Main Entry

Adler, Elmer, 1884-1962.

Title

Letters to Jean Adler Cohen, 1898-1958 (bulk 1956-1958).

Physical Description

16 items (1 folder)

Historical/Biographical Note

Elmer Adler worked in his family’s clothing firm in Rochester, New York while developing an avocation as a book and print collector. In 1922 he came to New York City, establishing the Pynson Printers (named for the sixteenth century English printed Richard Pynson), and he began to make a reputation as a book designer. Adler served as typographic consultant to several magazines and to The New York Times. From 1930 to 1940, he published The Colophon: a Book Collector’s Quarterly. In 1940, he was invited too establish a Department of Graphic Art at Princeton University. In 1955, three years after his retirement, Adler was asked to establish an art-of-the-book program in Puerto Rico. La Casa del Libro, a museum and design center, opened in 1956, and Adler was associated with it until his death. He died on 11 January 1962.

Scope and Contents Note

The sixteen letters addressed to his sister, Jean Adler Cohen, mainly related to Alder’s work during the construction and organization of the Casa del Libro and to his life in Puerto Rico. One letter is addressed to Peter Martin.

General Note

Elmer Adler was a member of the Grolier Club, 1928-1962.

Names

Cohen, Jean Adler.

Martin, Peter, 1913-

Casa del Libro (San Juan, P. R.).

Subjects

Museums. Puerto Rico. San Juan. 20^th century.

Book clubs. Puerto Rico. San Juan. 20^th century.

San Juan (P. R.). Social life and customs. 20^th century.

Location

Grolier Club, 47 East 60^th Street, New York, N. Y. 10022-1098.