Archives of American Art
Robert Ebendorf papers
Ebendorf, Robert, 1938-
AAA.ebenrobe
Archival Resource Key
4.8 Linear feet
0.554 Gigabytes
1920-2015
bulk 1960-2010
The papers of metalsmith and jeweler Robert Ebendorf measure 4.8 linear feet and 0.554 GB and date from 1920 to 2015, with the bulk of the material from 1960 to 2010. The papers document Ebendorf's career through scattered biographical material; business correspondence with galleries, universities, and professional groups as well as personal correspondence with friends and family, including a large collection of mail art; artist statements, teaching philosophies, and reflections by Ebendorf as well as writings by others; application materials for the artist's position as Belk Chair at East Carolina University, student fellowship applications, and other teaching files; audio and video recordings of interviews in digital format; inventories, invoices, and publicity material, including several folders of notes and materials for retrospectives; exhibition catalogs, news clippings, and other printed material; sketches, cut paper, and collage work loose and in sketchbooks; and photographic materials of the artist, friends, family, and artwork.
Collection is in English.
Biographical / Historical
Robert Ebendorf (1938-) is a metalsmith and jeweler in Greenville, North Carolina. Ebendorf was born in Topeka, Kansas, and earned a BFA in 1958 and an MFA in 1963 from the University of Kansas. Upon receiving a Fulbright grant, he studied in Norway at the School for Applied Arts and Crafts in 1963 and returned to work at Norway Silver Designs in Fredikstad on a Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation grant from 1965 to 1966.
A founding member and once president of the Society of North American Goldsmiths, Ebendorf has been deeply committed to forwarding the metals field as an innovator, organizer, and teacher. The artist is known for his original combinations of precious and non-precious materials alongside found objects and has held teaching positions at Stetson University, the State University of New York at New Paltz, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine, Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, and East Carolina University.
Scope and Contents
The papers of metalsmith and jeweler Robert Ebendorf measure 4.8 linear feet and 0.554 GB and date from 1920 to 2015, with the bulk of the material from 1960 to 2010. The papers document Ebendorf's career through scattered biographical material; business correspondence with galleries, universities, and professional groups as well as personal correspondence with friends and family, including a large collection of mail art; artist statements, teaching philosophies, and reflections by Ebendorf as well as writings by others; application materials for the artist's position as Belk Chair at East Carolina University, student fellowship applications, and other teaching files; inventories, invoices, and publicity material, including several folders of notes and materials for retrospectives; audio and video recordings of interviews in digital format; exhibition catalogs, news clippings, and other printed material; sketches, cut paper, and collage work loose and in sketchbooks; and photographic materials of the artist, friends, family, and artwork.
Processing Information
The collection was processed to a minimal level, and a finding aid was prepared by Kimberley Henze in 2015. Born-digital materials were processed by Kirsi Ritosalmi-Kisner in 2019 with funding provided by Smithsonian Collection Care and Preservation Fund.
Preferred Citation
Robert Ebendorf papers, 1920-2015, bulk 1960-2010. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated by Robert Ebendorf in 2015.
Terms of Use
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.
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Use of sound recordings requires advance notice. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged as nine series.
Missing Title
- Series 1: Biographical Material, 1920-2014 (Boxes 1, 6; 0.2 linear feet, ER01-ER02; 0.554 GB)
- Series 2: Correspondence, 1965-2015 (Boxes 1-2; 1.1 linear feet)
- Series 3: Writings, circa 1945-2014 (Box 2; 4 folders)
- Series 4: Teaching Files, 1974-2012 (Box 2; 5 folders)
- Series 5: Personal Business Records, circa 1963-2006 (Box 2; 0.4 linear feet)
- Series 6: Printed Material, 1949-2015 (Boxes 2-3, 6; 0.7 linear feet)
- Series 7: Artwork, circa 1940-1987 (Boxes 3, 6; 0.2 linear feet)
- Series 8: Sketchbooks, circa 1963-1968 (Boxes 3, 6; 5 folders)
- Series 9: Photographs, circa 1920-2012 (Boxes 3-7; 1.9 linear feet)
Related Materials
Also in the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview of Robert Ebendorf conducted 2004 April 16-18, by Tacey Rosolowski, in Greenville, N.C.
Jewelers -- North Carolina
Mail art
Art -- Study and teaching
Sketches
Sketchbooks
Metal-workers -- North Carolina
Collages
East Carolina University -- Faculty
Biographical Material
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
0.2 Linear feet
Boxes 1, 6
0.554 Gigabytes
ER01-ER02
1920-2014
Scope and Contents
Biographical material includes academic transcripts from the University of Kansas; professional and personal awards and certificates; a curriculum vitae circa 2010; lifetime achievement awards and applications; family files; a purchased love letter written to a black soldier in 1920; pins and conference nametags; audio and video recordings of interviews in digital format; and a citizen commendation from the New York City Police Department. Miscellaneous biographical material consists of a business card, high school graduation program, letter to parents from the Kansas Governor for their 50th wedding anniversary, workshop flyer with brief bio, wedding announcement with Aleta Braun, and photocopies of portrait illustrations by Jess Taylor.
