Guide to the Ruby Loper Slide Collection,
1950-1960

Collection Number: 23-16-3265

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
Eileen Keating
Date completed:
November 2003
EAD encoding:
KJ Hillgren, Martin Heggestad

© 2003 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library


DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Ruby Loper slide collection, 1950-1960
Collection Number:
23-16-3265
Creator:
Ruby Loper.
Quantity:
.6 cubic ft.
Forms of Material:
Lantern slides.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Black and white glass lantern slides depicting prefabricated housing to room interiors and furniture were used by Loper for teaching and research. Some were made commercially and some taken by Cornell photographer Jon Troy.


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Loper was New York state's first female extension architect and worked at Cornell from 1946-1967.

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Black and white glass lantern slides depicting prefabricated housing to room interiors and furniture were used by Loper for teaching and research. Some were made commercially and some taken by Cornell photographer Jon Troy.

SUBJECTS

Names:
Loper, Ruby.
Troy, John.
Cornell University.
Cornell University--Faculty.
Cornell University.Dept. of Housing and Design.

Subjects:
Housing.
Prefabricated houses.
Interior architecture--Study and teaching.

Form and Genre Terms:


INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
Ruby Loper slide collection, #23-16-3265. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

SERIES LIST

Series I. Furniture
Series II. Miscellaeous Images
Series III. Exhibit Design: The Museum of Modern Art
Series IV. Prefabricated Homes
Series V. Rooms


