Collection is open for research.
No restrictions on use.
Benjamin March Papers, FSA.A.1995.10. National Museum of Asian Art Archives. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Gift of Judith March Davis, 1995
Gift of Judith March Davis, 1995.
Judith March Davis, the daughter of Benjamin March, donated her father's papers to the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives in 1995.
Benjamin March's daughter, Judith March Davis, donated her father's papers to the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives in
Processed by archivist Colleen Hennessey with the assistance of volunteer Eileen Hayden. Additional processing by archivist Linda M. Machado in September, 2001 .
The
The
Far Eastern art writer, curator, and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
After high school, March attended the Lewis Institute and the YMCA College before transferring to the University of Chicago from which he graduated in 1922 (Ph.B). With thoughts of becoming a Methodist minister, March enrolled at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City. At the same time, March enrolled in art classes at the Metropolitan Museum. After one year at the seminary, March was presented with and accepted the opportunity to work in China. From 1923 to 1927, March resided in China where he taught and lectured at colleges. Initially, March taught English, Latin, and Bible Studies at Hopei University, the Second Normal School, and the YMCA. From 1925 to 1927, he worked at Yenching University in Peiping (now Peking) as an instructor in English, a librarian, and lecturer in Chinese art.
While in China, March met Dorothy Rowe, the daughter of a Methodist missionary stationed in Nanking. On June 25, 1925 the two were married. Ms. Rowe, whom March sometimes called Doré, had lived in China since infancy. The author of the children's story, "The Begging Dear," Rowe wrote children's stories with Chinese settings.
During the summer of 1927, the March's moved to the United States when Columbia University offered March an appointment as lecturer of Chinese Art. Later that year March was appointed curator of Asiatic art at the Detroit Institute of Arts. He remained at the Detroit Institute of Arts in this capacity until 1931. In 1928, March was appointed Honorary Curator of Oriental Aesthetic Art by the University of Michigan's Museum of Anthropology. The next year, Dorothy March gave birth to the couple's only child, Judith.
During this period March published extensively, including two publications,
In 1931, March received a grant from the American Council of Learned Societies. This grant allowed March the opportunity to travel to China and Europe to study the 13th century painter, Ch'ien Hsuan. In 1932, March was named a curator at the Museum of Anthropology at the University of Michigan. The following year he was named a Freer Fellow. The summer of 1934 found March in Berkeley, California, organizing and directing the Institute of Asiatic Studies at the University of California. During the fall of 1934, March fell ill with a heart ailment. He was ill for five weeks before he died, at the age of 35, in December of 1934. At the time of his death, Benjamin March was survived by his wife Dorothy and their daughter, Judith.
The Benjamin March Papers span the years 1923 to 1934 and measure 15 linear feet. The collection includes: biographical data included in passports, obituaries, and fifty-seven condolence letters; lecture and course outlines; research notes; four diaries; one scrapbook; four illustrations including sketches for the March bookplate; fourteen photograph albums; printed matter; and 100 personal and artistic photographs.
The collection is divided into the following series:
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This series comprises materials containing biographical information about Benjamin March. It includes a brief biography for inclusion in "America's Young Men" (1935); obituaries and newspaper clippings; several condolence letters sent to Dorothy March upon the death of her husband; and one letter from Carl E. Guthe of the University of Michigan to Fred Black in which he proposed the establishment of a Benjamin March fellowship in Far Eastern Civilizations
From, "America's Young Men".
Newspaper clippings, newsletters, and notices announcing March's death and coverage of his life.
Condolence letters sent to Dorothy March upon the death of Benjamin.
Condolence letters sent to Dorothy March upon the death of Benjamin.
Condolence letters sent to Dorothy March upon the death of Benjamin.
Condolence letters sent to Dorothy March upon the death of Benjamin.
Letter from Carl E. Guthe to Fred Black. Guthe, Director of the Museum of Anthropology at the University of Michigan, proposed Benjamin March Fellowship in Far Eastern Civilizations.
This series contains four diaries belonging to Benjamin March. These highly detailed diaries document the author's impressions of China and his personal experiences there. One item, "The Memoirs of MA" (box 1, folder 9) includes a note by the creator stating that "The Memoirs of MA" are a continuation of "The Chronicles of Benjamin". The "Chronicles" are photo albums that are located in Series V --subseries 2 --photo albums. The diaries for 1931, 1932, and 1934 are indexed by the author and include various lists.
Journal
Binding removed, 9 ½" x 6". 182 pages. First entry, 30 June 1925. Last entry, 13 March 1926. Inscribed, "The Memoirs of MA". Wood cover. In the introduction, March wrote, "Chronicles of Benjamin" had, for three years, served as a journal, notebook, and record for himself of places he visited. Said that since he's now not alone that it is fitting to rename his notes, "Memoirs of MA." (Chinese name of his family). ["Chronicles of Benjamin" may be found in Series V, subseries B, photo albums.]
FSA A1995.10 2.3
A diary typed by the young Chinese art scholar Benjamin March from June 1925 to March 1926 describing his life in China. Events include March's marriage to the author Dorothy Rowe (1898-1969) in Nanjing, their honeymoon in Hangzhou and Suzhou, and their subsequent life in Beijing. March describes hikes through scenic areas in Hangzhou and Beijing; his acquaintance with scholars such as John Calvin Ferguson and Alan Priest; attending performances by Ruth St. Denis and Mei Lanfang, and his work at Yenching University.
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
The Memoirs of Ma
"National Diary, 1931." Daily diary, indexed by author and includes the following lists: "Books read in toto"; "Books added to library"; and "Lecture summary --people, percent"- monthly cash accounts
Enclosures from diary in folder 9.
"National Diary, 1932." Daily diary, indexed by author and includes the following lists: "Lectures"; "Books and pamphlets added to library"; and "Monthly cash accounts".
"1934 Year Book. Benjamin March." Author's entries cease on November 7, 1934. Dorothy March wrote the entry on December 13, recording the death of her husband.
This series includes materials used by March for lectures and for research. It also includes publications authored by March and one publication concerning March.
This subseries contains materials used by March for various lectures on Asian art. Many lectures and lecture materials were organized in binders, topically, by the author. Includes materials utilized for lectures at the
"The Ancient Arts of China". Detroit Institute of Arts, typescript. 7 pages, 5 ½" x 9". Annotated.
"Far East in Detroit". New Century Club, DIA [Detroit Institute of Arts]. Typescript. 2 pages. 5 ½" x 9".
