Acquisition and Appraisal Information

Acquisition of Works on Paper

Ben Shahn, For Full Employment After the War, Register, Vote, 1944. Purchase. LC-USZC4-6619 [More information]

Unique in their scope and richness, the collections of the Prints and Photographs Division include documentary, news, and master photography, fine prints and popular graphic art, posters, political and social cartoons and caricatures, architectural plans and renderings, and engineering drawings. These visual documents are keys to a more complete understanding of the people, events, and achievements that have shaped the history and culture of the United States, and to a lesser extent the modern histories of Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Division curators are responsible for enhancing the collections through purchase and gift and would like to learn about the availability of outstanding items and collections of historical and modern works. Our interests are worldwide and without regard to time period, language, or geographic area.

For information about the Prints and Photograph Division's acquisition program and before mailing any materials, please contact Verna Curtis, Curator, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress 20540-4730. (Please see information about security precautions with regard to mail delivery.) Telephone (direct): 202-707-8938. FAX 202-707-6647. email: vcur@loc.gov

The Division acquires works that:

• Build on collection strengths
• Fill identified gaps in the collections
• Document events of national political, historical, or cultural interest
• Represent noteworthy artists
• Document changing styles and techniques in pictorial media
• Support the collection strengths of other divisions of the Library

John Ross, full length portrait, facing front standing next to a small table, ca. 1850. Purchase. LC-USZC4-11120 [More information]

Acquisition Funding

The Prints and Photographs Division depends upon financial donations from private individuals and organizations to supplement appropriated funds in order to purchase new works and enhance existing collections. The Division therefore welcomes donations to any of the following special gift and trust funds:

Carol M. Highsmith Fund
To support the donation of the lifetime body of work, copyright-free, of this renowned architectural photographer. Her collection of tens of thousands of images--most captured in large format over a long and distinguished career--will greatly enhance and expand the Library's collections in architectural photography and related subjects, including human interaction with the built environment. Monies received will help underwrite the costs of scanning, printing, and archiving this invaluable collection. The fund will also allow the Library to solicit carefully selected donations for the commission of new architectural photography that will help it to improve its collections and fulfill its mission.

Paul Goble, [Pairs of birds, animals and insects grouped in and around a tree], 1995. Gift of the artist. LC-DIG-ppmsca-02215 [More information]

Various Donors Curatorial Fund
Supports activities of the Curatorial Section, including travel and research.

Various Donors Reference Fund
Supports increased accessibility of Prints and Photographs Division collections through digital imaging and captioning for the Division's website.

Center for American Architecture, Design and Engineering
A bequest from the distinguished American architect, Paul Rudolph, and the contributions of individuals, foundations and corporations, established the Center for American Architecture, Design and Engineering in 2002. The Center's purpose is to focus attention on, encourage support for, and promote the study of the Library's unmatched architecture, design, and engineering collections. Further, it's goal is to increase the percentage of the collections available through the Library's website. The Center is seeking additional funding to support the Center and its programs from the private sector, corporations and foundations. It seeks to create a special endowment to support an annual or biennial lecture by scholars-in-residence, and/or distinguished architects, designers, and engineers, and result in a publication.

Frank Lloyd Wright, Hotel Lake Geneva, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, 1911. Gift of Nancy Hart Glanville. LC-USZC4-8164 [More information]

The Paul Rudolph Trust Fund
To establish and provide support for the programs and goals of the Center for Architecture, Design and Engineering in the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress is pleased to accept contributions in Mr. Rudolph's name as additions to the Paul Rudolph Trust. Checks should be made payable to "the Library of Congress - Paul Rudolph Trust."

Donations to any of these funds should be made payable to the Library of Congress in the appropriate fund name and forwarded to the Development Office, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20540-1400. Contributions are deductible for tax purposes to the full extent of the law.

Appraisal Information

Resources for locating appraisers include:

• Searching for an Appraiser--AAA, ASA, and ISA (Maine Antique Digest)
• Appraisers listed on Historical Prints: Evaluation, Authenticity, Copyright, Dealers, and Bibliography
• A List of Auction Houses and Appraisers That Specialize in Photography

Helpful advice about researching and authenticating art and photos is available at:

• PBS - History Detectives - Art and Photos (Public Broadcasting Service)

Featured Acquisitions