CONTAINER LIST

Description
Container
TROY STUDIO, Lantern Slide Makers, Cornell University, ITHACA, N.Y.
Box 2 001 (050)
Sofa
Empire sofa, American, with straight back
TROY STUDIO, Lantern Slide Makers, Cornell University, ITHACA, N.Y.
Box 2 002 (043)
Sofa
Upholstered sofa, camel back
Edward Van Altena - 71-79 W. 45th St., N.Y.C.
Box 2 003
Chair (in section)
Modern chair cut in section to reveal details of construction
None
Box 2 004
Multiple tables
Various types and styles of tables; on the left side: small tables; on the right side: larger tables for dining
TROY STUDIO, Lantern Slide Makers, Cornell University, ITHACA, N.Y.
Box 2 005 (025)
Multiple chairs
Upholstered armchairs, Renaissance, Baroque
TROY STUDIO, Lantern Slide Makers, Cornell University, ITHACA, N.Y.
Box 2 006 (011)
Chair
Armchair, Baroque, caned seat and back
None
Box 2 007
Multiple chairs
Heppelwhite side chairs, upholstered seats
"Extension Teaching"
Box 2 008 (008)
Multiple chairs
American armchairs and side chairs with primarily rush seats; high, straight backs
"Extension Teaching" - TROY STUDIO, Lantern Slide Makers, Cornell University, ITHACA, N.Y.
Box 2 009 (032)
Table: two views
Tea table, scalloped edge, claw and ball feet
"FURNITURE"
Box 2 010
Chairs (2)
American side chairs with rush seats, straight backs
TROY STUDIO, Lantern Slide Makers, Cornell University, ITHACA, N.Y.
Box 2 011 (012)
Chair
Upholstered armchair with fringe, Baroque
None
Box 2 012
Chair
Side chair, Queen Anne style
TROY STUDIO, Lantern Slide Makers, Cornell University, ITHACA, N.Y.
Box 2 013 (038)
Chairs (3)
Neoclassical side chair and arm chairs
TROY STUDIO, Lantern Slide Makers, Cornell University, ITHACA, N.Y.
Box 2 014 (038)
DUPLICATE of 014
See above
TROY STUDIO, Lantern Slide Makers, Cornell University, ITHACA, N.Y.
Box 2 015 (033)
Chair
Armchair, Chippendale
None
Box 2 016
Multiple chairs
Queen Anne style armchairs and side chairs
A. ROPE TOURNIQUET HOLDING GLUED MEMBERS IN PLACE
Box 2 017
Table
Wooden side table, square top
"Extension Teaching" - TROY STUDIO, Lantern Slide Makers, Cornell University, ITHACA, N.Y.
Box 2 018 (022, 023)
Tables (2) in multiple views
Four round tables; Jacobean table at bottom in two views
"Extension Teaching"
Box 2 019 (020)
Table-chair
Table-chair: functions as a table when top is lowered, as a chair when it is raised; round top, one drawer in seat
None
Box 2 020
Tables (2)
Extended leaf dining tables
D. Maple Slat Arm chair. Finials, four slats, lower rungs and six inches of legs restored.
Box 2 021
Chair
Maple slat arm chair
None
Box 2 022
Highboy
Wooden highboy painted or inlaid in high detail scenes, cabriole legs
None
Box 2 023
Multiple dressers and vanities
Three vanities, six dressers, all wood
"Extension Teaching"
Box 2 024 (017)
Chairs (2)
Upholstered wing chair; Queen Anne style side chair
"Furniture: Chairs" - TROY STUDIO, Lantern Slide Makers, Cornell University, ITHACA, N.Y.
Box 2 025 (569)
Multiple chairs
Windsor chairs
TROY STUDIO, Lantern Slide Makers, Cornell University, ITHACA, N.Y.
Box 2 026 (013)
Chair
Side chair, Baroque, with rush seat, caned back
"Extension Teaching"
Box 2 027 (009)
Multiple Chairs
Windsor chairs
"Over Mantel Arrangement
Box 1 001 (001)
Drawing
Three different compositions for decoration of a mantel
None
Box 1 002
Photo, black and white
Image of a framed painting; text is cut off at the side
Henry G. Keller: Storm-frightened Animals Under the Big Horse Tent
Box 1 003
Photo, black and white
Image of an oil painting with textual description
None
Box 1 004
Photo, black and white
Image of a framed painting; text is cut off at the top
None
Box 1 005
Photo, black and white
Image of a framed painting; text is shared with the image on slide 004
None
Box 1 006
Photo, black and white
Image of a framed painting; text cut off at bottom
None
Box 1 007
Photo, black and white
Image of same painting as slide 006, different frame; text is cut off at bottom
"framing – use of mat"
Box 1 008 (017)
Photo, black and white
Framed painting; same image as that of slide 005
"over ornate frame"
Box 1 009 (018)
Photo, black and white
Framed painting; same image as that of slides 006 and 007
"suitable frame"
Box 1 010 (019)
Photo, black and white
Framed painting; same image as slides 006, 007, and 009, with a different frame
"too heavy frame"
Box 1 011 (020)
Photo, black and white
Framed painting; same image as that of slide 002
"suitable frame"
Box 1 012 (021)
Photo, black and white
Framed painting; same image as that of slides 002 and 011, with a different frame
None
Box 1 013 (047)
Drawing
Illustration of various tools for construction
A Summer Beam
Box 1 014 (048)
Drawing
Illustration of various tools for construction
Dynamic Booklet Cover
Box 1 015
Graphic
Image of a cover design called ‘catastrophe’; textual praise for the design
None
Box 1 016
Drawing
Illustration of various bookbinding methods, numbered and labeled
None
Box 1 017
Illustration
Two German Woodcuts
None
Box 1 018
Illustration with text
A book page with German illustrations and a column of text
None
Box 1 019
Drawing
Image of a filing cabinet and other various objects; poor quality
None
Box 1 020
Photo, black and white
A German Photograph of a person pushing a cart from behind; poor quality
None
Box 1 021
Photo, black and white
Image of a sculpture or piece of artwork
None
Box 1 022
Photo, black and white
Image of a hieroglyphic inscription
None
Box 1 023
Photo, black and white
Image of ancient drawings and a hieroglyphic inscription
BLACK-FACE GOTHIC
Box 1 024
Illustration with text
Book page illustrating the Black-Face Gothic font
Camel with his driver, 16th century line drawing;
Box 1 025
Drawing
Image of an ancient illustration
Mayan Hieroglyphic Manuscript
Box 1 026
Photo, black and white
Image of a hieroglyphic inscription
None
Box 1 027
Photo, black and white
Same image as that of slide 023
Edward Van Altena - 71-79 W. 45th St., N.Y.C.
Box 1 001
Photo, black and white
Exterior view of the Museum of Modern Art
Edward Van Altena - 71-79 W. 45th St., N.Y.C.
Box 1 002
Photo, black and white
Exhibit Design: "The Bauhaus Synthesis"
Edward Van Altena - 71-79 W. 45th St., N.Y.C.