"Asiatic Art - I". Detroit Institute of Arts.Typescript. Three pages. 5 ½" x 9". Annotated.
"Far Eastern Art --II." DIA [Detroit Institute of Arts]. Typescript. 3 pages. 5 ½" x 9". Annotated.
"Significance of Chinese Art to the American Business Man," Ecorse Kiwanis Club. Typescript. 1 page. 5 ½" x 9". Annotated.
[Untitled], International Club of Detroit. Typescript. 2 pages. 5 ½" x 9" Annotated. [address given to International Club of Detroit. A general lecture on Asian art.]
"People of Exquisite Refinement: The Korin Screen," DIA [Detroit Institute of Arts]. Typescript. 3 pages. 5 ½" x 9".
Handwritten. 3 pages, 5 ½" x 9" Written on cover: Ancient China, Ancient Mesopotamia, and Early Buddhist Art.
Lecture and program guide, "Detroit Institute of Arts of the City of Detroit. Free Organ Concerts --Season of 1928 --1929." Typescript. 7 pages, 5 ½" x 9". Annotated in English and Chinese. Featured lecture - "What's in a Chinese Painting?" by Benjamin March. Includes a slide list on reverse of last page.
"The Appreciation of Chinese Art: Why I Like Chinese Art." Woman's City Club. Typescript. 2 pages, 5 ½" x 9". Annotated.
"Notes on the Technique of Chinese Painting - I," [originally titled "Note on Chinese Portraiture."] . AOS. Typescript. 4 pages. 5 ½" x 9". Annotated.
"The Plastic Arts of China: Men and Gods,". Detroit Institute of Arts.Typescript. 3 pages. 5 ½" x 9".
"Photography" . Scarab Club, handwritten, 1 page,. 5 ½" x 9".
"Life's Movement: The Spirit of Chinese Art". Detroit Institute of Arts.Typescript. 3 pages, 5 ½" x 9".
"Painting in Japan". DIA [Detroit Institute of Art]. Typescript, one page. 5 ½" x 9"
"Art as the Mirror of Chinese Culture" . Lincoln Centre Forum. Typescript and handwritten. Eight pages, 5 ½" x 9". Includes a slide list on reverse of page 4.
Front page from a lecture program. "The Chamber Music Society of Detroit. Season 1931-1932." DIA [Detroit Institute of Art]. Featured lecture, "Behind the Vermillion (sic) Doors," by Benjamin March.
"Behind the Vermilion Doors." DIA [Detroit Institute of Arts]. Typescript. 1 page, 5 ½" x 9".
"The Imperial Palace, Focus of Chinese Art". Detroit Institute of Art, Typescript. 9 pages, 5 ½" x 9". Annotated.
"Lecture on 'What China offers the West in Art.' 18 III 32." Michigan Academy, Ann Arbor. Handwritten. 3 pages, 5 ½" x 9".
"Mythical Creatures in Chinese Art," 1 XI 31. DIA [Detroit Institute of Art]. Typescript. 4 pages, 5 ½" x 9. Annotated.
"Animals in Chinese Art," 10 XI 31. DIA [Detroit Institute of Art]. Typescript. 4 pages, 5 ½" x 9.
"Swords of Jade and Iron". Alumni University. Typescript. 3 pages, 5 ½" x 9.
"Magnificent Horizons". Alumni University - II, Typescript. 3 pages, 5 ½" x 9. Annotated.
"Retreat from Reality". Alumni University. Typescript. 3 pages, 5 ½" x 9.
"Idolized China". Alumni University. Typescript. 3 pages, 5 ½" x 9. Annotated.
"V. The Black Ships," June 24, 1933. Alumni University. Typescript. 3 pages, 5 ½" x 9. Annotated.
"Conversations on Chinese Painting." [1928-1929]. Typescript. 3 pages, 8 ½" x 11". Annotated.
"Conversations on Chinese Painting --2". Typescript. 3 pages. 8 ½" x 11". 2 copies.
"Notes on Chinese Art in History." Typescript. 5 pages, 8 ½" x 11". Annotated.
"II." [Notes on Chinese Art in History]. [1930] Typescript. 5 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"III." [Notes on Chinese Art in History]. [1930]. Typescript. 3 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"IV." [Notes on Chinese Art in History]. [1930] Typescript. 3 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"V." [Notes on Chinese Art in History]. [1930] Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"VI." [Notes on Chinese Art in History]. [1930]. Typescript. 3 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"VII." [Notes on Chinese Art in History]. [1930] Typescript. 4 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"VIII." [Notes on Chinese Art in History]. [1930]. Typescript. 3 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"I." [Conversation on Chinese Art. The Master Wares of the Sung Potters]. Typescript. 4 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Series II - 2." [Conversations on Chinese Art. Mei Lan-fang and his place in the Chinese theater]. Typescript. 3 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Series II - 3." [Conversations on Chinese Art. Material and technique of Chinese painting]. Typescript. 4 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Series II - 4." [Conversations in Chinese Art. Maps.]. Typescript. 3 pages. 8 ½" x 11".
"Series II - 5." [Conversations in Chinese Art.]. Typescript. 4 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Series II - 6." [Conversations in Chinese Art. Forbidden City.]. Typescript. 5 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Series II - 7." [Conversations in Chinese Art. The political situation in the Far East. Typescript. 4 pages. 8 ½" x 11".
"Series II - 8." [Conversations in Chinese Art. Chinese homes and palaces]. Typescript. 4 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Series II - 9." [Conversations on Chinese Art. Animals and their representation in Chinese Art.]. Typescript. 4 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Series II - 10." [Conversations on Chinese Art. Mythical creatures]. Typescript. 5 pages, 8½" x 11".
"University of Michigan. Outline of Lectures in Far Eastern Pasts by Benjamin March, Curator of the Division of the Orient. University Museums." Typescript. 5 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Conversations on Chinese Painting. For Mrs. Walter R. Parker's group. Winter 1932-33."
"Conversations on Chinese Painting I." Typescript. 3 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Conversations on Chinese Painting II." Typescript. 4 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Conversations on Chinese Painting III." Typescript. 4 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Conversations on Chinese Painting IV." Typescript. 4 pages. 8 ½" x 11".
"Conversations on Chinese Painting V." Typescript. 4 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Conversations on Chinese Painting VI." Typescript. 4 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Conversations on Chinese Painting. [VII]" Typescript. 4 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Conversations on Chinese Painting VIII." Typescript. 3 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Conversations on Chinese Painting IX." Typescript. 3 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Conversations on Chinese Painting X." Typescript. 3 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Conversations on Chinese Painting XI." Typescript. 4 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
In memoriam for Benjamin March, written by W.R.V. of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Vol. XIV. No. 3. Typewritten. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
Title page. "Class notes from Far Eastern Art by Benjamin March. Fall Semester, 1933." Typescript. 1 page, 8 ½" x 11".
