society for Contemporary Art.
   • It mentions the salon-style informal opening on Tuesday, February 19, 1929, and describes the exhibition as a restrained showcase of new American art.
   • The text emphasizes the society's aim to avoid sensationalism and ensure a tolerant attitude toward more conservative patrons while still showcasing innovative work.
   • It also references the Fogg Art Museum and the broader context of Harvard's role in the art world.

Overall Impression:

The image captures a historical document from 1929, providing insight into the cultural and artistic activities at Harvard University during that era. The text highlights the Society's mission to promote contemporary American art while balancing innovation with accessibility for a diverse audience. The mention of the Widener Library's exhibitions further underscores the academic and artistic environment of the time.

This image displays an open book or exhibition catalog with the left page titled "THE HARVARD SOCIETY FOR CONTEMPORARY ART - INC" followed by the announcement of "AN EXHIBITION OF AMERICAN ART" occurring from "February 19 to March 15 -1929". Below this main header, further details are provided, including the location at the "Harvard Cooperative Building Rooms 207, 208, 1400 Massachusetts Avenue Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts".

The right page contains a newspaper article clipping with the heading "THREE EXHIBITIONS NOW ON DISPLAY IN WIDENER" and is accompanied by three distinct sections that describe various exhibits. The article mentions "Interesting Books From Elizabethan Period Shown" and discusses books on display including first editions of Shakespeare and others. There is also mention of the work of artists from that time.

The date "Tuesday, February 19, 1929." is printed in a smaller font at the bottom of the left page, and there is a handwritten note "Crimson Feb. 20, 1929" possibly indicating the source and date of the newspaper clipping on the right. The pages appear aged and slightly discolored with time, giving the artifact a historical feel. There's also a visible ribbon bookmark towards the right edge of the book, suggesting it functions as a reading or reference marker.

The image shows an open scrapbook or album page containing clippings related to an art exhibition. The left side features a large printed flyer or leaflet from "THE HARVARD SOCIETY FOR CONTEMPORARY ART, INC." announcing "AN EXHIBITION OF AMERICAN ART" running from February 19 to March 15, 1929. The location is the Harvard Cooperative Building in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Below the leaflet, a newspaper clipping dated Tuesday, February 19, 1929, titled "SALON" from "Crimson" (likely the Harvard Crimson newspaper) discusses the opening of the first exhibit by the Harvard Society for Contemporary Art, commenting on its restrained style and hopeful future.

The right-hand page contains a newspaper clipping also from "Crimson" dated February 20, 1929, with the headline "THREE EXHIBITIONS NOW ON DISPLAY IN WIDENER." The article details three different displays in the Widener Treasure Room: one on Elizabethan literature, one on modern typography, and one of Spanish books. It mentions several specific items and books, including a Shakespearean gift of 260 volumes and modern books from Philip Hofer '21, noting various publishers and editions.

Both pages are held open with transparent strips, and the aged, yellowed tone of the paper suggests the materials are archival.

The image shows a scrapbook-like arrangement of documents and clippings related to an exhibition. A printed pamphlet features bold lettering for "The Harvard Society for Contemporary Art - INC" and "An Exhibition of American Art," noting the dates "February 19 to March 15, 1929." Beneath that, it provides the address of the Harvard Cooperative Building in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Additional clippings surround the pamphlet. On the top right is a newspaper column with the headline "Three Exhibitions Now on Display in Widener," dated "Crimson Feb. 20, 1929," discussing various exhibits related to Elizabethan literature, typography, and art. Another clipping included appears to summarize the opening reception of the exhibition, highlighting themes of taste, restraint, and artistic development.

The materials look aged, with browning edges and preservation tools such as transparent corner holders. This serves as archival documentation of an art event at Harvard in the late 1920s.

A page from an old scrapbook or exhibition catalog opened to show vintage clippings. On the left, a bold invitation reads “AN EXHIBITION OF AMERICAN ART” with the dates February 19 to March 15, 1929, from The Harvard Society for Contemporary Art Inc., and a small address block for Harvard Cooperative Building in Cambridge, MA. On the right, a newspaper clipping titled “Three Exhibitions Now on Display in Widener” discusses various books and exhibits, with a handwritten note at the top that says “Crimson Feb. 20, 1929.” The pages are yellowed and bordered by a dark album cover, suggesting an archival display of historical art events.