Simon Ottenberg papers - Archives West

Overview of the Collection

Creator

Ottenberg, Simon, 1923-2023

Title

Simon Ottenberg papers

Dates

1949-2021 (inclusive)

Quantity

2.93 cubic feet, (3 boxes and 2 vertical files)

Collection Number

6350

Summary

Papers of a University of Washington professor of anthropology

Repository

University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access. Analog and digital media is closed until evaluated.

Request at UW

Languages

Collection materials are in English.

Return to Top

Biographical Note

Simon Ottenberg (1923-2023) was an anthologist and author who focused on art and social culture in West Africa, primarily the Afikpo village in southeastern Nigeria and Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom in northwest Sierre Leone. He was an Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at the University of Washington, where he taught for over three decades.

Ottenberg completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin and his Ph.D. at Northwestern University, pausing his formal education for three years as he served in the Army during World War II. He collected African and Pacific Northwest Native art. Many of these pieces have been donated to the Seattle Art Museum, the Newark (NJ) Museum of Art, and the Burke Museum.

[Source: Simon Ottenberg Obituary. The Seattle Times. Accessed April 30, 2024. https://obituaries.seattletimes.com/obituary/simon-ottenberg-1089089249]

Return to Top

Content Description

Research files for Ottenberg's book on the Coast Salish artist Ron Hilbert and for Ottenberg's manuscript Design and Music in a Changing Northern Sierra Leone Chiefdom, collection of ephemera on contemporary Northwest Coast Native American art, a 2005 speech "Memories of Past Times at Afikpo," and Ottenburg's curriculum vitae from 2021.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Arrangement

Organized into 3 accessions.

Accession No. 6350-001, Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019
Accession No. 6350-002, Simon Ottenberg papers, 2005-2021
Accession No. 6350-003, Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019

Related Materials

UW Ethnomusicology Archives: Simon Ottenberg Collection

Northwestern Archival and Manuscript Collections: Simon Ottenberg Papers

Smithsonian Institution: Simon Ottenberg

Design and Music in a Changing Northern Sierra Leone Chiefdom available in UW Special Collections. Search for the title through the UW Libraries Catalog .

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019

1.65 cubic feet, (2 boxes)

Scope and Content: Research files for Ottenberg's book on the Coast Salish artist Ron Hilbert. Includes a collection of ephemera on contemporary Northwest Coast Native American art, artists, and their exhibitions.

Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access. Analog and digital media is closed until evaluated.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.

Acquisition Info: Simon Ottenberg, 2021
- Series 1: Personal papers
  - Description: curriculum vitae
    
    Dates: 2021
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 1: Personal papers
  - Description: "On Collecting"
    
    Scope and Content: Talk given at Michigan State University African Studies Program
    
    Dates: 1999
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 1: Personal papers
  - Description: Three NWC/Salish papers
    2 files
    
    Dates: undated
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 1: Personal papers
- Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Ron Hilbert [cadesqideb]: The Life and Work of a Coast Salish Artist
    
    Dates: 2019
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Coast Salish traditional art
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Art: Introduction
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Art: Watercolor/Acrylic
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Art: Sculpture
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Art: Linoleum and woodblock prints
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Art: Metalwork
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Biography: Galleries and museums
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Biography: Obituary/memorials
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Biography: Newspaper accounts
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Biography: General
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Cards
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Photographs
    2 compact discs
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Art: Drawings
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Art: From Ron's suitcase
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Art: Small faces school
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Art: Capitol Hill Collection
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Art: Auction records
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Art: Simon Ottenberg's collection
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Burke Museum collection
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Ron's Makah years
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Photos of Ron Hilbert
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Interviews
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Notes and thoughts
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Simon Ottenberg unpublished article
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Coast Salish Indians--reference, general
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: References: Washington State
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: References: Canadian Salish
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Reviews of the literature
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Lushootseed research
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Ron's prizes
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Vi Hilbert about Ron Hilbert
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
  - Description: Miscellaneous
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 2: Ron Hilbert files
- Series 3: Ephemera
  - Description: Ephemera collected on contemporary Northwest Coast Native American art, artists, and their exhibitions
    
    Dates: 1985-2006
    
    Container: Box 6350-001 Box 1-2
    
    Location: Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019 / Series 3: Ephemera
Accession No. 6350-002: Simon Ottenberg papers, 2005-2021

1 vertical file

Scope and Content: Text of talk, "Memories of Past Times at Afikpo" (2005) and a version of Ottenberg's curriculum vitae (approximately 2021)

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users

Restrictions on Use: Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.

