Correspondence, writings, sketches, financial and business records, photographs and printed material.
REEL 2805: Correspondence with Frank G. Hale, Jerome Johnson, Henry P. Macomber, Humphrey J. Emery, Beatrice Fox Griffith, Ralph Adams Cram and others; writings for an unpublished text book; lecture notes; sketches; priced sales catalogs; two stock record books; financial records; printed material; and photographs of Oakes, his studio and works of art.
REEL 4599: An album containing sketches for jewelry and other designs, some highlighted with watercolor, and some with prices, notes and customers' names. The album was compiled by Hilda Thompson, Oakes' secretary and chief salesperson from ca. 1932-1960.
Biographical / Historical:
Jewelry maker and silversmith; Boston, Mass. Oakes was an active member of the Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston. In 1918 he opened his own shop at 44 Bromfield St., Boston.
Provenance:
Material on reel 2805 lent by Susan Oakes Peabody, 1983, Edward Oakes' granddaughter. Album of designs on reel 4599 lent 1993 by Jacqueline Wendt, who purchased it from a yard sale at the home of Hilda Thompson, who was Oakes' secretary and chief salesperson, circa 1932-1960.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
The papers of silversmith and arts administrator Margret Craver Withers measure 9.6 linear feet and 0.002 GB and date from 1908 to 2016. The papers document her career as an silversmith and jeweler through biographical material; correspondence with family, friends, colleagues, and art organizations; manuscripts, notes, lectures, and other writings; professional activity records with various organizations; photographs, printed material, correspondence related to specific subject materials such as individuals or organizations; exhibition catalogs, clippings, published articles, and other printed materials; designs, sketches, sketchbooks, and other artwork; and personal photographs, some in digital format, and photographs and slides of works and works by other artists.
Scope and Contents:
The papers of silversmith and arts administrator Margret Craver Withers measure 9.6 linear feet and 0.002 GB and date from 1908 to 2016. The papers document her career as an silversmith and jeweler through biographical material; correspondence with family, friends, colleagues, and art organizations; manuscripts, notes, lectures, and other writings; professional activity with various organizations; photographs, printed material, correspondence related to specific subject materials such as individuals or organizations; exhibition catalogs, clippings, published articles, and other printed materials; designs, sketches, sketchbooks, and other artwork; and personal photographs, some in digital format, photographs and slides of works and works by other artists.
Biographical material includes copies of a transcript for an oral history conducted by Columbia University, awards, and artist statements. Correspondence includes letters to friends, colleagues, and organizations. Also included are numerous personal letters between Craver and her husband. Writings include draft manuscripts for articles and booklets, transcripts for various lectures, and notes and notebooks.
Professional material includes film reels and corresponding transcripts, about sliversmithing techniques; grooved disk recordings of interviews with artists and silversmithing techniques; scrapbooks; invoices; commissioned work; and exhibition related materials for various museums.
Subject Files were organized by Craver on specific individuals or organizations. The files contain documents such as correspondence, printed material, and photographs. Printed material includes exhibition announcements and catalogs, newspaper and magazine clippings, a scrapbook, and published articles and booklets by Craver.
Artwork consists of sketches, designs, and sketchbooks by Craver. Included are some pieces by other artists. Photographic material consists of personal photographs and digital photographs of Craver with family and friends, photographs and slides of her artwork, and photographs of works by other artists.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged as 8 series.
Series 1: Biographical Material, 1945-1988 (0.1 linear feet; Box 1)
Series 2: Correspondence, 1935-2016 (1.7 linear feet; Boxes 1-2)
Series 3: Writings, 1929-1988 (0.6 linear feet; Boxes 2-3)
Series 4: Professional Activity Files, 1941-1996 (1.6 linear feet; Boxes 3-4, 9, FC 14-20)
Series 5: Subject Files, 1926-1991 (0.7 linear feet; Box 4)
Series 6: Printed Material, 1935-1997 (1.5 linear feet; Boxes 4-5, 9-10)
Series 7: Artwork, circa 1937 (0.4 linear feet; Box 5, OV 11-13)
Series 8: Photographs, 1908-2002 (3.0 linear feet; Boxes 6-8, 0.002 GB; ER01)
Biographical / Historical:
Margret Craver Withers (1907-2010) was a silversmith and arts administrator in Boston, Massachusetts.
