Register of the Abram Kanof Papers, 1858-1991
[top]Descriptive Summary
TitleAbram Kanof Papers,
1858-1991
Creator
Kanof, Abram
Extent
Linear ft. of shelf space occupied: 14.0
Number of items: ca. 8,500
Repository
Number of items: ca. 8,500
Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library
Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185
Language
English.
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Administrative Information
AccessPart of the Writings Series in this collection is restricted.
In addition, patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in the Abram Kanof Papers have not been transferred to Duke University. For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Abram Kanof Papers,
Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Abram Kanof Papers (1858-1991) were donated to the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library from 1979 to 1992 by Dr. Abram Kanof.
Processed by Daniel Daily
Assisted by Brent Johanson
Date Completed: May 12, 1993
Encoded by Alvin Pollock
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
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Biographical Note
| 1903, Dec. 25 | Born, Russia |
| 1924 | Graduated from Columbia University |
| 1928 | Received M.D. from the State University of New York Medical School |
| 1931 | Married Frances Pascher |
| 1948-1962 | Chairman, Jewish Museum, New York, N.Y. |
| 1956 | Founded the Tobe Pascher Workshop, Jewish Museum, New York, N.Y. |
| 1961-1964 | President, American Jewish Historical Society |
| 1965-1972 | Professor of Pediatrics, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center |
| 1970 | Published Jewish Ceremonial Art and Religious Observance |
| 1971 | Received the Maimonides Award for Service to Medicine and Judaism. |
| 1972- | Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center |
| ca.1975-1980 | Guest Curator of Judaica, North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, N.C. |
Collection Overview
The Abram Kanof Papers, 1858-1991, contain printed material, correspondence, writings, and photographs primarily reflecting Dr. Kanof's research and writing in the field of Jewish ceremonial art; his role in the development of the Tobe Pascher Workshop of the Jewish Museum, New York, N.Y.; his curatorship at the North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, N.C.; and to a lesser extent, his patronage of the arts. The Abram Kanof Papers are relevant to the study of religious art in the Judaic tradition, and they also document Dr. Kanof's contributions, as a researcher, patron, and administrator, to the study of the relationship between art and Jewish liturgy and worship.
A substantial part of the collection consists of printed material, including exhibition programs, handbills, articles, journals, and clippings, which is contained in the Subject Files Series. Information pertaining to topics within this series includes art and religion; symbolism; synagogue architecture and decoration; the American Jewish Historical Society; Jewish ceremonial art; liturgical or ritual objects; and artists, including Ludwig Wolpert and Moshe Zabari, both resident artists of the Tobe Pascher Workshop. Primary materials relevant to the history, administration, and programs of the Jewish Museum as well as the development of the Tobe Pascher Workshop are contained in the Subject Files Series. The Correspondence Series primarily reflects Dr. Kanof's role in the formation of the workshop, which was developed to provide for the creation of art and liturgical objects to be used in synagogues as well as serve as an instructional center for training artists.
Pictures of items from exhibitions held at the Jewish Museum and the North Carolina Museum of Art as well as images used in Kanof's Jewish Ceremonial Art and Religious Observance are contained in the Pictures Series. Typescripts, page proofs and galley proofs for Dr. Kanof's works, and offprints and drafts of some of his other writings are contained in the Writings Series.
Selected publications from the Abram Kanof Papers have been cataloged for the rare book collection of the Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.
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Subject Headings
These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.
- Wolpert, Ludwig Y. (Ludwig Yehuda), 1900-1981.
- Zabari, Moshe, 1935-.
- Jewish Museum (New York, N. Y.).--Tobe Pascher Workshop.
- Jewish Museum (New York, N.Y.).
- North Carolina Museum of Art.
- Art, Jewish.
- Art, Jewish--Catalogs.
- Art, Jewish--Exhibitions.
- Art and religion.
- Art museums--United States.
- Art patronage--United States.
- Symbolism.
- Synagogue architecture.
- Synagogue art.
- Judaism and art.
- Judaism--Liturgical objects.
- Judaism--Liturgical objects--Exhibitions.
- Ceremonial objects
- Jewish art and symbolism.
- Handbills
- Kanof, Abram, 1903-. Jewish symbolic art.
- Kanof, Abram, 1903-. Jewish ceremonial art and religious observance.
 | List of Series in Collection | |||||||
 |  | Subject Files, 1858-1991, undated | ||||||
| | Pictures, 1932-1979, undated | ||||||
| | Writings, 1949-1982, undated | ||||||
| | Correspondence, 1953-1991. | ||||||
| | Miscellaneous, 1931-1991. | ||||||
 | | Oversize Materials | ||||||
Series Description/Container List
Subject Files, 1858-1991, undated
Primarily contains printed material, including clippings, programs, newsletters, handbills, exhibit programs, journals, and journal articles. Also included are typed copies of articles, memoranda, and minutes. The files reflect Dr. Kanof's research interests in Jewish ceremonial art as well as other subject areas in the field of art; a substantial number of the files pertain to the administration and programs of the Jewish Museum and Judaic art exhibits at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically by year within the folders.
