Boehm Collection Documents and Materials
SC 201.06

Summary Information

Repository
McConnell Library Archives and Special Collections
Title
Boehm Collection Documents and Materials
ID
SC 201.06
Date [inclusive]
1968-1990
Extent
2.0 Linear feet
Physical Description
Contains newspaper articles, Boehm company publications and catalogs, a collection appraisal, and other materials.
Location
Shelved in compact shelving, level 1, shelf 12D.
Language
English
Abstract
In January 1996, the estate of Marjorie Glenn of Farmville, Virginia, donated 56 Boehm porcelain birds to the Radford University Foundation. Boehm Porcelain birds and figures are considered rare and valuable collector items, and collections of Boehm porcelains can be found at the White House, Buckingham Palace, the Vatican, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia, and in museums around the world. The Boehm Bird Collection is housed in the "Bird Room," off the main Reading Room in McConnell Library. The Boehm Collection of materials in the Special Collections contains documents, catalogs, news clippings, and other materials relating to the Radford Boehm Bird Collection in particular and Boehm porcelains in general.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Boehm Collection Documents and Materials, Special Collections, McConnell Library, Radford University, Radford, VA.

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Scope and Contents

What began as a simple studio in Trenton, New Jersey was transformed into a worldwide sensation – the porcelain figurines of Edward Boehm were and are to this day prized for the their beauty, high quality, and value. During the second half of the twentieth century, E. M. Boehm Inc. created stunning figurines of porcelain birds, flowers, and animals. Today, Boehm figurines can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, the White House, Buckingham Palace, the Vatican, and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg to name but a few. In addition to art galleries and museums, Boehm porcelain figurines have found homes with diplomatic and religious leaders from around the globe; Queen Elizabeth II, Mihkail Gorbachev, Mao Tse-Tung, Popes Paul VI and John Paul II, and every president since Dwight Eisenhower have been presented with porcelain created by the Boehm Company.

Radford University’s Foundation received a donation of 56 Boehm porcelain birds by the family of Marjorie Glenn, a 1932 graduate of Radford College. These birds are on display in McConnell Library’s “Bird Room.” A collection of materials relating to Boehm porcelain and the donation of the Marjorie Glenn Collection to Radford University is housed in the library’s archives. Official company newsletters, mailings, and correspondence provide a detailed history of the expansion of E. M. Boehm, Inc. in the years following Edward Boehm’s death. The personal and professional life of Mrs. Helen Boehm is also explored in these official company publications, with particular attention being paid to her professional accomplishments and her diplomatic visits overseas. Articles containing personal interviews and observations on the Boehm Company can be found in newspaper, magazine, and journal articles within the archival collection. Catalogs of the company’s products provide images and descriptions for pieces of Boehm porcelain, including several figurines that are part of the Marjorie Glenn Collection on display in the “Bird Room.”

In addition to documents on the history of Boehm Porcelain, the archival collection contains information pertaining to the Radford University Foundation’s acquisition of the Marjorie Glenn Collection. Information regarding the appraisal of the figurines as well as a detailed listing of the items donated to the university can be found in correspondence between the Foundation and the estate of Marjorie Glenn.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

McConnell Library Archives and Special Collections

McConnell Library
PO Box 6881
Radford, Virginia
540-831-5692
archives@radford.edu

Restrictions to Access

The Boehm Porcelain Birds are available for viewing in the Bird Room of McConnell Library during hours that the library is open. Materials in the Boehm Collections Documents are available for research, and an appointment is required.

Accruals Note

No additional accruals are expected.

Processing Information

Processed by Amanda Altice, 2011. Finding aid by Gene Hyde.

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Collection Inventory

Boehm Collection Box 1 

Appraisal information 

Folder 1: Social Events 

Folder 2: Background Information 

Folder 3: Collections On Display 

Folder 4: Edward M Boehm 

Folder 5A: Printed Materials Containing Pieces of Boehm Collection on Display at Radford 

Folder 5B: Printed Materials Containing Pieces of Boehm Collection on Display at Radford 

Boehm Collection Box 2 

Folder 1: Flowers, Birds, Animals Collections - Brochures and Articles of Referrence 

Folder 2: Egyptian Collection Brochures 

Folder 3: Gold Collection 

Folder 4: Plate Collection 

Folder 5: Picture Cards with Collection Pieces and Information 

Folder 6: Bronze Collection 

Folder 7: Holiday Collection 

Folder 8: Growing Up Series Collection 

Folder 9: Fairy Collection 

Folder 10: Children of the World Collection 

Folder 11: Collector's Quarterly and News Collection 

Folder 12: Boehm Porcelain Collection Books 

Folder 13: The Boehm Porcelain Collection - Limited Issue 

Folder 14: Music Heritage 

Folder 15: Boehm Porcelain Order Book 

Folder 16: 25th Anniversary Edward Marshall Boehm Studio 

Folder 17: Explorer's Journal 1978 

Folder 18: Boehm Honor's Judaic Art in Porcelain- Brochure 

Box 3: American Red Start - small fragment of porcelain, appears to have been broken prior to donation to Radford University. Access to this box restricted access to library personnel.