Archives of American Art
Eve Peri papers
Peri, Eve, 1897-1966
AAA.perieve
Archival Resource Key
0.6 Linear feet
circa 1900-1996, bulk 1939-1966
The papers of painter and embroiderer artist Eve Peri measure 0.6 linear feet and date from circa 1900 to 1996 with the bulk of materials dating from 1939 to 1966. The papers are scattered and include biographical materials, travel documents, correspondence, financial records, printed material, designs for embroidered clothing, and photographs.
English
.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged as one series.
- Series 1: Eve Peri papers, circa 1900-1996 (0.6 linear feet; Box 1, OV2-3)
Scope and Contents
The papers of painter and embroiderer Eve Peri measure 0.6 linear feet and date from circa 1900 to 1996 with the bulk of materials dating from 1939 to 1966. The papers are scattered and include biographical materials, travel documents, correspondence, financial records, printed material, designs for embroidered clothing, and photographs.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Eve Peri papers were donated by Elizabeth Bullock and Judith Stein, executor and curator of the estate in 2001.
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center.
Biographical / Historical
Eve Peri (1897-1966) was a collagist, embroiderer, and painter active in New York City, New York.
Eve Peri was born in Bangor, Maine in 1897. From her mother and aunts, Peri learned traditional quilting and embroidery techniques. A largely self-trained artist, she used her skills to design clothing, tapestry, and collages and also painted. She collaborated with her husband Alfonso Umana Mendez, a designer for Fred Leighton, designing women's embroidered clothing. After divorcing in 1939, she traveled around Europe and began to exhibit her works.
Peri moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania late in life and opened a gallery in New Hope to show her works. She died in 1966.
Preferred Citation
Eve Peri papers, circa 1900-1996, bulk 1939-1966. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Processing Information
The collection was processed and a finding aid prepared by Jayna Josefson in 2018.
Fiberwork
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York
Fiber artists -- New York (State) -- New York
Photographs
Women artists
Women painters
Embroiderers -- New York (State) -- New York
Collagists -- New York (State) -- New York
Eve Peri Papers
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
0.6 Linear feet
Box 1, OV 2-3
bulk circa 1900-1996, bulk 1939-1966
Scope and Contents
The Eve Peri papers are scattered and consist of biographical material, correspondence, personal business records, printed material, artwork, and photographs.
Included are address books; a certificate; a clipping on John F. True, likely Peri's grandfather; estate records; calling cards and travel papers; copies of birth and divorce records; receipts, many from a trip to Rome in 1964; printed materials regarding Peri's art and general art; fragments of a mixed media scrapbook; and printed and original designs for clothing and embroidery.
Correspondence includes letters from friends and institutions. Signed letters are from the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, Flair Magazine, J.M. Joubert, and John Rothchild. Other letters are illegible, unsigned or with first names only. Letters from 1964 congratulate Peri on an exhibit of her works in Rome, Italy. Also found is an unsent letter from Peri to Wanda Nordstrom. Many of the clippings include designs of women's embroidered clothing designed by Peri. Photographs are of Peri, in her studio and working on her works of art; of friends and family; homes and buildings; travel; and of works of art.
Address Book and Addresses
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960
1
1
Certificate, American Institute of Design
Archival Resource Key
1951
1
2
Clipping, on John F. True
Archival Resource Key
circa 1900
1
3
Estate Records
Archival Resource Key
circa 1996
1
4
Identification and Calling Cards
Archival Resource Key
circa 1950-1962
1
5
Travel Papers and Passports
Archival Resource Key
1939-1960s
1
6
Vital Records and Obituaries
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s
1
7
Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
circa 1900-circa 1966
1
8
Correspondence, Others
Archival Resource Key
1903
1
9
Financial Records
Archival Resource Key
1960s
1
10
Travel Receipts
Archival Resource Key
1961-1963
1
11
Bulletins and Press Releases
Archival Resource Key
1948-1949
1
12
Clippings
Archival Resource Key
1947-1960s
1
13
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs
Archival Resource Key
1948-1996
1
14
Magazines
Archival Resource Key
1950-1953
1
15
Scrapbook Fragments
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940-1960
1
16
Designs for Clothing and Embroidery, Printed
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940
1
17
Designs for Embroidery, Original
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940
1
18
Photographs, Eve Peri
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s-1960s
1
19
Photographs, Friends and Family
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940s-1960s
1
20
Photographs, Homes
Archival Resource Key
circa 1910-circa 1950
1
21
Photographs, Travel
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920-circa 1940
1
22
Photographs, Works of Art and Exhibitions
Archival Resource Key
1942-1963
1
23
Oversized Photographs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940s-1960s
2
Oversized Printed Material
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s-1960s
3