Box 1
The Abram and Frances Kanof Collection of Ceremonial Objects,
1961-1965, undated
The Akedah in art,
1922-1969, undated
American Jewish Historical Society,
1965-1981
Archaeology,
1903-1977, undated
(2 folders)
Art and Religion,
1914-1986, undated
(3 folders)
Art, Contemporary Jewish,
1936-1971, undated
Art galleries,
1954-1974, undated
Art, God, Man,
1928-1984, undated
(2 folders)
Art history, Jewish,
1926-1981, undated
(2 folders)
Artists:
A-C,
1946-1991
(2 folders)
Chagall, Marc,
1930-1972, undated
D-E,
1968-1980
F-L,
1928-1991, undated
(4 folders)
Box 2
M-R,
1954-1987, undated
(3 folders)
Richard, Chava Wolpert,
1970-1990, undated
S-Z,
1923-1986, undated
(3 folders)
General,
1925-1983, undated
(4 folders)
Arts and crafts,
1923-1978, undated
(3 folders)
Awards,
1954, 1971
Background research,
undated
(2 folders)
Background research and bibliographies,
undated
Berenson, Bernard,
1949, 1966
The Bezalel,
1962-1975
Biblical themes,
1931-1985, undated
(2 folders)
Books and book collections, Jewish,
1940-1988, undated
(3 folders)
Books and manuscripts,
1928-1991, undated
Calendars,
1940-1959
(2 folders)
Box 3
Calendars,
1959-1989
(5 folders)
Ceremonial art, Jewish,
1958-1990, undated
Ceremonial objects:
1961-1987, undated
Literature on,
1886-1971, undated
Ceremony, psychological basis of,
1958, undated
Coins and tokens,
1858-1969, undated
(2 folders)
Dura Europos,
1937-1965
(2 folders)
Eastern European Jewish communities,
1969, 1988, undated
The Educational Alliance,
1919-1965
Exhibits:
1935-1990, undated
Multiple artists,
1956-1988
Folk art,
1905-1990, undated
(2 folders)
Hanukkah,
1950-1988
The Hebrew alphabet,
1960-1989, undated
Hellenism,
1890-1974, undated
(2 folders)
Holocaust,
1965-1990, undated
Box 4
Islamic art,
1967-1975, undated
(2 folders)
Israeli art,
1962-1986, undated
(2 folders)
Israeli artists: A-W,
1962-1985, undated
Jewish art, literature on,
1925-1989, undated
(5 folders)
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Religious Observance, reviews, etc.,
1970-1979, undated
(2 folders)
The Jewish Museum:
Administration and Policy,
1950-1988, undated
(3 folders)
Blueprints,
1962, 1976, undated
Exhibits,
1949-1988, undated
History,
1945-1987, undated
(3 folders)
Programming,
1948-1991, undated
(3 folders)
Box 5
Jewish Museum,
1939-1984, undated
(8 folders)
Judaism and art,
1936-1982, undated
(3 folders)
Ketubah,
1969, 1975, undated
Lectures,
1970-1984, undated
Manuscripts, ancient and illuminated,
1928, 1978, undated
The Menorah,
1903-1979, undated
(2 folders)
Museums/Exhibits,
1948-1991, undated
(4 folders)
National Museum of American Jewish History,
1965-1985
North Carolina Museum of Art,
1974-1991, undated
(2 folders)
Painters,
1925-1987, undated
(2 folders)
Box 6
Passover,
1940-1978, undated
(3 folders)
Pucker/Safrai Gallery,
1971-1990, undated
Rituals and ceremonies,
1947-1969
Sculptors: E-Z
1928-1969, undated
(2 folders)
Shield of David,
1949, undated
Symbolism,
1946-1987, undated
(3 folders)
Synagogues:
American,
1956-1977, undated
Ancient/Antique,
1915-1991, undated
(3 folders)
Architecture:
Modern,
1925-1977, undated
(2 folders)
Wooden, 1925-1981, undated
(2 folders)
Synagogues: Dedications and services,
1950-1977, undated
Temple vessels,
1981
Tombs, burial objects, and burial rites,
1964-1978, undated
Torah orientation,
1934-1978, undated
(2 folders)
Visual arts and material culture,
1963, 1966, undated
Box 7
Wolpert, Ludwig,
1958-1991, undated
(4 folders)
Pictures, 1932-1979, undated
Chiefly consists of black and white photographs of artworks displayed in exhibits held by the North Carolina Museum of Art and the Jewish Museum as well as works created by particular artists. Some of the folders, such as those pertaining to Ludwig Wolpert and synagogues, have counterparts in the Subject Files Series. Arranged alphabetically by topic and chronologically by year within the folders. Miscellaneous photographs are arranged chronologically by year and follow the pictures which are topically arranged.
