Andrew Alpern collection of drawing instruments, 1700-2004

Collection context

Creator:
Alpern, Andrew
Extent:
177 groups of instruments, 12 groups of miscellaneous items, 119 volumes of printed material, and 1 folder of archival materials
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

This collection primarily contains 177 groups of English, Continental and American drafting sets and individual instruments dating from circa 1700 to 2004. These instruments were used to create technical drawings, typically by architects, draftsmen, engineers, surveyors, and students. Complementing the instruments are a small group of miscellaneous items, including medals, a model, a necktie, and a charm bracelet, and a large group of published materials, including trade catalogs and other technical, biographical, historical, and scholarly writings about drafting and scientific instruments and related subjects.

Biographical / historical:

The items in this collection were gathered by New York architect, historian, and attorney Andrew Alpern over forty years, primarily by purchase at auction and from private dealers in the United States and Europe.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Due to the fragile condition of the instruments, availability to this collection is limited. 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. 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:

Andrew Alpern Collection of Drawing Instruments, circa 1700-2004. Located in Columbia University, Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Dept. of Drawings & Archives.

Location of this collection:
300 Avery Hall
1172 Amsterdam Ave.
New York, NY 10027, USA
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-drawings@columbia.edu