Describing Archives: A Content Standard

CFM1993_03 Guide to the Albin Polasek Collection, 1910-1982 Processed by Nadine Helm; finding aid prepared by Nadine Helm University of Central Florida, Special Collections and University Archives

P.O. Box 162666 Orlando FL 32816 Telephone: 407-823-2576.

Finding aid encoded by Elizabeth Konzak 2006 Description is written in English Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard Descriptive Summary Materials are written in English Albin Polasek Collection. 1910-1982 CFM1993_03 The materials were created by Albin Polasek 6 boxes; 2 linear feet Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries,

P. O. Box 162666 Orlando, FL 32816, Telephone: 407-823-2576, E-mail: speccoll@mail.ucf.edu

Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries. Scrapbooks, correspondence, business records, certificates, speeches, photographs, pamphlets, programs, invitations, newspaper clippings, and related papers. The Albin Polasek Collection includes materials on the life and work of Czech sculptor and Winter Park resident Albin Polasek. Selected Subjects and Access Points

Similar records may be found by searching under the following index terms.

Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens Albin Polasek Foundation Polasek, Albin, 1879-1965 Sculptors Florida Photographic prints Acquisition Information

The collection was donated to the University of Central Florida in 1993.

Processing History

The collection was organized and refoldered into archival folders. Albums were taken apart for preservation and materials were foldered in the album order.

Access

The entire collection is open for research.

Unpublished records are protected by copyright. Permission to publish quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Related Material

Polasek, Emily. Albin Polasek: Man Carving His Own Destiny. Jacksonville, FL: Convention Press, 1970. Call Number: Special Collections – Rare NB237.P65 P6

Polasek, Emily. A Bohemian Girl in America. Edited by Edward Hayes. Orlando: FL: Rollins Press, Inc., 1982. Call Number: Special Collections – Rare F590.B67 P6

Sherwood, Ruth. Carving His Own Destiny: The Story of Albin Polásek. Chicago, IL: R. F. Seymour, 1954. Call Number: Special Collections – Rare NB237.P6 S45

Albin Polasek Museum

Documents at the Winter Park Library

Preferred Citation

Albin Polasek Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Biographical Note

Albin Polasek was born at Frenstat in Moravia, the Czech Republic in 1879. He came to the United States in 1901 making his trade as a wood carver. In 1906 he studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under the instruction of Charles Grafly and won the Cresson Traveling Scholarship in 1907, 1908, and 1909. Albin was a Fellow at the American Academy in Rome from 1910 to 1913 and, subsequent to his studies in Rome and Greece, he started his own studio in New York City. In 1916 he went to Chicago, where he was head of the Department of Sculpture at the Art Institute until 1943. During this time he created numerous pieces covering a broad range of subjects. In 1949, Mr. Polasek purchased a piece of property on Lake Osceola in Winter Park, Florida and built his retirement home and studio. In 1961 the Albin Polasek Foundation was established and a gallery built to house his works. He continued to create his art until he died at age 86 on May 19, 1965. The Albin Polasek Foundation operates his residence and studio in Winter Park, Florida as the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens.

Collection Scope and Content

The Albin Polasek Collection includes materials on the life and work of Czech sculptor and Winter Park resident Albin Polasek. Included in the collection are four photographic scrapbooks made by the artist. These are catalogued and have been dismantled and placed in archival boxes. Other materials are divided into series and then arranged in folders by subject. Items in folders are arranged chronologically.

Contents List Series I: Correspondence. 1910-1965. 13 folders.

This series consists of correspondence pertaining to Albin Polasek's business and professional dealings. The correspondence is arranged chronologically and separated into folders by decade. The correspondence covers a 55-year period from 1910 until Polasek's death in 1965.

Box Folder Contents 1 1-12 1910-1965. 1 13 Miscellany, circa 1910-1965. Series II: Documents, circa 1906-1977. 8 Folders.

Includes Business Records, certificates, speeches, pamphlets, programs, invitations, clippings, 80th Birthday greetings, and other miscellany. Items in this folder include payments received by Polasek for commissions, invoices and quotes for services. Included in this folder are copyright registration cards for some of Polasek's works.

Box Folder Contents 2 14-15 Business Records. 1913-1959, undated. 2 16 Certificates. circa 1906-1964. 2 17 Speeches. 1928,1932, 1939, undated. 2 18 Pamphlets, Programs & Invitations. 1928-1965. 2 19 80th Birthday Greetings from Frenstat. 1959. 2 20 Clippings. 1965-1977, undated. 2 21 Miscellaneous. circa 1910-1941, undated. Series III: Photograph Albums, circa 1910-1964. 4 boxes and 4 folders.

Box Folder Contents 2 22-23 Album: Clippings & Photographs. circa 1910-1925. 2 24-25 Album: Photographs. 1926-1964. 3 Photo Album – 80th Birthday Present from Frenstat. circa 1959. 4-6 Photograph Albums/Scrapbooks. v.1-4. circa 1910-1959.