"Periods of Chinese and Japanese Painting." Typescript. 1 page. 8 ½" x 11".
"Introduction to the Study of Chinese Bronzes and Jades." Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Discussion of Two Ancient Bronzes Excavated in Honan Province." Typescript. 11 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Detroit Institute of Arts." Typescript. 8 pages, 8 ½"x 11". Includes illustrations.
"Buddhism". Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Northern Wei Sculpture." Typescript. 3 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Sung Period --Sculpture." Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Japanese Sculpture." Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Chinese Monumental Architecture." Typescript, and one hand drawn illustration. 1 page, 8 ½" x 11".
"Chinese Architecture." Typescript. 1 page, 8 ½" x 11".
"Japanese Architecture." Typescript. 1 page, 8 ½" x 11".
"Korean Art." Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Review. Chinese and Japanese Sculpture." Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
1 notebook of lecture notes. Topics covered --ceramics; decorative arts; and painting. Typescript. 8 ½" x 11".
"Ceramics" Typescript. 1 page, 8 ½" x 11".
"History of Pottery in the Far East." Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Ting Ware." Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Sung Dynasty; 1127-1279." Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Glaze". Typescript. 1 page, 8 ½" x 11".
"Japanese Pottery Shapes and Decorations." Typescript. 1 page, 8 ½" x 11".
"Lacquer and Enamel." Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Decorative Arts." Typescript. 1 page, 8 ½" x 11".
"Chinese Textiles." Typescript. 1 page, 8 ½" x 11". Annotated.
"Painting." Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Technical and Philosophical Approach to Painting."
"Technical Points Concerning Far-Eastern Painting." Typescript. 1 page, 8 ½" x 11".
"Historical Development." Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Canon I of Painting." Typescript. 1 page, 8 ½" x 11".
"Painting --Mural Development. 1st to 7th centuries." Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Painting. Northern Sung Period." Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
Catalog. Kongow, Iwao. "Collection of Famous No-Play Mask."
"Japanese Painting." Typescript. 12 pages, 8 ½" x 11".
"Chinese Painting." Typescript. 1 page, 8 ½" x 11".
Notebook cover, "Course Outlines and Bibliographies. Summer Seminar on Far Eastern Studies. Berkeley, California. 1934."
Pamphlet, "A Summer Seminar on Far Eastern Studies at the University of California. June 25 - August 3, 1934." 5 ¼" x 7". Mounted on a sheet of 8 ½" x 11" paper.
Pamphlet, "International House, Berkeley, California, Announces a Program on Oriental Culture in Conjunction with the Summer Session of the University of California. June 25 - August 3, 1934". 5 ¾" x 8 ½". Mounted on a sheet of 8 ½" x 11" paper.
Journal article. Graves, Mortimer. "Seminar in Far Eastern Studies." Journal unknown. 6 pages. Mounted on a sheet of 8 ½" x 11" paper
"Applications Accepted for the Summer Seminar on Far Eastern Studies, 1934."
"Members of the Seminar on Oriental Culture at International House. Berkeley. June 25 to August 3, 1934." Typescript. 2 pages, 8 ½" x 11", 2 copies. Lists members by name, institution, department, and degrees earned.
"Outline of Course in Far Eastern Art for the Summer Seminar in Far Eastern Studies. University of California, Berkeley, June 25 - August 3, 1934." Typescript. 10 pages, 8 ½" x 11", 2 copies. Annotated in Chinese.
"Book List for Course in Far Eastern Art for the Summer Seminar in Far Eastern Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, June 25 - August 3, 1934." Typescript. 7 pages, 8 ½" x 11"
"Suggestions for Preliminary Reading. Course in Far Eastern Art for the Summer Seminar in Far Eastern Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. June 25, - August 3, 1934." Typescript. 7 pages, 8 ½" x 11"
"Periods of Chinese and Japanese Painting." Typescript. 1 page.
"University of Michigan. Outline of Lectures in Far Eastern Pasts by Benjamin March, Curator of the Division of the Orient. University Museums." Typescript. 5 pages.
"Outline of Course in Far Eastern Philosophy for the Summer Seminar in Far Eastern Studies. University of California, Berkeley. June 25 - August 3, 1934." Typescript. 7 Pages.
"Book List for Preliminary Reading. Course in Far Eastern Philosophy for the Summer Seminar on Far Eastern Studies, University of California, June 26 - August 3, 1934." Typescript. 7 pages, annotated.
"Periods of Chinese Philosophy." Typescript. 5 pages, annotated.
Drawing and lists. Untitled. Lists in Chinese. 5 pages.
Table [pronunciation]. Untitled. In Chinese and some English. 5 pages.
"Common Chinese Surnames." 2 pages, in Chinese and English, Annotated.
"The Sexagenary Cycle." Chart of cycles. In Chinese and English. 1 page, annotated.
"Outline of Course in an Introductory Study of the Japanese Language for the Summer Seminar in Far Eastern Studies. University of California, Berkeley. June 25-August 3. 1934." Typescript, in English and Chinese, 9 pages.
Chart. Untitled. Handwritten, in Chinese, annotations in English. 1 page.
Chart. Untitled. Handwritten, in Chinese, annotations in English, 1 page.
"The Tale of Genji" Handwritten, in Chinese, 3 pages.
"Ko Go Tai, pure Meiji Colloquial." Handwritten, in Chinese, 3 pages.
"Pronunciation." Typescript and handwritten, 13 pages, annotated.
"Report for Summer Session. June 25th - August 3rd 1934." Typescript, 15 pages. Includes list of events, participants, attendance figures, and a 7 page written report by March.
"Seminar in Far Eastern Studies, 1934. Daily Schedule." Typescript, 4 pages.
Calendar for the course. [June 25 - August 3, 1934]. Handwritten, affixed to a sheet of paper, 1 page.
Pamphlet. "Program on Oriental Culture. June 25 - August 3, 1934. International House." 3 pages.
Letter. Handwritten, 1 page. From International House in Berkeley, California to Benjamin March expressing gratitude for the Seminar in Far Eastern Studies.