Withers was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1907. She became interested in metal working while studying at the University of Kansas. After graduation she traveled to Europe where she trained under Baron Erik Fleming, court silversmith to the King of Sweden. In 1935 Withers established the department of jewelry and metalsmithing at the Wichita Arts Association. In the 1940s and 1950s Craver developed and taught a series of workshops on metalsmithing as occupational therapy for wounded veterans. In 1949, she married Charles Withers. She continued to be known professionally under her unmarried name, Margret Craver. Withers is credited with reviving the technique of en resille, in which enamel-coated metal foil is embedded in glass. Withers died in 2010.
Related Materials:
Also found in the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview with Margret Craver Withers conducted by Robert F. Brown between 1983 and 1985.
Provenance:
The Margret Craver Withers papers were donated in several installments between 1971 and 2019. Donations between 1971 and 1998 were done by Marget Craver Withers. Three film reels were donated in 1975 by Handy and Harman. Donations in 2011 were by Josephine Withers, daughter of Margret Craver Withers. Donations between 2014 and 2019 were made by Judith Childs, friend of Margret Craver Withers.
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. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.
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:
Arts administrators -- Massachusetts -- Boston Search this
Silversmiths -- Massachusetts -- Boston Search this
Margret Craver Withers papers, 1908-2016. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Sponsor:
The processing of this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund, administered by the National Collections Program and the Smithsonian Collections Advisory Committee.
Biographical material, correspondence (1942-1973), notes, drawings, a subject file on writing, short story manuscripts, clippings, brochures, an exhibition catalog, and photographs and albums document the career of silversmith Porter Blanchard.
Among the biographical materials are an 8-page autobiography and a notebook, "The Story of Porter Blanchard: Hand Wrought Silver and Pewter," with a brochure about Blanchard and copy photographs of his work. Correspondence includes two business letters (1942, 1949) concerning the price of silver, five letters (1964) from Blanchard, traveling in Hawaii and Tahiti, to his family, 30 sympathy letters to Blanchard's family after his death in 1973; and letters concerning Blanchard's family tree. There are a 1966 application to the Treasury Department for a gold license, notes concerning projects and clients, accompanied by two small templates and 42 drawings of jewelry designs. A subject file (1966-1967) contains letters and manuscripts for short stories submitted by Blanchard to a writer's training course. Among the printed materials are clippings (1932-1979), brochures (1929-1969) about Blanchard and his studio, THE RENAISSANCE OF AN ANCIENT ART by L. Stanley Grohs (1930), THE STORY OF STERLING by the Sterling Silversmith Guild of America (1937), and a 1960 exhibition catalog, "Design for Silver". Photographs (1914-1972) show Blanchard, his granddaughter, friends, the exterior of his studio (1930) and his work. Two photograph albums (ca. 1957) focus on Blanchard and workers in his studio.
Biographical / Historical:
Blanchard learned the trade of the silversmith from his father, George Porter Blanchard in Gardner, Massachusetts. In 1923, Porter Blanchard moved to Burbank, California, where he established a studio for silversmithing. Between the 1930s and 1950, he operated a shop in Hollywood, then worked from his home in Pacoima from the 1940s until his death in 1973. Blanchard was a member of the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts and was awarded their title of medalist in 1944.
Provenance:
The donors, Rebecca Adler and Alice E. Wise, are the daughters of Porter Blanchard.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
The scattered papers of Alexadra Solowij Watkins regarding Miye Matsukata date from 1973 to 1980. Found are slides of works by Matsukata and printed material.
Scope and Contents:
The scattered papers of Alexadra Solowij Watkins regarding Miye Matsukata date from 1973 to 1980. Found are slides of works by Matsukata and printed material.
Arrangement:
Due to the small size of this collection the papers are arranged as one series.
Biographical / Historical:
Amanda Solowij Watkins (1933-) is a jeweler and goldsmith in Boston, Massachusetts, who headed jeweler Miye Matsukata's workshop for many years and photographed pieces as they were returned from cleaning or repair.
Miye Matsukata (1922-1981) was a Japanese American jeweler and metal-worker based in Boston, Massachusetts. She designed and made jewelry at her firm Janiye in Boston from 1950 to her death.
Provenance:
Donated 1985 by Alexandra Solowij Watkins.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
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.
