Series includes correspondence, lecture typescripts and related materials, and drawings of designs and the body. Found are photographs and photocopies of drawings by Kogan, photographs and printed materials featuring Kogan's designs for the companies Boontonware and Red Wing Potteries, and two catalogs for the Belle Kogan Associates retrospective exhibition.
Also found is a copy of a thesis on Kogan by Helen Rice, a photographic print of Kogan's studio art class at Winold Reiss Studio in New York City in 1928, and six sketchbooks from Kogan's art classes in Germany which include documentation of her work with Quaker Silver.
Collection Restrictions:
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Collection Rights:
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Belle Kogan papers, 1920-circa 1990. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
The papers of industrial designer Belle Kogan measure 0.6 linear feet and date from 1920 to circa 1990. The collection documents Kogan's career through correspondence, lecture typescripts, photographs, drawings and printed material documenting Kogan's designs for various companies, and six sketchbooks.
Scope and Contents:
The papers of industrial designer Belle Kogan measure 0.6 linear feet and date from 1920 to circa 1990. The collection contains correspondence, lecture typescripts and related materials, and drawings of designs and the body. Also found are photographs and photocopies of drawings by Kogan, photographs and printed materials featuring Kogan's designs for the companies Boontonware and Red Wing Potteries, two catalogs for the Belle Kogan Associates retrospective exhibition, and a copy of a thesis on Kogan by Helen Rice. One photographic print is of Kogan's studio art class at Winold Reiss Studio in New York City in 1928 and six sketchbooks are from Kogan's art classes in Germany and include her work with Quaker Silver.
Arrangement:
Due to the small size of this collection the papers are arranged as one series.
Series 1: Belle Kogan Papers, 1920-circa 1990 (0.6 linear feet; Box 1, OVs 2-3)
Biographical / Historical:
Belle Kogan (1902-2000) was an industrial designer in New York, New York, and was known as a pioneer in her field. She owned a design studio in New York City from 1930 to 1970 where she created houseware designs for prominent companies such as Quaker Silver, Red Wing Potteries, and many others.
Kogan was born in Russia in 1902 and immigrated to the United States in 1906 with her family. She was interested in art at an early age and studied to be a painter. Influenced by manufacturers she met at her father's jewelry store, she became aware of her design abilities. She worked briefly as a color consultant for a plastics company before joining Quaker Silver. The company sent her to Germany in 1930 to study the manufacturing of glass and silver in that region of Europe. After 40 years, Kogan closed her New York studio and spent time in Israel working for K.V. Design. She retired from designing professionally in 1972.
Provenance:
The Belle Kogan papers were donated in 1990 and 1993 by Belle Kogan.
Restrictions:
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Rights:
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Occupation:
Designers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Industrial designers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
A collection of magazine and newspaper articles, academic papers, advertisements, press releases, typed and hand-written correspondence, speeches, drafts, and other materials relating to Belle Kogan and her career as an industrial designer.
Biographical/Historical note:
Industrial designer, of Russian birth, who was trained in art and manufacturing in the United States. She opened her own design studio, Belle Kogan Associates (BKA) in New York City in the early 1930s and did free-lance design work in a variety of materials until her retirement in 1972. Miss Kogan's corporate clients included, among others, Reed & Barton, Ebeling & Reuss, Towle Manufacturing Co., Federal Glass Co., Red Wing Potteries, Bausch & Lomb, Boonton Molding Co., U.S. Glass Co., Bakelite Corp., Muench-Kreuzer Candle Co., Libbey Glass, National Brush Co., Prolon Plastics, Dow Chemical, Beacon Plastics, Haviland China Co., Mallory Randall and Maryland Plastics Co.
Formatted Contents note:
(from covers) I. Life and career -- II. Silver, gold, pewter, iron, brass, steel, aluminum -- III. Silver and other metals (continued) -- IV. Small appliances, graphics & packaging, furniture -- V. Glass, plastics, candles, pressed wood -- VI. Pottery -- VII. Articles & speeches on general design topics -- [Supplemental article]. Red Wing art pottery, kitchenware, and dinnerware designed by Belle Kogan / Bernard and Barbara Banet.
General note:
Cover title.
Collection compiled by Belle Kogan and Bernard A. Banet.
Topic:
Decorative arts -- History -- 20th century -- Sources Search this
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Collection Rights:
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Belle Kogan papers, 1920-circa 1990. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
