The Seymour B. Durst Old York Library Photograph and Lithograph collection, bulk 1850-1980
Collection context
- Creator:
- Durst, Seymour B., 1913-1995 and Durst Organization
- Extent:
- 3000 photographs
- Language:
- English .
- Scope and content:
-
The collection of historical photographs and lithographs of New York City consists of about 3,000 items dated from the 1850s until the 1980s. The collection is made up of color photographic prints, color negatives, black-and-white photographic prints, black-and-white negatives, copy prints, studio and cabinet cards, stereo cards, cyanotypes, albumen prints, gelatin silver prints, lantern slides, glass negatives, and Polaroid prints, lithographs, woodcuts, tear sheets, and engravings. The collection also includes official images, newspaper images, and candid images. Also included are images from the photo morgue of the New York Herald-Tribune newspaper, which ceased publication in 1966. Other images were purchased as copies from New-York Historical Society, Museum of the City of New York, WNYC-FM Radio, the Bettman Archive, and from collectors, private vendors, and other institutions. Photos by noted photographers are included.
Series I: Photographs is made up of color photographic prints, color negatives, black-and-white photographic prints, black-and-white negatives, copy prints, studio and cabinet cards, stereo cards, cyanotypes, albumen prints, gelatin silver prints. The photographs are arranged in this series by subject. For example, photographs of the Statue of Liberty are organized under "Monuments, Statue of Liberty." When known, the photographer's name has been included in the scope note.
Series II: Printed Material consists of lithographs, woodcuts, tear sheets, and engravings focusing on New York City themes. This series contains a significant holding of collected etchings originating from The Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York (also known as the Valentine's Manuals after its publisher David T. Valentine.) The Valentine views along with the other etchings in the series represent an earlier illustrated view of New York in comparison to photographs in Series I.
Series III: Stereoscopic Views presents a three-dimensional representation of early New York City architectural and social history.
Series IV: Other Media includes lantern slides, glass plate negatives, and negatives (photographs). These are likely purchased reference images.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The photographs consist of real estate developer Seymour B. Durst's personal collection, acquired over decades, in tandem with his collection of historical books and ephemera. The collection reflects his personal and business interests in the streets and buildings of commercial Manhattan, principally images of mid-town and lower Manhattan.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For further information, please email avery-drawings@library.columbia.edu.
- Terms of access:
-
Columbia University is providing access to the materials in the Library's collections solely for noncommercial educational and research purposes. The unauthorized use, including, but not limited to, publication of the materials without the prior written permission of Columbia University is strictly prohibited. All inquiries regarding permission to publish should be submitted in writing to the Director, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For additional guidance, see Columbia University Libraries' publication policy.
In addition to permission from Columbia University, permission of the copyright owner (if not Columbia University) and/or any holder of other rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) may also be required for reproduction, publication, distributions, and other uses. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of any item and securing any necessary permissions rests with the persons desiring to publish the item. Columbia University makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the materials or their fitness for a particular purpose.
- Preferred citation:
-
Seymour B. Durst Old York Library collection of photographs and lithographs, Avery Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers are encouraged to request materials at least one month in advance. You will receive an email from the department within 2-3 business days confirming your request and currently available appointment times. Requests are limited to 8 boxes per day (or equivalent), with a maximum of 5 boxes for off-site materials, 5 folders of drawings, or 5 rolls or tube boxes.
- Contact:
- avery@library.columbia.edu