Photographs taken by Miye Matsukata of a ring she designed for Sarah W. Bartlett. The verso contains notes by Bartlett based on comments by Matsukata.
Biographical / Historical:
Miye Matsukata (1922-1981) was a Japanese American jewelry designer and metalsmith based in Boston, Massachusetts. She worked at her jewelry firm Janiye in Boston from 1950 to her death.
Provenance:
Donated 1990 by Sarah W. Bartlett.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.
The papers of jewelry designer and metalsmith Miye Matsukata measure 13.45 linear feet and date from circa 1900 to 1982, with the bulk of the material dating from 1964 to 1981.The papers include correspondence, interviews, journals, writings and lectures, exhibition files, Janiye business records, printed materials, scrapbooks, artwork, sketchbooks, and photographic materials that document Matsukata's work as a jeweler and owner of Janiye, an atelier located in Boston, Massachusetts.
Scope and Contents:
The papers of jewelry designer and metalsmith Miye Matsukata measure 13.45 linear feet and date from circa 1900 to 1982, with the bulk of the material dating from 1964 to 1981.The papers include correspondence, interviews, journals, writings and lectures, exhibition files, Janiye business records, printed materials, scrapbooks, artwork, sketchbooks, and photographic materials that document Matsukata's work as a jeweler and owner of Janiye, an atelier located in Boston, Massachusetts.
Correspondence is with family, James Hubbard, various customers, galleries, and colleagues. Interviews include recordings of Matsukata and Takashi Oka, Judy Hickey and Miyo, and two interviews from 1968.
Eleven journals contain Matsukata's writings about her work, travel experiences, impressions of Mikimoto, and include some sketches. Writings and lectures consists of five appointment books; biographical statements and resumes; essays; lecture recordings, manuscripts, and slides; twelve memo books; notes; two travel itinerary books; and writings by James Hubbard that include an essay about Matsukata.
Exhibition files consist of correspondence, price and invitations lists, loan forms, and drafts for jewelry shows at the Art Asia Gallery, Fitchburg Art Museum, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Principia College, and other galleries. Business files for Janiye include donations, financial and legal material, inventory books, publicity files, and sales records; and client and vendor files containing invoices, correspondence, and special order details for works produced by Matsukata and other jewelers at Janiye.
Printed materials include booklets, clippings, exhibition announcements and catalogs, an invitation, press releases, and Janiye sales catalogs. Two scrapbooks feature clippings and sketches of dinnerware, and early brochures and photographs of Janiye.
Artwork consists of sketches of jewelry, dinnerware, mountains, and landscapes. Additionally, 47 sketchbooks of travel, jewelry, and dinnerware are found in the collection. Photographic materials include photographs, negatives, slides, and several glass slides depicting Matsukata, her family, Janiye, jewelry and dinnerware, and travel.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged as 11 series.
Series 1: Correspondence, 1957-1981 (0.4 linear feet; Box 1)
Series 2: Interviews, 1968-1978 (0.2 linear feet; Box 1)
Series 3: Journals, 1966-1981 (0.7 linear feet; Boxes 1-2)
Series 4: Writings and Lectures, 1962-1982 (1.0 linear feet; Boxes 2-3)
Series 5: Exhibition Files, 1964-1980 (0.3 linear feet; Box 3)
Series 6: Janiye Business Records, 1948-1982 (7.1 linear feet; Boxes 3-10, 17)
Series 7: Printed Material, circa 1965-1982 (0.2 linear feet; Box 10)
Series 8: Scrapbooks, circa 1945-1980 (0.2 linear feet; Box 15)
Series 9: Artwork, 1946-1981 (0.5 linear feet; Boxes 10, 15)
Series 10: Sketchbooks, circa 1950-1981 (1.0 linear feet; Boxes 10-11, 15)
Series 11: Photographic Material, circa 1900-1982 (2.3 linear feet; Boxes 11-14, 16)
Biographical / Historical:
Miye Matsukata (1922-1981) was a Japanese American jewelry designer and metalsmith based in Boston, Massachusetts. She worked at her jewelry firm Janiye in Boston from 1950 to her death.
