MenuRegister of the Abram Kanof Papers, 1858-1991
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. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Abram Kanof Papers, 1858-1991
- Creator
- Kanof, Abram
- Extent
- Linear ft. of shelf space occupied: 14.0, Number of items: ca. 8,500
- Repository
- Duke University. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
- Language
- English.
Administrative Information
Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Part 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 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript 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 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
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Expand AllPrimarily 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.
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.
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.
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.
Printed material, including postcards, clippings, programs, pertaining to Judaism and art, and publications on aspects of Jewish art history.
Historical Note
| Date | Event(s) |
|---|---|
| 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. |
Subject Headings
- 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.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Abram Kanof Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Abram Kanof Papers (1858-1991) were donated to the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library from 1979 to 1992 by Dr. Abram Kanof.
Processing Information
Processed by Daniel Daily
Assisted by Brent Johanson
Date Completed: May 12, 1993
Encoded by Alvin Pollock
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.