Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Freda Diamond Collection
Diamond, Freda, 1905-
NMAH.AC.0616
Archival Resource Key
3 Cubic feet
3 boxes, 4 map folders
1945-1998
Archival materials relating to Diamond's career as an industrial designer, including various client files (especially Libbey Glass) containing photographs, designs, sketches, and other papers; articles by and about Diamond; magazines; awards; and a scrapbook.
English
.
Arrangement
The collection is divided into eight series.
Series 1: Client Files, 1945-1966
Series 2: Libbey Glass, 1946-1984
Series 3: Shaker Furniture and Clothing, undated
Series 4: Articles, 1945-1983
Series 5; Scrapbook, 1937-1946
Series 6: Presentations and Awards, 1951-1994
Series 7: Japan (1957 and 1968) and Israel (1973)
Series 8: Photographs, 1964-1967
Preferred Citation
Freda Diamond Collection, 1945-1984, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Custodial History
Part of this collection was donated to the Division of Ceramics and Glass (now Division of Cultural and Community Life), NMAH, by Freda Diamond in June 1997, then transferred to the Archives Center in July 1998.
Processing Information
Processed by Julie Statz, December 1998.
Biographical / Historical
Freda Diamond's work shaped the tastes of many Americans in the middle of the twentieth century. Diamond was born in New York City in 1905. She graduated from Cooper Union, a renowned institution of design, and then studied in Europe. As an industrial designer, Diamond's area of expertise focused largely on the home, influencing the tastes of the average American housewife. Her ability to predict consumer demands through market research was an important factor in the success of her designs. In 1942, Libbey Glass, a division of Owens-Illinois, commissioned Diamond (at her own prompting) to make a survey of consumer tastes. The resulting award-winning designs sold many companies on the idea of researching consumer preferences before manufacturing a product. Her opinion was so respected that in 1945 she was appointed to a manufacturing rehabilitation committee sent to Italy. Diamond's role was to educate Italian craftsmen on what to manufacture for the American mass market. In 1957 and 1968 she made similar trips to Japan. She died in 1998.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to the division of Ceramics and Glass, NMAH by Freda Diamond in June of 1997.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Accruals
A second body of material was donated to the Archives Center in July 1998 from the Estate of Freda Diamond, through Irene Peveri.
Glassware
Furniture, Shaker
Furniture
Designers
Industrial design
Design drawings
Scrapbooks -- 20th century
Awards
Articles
Photographs -- 20th century
Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass.
Client Files
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
1945-1966
Scope and Contents
The Client Files, contain articles, advertisements, photographs and sketches pertaining to Freda Diamond's designs done for individual clients from 1945 to 1975. Arranged alphabetically by client name.
Audion: electric chord organ, circa 1959-1960
Archival Resource Key
5
1
Ballanoff Metal Products Co.: stove burner covers
Archival Resource Key
1951
1
1
Ballanoff Metal Products Co.: stove burner covers
Cal-Dak: folding tray tables
Archival Resource Key
1965
5
2
Carter Rugs: mats and rugs
Archival Resource Key
1950
1
2
Continental Can Co.: kitchenware and paper goods
Archival Resource Key
undated
1951-1963
5
3
Daison: table lamps
Archival Resource Key
1952-1954
4
1
Daison: table lamps
Plate No. 388. "Custom Craft" unit (hand made pottery) / translucent shade / brown wood mounting & finial [color photoprint]
Archival Resource Key
Diamond, Freda, 1905-
1 Item
9.25" x 7.5".
ca. 1950-1960
English.
Plate No. 388. "Custom Craft" unit (hand made pottery) / translucent shade / brown wood mounting & finial [color photoprint].
Local Numbers
01061604.tif (AC Scan)
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Color photoprint on paper.
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Scope and Contents
Caption and other details imprinted on photograph. Design by Daison; photographer unidentified.
Pottery
Electric lamps -- 1950-1960
Photographs -- 1950-1960 -- Color photoprints
Daison Manufacturing Company
Plate No. 350. Hand decorated base, hand textured translucent shade [black and white photoprint]
Archival Resource Key
Diamond, Freda, 1905-
1 Item
9.5" x 7.5".
ca. 1950-1960
English.
Plate No. 350. Hand decorated base, hand textured translucent shade [black and white photoprint].
Local Numbers
01061601.tif (AC Scan)
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Silver gelatin on paper.