Archaeology,
undated
Arts and crafts,
1968, undated
Barmitzvah, circumcision, marriage, memorial,
1956-1969, undated
Bernstein, Rabinowitz and Richard,
1972-1978, undated
Ceremonial art, Jewish,
undated
(4 folders)
Collections pictures,
undated
Fabrics,
1958, 1974, undated
Jewish museum: Exhibition Commemorating 300th Anniversary of Jewish Settlement in the United States,
1954
(2 folders)
Modern ceremonial objects,
undated
North Carolina Museum of Art exhibit,
1991
North Carolina Museum of Art:
Ceremonial Art in the Judaic Tradition,
1953-1976, undated
(2 folders)
Ceremonial Art in the Judaic Tradition, exhibit: General layout,
1975
Judaic Art Exhibit,
1975
Judaica Gallery: Objects,
undated
(3 folders)
Moshe Kupferman,
1991
Permanent Judaica collection,
undated
(2 folders)
Miscellaneous photos,
undated
Seder plates,
undated
Symbolic art. Jewish,
undated
(4 folders)
Synagogues: Ancient/Antique,
undated
Box 8
Synagogue art and arks:
1958-1962, undated
Miller, Leon G.,
undated
Horn, Milton,
1974, undated
Torah pointers,
1974, undated
Tubi, Shalom,
1974-1979, undated
Wolpert, Ludwig,
1962, undated
Zabari, Moshe,
undated
Miscellaneous,
1932-1979, undated
(9 folders)
Writings, 1949-1982, undated
Included are typescripts, galley proofs and page proofs for Kanof's Jewish Ceremonial Art and Religious Observance as well as offprints and drafts pertaining to art and medicine by Kanof. Primarily arranged alphabetically by author. Also included are autographed writings given to Dr. Kanof by other others. The typescript of Jewish Ceremonial Art and Religious Observance has been arranged according to the order of its chapters.
[Artists and the Holocaust],
undated
Davidowitz, Moshe,
" The Menorah,"
1971
Kanof:
Jewish Ceremonial Art and Religious Observance:
Ceremony and Art in Jewish Life (typescripts),
undated
Judaism and Art (typescripts),
undated
Form and Style in Jewish Ceremonial Art (typescript),
undated
Motifs and Symbols in Jewish Ceremonial Art (typescripts),
undated
Light in Jewish Ceremonial Art (typescripts),
undated
Wine in Jewish Ceremonial Art (typescripts),
undated
The Sabbath: Light, Wine, and Spice (typescripts),
undated
Passover and the Seder (typescripts),
undated
Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim (typescript),
undated
Ceremonial Markers in the Jewish Life Cycle (typescripts),
undated
"Hallmarks of Jewish Home"
(typescripts),
undated
The Synagogue: Evolution , Architecture, and contents (typescripts),
undated
"Jews and Art"
(typescript),
undated
Acknowledgements and lists of photographs (typescripts),
undated
Page proofs, pp. 1-159,
undated
(2 folders)
Galley proofs,
undated
Jewish Symbolic Art:
Page proofs,
undated
(4 folders)
Miscellaneous writings,
1953-1982
Schoenberger, Guido: Drafts and typescripts,
1949-1970, undated
(2 folders)
Miscellaneous,
1949-1984, undated
Correspondence, 1953-1991.
Primarily includes letters and memoranda documenting the creation and administration of the Tobe Pascher Workshop of the Jewish Museum. To a lesser extent, letters pertaining to broader administrative concerns of the Jewsih Museum are included. Dr. Kanof's direction in the development of the Tobe Pascher Workshop as well as the financial support he and Mrs. Kanof provided for the workshop is reflected in this series. See the folders under Jewish Museum in the Subject Files Series for related materials. Correspondents include Arthur Katz, Ludwig Wolpert and Abram Kanof. Arranged chronologically.
Box 9
1953-1991, undated
(4 folders)
Miscellaneous, 1931-1991.
Printed material, including postcards, clippings, programs, pertaining to Judaism and art, and publications on aspects of Jewish art history.
Notiz blatt der Gesellschaft zur Erforschung jüdischer Kunstdenkmäler:
1902-1933
(2 folders)
1910-1991, undated
(6 folders)
Oversize Materials
Subject Files,
1919-1991
Oversize Cabinet
OC:III:3:
Subject Files,
1946-1991, undated
Ovsz. Box 97
Miscellaneous,
1959-1991, undated
