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James Prestini papers, 1950-1992

Overview of the Collection

Title
James Prestini papers
Dates
1950-1992 (inclusive)
Quantity
11 boxes, (9 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 360
Summary
This collection contains the correspondence and ephemera of James Prestini which were separated from the Prestini Collection housed in the Art Book Room.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Languages
English, French, German, Japanese
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Biographical Note

James Prestini was born 13 January 1908 to Italian immigrant parents in Waterford, Connecticut. In 1930, he graduated from Yale University with a degree in mechanical engineering. Shortly thereafter he returned to Yale and received an education degree, then taught mathematics and woodworking at Lake Forest Academy near Chicago. While there he developed a love for woodturning. During the 1930s he created his famous wood turned bowls, cups, and trays. In 1939 he began teaching at what is now the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

When Prestini's former student, Professor Jesse Reichek, suggested that he join him at the University of California at Berkeley in 1956, Prestini began teaching at Berkeley. While there, he instructed beginning design classes and was instrumental in opening a design laboratory for architecture and design students. Throughout his career, Prestini maintained a presence as an artist and craftsman. His wood and metal sculptures appear in museums across the globe. Prestini died July 26, 1993 at the age of 85.

Sources: Richard Peters, Jesse Reichek, Claude Stoller, and Alan Temko, "James L. Prestini, Architecture: Berkeley," University of California, California Digital Library, http://texts.cdlib.org/view?docId=hb5g50061q& doc.view=frames&chunk.id=div00080&toc.depth=1toc.id, accessed 15 June 2011.

"James L. Prestini, 85, Sculptor and Teacher," Obituary, New York Times, 31 July 1993, http://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/31/obituaries/james-l-prestini-85-sculptor-and-teacher.html, accessed 15 June 2011.

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Content Description

This collection contains correspondence and ephemera of James Prestini that was removed from the Prestini Collection now housed in the Design Collection in the Art Book Room. The collection is divided into three series: Correspondence, Press Releases, and Subject Files. The Subject Files Series contains some photographs. Most of the collection material is written in English, but a few documents are written in French, German, and Japanese.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the James Prestini papers must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.

Preferred Citation

Initial Citation: James Prestini papers USU_COLL MSS 360, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.

Following Citations: USU_COLL MSS 360, USUSCA.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged into 3 series and 11 boxes.

Processing Note

Processed in June of 2011.

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to Utah State University libraries by Kathryn Caine Wanlass in 2004.

Custodial History

In 2004 George Wanlass purchased the collection from the Prestini estate. He then donated the collection to the library in the name of his mother Kathryn Caine Wanlass.

Separated Materials

This collection was removed from the Prestini Collection that is housed in the Art Book Room.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Correspondence, 1950-1992

    Container: Box 1

    1 box

    Personal and professional correspondence of James Prestini. The correspondence in folders 1-30 and 44-46 was removed from books in Prestini's personal library which are housed in the Art Book Room. The catalog sheet of the book from which the correspondence was removed is inserted with the correspondence. The correspondence in folders 31-43 was removed from loose ephemera of James Prestini. These folders (31-43) are arranged alphabetically according to the first name of the correspondent.

    • Description: Card from Avraham Wachman

      removed from Wachman's book Infinite Polyhedra

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 1, Folder 1
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Letter from Adelle M. Taylor

      removed from the book Betty Gold

      Dates: 1988 May 19
      Container: Box 1, Folder 2
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard to James Prestini

      removed from the book Avant-Garde Polonaise: Urbanisme-Architecture: 1918-1939

      Dates: 1983 July 19
      Container: Box 1, Folder 3
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Letter from Marlborough-Gerson Gallery

      removed from the book David Smith

      Dates: 1970 May 27
      Container: Box 1, Folder 4
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard from Theo

      removed from the book The Picasso Museum, Paris. Paintings, Papiers Collés, Picture Reliefs, Sculptures, and Ceramics

      Dates: 1985
      Container: Box 1, Folder 5
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Photograph, Henry Moore's sculpture

      removed from the book Homage to Henry Moore

      Dates: 1980 September 10
      Container: Box 1, Folder 6
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard from Camy and birthday message from Jesse and Laure

      both removed from the book L'art des Cyclades : du Début à la Fin de L'âge du Bronze, 2500-1100 Avant Notre Ère

      Dates: 1983 August 31 and 1982 January 13
      Container: Box 1, Folder 7
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard from Sandra

      removed from the book The Art of the Weathervane

      Dates: 1980 September
      Container: Box 1, Folder 8
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard from "Libby"

      removed from the book Cezanne

      Dates: 1972 November 9
      Container: Box 1, Folder 9
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard to James Prestini

      removed from the book Genius and Disaster: the Ten Creative Years of Vincent van Gogh

      Dates: 1982 January 13
      Container: Box 1, Folder 10
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard to James Prestini

      removed from the book Art Treasures of the Uffizi and Pitti

      Dates: 1985 October
      Container: Box 1, Folder 11
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Autographed card signed by Sugar Ray Leonard

      removed from the book Nueva Visión de Gaudí

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 1, Folder 12
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Card from Kikutake Kiyonori

      removed from the book Kiyonori Kikutake : Works and Methods, 1956-1970. The file also contains loose papers in Japanese text.