Acquisition Info: Simon Ottenberg, 2022
- Description: Simon Ottenberg papers
  
  Container: Vf 6350-002 Vertical File
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-002: Simon Ottenberg papers, 2005-2021
Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019

1.28 cubic feet, (1 box)

Scope and Content: Research files for Ottenberg's manuscript, The First Modern Artists in Southeast Nigeria.

Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.

Acquisition Info: Carol Ottenberg, 2024
- Description: Ottenberg CV
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Wrestling
  8 slides
  
  Dates: 1952-2002
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Limba Slides
  
  Dates: 2002
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: D. L. K. Nnachy
  
  Dates: 1961-1977
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Ude-Ema: Correspondence
  
  Dates: 1963
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: First Artists General
  
  Dates: 1949
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Ude-Ema: Publications in the Vernacular
  
  Dates: 2012
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Ude-Ema Art
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: C. C. Ibeto
  
  Dates: 1962
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: A. P. Umana
  
  Dates: 1961-2015
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Ude-Ema: Publications in English
  
  Dates: 2012
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Early Modern Artists of Southeastern Nigeria
  
  Dates: 2019
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Ude-Ema: Publication About Him
  
  Dates: 1979-2012
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Overlooked Articles on Africa
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Paul Huff: Correspondence
  
  Dates: 2018
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: First Modern Artists in Nigeria
  
  Dates: 2015-2016
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Ude-Ema: Vitae
  
  Dates: 2011
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Okolo
  
  Dates: 2017
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Ude-Ema: References
  
  Dates: 2012
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Emanuel J. A. Ulasi
  
  Dates: 1950-1962
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: G. I. Okolo
  
  Dates: 2015-2017
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: J. O. Ugoji
  
  Dates: 1962-2011
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Eke Okaybulu
  
  Dates: 2015-2016
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Mbaise Draft
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Awka Carvings
  
  Dates: 2013-2015
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Ben Enwonwu
  
  Dates: 2005-2016
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Rowland Ndefo
  
  Dates: 1993-2004
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Afi Ekong
  
  Dates: 1961-2017
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Ubi Ikpi
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Aniedi Okon Akpan
  
  Dates: 2015
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Raffia
  
  Dates: 1981-2015
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Lucky Wadiri
  
  Dates: 1961-2013
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Akwete Cloth
  
  Dates: 2015-2016
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Gabriel Ohara
  
  Dates: 2017
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Jonah Chinyere Ashara
  
  Dates: 1963-2014
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: KaEgo Uche Okeke
  
  Dates: 2016
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Uli Art
  
  Dates: 2016
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Methodist College
  
  Dates: 2012
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Nigerian Teacher
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Sons of A. J. Ude-Ema
  
  Dates: 1991-2012
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Ugep Artists
  
  Dates: 2013-2015
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Jubilee Owei
  
  Dates: 1961-1963
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Justine Kenwaaye Osakwe
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
- Description: Pottery
  
  Dates: 2016
  
  Container: Box 6350-003 Box 1
  
  Location: Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019
Accession No. 6360-004: Simon Ottenberg photograph book, 2023

1 vertical file, (1 vertical file)

Scope and Content: Bound book of photographs of the Ottenberg family to celebrate Simon's 100th birthday.

Access Restrictions: No restrictions on access.

Use Restrictions: Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.

Acquisition Information: Donated by Simon Ottenberg, July 2023
- Description: Simon Ottenberg photograph book
  
  Container: Vf 6350-004 VF3287
  
  Location: Accession No. 6360-004: Simon Ottenberg photograph book, 2023

Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2021

Table of Contents

Overview of the Collection

Biographical Note

Content Description

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Administrative Information

Arrangement

Related Materials

Detailed Description of the Collection

Accession No. 6350-001: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1985-2019

Series 1: Personal papers

Series 2: Ron Hilbert files

Series 3: Ephemera

Accession No. 6350-002: Simon Ottenberg papers, 2005-2021

Accession No. 6350-003: Simon Ottenberg papers, 1949-2019

Accession No. 6360-004: Simon Ottenberg photograph book, 2023

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Corporate Names