Matsukata was born in Japan to Shokuma and Miyo Matsukata and had four sisters named Haru, Naka, Taneko "Tane," and Mari. After coming to the United States in 1940, Matsukata attended Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, graduating in 1944. Afterwards, she attended The Museum School in Boston. In 1950 she established Janiye, a jewelry atelier, with former classmates Naomi Katz Harris and Janice Whipple Williams. The name Janiye is a combination of the three co-owners' names. By 1958, Matsukata became the sole owner of the company with James Hubbard, a stone cutter, serving as business manager and agent. Nancy Michel, Alexandra Watkins, and Yoshiko Yamamoto became the leading team of jewelers to execute Matsukata's designs.
Matsukata traveled extensively to Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Peru, India, western and central Europe, and to Scandinavia after winning a scholarship in 1950. She also spent a substantial amount of time in Japan, especially during her collaboration with the Japanese pearl company Mikimoto. Her work was inspired by the places she visited and she often documented the sources of her inspiration through her writings and sketches.
Matsukata died in 1981 in Boston. Janiye remained open after her death with Michel and Watkins as the new owners.
Related Materials:
The Archives of American Art also holds several collections related to Miye Matsukata, including Photographs of Miye Matsukata, Slides of jewelry designed by Miye Matsukata, Alexandra S. Watkins papers concerning Miye Matsukata, Miye Matsukata note with sketch to Mrs. Bartlett, Jane England Chandler papers regarding Miye Matsukata necklace, and Photographs of Miye Matsukata jewelry.
Provenance:
The Miye Matsukata papers were donated in 1984 by Mrs. Edwin O. Reischauer, Matsukata's sister and in 2008 and 2017 by Ann Hubbard Gaddis, the sister of Matsukata's business partner and heir, James Hubbard.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Use of archival audiovisual recordings and born-digital records with no duplicate copies requires advance notice.
A photocopied statement for insurers document, describing the "Kathmandu" necklace created by Miye Matsukata and owned by Chandler; and a photocopy of a letter, from Matsukata to Chandler, conveying the intended design, and the travels that provided the inspiration for the design of the necklace.
Biographical / Historical:
Jane England Chandler was a collector in Alexandria, Virginia.
Miye Matsukata was a Japanese born American jewelry designer based in Boxton, Massachusettes.
Provenance:
Photocopies donated by Jane England Chandler, 1984. Photocopies subsequently discarded after microfilming, 1994.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Five slides of jewelry designed and made by Miye Matsukata; a letter from Matsukata to Ostrum; and a clipping about her work.
Biographical / Historical:
Ostrum is a collector; Califon, New Jersey. Miye Matsukata (1922-1981) was a Japanese American jewelry designer and metalsmith based in Boston, Massachusetts. She worked at her jewelry firm Janiye in Boston from 1950 to her death.
Provenance:
Donated 1984 by Sarepta Pierpont Ostrum.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
One photograph of the jeweler Miye Matsukata, 1970, and two of pencil portraits of Matsukata done by Liliane Desloovere for an exhibition of her portraits of women artists in Boston.
Biographical / Historical:
Desloovere is a portrait painter; Miye Matsukata (1922-1981) was a Japanese American jewelry designer and metalsmith in Boston, Massachusetts.
Provenance:
Donated 1982 by Liliane Desloovere.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Occupation:
Portrait painters -- Massachusetts -- Boston Search this
Shows jewelry designed by Miye Matsukata for Mrs. Herbert Fields.
Biographical / Historical:
Miye Matsukata (1922-1981) was a Japanese American jewelry designer and metalsmith in Boston, Massachusetts.
Provenance:
Donated 1983 by Mrs. Herbert Fields.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Letter to Robert Brown enclosing snapshots of jewelry made by Miye Matsukata.
Biographical / Historical:
Helen Mandelbaum was a friend and patron of Boston goldsmith, jeweler and designer Miye Matsukata.
Provenance:
Donated 1984 by Helen Mandelbaum.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.
A note from Matsukata to Mrs. Bartlett [Lula Court Bartlett], requesting approval of earrings she has designed, containing a color sketch of the pair and listing the price.
Biographical / Historical:
Miye Matsukata (1922-1981) was a Japanese American jewelry designer and metalsmith based in Boston, Massachusetts. She worked at her jewelry firm Janiye in Boston from 1950 to her death.
Provenance:
Donated 1987 by Lula Court Bartlett.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.
