Contents and Arrangement
Online

Subseries 2A: Prints and Slides, 1966-1999

25 boxes

Collection Overview

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

This subseries is comprised of photographic prints and slides that represent not only Segal's fine photography but the selective process he used to cull his best work. Descriptions given in the notes reflect the rating and grouping of these prints according to Segal's own estimation, including "very good" and "bad." These selections eventually culminated in the 1994 exhibition "Sequence: New York / New Jersey, 1990 – 1993" at the Howard Greenburg Gallery, which went on to France and California.

Some main themes include portraits taken at The Training School at Vineland, photographic studies of slaughtered veal, still-lifes, hands, urban scenes (storefront windows, graffiti, the homeless), the Jersey Shore, diner scenes, friends and family. Identifiable portraits include Helen Segal, Rena Segal, Jeffrey Segal, Pierre Restany, Donald Lokuta, Matteo Lorenzelli, Leon Bibel and Carroll Janis. Many of these prints became pastel sketches in the 1990s and the 1990s: Loose Photographs files have original context that suggest they were used in Segal's other artwork.

Urban and Jersey Shore environments include New Brunswick, South River, Asbury Park, Newark (Ironbound Section), Elizabeth, Seaside Heights and Keansburg, New Jersey ; other scenes from the neighborhoods and boroughs of Manhattan (Times Square, East Village, SoHo, Port Authority Bus Terminal), Brooklyn (Coney Island) and the Bronx, New York. Other cities and countries include Moscow, Russia; Berlin, Germany; Venice, Italy; London, England; Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Egypt; Jerusalem, Galilee, Tel Aviv, Israel.

It should be noted that the arrangement of these photographs within Segal's studio was a bit chaotic; original selections and groupings may have become disorganized over time. Folder titles are derived from handwritten information left by Segal on photograph boxes and the prints themselves; where dates were grossly in error the folder titles will contradict the hand-written information.

Many photographs have date or technical information handwritten on the back, along with captions; most are unlabeled. Very few folder titles will completely and accurately describe the contents of the group. Segal moved and sorted most prints into discreet groups based on subjective decisions rather than concrete dates, locations, subjects or themes.

For additional dating and context information of a particular year or photographic group, reference Subseries 2C: Sleeved Negatives and Contact Sheets.

Physical notes: Photographs are bound between layers of archival board and preservation mylar. Researchers are asked to take care when returning materials to their folder that the mylar sheets are placed between the stack of photographs and the archival board, on top of the first print and beneath the last print. Secure the ribbon with a simple bow.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Collection History

Custodial History

Files, photographs, and artwork were gathered from the Segal home, office, and studio.

Appraisal

Personal family photographs were returned to the Segal family.

Processing Information

The contents of Series 1: Artwork underwent sterilization via ozone to address mildew and bacterial concerns. The materials were then flattened, sleeved, enclosed, and/or matted as appropriate for their medium and/or format.

This collection was processed by Valerie Addonizio in January-July 2009 and January 2010, with assistance from Ayse Gursoy and Christine Call. Finding aid written by Valerie Addonizio in 2009; updated with new material in 2010 and 2012.

The 2019 accession was processed and added to the finding aid by Kelly Bolding in November 2019. Materials in this accession were intellectually integrated into the existing arrangement of the collection, namely into Series 3: Business Files and Subseries 9A: Catalogs. At this time, materials from the 2012 accession (formerly Series 11: Additional Material) were also intellectually integrated into Series 3: Business Files.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Works of art rendered in any medium (including ink, pencil, and crayon) and on any support (including sketchbooks, paper, board) and in any form (including doodles and illustrated assignments), as well as photographs by George Segal and any art works by George Segal depicted in photographs are copyright The George and Helen Segal Foundation. Photoduplication for personal scholarly use is permitted. Reproductions for the purpose of publication, whether in print or electronic media, must be authorized in writing by The George and Helen Segal Foundation or its licensing VAGA (Visual Artists and Galleries Association), New York City. Rights and permissions of the Donald Lokuta photographs are retained by the creator. Photoduplication is permitted for personal scholarly use only. Reproductions for the purpose of publication, whether in print or electronic media, must be authorized in writing by Donald Lokuta or his licensing agent VAGA (Visual Artists and Galleries Association), New York City. Beyond Segal and Lokuta, the library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright. Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Credit this material:

Subseries 2A: Prints and Slides; George Segal Papers, C1303, Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
Storage Note:
  • Firestone Library (mss): Boxes 9-32; 113