Preservation Assessment of the JDC Archives Collection of Albums and Scrapbooks

FAIN: PG-280672-21

J.D.C. (New York, NY 10017-4014)
Abra Cohen (Project Director: January 2021 to November 2023)

A conservation assessment of approximately 250 albums and scrapbooks containing correspondence, telegrams, cards, certificates, lithographs, prints, ephemera, and photographs documenting life in Jewish communities around the world, such as in Hungary, China, and the Dominican Republic, many of which were locations for resettlements after World War II. The collections are used with in-person and online exhibits and public programming, as well as by scholars and researchers. The project would also include the purchase of preservation supplies for rehousing.

The JDC Archives is the institutional repository of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian relief organization, founded in 1914. The JDC Archives requests NEH funds to hire a conservation consultant to help create a plan for improving the storage and stability of the albums and scrapbooks in our Artifacts and Ephemera Collection. This collection offers a remarkable and vital perspective on JDC’s global relief efforts, over the last century, in over 90 countries. The grant would support the review of three types of albums within the collection (1) those containing works of art, (2) scrapbooks of mixed media, and (3) albums that have become detached) and the purchase of preservation supplies in order to implement the recommendations made by the conservation consultant.

Associated Products

JDC Archives Awarded Preservation Assistance Grant from the NEH (Blog Post)
Title: JDC Archives Awarded Preservation Assistance Grant from the NEH
Author: Abra Cohen
Abstract: Blog post announcing the award from NEH and outlining what the grant will help us achieve, highlighting several albums and scrapbooks from our collection which will receive preservation assistance through rehousing from conservator recommendations.
Date: 10/1/2021
Primary URL: http://archives.jdc.org/jdc-archives-awarded-preservation-assistance-grant-from-the-neh/
Blog Title: JDC Archives Awarded Preservation Assistance Grant from the NEH
Website: archives.jdc.org

Scrapbooks and Albums Rehoused (Blog Post)
Title: Scrapbooks and Albums Rehoused
Author: Abra Cohen
Abstract: NEH Preservation Assistance Grant Outcomes Blog post outlining the outcomes and accomplishments of the NEH Preservation Assistance Grant. The blog post describes what the award funded and highlights several albums and scrapbooks from our collection that received preservation assistance through rehousing from conservator recommendations. One example of rehousing is described in depth.
Date: 05/19/2023
Primary URL: http://archives.jdc.org/scrapbooks-and-albums-rehoused/
Blog Title: Scrapbooks and Albums Rehoused
Website: archives.jdc.org

Through the Eyes of an Artist: The lithographs of Leo Haas (Blog Post)
Title: Through the Eyes of an Artist: The lithographs of Leo Haas
Author: Abra Cohen
Abstract: Blog highlights the folio of 12 lithographs by Czech artist Leo Haas, which was rehoused thanks to the grant. The post discusses the artist's life and art and acknowledges NEH support in the rehousing of the prints.
Date: 01/23/2023
Primary URL: http://https://archives.jdc.org/through-the-eyes-of-an-artist/
Blog Title: Through the Eyes of an Artist: The lithographs of Leo Haas
Website: archives.jdc.org

---