Collage
Object number2014.94.2 a-f
Artist
Robert Qualters
(born 1934)
Datec. 1984
MediumPaper/Adhesive/Graphite/Ink/Adhesive tape/Crayon
Credit LineGift of Connie Cantor
DescriptionPhotographic studies for Robert Qualters' mixed-media painting featuring an illustrated history of the Pittsburgh-based Morris Paper Company. Six pieces of paperboard with black and white photographs mounted individually and in collage-format; some of the studies have photographs on both sides of the paperboard.DimensionsPart a: Height 10.25, Width 9.438, Depth 0.063;Part b: Height 10.313, Width 13.125, Depth 0.188;
Part c: Height 6.313, Width 7.813, Depth 0.063;
Part d: Height 7.875, Width 11.5, Depth 0.063;
Part e: Height 10.875, Width 9.375, Depth 0.063;
Part f: Height 12.625, Width 9.813, Depth 1.5.
SignedR.Q. Bottom right corner.
Inscriptions(a)
Front features at top center a photograph of a brick building with a "HAMMERMILL PAPERS" trailer in front of it.
Front bottom features photographic collage of the "MORRIS PAPER CO." building.
To the right of the bottom collage is paper with handwritten notes in graphite, but the note has been cut off and is illegible.
(b)
Top photograph on front is inverted and features the "MORRIS PAPER CORPORATION" delivery truck from 1928.
The bottom photographic collage on front features the Morris Paper Company delivery truck in front of a brick building with text on top right of the building "CUSTOMERS / ENTRANCE".
(f)
Handwritten in pencil around the office collage "B&W Pen drwg - / WITH color tree MURAL", "+ / other / two / guys", and "not this photo" with an arrow pointing to the bottom right photograph.
The back of the paperboard has handwritten in purple colored pencil at center "NO CAPISCO?", which is Italian for "I do not understand."
Marks(d)
The back of the paperboard has a portion of the blue logo for Crescent Charko-Board Company.
(e)
The back of the paperboard has a portion of the blue logo for Crescent Charko-Board Company.
(f)
The back of the paperboard has a portion of the blue logo for Crescent Charko-Board Company.
Historical NotesPhotographic studies for the painting/collage (2014.94.1) commissioned by the Balter family from artist Robert Qualters. Morris Balter founded Morris Paper Company in August of 1928 after working for many years in the paper business with his father, Reuben Balter. He operated the business alone until the 1940s when his son, James Balter, joined him as partner. For the length of his career, Morris Balter acted as the company's president while James held office as secretary and treasurer. The business was incorporated in 1948. Morris Paper Company primarily sold paper, twines, packaging materials, and various paper products to industrial and retail businesses. The company operated from a two-acre location at 21st Street and Penn Avenue in the Strip District. By 1970, Morris Paper Company had purchased two other distributors, the J. C. Kaplan Company and Interstate Cordage and Paper Company, and was considered the largest paper distributor in the northeast. The business was purchased by Hammermill Paper Company in 1977. Circa 1953, the company was located in Pittsburgh's Strip District at 21st Street and the Allegheny Valley Railroad. The building has since been demolished. The building had previously been occupied by the Kroger Company, a grocery store chain with headquarters in Ohio. The company also had locations in Johnstown, PA, and Bridgeville, PA. Robert "Bob" Qualters (b. 1934) is an American painter, installation artist and printmaker based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His work encompasses traditional painting, as well as murals, and collaborations with other Pittsburgh-based artists across several disciplines. He is associated with the Bay Area Figurative Movement of Representational Painting. [From his bio page on his website on 6/15/2015 at
Related person
Morris Balter
Related person
James Stone Balter
Related person
Beatrice Balter
Related institution
Hammermill Paper Company
Related institution
Morris Paper Company
Subjects
On View
Not on view
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