Academic Transcripts
Archival Resource Key
1957-1963
1
1
Awards and Certificates
Archival Resource Key
1954-2014
1
2-3
Curriculum Vitae
Archival Resource Key
circa 2010
1
4
ECU Lifetime Achievement Award, Letters of Recommendation
Archival Resource Key
2003-2014
1
5
Family, Herb Ebendorf
Archival Resource Key
1982-2007
1
6
Family, Sue Springer
Archival Resource Key
1963-1974
1
7
Gardner Award Application
Archival Resource Key
2010
Includes born-digital records, see ER01
1
8
Scope and Contents
Oversized printed application template housed in Box 6, Folder 1.
Ebendorf: In His Own Words, Digital Video Recording
Archival Resource Key
0.205 Gigabytes
One computer file
2010
ER01
Gardner Award, Letters of Recommendation
Archival Resource Key
2010
1
9
Love Letter (Purchased)
Archival Resource Key
1920
1
10
Miscellaneous Biographical Material
Archival Resource Key
1954-2006
1
11
Robert Ebendorf Interview with Melinda Penkava, WUNC, Milwaukee, WI, Digital Audio Recording
Archival Resource Key
0.349 Gigabytes
Five computer files
2003
ER02
Pin and Nametags
Archival Resource Key
2004, undated
1
13
Gardner Application and Police Department Commendation
Archival Resource Key
1979-2010
6
1
Correspondence
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
1.1 Linear feet
Boxes 1-2
1965-2015
Scope and Contents
Correspondence is chiefly collaged, drawn, and stitched mail art with wife Aleta Braun, a colleague's son Louis Bailey, students, and friends. There is also business correspondence with museums, universities, and professional societies regarding commissions, exhibitions, and academic positions; correspondence with Emprise Financial in Kansas; and personal correspondence with friends, family, and colleagues.
Business Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1965-2013
1
14
Correspondence with Emprise Financial
Archival Resource Key
2006-2010
1
15
Mail Art, Aleta Braun
Archival Resource Key
1997-2015
1
16-18
Mail Art, Louis Bailey
Archival Resource Key
2000-2003
1
19-25
Mail Art, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
2000-2014
2
1-3
Personal Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1978-2015
2
4
Writings
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
4 Folders
Box 2
circa 1945-2014
Scope and Contents
Writings by Robert Ebendorf include artist statements, short autobiographies, teaching philosophies, reflections, and exhibition statements, while writings about Ebendorf include essays, reports, speeches, and a manuscript of Robert W. Ebendorf: The Work in Depth published by the Racine Art Museum. Also found in this series are a poem and short essay by Elliot Smith; a biography sent by the artist's uncle Herb mentioning Ebendorf's great-grandfather circa 1945; a short story by daughter Brittany; and an application essay by wife Aleta Braun for the Jentel Artist Residency in Wyoming.
Writings by Robert Ebendorf
Archival Resource Key
circa 1988-2013
2
5
Writings About Robert Ebendorf
Archival Resource Key
circa 1975-2014
2
6
Writings by Elliot Smith
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
7
Writings by Family
Archival Resource Key
circa 1945-2004
2
8
Teaching Files
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
5 Folders
Box 2
1974-2012
Scope and Contents
This series consists of application materials for the Belk Distinguished Chair position at East Carolina University, student applications and letters of recommendation for various fellowship programs, and miscellaneous teaching files, including student project proposals, certificates of teacher-student impact from ECU, research notes, and a list of international museums and galleries, possibly for Fulbright study.
ECU Application, Belk Chair
Archival Resource Key
1998-1999
2
9
ECU Application, Letters of Recommendation
Archival Resource Key
1998-1999
2
10
Miscellaneous Teaching Files
Archival Resource Key
1984-2012
2
11
Student Applications and Letters of Recommendation
Archival Resource Key
1974-2003
2
12-13
Personal Business Records
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
0.4 Linear feet
Box 2
circa 1963-2006
Scope and Contents
Personal business records include images, correspondence, and publicity material for the Formica design award won by Ebendorf and then-wife Ivy Ross in 1984. Files on retrospective exhibitions includes images of and notes on material to be included, checklists of artwork, exhibition writings, loan receipts, and correspondence. Also found in this series are inventories of artwork, a mailing list of individuals and museums, and records of financial and material exchanges with museums.
Formica Corporation
Archival Resource Key
1984
2
14
Inventories
Archival Resource Key
1978-2006
2
15-19
Mailing List
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
20
Museum Invoices, Receipts, and Loan Records
Archival Resource Key
1978-2003
2
21
Retrospective at NC State
Archival Resource Key
2003
2
22
Retrospective at New Paltz
Archival Resource Key
1989
2
23
Retrospective at New Paltz, Material and Notes
Archival Resource Key
circa 1963-1989
2
24-30
Printed Material
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
0.7 Linear feet
Boxes 2-3, 6
1949-2015
Scope and Contents
This series contains magazines, bulletins, and news clippings regarding Ebendorf and his artwork as well as exhibition announcements, brochures, catalogs, and signage.