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Scope and Contents
Caption imprinted on photograph. Design by Daison; photographer unidentified
Pottery
Electric lamps -- 1950-1960
Photographs -- 1950-1960 -- Black-and-white photoprints -- Silver gelatin
Daison Manufacturing Company
Durable Wood Products Corp. (Durawood), mirrors
Archival Resource Key
1950-1951
1
3
Edwin Knowles China Co.: china place settings
Archival Resource Key
1952-1958
5
4
Furniture Accents: cocktail table
Archival Resource Key
1957-1958
4
2
G. Fox Co. Inc.: design/decorating consultant
Archival Resource Key
1946-1966
5
5
General Electric: vacuum cleaner, 1955 & (Regina Electrikbroomette, 1979)
Archival Resource Key
5
6
Hampden Inc.: folding furniture
Archival Resource Key
1957
1
4
Hess: design/decorating consultant
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
5
Hess: design/decorating consultant
Jackson Upholstery Co.: chairs
Archival Resource Key
1953
1
6
Joanna Western Mills Co.: window treatment
Archival Resource Key
1954-1960
5
7
[Light-o-lier ?]: ceiling and wall light fixtures
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
3
Lincoln Industries Inc.: furniture
Archival Resource Key
1950-1951
5
8
Magnolia Products Inc.: toilet seat covers
Archival Resource Key
1964
1
7
Magnolia Products Inc.: toilet seat covers
May Co.: design/decorating consultant
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
9
Mayfair: design/decorating consultant
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
8
May-Stern: design/decorating consultant
Archival Resource Key
1951
undated
4
4
Mobay: urethane foam furniture, circa 1959
Archival Resource Key
1
9
Mobay: urethane foam furniture, circa 1959
Saint Alice's Church: design/decorating consultant for the interior of the Rectory, circa 1952
Archival Resource Key
1
10
Schiffer Prints: wallpaper and fabrics
Archival Resource Key
1950-1951
undated
1
11
Sears & Roebuck: kitchenware
Archival Resource Key
1951
1
12
Sears & Roebuck: kitchenware
S.K. Smith Co.: leather crafted desk items
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
13
Stern's Co.: design/decorating consultant
Archival Resource Key
1951-1954
undated
1
14
Syracuse Ornamental: decor
Archival Resource Key
1945-1946
4
5
T. Baumritter Co. Inc.: wood/metal furniture
Archival Resource Key
1956
undated
5
10
Ullman Co. Inc.: princess place mats
Archival Resource Key
1949
1
15
United States Plywood Corp.: cocktail table
Archival Resource Key
1955
5
11
Window Shade Manufacturing: window treatments,. 1955-1957
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
6
Window Shade Manufacturing: window treatments,. 1955-1957
Yale & Towne Manufacturing: porcelain knobs
Archival Resource Key
1952-1954
undated
4
7
Yale & Towne Manufacturing: porcelain knobs
Libbey Glass
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
1946-1984
Business Records, circa 1946-1984
2.1
Archival Resource Key
Company history
Archival Resource Key
1950
1979
2
1
Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1949-1966
1984
2
2
Store survey and store listings
Archival Resource Key
1966
2
3
Advertisements, circa 1946-1966
Archival Resource Key
5
12
Articles
Archival Resource Key
1948-1966
5
13
Newsletters
Archival Resource Key
1957-1966
1975
5
14
Sketches and photographs
Archival Resource Key
1955-1965
5
15
Photogaphs
2.2
Archival Resource Key
1964
1949-1951
Photos: Display advertised in Life, 1949
Archival Resource Key
2
4
Photos: Display advertised in Life, 1949
Photos: Award for "Classic" at Merchandise Mart
Archival Resource Key
1950
2
5
Photos: "Vanity Fair" & "Kathie Norris" TV shows
Archival Resource Key
1951
2
6
Photos: "Vanity Fair" & "Kathie Norris" TV shows
Photos: Toledo Museum, "Diamond Cut"
Archival Resource Key
1951
2
7
Photos: "The Company Showcase"
Archival Resource Key
1964
2
8
Press Releases
2.3
Archival Resource Key
1946-1960
Press Release: "Merry-Go-Round" 1946
Archival Resource Key
2
9
Press Release: "Candy Stick" 1946
Archival Resource Key
2
Press Release: "Tropical" 1946
Archival Resource Key
2
Press Release: "Classic" 1949
Archival Resource Key
2
10
Press Release: "Classic" 1949
Press Release: "Corsage" 1949
Archival Resource Key
2
11
Press Release: "Currier & Ives" 1949
Archival Resource Key
2
12
Press Release: " Emerald Glass" 1949
Archival Resource Key
2
13