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 1, Folder 13
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard from Theo and postcard from Judith

      both removed from the book Notre-Dame of Paris

      Dates: 1986 and 1985 October 10
      Container: Box 1, Folder 14
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard from Dorit

      removed from the book The Art of Old Peru

      Dates: 1984 September
      Container: Box 1, Folder 15
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Valentine card from "a secret admirer,"

      removed from the book American Furniture: Queen Anne and Chippendale Periods in the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 1, Folder 16
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Holiday card from Ken and Jane

      removed from the book Stuart Davis: American Painter

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 1, Folder 17
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Letter from Sidney Lawrence

      removed from the book Content: A Contemporary Focus, 1974-1984

      Dates: 1985 April 22
      Container: Box 1, Folder 18
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Note from Hanna

      removed from the book Emergency Poems

      Dates: 1985 April 22
      Container: Box 1, Folder 19
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Letter from Janette B. Rozene, Reference Librarian for the Museum of Modern Art

      removed from the book Arshile Gorky: Paintings, Drawings, Studies

      Dates: 1979 July 16
      Container: Box 1, Folder 20
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Letter from A.A. Cohn

      removed from the book Art of the October Revolution

      Dates: 1983 May 24
      Container: Box 1, Folder 21
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Holiday card from Burt and Elaine

      removed from the book Homage to Marc Chagall

      Dates: 1983 December
      Container: Box 1, Folder 22
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Letter from Van de Velde

      removed from the book Alfred Roth, Architect of Continuity

      Dates: 1950 November 14
      Container: Box 1, Folder 23
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Letter from E. Snorrason, biographical references, and article

      all removed from the book Standing and Sitting Posture, with Special Reference to the Construction of Chairs

      Dates: 1966
      Container: Box 1, Folder 24
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard from Jesse and Laure

      removed from the book Paris: A Century of Change, 1878-1978

      Dates: 1986 May 23
      Container: Box 1, Folder 25
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Letter from James Prestini to Behring Auto Museum

      removed from the book Toulouse-Lautrec

      Dates: 1988 August 25
      Container: Box 1, Folder 26
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Letter from Judith S. Clancy to James Prestini, and postcard from Judith S. Clancy to M. Josh Reichek

      removed from the book Judith Clancy : Paris Vivant, le Point de Vue d'une Américaine : Dessins et Collages : Musée Carnavalet, 25 Avril-6 Juillet 1986.

      Dates: 1986
      Container: Box 1, Folder 27
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard from Brad

      removed from the book Carnet de Trouville : Dessins et Notes de Voyage or A sketchbook from Trouville : Drawings and Travel Notes

      Dates: 1989
      Container: Box 1, Folder 28
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Letter from Harriet Nathan to Peter Selz

      removed from the book The States and the Arts: the California Arts Commission and the Emerging Federal-State Partnership

      Dates: 1974 May 21
      Container: Box 1, Folder 29
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Letter from Emad

      removed from the book My Old Sweetheart

      Dates: 1982 December 18
      Container: Box 1, Folder 30
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard from Curtis
      Dates: 1982
      Container: Box 1, Folder 31
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcards from Dorit
      Dates: 1982-1985
      Container: Box 1, Folder 32
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard from Isabel
      Dates: 1974
      Container: Box 1, Folder 33
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcards from Jesse and Laure
      Dates: 1980-1989
      Container: Box 1, Folder 34
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Judith Clancy Johns Correspondence
      Dates: 1978-1986
      Container: Box 1, Folder 35
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard from Ken W.
      Dates: 1980
      Container: Box 1, Folder 36
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Lara Marx Correspondence
      Dates: 1975-1988
      Container: Box 1, Folder 37
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Letter from Peter Vanderwarker
      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box 1, Folder 38
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard from Ray
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 1, Folder 39
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard from Richard
      Dates: 1985
      Container: Box 1, Folder 40
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Note
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 1, Folder 41
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard
      Dates: 1982
      Container: Box 1, Folder 42
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard
      Dates: 1987
      Container: Box 1, Folder 43
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Postcard

      removed from the book Moments of Vision: The Stroboscopic Revolution in Photography

      Dates: 1948
      Container: Box 1, Folder 44
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Letter from Sarah Matheson

      removed from the book The Proceedings of an International Conference on Design Policy Held at the Royal College of Art, London, 20-30 July 1982

      Dates: 1984
      Container: Box 1, Folder 45
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992
    • Description: Letters from R. Moraugoey and Photos

      removed from the book Sedie, Ditta Canciani

      Dates: 1955
      Container: Box 1, Folder 46
      Location: Correspondence, 1950-1992

  • Press Releases, 1972-1992

    Container: Box 2-3

    2 boxes

    Press releases, primarily announcing upcoming museum exhibitions, from ephemera of James Prestini. The press releases remain with the original material with which they were bound.They are arranged according to the museum or organization that issued the press release. In cases where multiple press releases are bound within the same folder, the material is foldered according to the museum that issued the press release that appears first in the folder.

  • Correspondence, 1950-1992

    Container: Box 4-11

    8 boxes

    This series largely consists of articles, including newspaper clippings and photocopies, collected by James Prestini. The bulk of the subjects are in the realm of art and architecture, but some files include more broad topics like McDonald's or Darwinism. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject. Some correspondence and some photographs are scattered throughout this series. Seven folders that contain larger material have been pulled into one legal-sized box and one oversize box, and consequently are not in the original alphabetical order.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Artists--Archives.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.).
  • Postcards.
  • Press releases.
  • Printed ephemera.

Finding aid/Register created by Kara Parker
2011

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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