Exhibition Announcements and Brochures
Archival Resource Key
1965-2015
2
31-34
Scope and Contents
Oversized exhibition poster housed in Box 6, Folder 2.
Exhibition Announcements and Brochures
Archival Resource Key
1989-2015
3
1
Exhibition Catalogs
Archival Resource Key
1980-2008
3
2-3
Scope and Contents
Oversized exhibition catalog housed in Box 6, Folder 2.
Exhibition Signage
Archival Resource Key
circa 2013
3
4
Magazines and Bulletins
Archival Resource Key
1973-2014
3
5
Scope and Contents
Oversized Florida Craftsmen bulletin housed in Box 6, Folder 2.
News Clippings
Archival Resource Key
1949-2014
3
6-17
Scope and Contents
Oversized news clippings housed in Box 6, Folder 2.
Oversized Exhibition Posters & Catalogs, News Clippings, and Bulletin
Archival Resource Key
circa 1968-2006
6
2
Artwork
Series 7
Archival Resource Key
0.2 Linear feet
Boxes 3, 6
circa 1940s-1987
Scope and Contents
This series contains artwork from Ebendorf's childhood in the 1940s, a collaged book titled "The Pilgrim of Love," cut-paper designs on cardstock, scans of sketches and sketchbook pages, as well as a number of loose sketches and drawings, including a set from Ebendorf's freshman class, Nature Drawing I, at the University of Kansas in 1956.
Childhood Artwork
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940
3
18
Collage Book, "The Pilgrim of Love"
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
19
Cut-Paper Work
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
20
Scanned Sketches
Archival Resource Key
circa 1963-1987
3
21-22
Sketches
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
23-25
Scope and Contents
Oversized loose sketches housed in Box 6, Folder 3.
Drawings and Loose Sketches
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
3
Nature Drawing I
Archival Resource Key
1956
6
4
Sketchbooks
Series 8
Archival Resource Key
5 Folders
Boxes 3, 6
1963-1966, undated
Scope and Contents
Most of the sketchbooks included are from Ebendorf's time in Norway with a Fulbright Fellowship from 1963 to 1964 and a Tiffany Foundation Grant from 1965 to 1966. An additional sketchbook includes images of designs for a medal commissioned by the Medical College of Georgia.
Medical College of Georgia Commission
Archival Resource Key
circa 1968
3
26
Norway Tiffany, Small
Archival Resource Key
1965-1966
3
27
Norway Fulbright: Norwegian Folk Museum
Archival Resource Key
1963-1964
6
5
Norway Fulbright: Norwegian Folk Museum and Natural History Museum
Archival Resource Key
1963-1964
6
6
Norway Tiffany, Large
Archival Resource Key
1965-1966
6
7
Photographs
Series 9
Archival Resource Key
1.9 Linear feet
Boxes 3-7
circa 1920-2012
Scope and Contents
This series includes formal and informal images of the artist with works, in his studio, and teaching students. There are also photographs, negatives, and an annotated album of family, friends, and colleagues as well as color transparencies of the house Ebendorf shared with first wife Sue Springer in New Paltz in the early 1980s. Images of exhibitions and artwork include photographs, negatives, color transparencies, an extensive collection of 35-mm slides, and digital prints. An oversized portrait photograph of Ebendorf is housed in OV 7.
Robert Ebendorf
Archival Resource Key
1938-2012
3
28-33
Scope and Contents
Oversized photographs of Robert Ebendorf housed in Box 6, Folder 8, and OV 7.
Ebendorf Family, Photographs and Slides
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920-1980
4
1
Family, Friends, and Colleagues
Archival Resource Key
1965-2007
4
2
Family, Friends, and Colleagues, Album
Archival Resource Key
1997
4
3
Family, Friends, and Colleagues, Negatives
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
4
House at New Paltz, Color Transparencies
Archival Resource Key
1980s
4
5
Exhibitions
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960-2005
4
6
Artwork
Archival Resource Key
circa 1950-2010
4
7-20
Scope and Contents
Oversized photographs of artwork housed in Box 6, Folder 8.
Artwork, Color Transparencies
Archival Resource Key
1938-1985, undated
4
21-22
Artwork, Negatives
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
23
Artwork, Slides
Archival Resource Key
1965-2002
4
24-32
Artwork, Slides
Archival Resource Key
1980-2004
5
1-8
Artwork, Digital Prints
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000-2010
5
9-10
Oversized Photographs of Robert Ebendorf and Artwork
Archival Resource Key
circa 1965-2005
6
8
Oversized Photograph of Robert Ebendorf
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000
OV 7