Press Release: "Emerald Swirl" 1949
Archival Resource Key
2
14
Press Release: "Monogram" 1949
Archival Resource Key
2
15
Press Release: "Stardust" 1949
Archival Resource Key
2
16
Press Release: "Coin Cut" 1950
Archival Resource Key
2
17
Press Release: "Crystal Garland" 1950
Archival Resource Key
2
18
Press Release: "Crystal Leaf" 1950
Archival Resource Key
2
19
Press Release: "Horseless Carriage" 1950
Archival Resource Key
2
20
Press Release: "Laurel Classic" 1950
Archival Resource Key
2
21
Press Release: "Rose Classic" 1950
Archival Resource Key
2
22
Press Release: "Cranberry Bouqet" 1951
Archival Resource Key
2
23
Press Release: "Colonade" 1951
Archival Resource Key
2
Press Release: "Classic Ribbons" 1951
Archival Resource Key
2
Press Release: "Diamond Cut" 1951
Archival Resource Key
2
24
Press Release: "Rio Grande" 1951
Archival Resource Key
2
25
Press Release: "Laureline" 1951
Archival Resource Key
2
Press Release: "Tea Garden" 1951
Archival Resource Key
2
Press Release: "Santa Maria" 1951
Archival Resource Key
2
26
Press Release: "Timepiece" 1951
Archival Resource Key
2
Press Release: "Luster Bands" 1951
Archival Resource Key
2
26
Press Release: "Treasure Island" 1951
Archival Resource Key
2
27
Press Release: "Baguette" 1952
Archival Resource Key
2
28
Press Release: "Reprose" 1952
Archival Resource Key
2
Press Release: "Glenmore" 1952
Archival Resource Key
2
Press Release: "Circus" 1952
Archival Resource Key
2
29
Press Release: "Curio" 1952
Archival Resource Key
2
30
Press Release: "Flair" 1952
Archival Resource Key
2
31
Press Release: "Anniversary Cavalcade" 1953
Archival Resource Key
2
32
Press Release: "Mobile" 1955
Archival Resource Key
2
33
Press Release: "Maple Leaf" 1955
Archival Resource Key
2
Press Release: " Provincetown" 1955
Archival Resource Key
2
Press Release: "Hob Knob or Hob Nail" 1960
Archival Resource Key
2
34
Press Release: "Custard Cup" 1961
Archival Resource Key
2
35
Press Release: "Berry Festival" undated
Archival Resource Key
2
36
Press Release: "Cavalry" undated
Archival Resource Key
2
37
Press Release: "Decanter" undated
Archival Resource Key
2
38
Press Release: (modified) "Governor Clinton" undated
Archival Resource Key
2
39
Press Release: "Highlanders" undated
Archival Resource Key
2
40
Press Release: "Ivy" undated
Archival Resource Key
2
41
Press Release: "PAA passenger planes" undated
Archival Resource Key
2
42
Sketches
2.4
Archival Resource Key
1961-1967
Sketches: "Descord" stemware
Archival Resource Key
1965-1966
2
43
Sketches: "Beaumont" stemware
Archival Resource Key
1966
2
44
Sketches: "Charmont" stemware
Archival Resource Key
1966
2
45
Sketches: "Prestige" stemware
Archival Resource Key
1966
2
46
Sketches: "Prestige" stemware
Sketches: "Suzanne" stemware
Archival Resource Key
1966
2
47
Sketches: "Chaumont" stemware
Archival Resource Key
1967
2
48
Sketches: "Mariemont" stemware
Archival Resource Key
1967
2
49
Sketches: "Polaris" stemware
Archival Resource Key
1967
2
50
Stemware Templates
2.5
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
51
"Ideas Kit" Exhibit II
2.6
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
52
Glassware designs
Archival Resource Key
1945
8
4-7
Shaker Furniture and Clothing
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
undated
Shaker Furniture: photos- original designs
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
10
Shaker Furniture: photos- contemporary designs
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
11
Shaker Furniture: photos- contemporary designs
Shaker Furniture: correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1945
3
12
Shaker Home Accessories: sketches- contemporary designs
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
13
Shaker Furniture: photos- contemporary designs
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
8
Shaker Furniture: sketches- contemporary designs
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
9
Shaker Furniture: company brochures
Archival Resource Key
1938
undated
4
10
Shaker Furniture: company brochures
Shaker Furniture: articles and advertisements
Archival Resource Key
1945
1967
4
11
Shaker Furniture: articles and advertisements
Shaker Clothing: sketch book- contemporary designs
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
12
Shaker Clothing: sketch book- contemporary designs
Furniture: sketches and photos
