Contents and Arrangement Expanded View
Online

Collection Overview

Creator:
Chareau, Dollie (1880-1967)
Title:
Pierre and Dollie Chareau Collection
Repository:
Manuscripts Division
Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/44558f59v
Dates:
1932-1998
Size:
1 box and 0.2 linear feet
Storage Note:
  • ReCAP (scarcpxm): Box 1
Language:
English

Abstract

Louise Dorothee (Dollie) Dyte Chareau (1880-1967) was the wife of the architect Pierre Chareau (1883-1950), who is best known for the Maison de Verre, which was built from 1927 to 1932 in Paris. This collection consists mainly of correspondence between Harold Rubinstein (1891-1975) and Dollie Chareau, and between Michael Rubenstein (1920-2001) and Pierre Chareau scholars, including Marc Vellay, Margaret Antalopoulos, and Margaret Tallet.

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

This collection consists mainly of correspondence between Harold Rubinstein (1891-1975) and Dollie Chareau (1880-1967), and between Michael Rubenstein (1920-2001) and Chareau scholars, including Marc Vellay, Margaret Antalopoulos, and Margaret Tallet. These letters begin with Harold Rubinstein's inquiries regarding Dollie Chareau's family history, but, as a friendship develops between them, the letters become more personal and discuss the Chareaus' life in Paris and subsequent escape from persecution, and their new life in America after 1941. A letter in 1932, written during the construction of the Maison de Verre, documents the intense pressure placed upon architect Pierre Chareau and the worry of his wife on his behalf. After moving to the United States in 1941, letters describe the emigrants' dilemma of belonging and loss. After the deaths of Pierre (1883-1950) and Dollie, Harold Rubenstein's son, Michael, corresponded with several Chareau scholars and followed the exhibitions and scholarly debate surrounding the architect's reputation.

In addition to correspondence, the collection also contains several photographs of Pierre and Dollie Chareau, a monograph entitled "My Father," written by Dollie Chareau, and newspaper and magazine article clippings about Pierre Chareau and his work.

Arrangement

Arranged in chronological order.

Collection Creator Biography:

Chareau

Louise Dorothee (Dollie) Dyte Chareau (1880-1967) was born to Dr. David Hyman Dyte and Sarah Dyte in England. Although raised in a degree of privilege, Dollie was forced into the workforce at age fifteen when her father died. She first worked as a nursery governess to seven children and then became an English teacher in Paris. In 1904, Dollie married Pierre Chareau (1883-1950), a well-known architect and the son of winemakers Georges and Esther Chareau. Chareau designed furniture and worked as a decorator before serving in World War I; following his service, he became a decorator, private architect, and furniture designer in Paris. From 1927 to 1932, Chareau built the Maison de Verre for the Dalsace family, which propelled him into the public eye for his skills working with glass.

In 1940, the Chareaus left Paris to live in the United States due to anti-semitic laws. Pierre Chareau died in New York in 1950 and Dollie Chareau died in 1967.

Collection History

Acquisition:

Purchased in 2013 May.

Appraisal

No material was separated during 2013 processing.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Holly Mengel in 2013. Finding aid written by Holly Mengel in 2013.

This collection was processed by Holly Mengel in 2013. Finding aid written by Holly Mengel in 2013.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us 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:

Pierre and Dollie Chareau Collection; Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/44558f59v
Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
Storage Note:
  • ReCAP (scarcpxm): Box 1