Rudolph de Harak collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: CSC-0063

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection consists of the personal and professional papers of the twentieth-century graphic designer Rudolph de Harak. It contains examples of poster, book jackets, sketches and correspondence created by the artist. The materials span several decades of de Harak's career.

Dates

Creation: 1936 - 2001
Creation: Majority of material found within 1955 - 1997

Creator

Harak, Rudolph de (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Rudolph de Harak (1924-2002) was born in Culver City, California, moved to New York with his family in the 1930s, where he attended New York City School of Industrial Arts. After serving in World War II, de Harak took a job as an art director at Seventeen magazine. In 1952 he opened his own design office. Rudolph de Harak created hundreds of posters, record covers and book jackets - including nearly 350 covers for McGraw-Hill-de Harak. He also taught at the Cooper Union as well as served as a visiting professor at Yale, Alfred University, Parsons, Pratt Institute and other schools. During the 1960s de Harak's reputation grew, earning him many prominent projects, many of which remain as effective and admired as when they were new, including the timeline and typographic displays for the Egyptian Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the three-story digital clock and futuristic entryway of 127 John Street in Manhattan. While in his late 60's, de Harak moved to Maine to live with his wife in the house they designed, where he investigated the world of painting and collage. He received an AIGA medal for lifetime achievement in 1993.

Extent

15 Linear Feet (18 boxes 1 poster drawer)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

The Rudolph de Harak collection is organized into six series:

I. Correspondence and Personal Papers, 1952-1997.

II. Photographs, 1950-2000.

III. Writings, 1948-2001.

IV. Design Projects, 1936-1994.

V. Fine Art, 1963-2001.

VI. Reference Material.

Physical Location

Graphic Design Archives, Cary Collection Annex

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Rudolph de Harak Collection was the gift of Carol de Harak, 2008. Accession number(s): 2008:006

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Sandra Markham and Kari Horowicz.

Finding aid encoded by Lisa Witt, October 2015. Updated for ArchivesSpace by Lauren Alberque and Ella von Holtum, January 2018.