Photograph. "Summer Seminar on Far Eastern Studies, International House, Berkeley, 25 VI - 3 VIII 34." 1934. 9 ¼" x 7 ¾" black and white. Surnames of individuals pictured: Ewer, Kerr, Houlding, Ried, Draper, Yanaga, Watkins, Seymour, Binkley, Young, Fisk, Jonasson, Shultheis, Fuselman, Gaskill, Cameron, Melvin, Brinton, Graham, Potter, Pritchard, Muir, Caldwell, Noble, Hartdegan, Boodberg, Walne, Hummel, Bishop, Hamilton, March. 2 individuals are unidentified.
"Conversations on Chinese Painting. I." (undated) 2 copies retained, 1 discarded. 3 typescript pages. Subject - origins of Chinese painting
"Conversations on Chinese Painting. II." ( 4 typescript pages. 2 copies retained, one discarded. Subject - Chinese painting during the era of the Six Dynasties.
"Conversations on Chinese Painting. IV." 3 ½ typescript pages. Two copies retained, one discarded. Subject - Buddhist painting of T'ang period.
"Conversations on Chinese Painting. V." 4 typescript pages. Subject - Chinese painting during the epoch of the Five Dynasties (10th century)
"Conversations on Chinese Painting. VI." Two copies retained, one discarded. 4 typescript pages
"Series II - 3" Typescript, two copies retained, one discarded. Numbered pages 9-12. Subject - the technical aspects of Chinese painting.
"Series II - 4" Typescript, numbered pages 13-15. Subject - the geography of Asia.
"Series II - 5." Typescript, numbered pages 16-20. Two copies retained, one discarded. Subject - the different styles of Chinese painting.
"Series II - 6." Typescript, numbered pages 21-25. Two copies retained, one discarded. Subject - the Forbidden City.
"Series II - 7." Typescript, numbered pages 26-30. Two copies retained, one discarded. Subject - the political situation in the Far East.
"Series II - 8." Typescript, numbered pages 31-35. Two copies retained, one discarded. Subject - Chinese homes.
"Series II - 9." Typescript, numbered pages 36-40. Two copies retained, one discarded. Subject --animal symbolism.
"Series II --10." Typescript, numbered pages 41-43. Two copies retained, one discarded. Subject --Mythical creatures in Chinese art.
"March lecture outlines." [title taken from spine of binder containing the following materials.]
Pamphlet. "The Chinese Dynasties and Their Outstanding Arts."
"Chinese Art --I." Typescript, 12 pages, annotated. Subjects covered: attitude; history of China; culture; bronzes.
"Chinese Art --II." Typescript, 13 pages. Subjects covered, ceramics.
"Chinese Art --III." Typescript. 13 pages. Subjects covered: sculpture.
"Chinese Art --IV." Typescript. 10 pages. Painting [part] A.
"Chinese Art --V." Typescript. 12 pages. Painting [part] B.
"Forgeries in Chinese Painting." undated Typescript. 12 pages.
Chai, Shu. "Some False Notes in Chinese Crafts." undated Typescript. 15 pages, annotated.
Typescript, 14 pages. Delivered by March to individuals of the Palace Museum in Peiping, China. March discussed museum practices.
"The Useful Books". Typescript, 2 pages. Book list compiled by March for those interested in gaining a "good working knowledge of China."
This subseries contains research materials belonging to March. The research materials in this subseries consist of notes on the painter Ch'ien Hsuan and an index card file containing analysis of Chinese painting.
Chart. "Signatures of Ch'ien Hsuan -1" and "Signatures of Ch'ien Hsuan - 2". Handwritten, in English and Chinese.
Chart. "Signatures of Ch'ien Hsuan - 3" and "Signatures of Ch'ien Hsuan - 4" and "Signatures of Ch'ien Hsuan - 5". Handwritten, in English and Chinese.
Chart. "Signatures of Ch'ien Hsuan." In English and Chinese. 6 pages.
Chart. "Scale of Ch'ien Hsuan". In English and Chinese. 8 pages.
["'Qian' character money."] Handwritten, in English and Chinese. 3 pages.
Charts. "Length of strokes. Width of strokes. Type II" Handwritten, in English and Chinese. 8 pages.
Chart. "Length of strokes. Width of Strokes. Type V. Width of strokes." Handwritten, in English and Chinese. 8 pages.
Chart. "Length of strokes. Width of strokes." Handwritten, in English and Chinese. 7 pages.
Chart. "Types of [in Chinese] characters." Handwritten, in English and Chinese. 2 pages.
Chart. "Types of [in Chinese] and [in Chinese] characters." Handwritten, in English and Chinese. 2 pages.
Chart. "Types of [in Chinese] and [in Chinese] characters." Handwritten. In English and Chinese, 2 pages.
Chart. "Birds, Flowers, and Much Small and Horizontal li-chou Albums. Ch'ien Hsuan subject and form classification." Handwritten, 3 pages.
4 sketches. Handwritten, with accompanying text in English and Chinese. Descriptions of Chinese characters. In envelope marked, "Mountains."
5 index cards. [Description of Chinese characters.] Handwritten, English and Chinese. In envelope marked "clouds".
11 index cards. [Description of Chinese characters.] Handwritten, in English and Chinese. In envelope marked "water".
18 index cards. [Description of Chinese characters.] Handwritten. In English and Chinese. In envelope marked "for painting clothes, jiu-wu I-weu".
25 index cards. [Description of Chinese characters.] Handwritten. In English and Chinese. In envelope marked "Ts'un".
32 index cards. [Description of Chinese characters.] Handwritten, in English and Chinese. In envelope marked "for leaves of trees".
5 index cards. [Description of Chinese characters.] Handwritten, in English and Chinese. In envelope marked "for rocks".
6 index cards. Handwritten, in English and Chinese. In envelope marked "Trees".
1 index card. [Huo-huei.] Handwritten, in English and Chinese.
3 index cards. [Description of Chinese characters.] Handwritten 3 cards, in an envelope marked, "Seals and Signatures."
4 index cards. [Description of Chinese characters.] Handwritten, in an envelope marked, [Mounting].
7 index cards. [Description of Chinese characters.] Handwritten, in envelope marked, "Subject classifications."
3 index cards. [Description of Chinese characters.] Handwritten, in envelope marked, "Technique."
16 index cards. [Description of Chinese characters.] Handwritten, in envelope marked, "Technical Classification."
4 index cards. [Description of Chinese characters.] Handwritten, in envelope marked, "Form Classification."
5 index cards. [Description of Chinese characters.] Handwritten, in envelope marked, illegible.
