Fritz Van Houten Raymond (1878-1979) Papers (CAA/12)

Biographical/Historical Information

Fritz van Houten Raymond (b. May 17, 1878, d. Sep 1979) was born in Finneytown, OH, attending public school there before studying at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Both his father and grandfather were photographers, and whilst attending the Art Academy he was often called on to make photographs for the Art Museum. In 1900, he decided to make a career of photography and became the Art Museum's resident photographer. The same year, he became photographer for the Rookwood Pottery Company, where he had a studio for 45 years. He continued to work for the Museum until December 1970. He also did photographic work for the Taft Museum and Hebrew Union College, as well as teaching evening classes in lithography at the Ohio Mechanics Institute and color photography at the Art Academy.

Information taken from the following sources which are available in the CAM Library:

Douthat, Lou. “I Am a Camera.” Cincinnati Post and Times-Star, May 25, 1968 (Cincinnati Artist Files - Raymond)

Cummins, Virginia Raymond. Rookwood Pottery Potpourri. Maryland: Cliff R. Leonard and Duke Coleman, 1980. (NK4340 R7C8)

Scope and Contents

The Fritz van Houten Raymond Collection of Papers & Photographs includes family papers, such as correspondence, notes, receipts, and photographs (prints, film negatives, glass plate negatives) of Raymond and his family. Other photographs include the interior and exterior building of Cincinnati Art Museum as well as its collections, the Art Academy of Cincinnati faculty and students, photographs of artwork not owned by the Cincinnati Art Museum, and photographs of artwork by Cincinnati artists. Most of the photographs are black and white, although a few are in color. Some photographs are reproductions of existing photographs or taken from publications, probably for Museum use.

Conditions Governing Use note

Series 5 Photographs of Artwork: ownership of the objects depicted has not been determined; therefore, none of the images in this series may be reproduced.

Conditions Governing Access

Whilst the archives aims to provide access to the records in its care to the fullest extent possible, it reserves the right to restrict access for any reason. Please see the archives’ Access Policy for further information: www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/visit/library-archives/the-archives/

Custodial History note

Part of the collection was transferred in 2012 to Cincinnati History Library & Archives in the Cincinnati Museum Center because it was outside of the scope of Mary R. Schiff Library & Archives collecting policy. This part of the collection includes: prints, film negatives, and glass plate negatives of Cincinnati area churches, the interior of Union Terminal, interiors/exteriors of factories, Cincinnati riverfront views, a classroom scene, [Roman Catholic?] clergy, farm scenes, miscellaneous people (possibly family), scenes of outdoor recreation, household scenes, and advertisements.

Preferred Citation note

Mary R. Schiff Library & Archives, Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati, OH.

Detailed List of Collection