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Don Milliken Collection of Correspondence Art and Related Materials

 Collection
Identifier: MA.00264

Scope and Contents

The collection consists primarily of correspondence art, magazines, artists' books, small press publications, and postcards. Also contained in this collection are materials related to correspondence art, such as exhibition catalogs, stamp catalogs, book buying catalogs, posters, and public relations material. This collection comprises an almost complete compilation of Don Milliken's OR publications.

Dates

  • Creation: 1965 - 1990

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There is no restriction on access to the Don Milliken Collection of Correspondence Art and Related Materials for research use. Particularly fragile items are restricted for preservation purposes.

Conditions Governing Use

Requests for permission to publish material from the Don Milliken Collection of Correspondence Art and Related Materials should be directed to the Archives and Special Collections. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.

Biographical / Historical

Correspondence art, or mail art, beginning in the 1960s, is a participatory, worldwide art movement allowing for the decentralized participation of artists and amateurs in a variety of media through the use of the international postal system. Correspondence art creates and fosters a network of communication through the exchange of ideas, art, and materials while rejecting the exclusionary world of art museums and juried exhibitions. Correspondence artists often employ found objects, rubber stamps, collage, photography, and various printing technologies in the creation of their mailed art.

Don Milliken, former Amherst College Curator of Visual Resources, was active in the correspondence art movement from the 1970s to the late 1990s as a creator and receiver of mail art. He is internationally known for his publication OR and has participated in numerous collaborative publications and exhibitions.

Extent

7 Linear feet (5 records storage boxes, 1 oversize flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Correspondence art is a worldwide art movement emphasizing the decentralized participation of artists and amateurs in a variety of media through the use of the international postal system. This collection consists primarily of correspondence art, magazines, artists' books, small press publications, and postcards. Also contained in this collection are materials related to correspondence art, such as exhibition catalogs, stamp catalogs, book buying catalogs, posters, and public relations material.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into two series:

  1. Series 1: Correspondence Art
  2. Series 2: Related Materials

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection developed incrementally through donations by Don Milliken over the years 1981-2003. Betsy Siersma, Interim Director of the Mead Art Museum, donated the OR publications in 2007.

Physical Description

5 records storage boxes, 1 oversize flat box

Source

Author
Chris Barber
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Amherst College Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Amherst College Archives & Special Collections
Robert Frost Library
61 Quadrangle Drive
Amherst MA 01002-5000
(413) 542-2299