This subseries contains nine publications authored by March and one newspaper article that featured March. It includes journal articles, a pamphlet, a newspaper article and one copy of March's,
1 article. March, Benjamin. "The Lintsing Pagoda." Reprinted from,
1 article. March, Benjamin. "Landscape and Life: Observations on Comparing Chinese and Foreign Paintings," Reprinted from,
1 article. March, Benjamin. "A Note on Perspective in Chinese Painting." Reprinted from,
1 article. March, Benjamin. "Detroit Institute to Open Loan Show of Rare Chinese Art,"
Pamphlet. "A Loan Exhibition of Chinese Art." The Detroit Institute of Arts. November 19 to December 12, 1929.61 pages.
1 article. March, Benjamin. "Oriental Paintings of Rich Decorative Quality."
1 article. Gore, Russel (1932). "How the Ko Ware Bowl Came to Detroit".
1 article. March, Benjamin. "A Memorandum to Chinese Alumni." Reprinted from the,
1 booklet. March, B. (1934).
1 article. March, Benjamin. "The Approach to Chinese Painting." Journal unknown. 2 pages.
This series comprises one scrapbook that includes numerous newspaper clippings, pamphlets, announcements, and bulletins documenting the professional life of Benjamin March. For preservation purposes, the binding has been removed but the original pagination has been retained.
Contains newspaper clippings, pamphlets, announcements, and bulletins documenting March's professional life. [binding removed, but original pagination maintained.]
This series comprises three subseries: illustrations, photo albums, and photographs.
This subseries contains four items - one painting, one print and two drawings. The print, "The Screen Painting of Momoyhama Period," has been removed to the Archives' map case, drawer 60, folder 1. The two drawings are sketches for a personal library book label used by Benjamin and Dorothy March.
Painting on Tissue Paper. 14" x 17 ½" including mount.
["The Screen Painting of Momoyama Period (1570-1630 A.D.)" Print includes a colored plate of the painting and accompanying text. 21 ½" x 15 ½".
Drawing. 3 ½" x 2". Sketches of the March Horse design and an example of it on label for bookplate.
Drawing. 2 sketches of March horse design for bookplate.
This subseries contains fourteen photo albums created by Benjamin March and one created by Dorothy March. The books contain black and white photographs that document the private and professional life of March while in Asia and the United States. In a number of cases, the binding has been removed due to preservation concerns, but the original pagination has been maintained.
Photo album: "The Oriental Chronicles of Benjamin in Pictures."
Photo album
Inscribed, "The Oriental Chronicles of Benjamin in Pictures." 144 images, captioned. Black and white photographs affixed to scrapbook pages. Cloth covered, bound. 6" x 10". Photos document March's travels to China and while in China. Depicted: Canadian Rockies, passenger ship, Tokyo market scenes, Peitaiho, Peking, Paotingfu, Kao Yang.
FSA A1995.10 5.2.01
The first of a four part series of hand-made photo albums depicting March's travel to and life in China. Locations and events include: the Canadian Rockies, ship passage across the Pacific, Tokyo market scenes, Beidaihe, Beijing, Baoding and Gaoyang.
1923-1924年相冊。 標題:本傑明东方编年史照片。馬尓智在中国旅行時的照相文件。照片144張。描述:加拿大落基山脉、客船、北戴河、北京、东京市場光景、保定府、高阳县。
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album: "The Oriental Chronicles of Benjamin in Pictures."
Photo album: "The Oriental Chronicles of Benjamin in Pictures,"
Photo album
"The Oriental Chronicles of Benjamin in Pictures." Cloth covered, bound. 6 ¼" x 9 ½". 1923-1925. 144 prints, captioned and dated. Autumn 1923 to April 1925. Depicted: Paotingfu; Hopei; Hopei University; Boxer's temple; Kuang Tso Ling; Chihli; Wei Ts'Un.
FSA A1995.10 5.2.02
The second of a four part series of hand-made photo albums depicting March's travel to and life in China. Locations include: Baoding, Hebei University; Boxer Temple.
1923-1925年相冊。標題:本傑明的东方編年史照片。1923年秋至1925年4月。照片144張。描述:河北保定府、河北大學、拳擊手寺殿。
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album: "The Oriental Chronicles of Benjamin in Pictures,"
Photo album: "The Oriental Chronicles of Benjamin in Pictures,"
Photo album
"The Oriental Chronicles of Benjamin in Pictures." Cloth covered, 6 ½" x 9 ¾". 96 images captioned and dated, February to June 1924. Black and white photographs affixed to pages. Depicted: Lintsing, Shantung, Tsinanfu, T'ang Shan, Peking, T'aianfu, Ch'ufu, pagodas, temples.
FSA A1995.10 5.2.03
The third of a four part series of hand-made photo albums depicting March's travel to and life in China. Locations include: Depicted: Linzing, Shandong, Tang Shan, Beijing, pagodas and temples.
1924年相冊。標題:本傑明东方编年史照片。1924年2月至6月,照片96張(注有标题和日期)。描述,山東、此安撫、北京、唐山、寺庙。
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album: "The Oriental Chronicles of Benjamin in Pictures,"
Photo album: "The Oriental Chronicles of Benjamin in Pictures,"
Photo album
"The Oriental Chronicles of Benjamin in Pictures. Benjamin with Alfred E. Willett in Japan, July - August, 1924." 6 ½" x 9 ¾". 188 black and white photographs, affixed to pages, captioned and dated. Depicted: Osaka, Kyoto, Karuizawa, Nikko, Boshu, Kiyosumi, Fuji.
FSA A1995.10 5.2.04
The fourth of a fourth part series of hand-made photo albums depicting March's travel to and life in China. This album focuses on his travel to Japan with friend Alfred E. Willett from July to August, 1924.
1924年相册。標題:本傑明东方编年史相片。1924年7月-8月本傑明与阿尔佛雷德 威利特在日本。描述:大阪、京都、轻井澤、日高,柏树,富士山
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album: "The Oriental Chronicles of Benjamin in Pictures,"
Photo album
Photo album
Binding removed. 6 ¾" x 9 ¾". Feb 1924 - May 1925. 114 images, black and white, affixed to pages, some with dates and captions. Includes photographs of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Ferguson, Peking, Ming Tombs.
FSA A1995.10 5.2.05
An album of various views of Beijing, including images of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Ferguson and the Ming Tombs.
