Collection ID: MG 91

Collection context

Summary

Abstract:
The majority of this collection includes the personal papers of Frank W. Rosell and his family. Correspondence and items regarding the works of Asher B. Durand are also present. Genealogies of several families are outlined.
Extent:
6 boxes
Language:
English

Background

Scope and Content:

The Papers include correspondence, photographs, awards, certificates, publications, and engraving materials. The majority of the materials focus on Frank W. Rosell and the Rosell family. The genealogy and history of Asher B. Durand and the Durand family are also prominent. Actual items from A.B. Durand, himself, are few.

The Papers are organized into four (4) series: Series I pertains to the Frank W. Rosell and other Rosell Family members Series II pertains to Asher B. Durand and other Durand Family members Series III pertains to genealogies of other families Series IV contains two (2) items seemingly not relevant to either Rosell or Durand Folders within each series are organized by subject or person, not chronologically.

Biographical / Historical:

Frank W. Rosell resided in Albany and was a partner in Mayhew and Rosell, Inc., a dental laboratory. Frank was a prominent stamp collector (philatelist) and president of the Fort Orange Stamp Club (1935-36). He is known for his collection of essays, proofs, and trial colors of the 1869 U.S. issue (pictorial stamps featuring scenes instead of portraits).

Asher B. Durand (1796-1886) was born in South Orange, NJ. In his early life, he studied engraving and produced some of the most acknowledged work in this country. Two of his well-known plats are those after John Trumble’s historical painting “The Signing of the Declaration of Independence” and “Airdne” after Vanderlyn.

In 1812, Durand was apprenticed to Peter Maverick, a steel-engraver. In 1817, his apprenticeship ended and he was taken into partnership by Maverick. In 1836, he abandoned engraving to pursue a profession in painting and is credited with the co-creation of the American school of landscape (with Thomas Cole). Durand was the second president of the National Academy of Design (1845-61).

From 1858 until his death, he devoted himself principally to landscape painting. He is one of the noteworthy Hudson River School painters. His “Mountain Forest” is in the Corcoran Gallery in Washington and the Metropolitan Museum of Art possesses four of his works, including “In the Woods.”

Acquisition information:
Accession: # 1993.83 Accession Source/Date: Gift of Jane E. Rosell, August 1987
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the Albany Institute of History & Art without any additional restrictions.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the Albany Institute of History & Art Library will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Archivist/Librarian.

LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
125 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12210, United States
BEFORE YOU VISIT:
https://www.albanyinstitute.org/library.html
CONTACT:
mccombsd@albanyInstitute.org