Abram Kanof papers, 1858-1996 and undated, bulk 1928-1991
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Summary
- Creator:
- Kanof, Abram, 1903-
- Extent:
- 17.7 Linear Feet
circa 8,500 - Language:
- English.
- Collection ID:
- RL.00766
Background
- Scope and content:
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The Abram Kanof Papers, 1858-1996, 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.
- Biographical / historical:
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Missing Title Date Event 1903, Dec. 25 Born, Russia1924 Graduated from Columbia University1928 Received M.D. from the State University of New York Medical School1931 Married Frances Pascher1948-1962 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 Society1965-1972 Professor of Pediatrics, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center1970 Published Jewish Ceremonial Art and Religious Observance1971 Received the Maimonides Award for Service to Medicine and Judaism.1972- Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics, State University of New York Downstate Medical Centerca.1975-1980 Guest Curator of Judaica, North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, N.C.1999 Died - Acquisition information:
- The Abram Kanof Papers were donated to the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library from 1979 to 2017.
- Processing information:
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Processed by Daniel Daily
Assisted by Brent Johanson
Date Completed: May 12, 1993
Encoded by Alvin Pollock
Updated to include accessions 1997-0032, 2001-0152, and 2017-0113 by Alice Poffinberger January, 2018
- Physical location:
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.
- Subjects:
- Synagogue architecture
Synagogue art
Judaism and art
Judaism -- Liturgical objects
Judaism -- Liturgical objects -- Exhibitions
Jewish art and symbolism
Art, Jewish
Ceremonial objects
Art, Jewish -- Exhibitions
Art, Jewish -- Catalogs
Art museums -- United States
Art and religion
Symbolism
Art patronage -- United States - Format:
- Handbills
- Names:
- Jewish Museum (New York, N. Y.) -- Tobe Pascher Workshop
Jewish Museum (New York, N.Y.)
North Carolina Museum of Art
Zabari, Moshe, 1935-
Kanof, Abram, 1903-. Jewish ceremonial art and religious observance
Kanof, Abram, 1903-. Jewish symbolic art
Wolpert, Ludwig Y. (Ludwig Yehuda), 1900-1981
Contents
Using These Materials
- Using These Materials Links:
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Using These Materials
- Restrictions:
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Part of the Writings Series in this collection is restricted.
Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.
All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. The library may require up to 48 hours to retrieve these materials for research use.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
- Terms of access:
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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.
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- Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Abram Kanof Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.