1924-1925相册。1924 年2月- 1925年 5月,照片114張。描述:約翰 佛格森先生和 夫人的照片,北京、明十三陵。
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album
Photo album: "When Home Was China,"
Photo album
"When Home Was China." Inscribed with a poem from D.R. [Dorothy Rowe] to B.F.M. [Benjamin March] Cloth covered. 10" x 12". 22 prints, inscribed and most dated and affixed to pages. Depicted: Western tombs of Ch'ing Emperors; Chieh T'ai Ssu; the Great Wall of China; Nankow; Gate of Liukuochiao; Marco Polo Bridge; Pi Yun Ssu; Jade Fountain Park; Wo Fo Ssu; Chihli Village; Dakini; Lohan.
FSA A1995.10 5.2.06
Various large format prints of highlights from March's photographs in China. Also contains a poem by Dorothy Rowe.
1924 - 1927相册。標題:我的中国家。寫著一首多蘿西·羅給本傑明·富蘭克林·馬尓智的诗。照片22張。描述:清西王陵、长城、马可波罗橋、碧雲寺 、玉泉公园、卧佛寺、直隶村、羅漢。
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album: "When Home Was China,"
Photo album
Photo album
"1926". 86 prints, black and white, affixed to pages. Removed from photo album, album retained, original pagination maintained. Depicted: Rowe family; Hsiang Shan; Pi-yun Sgu; Pai-chia T'an; Mou Shih K'Ou; Liang Ke Chuang; Yuan-ming Yuan; the Great Wall of China; Kuan Ti shrine; Ta-chueh Ssu; Heil-lung T'ang; Peking; Jade Fountain Park.
FSA A1995.10 5.2.07
Photographs taken by Benjamin March in and around Beijing between 1924 and 1926.
1924-1926年、1926年相册(內涵1926年無標注日期的零散照片)。1926年,照片86張。描述:羅家族、香山、碧雲寺、百嘉坦、梁可创、圓明園、长城、關帝廟、北京、玉泉公园。
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album
Photo album: "Summer 1925"
Photo album
"Summer 1925" (on cover). Verso label, "Dorothy and Benjamin March." 6 ½" x 9 ½", cloth covered and bound. 119 photographs. Black and white photographs, affixed to pages, all captioned and dated, 30 June 1925 to August 1925. Includes the March's wedding portraits; Nanking; Hangchou; Soochow; Kiukiang; the Yangtse; Wuhu.
FSA A1995.10 5.2.08
Bound album of photographs depicting the wedding of Benjamin March and Dorothy Rowe in Nanjing and their subsequent honeymoon in Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai. Also include photographs of Guling summer retreat with the Rowe family and the John C. Ferguson. Includes a later additon of seprated pages of photographs and ephemera from the wedding.
1925年相册。封面標題:1925夏。1925年6月30日至1925年8月,照片119张。其中包括馬尓智的婚礼照片、南京、杭州。
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album: "Summer 1925"
Photo album
Photo album
"Benjamin March". 6 ½" x 9 ½", cloth covered, binding removed. 68 photographs, black and white, affixed to pages. Some captioned and dated. Depicted: Dorothy March; March residence; Benjamin March.
FSA A1995.10 5.2.09
Album of photographs, mostly in Beijing taken by Benjamin March of the Marchs' home, with Dorothy and their dogs.
1925年至1926年相册。標題:本傑明 馬尓智(照片68张,某些題注和日期)。描述:多萝西和馬尓智、馬尓智住宅。
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album
Photo album
Photo album
91 photographs, black and white. Captioned and dated, Summer 1926. Pages have been removed from the binder, original pagination maintained. Depicted: Temple court, Rowe family, Hei-lung T'ang, Nara, Temple court.
FSA A1995.10 5.2.10
Photographs taken in and around Beijing in Summer of 1926. Also includes 9 photographs taken in Nara Japan.
1926年相册。1926年,夏天。照片91张 。描述:寺院、羅家族、奈良寺院。
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album
Photo album
Photo album
"Dorothy and Benjamin March." Wood cover. 6" x 9 ½". 47 photographs, black and white, affixed to pages. Some captioned in Chinese. Depicted: art objects, architecture.
FSA A1995.10 5.2.11
Photographs of Beijing monuments and scenes taken by Benjamin March in the 1920s. Some of the prints appear to be commercial sourced. Also includes an unmounted print of a boat on a river.
未注日期的零散照片(1923-1934年)。標題:多萝西和本杰明 馬尓智(照片47张)。描绘:艺术物體、建筑。
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album
Photo album: "Shu-Chai in Search of Shun-Chü,"
Photo album
"Shu-Chai in Search of Shung-Chu. Wayward Records of a Trip Eastward Around the World from Detroit, 15 April 1931 to Detroit, 17 October 1931." 7 ½" x 9". 258 photographs, black and white photographs, affixed to page, dated and captioned. Photographs taken during March's trip around the world. Binding removed, original pagination maintained. Depicted: SS American Trader; Surrey, England; Paris; Berlin; F.E. Schmitt; M.O. Berube; the Colonial Exposition in Paris; Peiping; Dr. John C. Ferguson; Ferguson residence in Peiping; Benjamin March; 86 Nan Ch'In Tzu; Celestin Liu; Dr. Otto Burchard; Mrs. Otto Burchard; Larry Mayer; J. Leighton Stuart; Yenching; Lucius Porter; the Forbidden City; Temple of Heaven; Wan Shou Shan; Y.C. Fu; H.H. Fu; Mei Lan-Fang; Hsiang Fei; She-Kee; Chiyozaki; tea ceremony; Kyoto.
FSA A1995.10 5.2.12
Subtitled, "Wayward Records of a Trip Eastward Around the World from Detroit, 15 April 1931 to Detroit, 17 October 1931." An album of photographs taken by Benjamin March doing travel and research. Locations are primarily in and around Beijing, but also include travel in Japan, the UK and France. People depicted include Dr. John C. Ferguson; F; Celestin Liu; Dr. Otto Burchard; Larry Mayer; J. Leighton Stuart; Lucius Porter; Y.C. Fu; H.H. Fu; Mei Lanfang, Xu Fengqiu and Wang Xiuying. Includes rare photographs of John C. Ferguson's home; Mei Lanfang's garden; and the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
1931年相册。1931年4月15日抵達底特律, 1931年10月17日,从底特律朝東到世界各地旅行的隨意记录。照片258张。 描述: 美国贸易商、 英国、巴黎、柏林; 巴黎的殖民博览会、北平(今北京,譯者注)、約翰 佛格森、弗格森居住在北平(今北京,譯者注)、孙中山纪念堂、本傑明 馬尓智、梅兰芳、徐风球、汪秀英、茶道、京都
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album: "Shu-Chai in Search of Shun-Chü,"
Photo album
Photo album
Cloth covered. 10" x 12". 20 photographs, black and white, 2 hand colored, affixed to pages. Captioned. Depicted: Lintsing Pagoda; Tsinanfu, Lung Tang; Peking; Temple of Heaven; Great Wall of China; Ta Ch'ing River; Paotingfu; T'ang Shan; Kaoyang; New Year's morning in the Tung Yueh Miao.