Archival Resource Key
undated
7
Shaker Furniture Designs
Archival Resource Key
8
1
Glassware and Shaker furniture design
Archival Resource Key
8
2
Textile and furniture photographs
Archival Resource Key
8
3
Shaker Furniture, sketches, hand colored
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
Shaker Furniture, sketches, hand colored
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
Shaker Furniture, sketches, hand colored
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
Room scheme sketches
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
Articles
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
1945-1983
1946-1983
4.1
Archival Resource Key
Articles Written by F. Diamond: 1946
Archival Resource Key
undated
1951-1961
1
16
Articles Written by F. Diamond: 1952-1956
Archival Resource Key
1983
4
13
News articles
Archival Resource Key
1956
8
8
Articles Featuring Freda Diamond
4.2
Archival Resource Key
1945-1974
Biographical: 1951
Archival Resource Key
undated
1995
1957
1
17
Biographical: 1953-1964
Archival Resource Key
1974
5
16
Women in the Design Industry: 1951
Archival Resource Key
undated
1956
1
18
Post WWII Design Industry: 1945
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
19
Post WWII Design Industry: 1945
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
17
Affordable Home Furnishing: 1951-1958
Archival Resource Key
undated
1974
1
20
Trends in Home Furnishings: 1950-1967
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
21
Trends in Home Furnishings: 1951-1967
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
18
"It's Fun to Furnish": 1951-1952
Archival Resource Key
1
22
"It's Fun to Furnish": 1952
Archival Resource Key
5
19
Bridal Industry: 1951-1952
Archival Resource Key
1
23
Home Furnishings Industry & Retail: 1952-1963
Archival Resource Key
1974
1
24
Home Furnishings Industry & Retail: 1953-1968
Archival Resource Key
5
20
Home Furnishings Shows & Exhibits
Archival Resource Key
1952-1959
1
25
Home Furnishings Shows & Exhibits: 1950-1965
Archival Resource Key
5
21
The Museum of Modern Art (Home Furnishings): 1952
Archival Resource Key
1
26
Japanese &American Design (in English): 1957-1959
Archival Resource Key
1
27
Japanese & American Design (in English): 1957-1959
Archival Resource Key
4
14
Japanese & American Design (in Japanese): 1957
Archival Resource Key
1
28
Japanese & American Design (in Japanese): 1957
Collage of Articles (including- Daison, T. Baumritter, Window Shade Manufacturing)
Archival Resource Key
1956
1952
5
22
Magazines
4.3
Archival Resource Key
1954-1969
Life magazine, April 5
Archival Resource Key
1954
4
15
Life magazine, April 5
Life magazine, May 2
Archival Resource Key
1955
4
16
Life magazine: special issue on moon landing, July 1969
Archival Resource Key
4
17
Magazine insert: "Land of the Sun"
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
18
Scrapbook
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
circa 1937-1946
6
Scrapbook
Archival Resource Key
circa 1937-1946
6
Presentations and Awards
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
1951-1998
Presentation & Conference: Invitations and programs
Archival Resource Key
1951-1986
1
29
Presentation: "For the Rehabilitation of Italian Arts and Crafts"
Archival Resource Key
1945
1
30
Presentation: WCBC radio appearance
Archival Resource Key
1951
1
31
Presentation: "Fifth Anniversary Exhibition of Good Design to Show", ca 1954
Archival Resource Key
1
32
Presentation: "Far Eastern Economic Review"
Archival Resource Key
1957
1
33
Award: Frank Child Award
Archival Resource Key
1994
1
34
Japan (1957 and 1968) and Israel (1973)
Series 7
Archival Resource Key
Japan 1957: Itineraries, names and phone numbers
Archival Resource Key
3
5
Japan 1957: Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
3
6
Japan 1957 & 1968: "JETRO" news bulletin
Archival Resource Key
3
7
Japan 1957: Photographs
Archival Resource Key
3
8
Japan 1957: Pamphlets
Archival Resource Key
3
9
Japan 1968 ("World Trip"): Itineraries and addresses
Archival Resource Key
3
10
Japan 1968 ("World Trip"): Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
3
11
Japan 1968 ("World Trip"): Japan notes
Archival Resource Key
3
12
Israel 1973: Itinerary
Archival Resource Key
3
13
Photographs
Series 8
Archival Resource Key
1967
1964
1964
Archival Resource Key
1967
4
19