Margaret Bourke-White Photographs, 1931

Collection context

Creator:
Bourke-White, Margaret, 1904-1971
Extent:
0.5 linear feet one 20.5 x 16.5 print box
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

Three black & white silver gelatin photoprints 9.5"x13.5" (24 x 34 cm) adhered to 13.75"x19.25" (35 x 49 cm) board depicting Low Memorial Library, St. Paul's Chapel and the School of Mines Building, and one print mounted on smaller 9.75" and 14.25" (25 x 36.5 cm) board have the caption"This print of a photograph made by Margaret Bourke-White in 1931 for the Columbia University Press has been loaned by the Press to the Men's Faculty Club". One print of same dimensions with window mat depicts the Van Am Quadrangle. Two non-mounted prints of the same size, depicting the School of Mines and Hamilton Hall are part of this collection of photographs that were for sale to the public in 1931. Two additional photoprints of Avery Hall are included, made of similar photo paper, dimensions, style and mat, but not attributed to Bourke-White, nor mentioned in the photo order form. All photographs are unsigned. The order form also list one image not found in the collection: "Earl Hall." The prints were offered through the Columbia University Press. Four small copies of the views: Earl Hall, In the Van Am Quadrangle, The Chapel Entrance, and The School of Mines, are included with the order form. The form describes the photographs as follows: "These pictures are reproductions of photographs taken early this summer by the well-known photographer, Miss Margaret Bourke-White, at the request of Columbia University Press. The actual photographs 9.25 by 13.5 inches, are appropriately mounted on the finest material, 14.25 by 21 inches, ready for framing. Individually signed by Miss Bourke-White, they will be made on order, and shipped within two weeks from receipt of orders. The cost of the photographs is five dollars each." One photograph 9.5"x13.5" (24 x 34 cm) with signed window mat depicting Low Memorial Library, and fourteen non-mounted photographs of the same dimensions depicting views of Hamilton Hall, the School of Mines Building, Avery Hall, Low Memorial Library, Earl Hall, St. Paul's Chapel, Milbank Hall (Barnard College), and Russell Hall (Teacher's College) were added to this collection from the Columbiana General Manuscripts Collection in 2010.

Biographical / historical:

Margaret Bourke-White was born in New York City and grew up in Bound Brook, New Jersey. She enrolled at Columbia University in 1921 where she studied photography under Clarence H. White (no relation), a noted photographer in the Photo-Secession movement. She transferred to the University of Michigan in 1922, later took courses at Western Reserve University, and ultimately received her bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1927. Her first book, Eyes on Russia, resulted from an assignment documenting Russian industrialization for the magazine Fortune.

By 1931, Bourke-White was a widely recognized photojournalist when she photographed the Morningside Campus for the Columbia University Press, offering six total views for sale to the public. She continued to receive accolades for her work in photojournalism, joining the staff of Life Magazine in 1936 and serving as a correspondent in the Soviet Union during the Second World War. She was married to Everett Chapman 1924-1926 and writer Erskine Caldwell 1939-1942.

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no restrictions on this collection.

This collection is located on-site.

Terms of access:

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Margaret Bourke-White Photographs; Box and Folder (if known); University Archives, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
Contact:
uarchives@columbia.edu