FSA A1995.10 5.2.13
Large format photographic prints by Benjamin March of scenes of China, mostly around Beijing and Baoding. Also includes a photographic reproduction of a painting by Qiu Ying.
未注日期的相册,照片20张。中国内地遊行記念
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album
Photo album
Photo album
9 ½" x 12". 21 photographs, black and white, affixed to page, captioned. Depicted: M. Miya: tea master; Mataichi-an; Yenching; Tiger Pines of Peiping; Temple of the Prosperous Year; Pi Yun Sso; T'ang.
FSA A1995.10 5.2.14
Larg format artistic photographic prints by Benjamin March, mostly taken in China amd Japan.
未注日期的相册,照片21张。描述:虎北平的松树;繁荣之年寺、 碧雲寺
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album
Orchid hands of Mei Lanfang
FSA A1995.10 5.3.21
FSA A1995.10 5.3.23
FSA A1995.10 5.3.24
Three photographs by Chinese art history scholar Benjamin March, of theatrical hand gestures by the Chinese opera performer Mei Lanfang. March took a number of photographs of Mei's hands during a visit to Beijing in 1931. The photographs were published in woodblock form in his self-published book, "Orchid Hand Patterns of Mei Lanfang" in 1935.
梅兰芳 马尔智
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art. Mei Lanfang (1894-1961) was the most celebrated 20th century performers of female roles in Chinese opera. Mei had an internetional following and was acclaimed by a sequence of Chinese governments.
Photo album: "FTL,"
Photo album: "FTL,"
FSA A1995.10 5.2.15
A hand-made album titled "FTL" (For The Love), of photographs of Benjamin March's marriage to Dorothy Rowe in 1925 in Nanjing. Other photographs include images of Hangzhou and Suzhou during their honeymoon; images of their life in Beijing; portraits of March as a curator in Detroit; a portrait of Dorothy reading to their young daughter Judy, and group photographs of extended family. Also includes four poems by Dorothy Rowe.
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album of Travel in Japan
Photo album of Travel in Japan
FSA A1995.10 5.2.16
A large-format album of photographs of Benjamin March's travels in Japan in 1923, 1925 and 1931.
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
Photo album fragment
Photo album fragment
FSA A1995.10 5.2.17
Portions of a disassembled accordion album with 7 photographs. Includes various photographs of March's acquaintances in China and Japan. Depicted: March in Beijing; Staff at Yenching University; a party in Kyoto; entertainers in Beijing.
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art.
This series includes 100 personal or artistic photographs. The personal photographs include images of March, Dorothy March and her parents, friends, and colleagues in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. The artistic photographs depict art objects and other images. This series includes a group of photographs depicting the Fette Rug Industry. These images correspond to an index identifying each photograph in this group. 1 photograph of the participants in the seminar on Far Eastern Studies at the University of California at Berkeley may be found in Series III, Subseries 2 in box 2 folder 13 because it formed part of notebook containing March's lecture materials for that seminar.
[Includes photographs of March, his family, friends, and colleagues.]
Black and white, 4" x 7" Inscription on back, "Benjamin F. March. Glen Ellen, Ill. Missionary teaches in China. Dal [t] e? 18."
2 photographs. Black and white, 3 1/3" x 4". Depicted, [wedding portrait] of Benjamin and Dorothy March.
Black and white, 4 ½" x 6 ¾". Depicted, March holding an infant [daughter?] and a bird cage.
Black and white, 6 ¼" x 5". Depicted, nine individuals including Benjamin and Dorothy March and [their daughter?].
Black and white, 3 ½" x 2 ½". Depicted, Benjamin and Dorothy March and an unidentified woman.
Black and white, 2 ½" x 3 ½". Depicted, March and [daughter?].
Black and white, 2 ½" x 3 ½". Depicted, March and [daughter?].
Black and white, 2 ½" x 3 ½". Depicted, March in swimming suit, sitting on a beach.
Black and white, 2 ½" x 3 ½". Depicted, March on beach.
Black and white, 4" x 5". Depicted, March.
Black and white, 3" x 4". Depicted, March.
Black and white, 6" x 8". Depicted, March.
Black and white, 7" x 5". Inscribed on back: "C. Liu, the author Otto Burchard and Benjamin March. C. Liu March's intermediary (Dr. Burchard, Peiping art dealer, who would have bought lion's head if [illegible] didn't)."
3 photographs. Black and white, 2 ¾" x 2 ½" Depicted, March.
Black and white, 4 ½" x 3". Depicted, March and two women.
Black and white, 4 ¼" x 2 ½". Depicted, March on a lounge chair.
Black and white, 4" x 5". Depicted, March.
Black and white, 8" x 10". Depicted, March smoking a pipe.
Black and white, 7" x 5". Depicted, March. Inscribed on back: "Benjamin March. Preparing exhibition piece."
Black and white, 5" x 7". Depicted, March. Inscribed on back: "Benjamin March in Chinese costume in home in Peiping."
Black and white, 4" x 5". Depicted, March.
Black and white, 4" x 5". Depicted, March.
Black and white, 4" x 5". Depicted, March.
Black and white, 3 ½" x 5". Depicted, unidentified man [March?] in military uniform.
Black and white, 3 ½" x 5 ¾". Depicted, unidentified man [March?]. Inscription on back, "178".
Black and white, 3 x 5 ¼". Depicted, unidentified [probably March] in military uniform.
1 Black and white, 8" x 10". Depicted, three men, including March, and automobile. Inscription on back, "Chicago World's Fair 1933. (Ben on right - Dr. Valentiner center)".
Black and white, 8" x 10". Depicted, three men, including March. [Chicago World's Fair 1933. March, Dr. Valentiner, and an unidentified man].
2 photographs. Black and white, 3" x 4 ½" and 2 ½" x 3 ½". Depicted, portrait drawn of March.
Mounted, 12" x 16" including mount, black and white. Depicted, March. Inscription on bottom, left hand corner of photo "Benjamin March".
Mounted, 16" x 14 ½" including mount, black and white. Depicted, March, sitting at desk, at work. Inscribed on reverse, "From Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, Michigan. Title "At Work" #2. Return Address Syl. Lucas, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Mich."
Mounted, 14" x 18" including mount, black and white. Inscription on back, "#4. 'At Cockcrow.' by Benjamin March. 634 Ferry West, Detroit. This photograph was Hung in the First Annual Michigan Exhibition of Pictorial Photography at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Sponsored by,
1 photograph. Mounted, 14" x 18" including mount, black and white. Depicted, art object.
Mounted, 14" x 18" including mount, black and white. Depicted, trees.
8" x 10", black and white. One hand depicted.
8" x 10", black and white. One hand, two fingers pointed, depicted.
8" x 10", black and white. Unidentified man depicted.
8" x 10", black and white. Unidentified woman and her reflection in a mirror depicted.
7" x 10", black and white. Garden depicted.
8" x 10", black and white. Art objects depicted. Inscription in lower, left-hand corner, "3 VI 29".
8" x 10", black and white. Art object, Buddha, depicted. Inscription on back, "Old Wooden Buddha. Benjamin March. 39 Kou Yen T'Ou, Peking".
1 photograph. 8" x 10", black and white. Art object depicted.
8" x 10", black and white. Art object depicted.
"Slides of Fette Rug Industry." Typescript. 1 page. This list is an index that corresponds to the numbers inscribed on the following photographs [with the exception of the first photograph].
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Depicted, building, two unidentified individuals, and a cannon depicted
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Three men, many sacks and structures depicted. Inscribed lower, left hand corner, "1". Indexed as "Shipment of Shansi Wool"
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Three men, several sacks depicted. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "2". Indexed as, "Opening Wool Shipment for Inspection."
1 photograph. 4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "3". Six unidentified individuals, and wool depicted. Indexed as, "Shipment Opened."
1 photograph. 4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Three unidentified men and sacks of wool. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "4". Indexed as, "Inspection of New Wool."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "5". Indexed as, "Wool ready for Carders."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "6". Indexed as, "Hand Carding of Wool."
1 photograph. 4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "7". Indexed as, "A Shipment of Wool Yarn."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "8". Indexed as, "Hand Spun Yarn and Supervisors of Spinning."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "9". Indexed as, "Opening Skeins of Yarn for Washing."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "10". Indexed as, "Tying Skeins Before Washing."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "11". Indexed as, "Dyers with Unwashed Wool."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "12". Indexed as, "Old Iron Dye Pots Used by Most Chinese Rug Makers."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "13". Indexed as, "Old Dye Pots Showing Furnace Door."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. .Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "14". Indexed as, "Old Iron Dye Pot. H. Trying to Match Colors."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "15". Indexed as, "Steam Dye Vats."
1 photograph. 4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "16". Indexed as, "Testing Laboratory."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "17". Indexed as, "Dye Test to Determine Formula in Matching Colors."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "18". Indexed as, "Dyeing Wool."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "19". Indexed as, "Dyeing Wool. Shifting Skeins to Get Even Penetration."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "20". Indexed as, "Dyeing Wool. Notice the Steam Rising."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "21". Indexed as, "Dyeing Wool. Draining. Notice How the skeins are put on Two Bamboo Sticks So That the Skeins can Be Shifted in the Hot Dye Without Burning Hands."
14 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "22". Indexed as, "Dyeing Wool."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "25". Indexed as, "Weight Dyed Wool for Rug Order."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "26". Indexed as, "Preparing Dyed Wool at Central Plant (Where Dyeing is Done) for Branch Factories."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "27". Indexed as, "Pattern Room and Draftsman."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "28". Indexed as, "Head Pattern Maker (A Pattern Must be Made for Each Rug Before It Goes On Loom)."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "29". Indexed as, "Passing On Patterns. Mrs. Fette and Mr. Lee."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "30". Indexed as, "Tools Used Weaving Rugs."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. undated Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "31". Indexed as, "Making the Looms."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "32". Indexed as, "Weaving the Rug. See the Knife Held in the Right Hand While Tying the Wool and Cutting It Off."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "33". Indexed as, "Weaving a Nine by Twelve Rug. Four Workers."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "34". Indexed as, "Weaving a Rug. Empress Fan Pattern."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "35". Indexed as, "Weaving a Rug. 99 Things Pattern."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "37". Indexed as, "Room Foreman Making Corrections."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "38". Indexed as, "Trimming the Rug and Cutting the Outlines. Carving."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "39". Indexed as, "Rugs Just Off the Loom."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "40". Indexed as, "Rug Inspection and Finishing."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "41". Indexed as, "Rug Inspection. 18" x 36" for State Dining Room in the Italian Legation."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "42". Indexed as, "A Close Up of the Finishers."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "43". Indexed as, "A Corner of the Packing Yard."
4 ¼" x 3", black and white. Inscribed lower, left-hand corner, "44". Indexed as, "Bringing a Rug From the Storeroom for Packing."
"Summer Seminar on Far Eastern Studies, International House, Berkeley, 25 VI - 3 VIII 34." 9 ¼" x 7 ¾" black and white, affixed to a piece of 8" x 11" cardboard. Surnames of individuals pictured: Ewer, Kerr, Houlding, Ried, Draper, Yanaga, Watkins, Seymour, Binkley, Young, Fisk, Jonasson, Shultheis, Fuselman, Gaskill, Cameron, Melvin, Brinton, Graham, Potter, Pritchard, Muir, Caldwell, Noble, Hartdegan, Boodberg, Walne, Hummel, Bishop, Hamilton, March. 2 individuals are unidentified. [This photograph was included in a binder of lecture material and may be found in Series III - Subseries 1 - Lectures in box 2, folder 13.]
Portrait of Mary Chase Perry Stratton
FSA A1995.10 5.3.14
Portrait of the potter Mary Chase Perry Stratton holding a tall ceramic vase, taken by Benjamin March. March's signature and date are in red in the lower right.
马尔智
East Asian art historian, curator and lecturer, Benjamin Franklin March Jr., was born in Chicago on July 4, 1899 to Benjamin and Isabel March. He studied, lectured, and wrote in the United States and China and through his works gained respect as one of the foremost authorities on Chinese art during the 1920s and 1930s. March was East Asian art lecturer at the University of Michigan, and curator of Asian art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Although he lived only thirty-five years, Benjamin March was a respected and influential scholar of Asian art. Mary Chase Perry Stratton was a ceramic artist who founded Pewabic Pottery in Detroit. March and Stratton collaborated closely on public education programs in the 1930s when March was Asian art curator at the Detroit Institute of Art.