Box 1 003
Photo, black and white
Exhibit Design: "The Early Republic – Houses"
Edward Van Altena - 71-79 W. 45th St., N.Y.C.
Box 1 004
Photo, black and white
Exhibit Design: "London Transport"
"HD 220 Furniture Design, Comfort Angles" - Relaxing, Dressing
Box 1 005
Photo, black and white
Image of a woman in different positions for daily activities (relaxing and dressing), exhibited on Alvar Aalto chairs
Edward Van Altena - 71-79 W. 45th St., N.Y.C.; Dining, Reading
Box 1 006
Photo, black and white
Image of a woman in different positions for daily activities (dining and reading), exhibited on Alvar Aalto chairs
Edward Van Altena - 71-79 W. 45th St., N.Y.C.
Box 1 007
Photo, black and white
Modern plywood storage unit, displayed with cabinetry held open for viewing
Edward Van Altena - 71-79 W. 45th St., N.Y.C.
Box 1 008
Photo, black and white
Various stainless steel light fixtures
Edward Van Altena - 71-79 W. 45th St., N.Y.C.
Box 1 009
Photo, black and white
Exhibit Design; various cultural artifacts
Edward Van Altena - 71-79 W. 45th St., N.Y.C.
Box 1 010
Photo, black and white
Exhibit Design; outdoor display of cultural artifacts
"Exhibit Design - Machine Art Exhibition"
Box 1 011
Photo, black and white
"Wall composition – Machine Art Exhibit"
"Exhibit Design - Machine Art Exhibition"
Box 1 012
Photo, black and white
"Wall composition – Machine Art Exhibit"; an alternate view
"HD 220 - Interior with Furniture"
Box 1 013
Photo, black and white
"Charles Eames – Living Dining Group"
"Exhibit Display - Useful Objects, 1940"
Box 1 014
Photo, black and white
An exhibit of various potted plants and small statues
"Exhibit Design - Free-standing units - 20 Centuries of Mexican Art"
Box 1 015
Photo, black and white
An exhibit of Mexican Art
"Exhibit Display- Table Display - Useful Objects, 1940"
Box 1 016
Photo, black and white
An exhibit of various everyday objects displayed on tables
"Nelson and Wright - Storage Wall – 1944"
Box 1 017
Photo, black and white
A woman demonstrates the uses of a storage wall on display
"Exhibit Design - Table Display – Lighting Emphasis - Useful Objects, 1940"
Box 1 018
Photo, black and white
A close-up view of the table display and overhead lighting on slide 016
"Exhibit Design - Table and Wall - Rhythm in Shape and Size - Installation of a Useful Objects Exhibition at MOMA"
Box 1 019
Photo, black and white
Table wares displayed against a wall
"HD 100 Industrial Design - Function and Form"
Box 1 020
Photo, black and white
Image of a piece of wood cutting and below it a boat, with a similar shape as that of the wood cutting
"HD 100 Industrial Design - Installation View of Art in Progress Exhibition"
Box 1 021
Photo, black and white
An exhibit of various modern equipment, such as an electric fan, and modern radios
"HD 100 Industrial Design - Plastic Dinnerware - Watertown Manufacturing Company"
Box 1 022
Photo, black and white
A small display of dinnerware, including plates, cups, and saucers
"HD 100 Design – 3 Dimensional Composition - Molded Plywood Sculpture"
Box 1 023
Photo, black and white
An abstract sculpture of molded plywood
"Molded Plywood Sculpture"
Box 1 024
Duplicate of 023
Duplicate of 023
"HD 220 Furniture Construction - Stacking Chairs - Shaped Plywood"
Box 1 025
Photo, black and white
Alvar Aalto stacking chairs
"HD 220 Furniture Design - Stacking Chairs - Molded Plywood"
Box 1 026
Photo, black and white
Marcel Breuer stacking chairs
"HD 220 Furniture Design"
Box 1 027
Photo, black and white
Chair by Bruno Matthson; plywood, with webbing
"HD 100 Child Art Experience - Children’s Circus, 1944"
Box 1 028
Photo, black and white
Children seated in a row, painting
(Pre-fabricated houses are now in the air)
Box 3 001 (001)
Cartoon
A stork flies over a ‘homeless’ family with a house carried in its beak
Theoretical Savings in Pre-fabrication
Box 3 002 (002)
Text
Five cost-saving benefits of prefabricated homes
Coordination of Men + Materials + Time = Prefabrication
Box 3 003 (003)
Cartoon diagram
Diagrammatical explanation of how men, materials, and time are the resources for producing prefabricated homes
Commercial Standard CS125-47 for Prefabricated Homes
Box 3 004 (004)
Text
Gives a statement of ‘purpose’ and ‘scope’; statements of ‘definition’ and ‘general requirements’ are partially cut out
None
Box 3 005 (005)
Drawing (pixilated)
One-story home
None
Box 3 006 (006)
Series F1: Photo
Aerial view of a large factory, the Gunnison Plant, in New Albany, Indiana
None
Box 3 007 (007)
Series F2: Photo
Interior view of men working on factory lines
None
Box 3 008 (008)
Series F3: Photo
Interior view of factory; men and women manufacturing large sheets of plywood
None
Box 3 009 (009)
Series F4: Photo
Interior view of factory; men and women manufacturing wood frames
None
Box 3 010 (010)
Series F5: Photo
Interior view of factory; men and women attaching insulation to sheets of plywood
None
Box 3 011 (011)
Series F6: Photo
Interior view of factory; men using a machine to bond wall panels together
None
Box 3 012 (012)
Series F7: Photo
Interior view of men and women working on factory lines
None
Box 3 013 (013)
Series F8: Photo
Interior view of factory; wall panels attached to an overhead conveyor are inspected
None
Box 3 014 (014)
Series F9: Photo
Interior view of factory; a woman uses a hose to spray paint a wall panel
None
Box 3 015 (015)
Series F10: Photo
Interior view of factory; wall panels are finished and dried
None
Box 3 016 (016)
Series F11: Photo
Interior view of factory; women work on wall panels attached to overhead conveyors; windows are installed in the panels
None
Box 3 017 (017)
Series F12: Photo
Interior view of factory; stacks of walls segments are stored and transported
None
Box 3 018 (018)
Series F13: Photo
Interior view of factory; men manufacturing different sizes of wall panels
None
Box 3 019 (019)
Series F14: Photo
Interior view of factory; men and women prepare and pack construction materials into two large boxes
None
Box 3 020 (020)
Photo
Exterior view of tractor trailers labeled ‘Gunnison Homes’ lined up outside the factory for loading and shipment
None
Box 3 021 (022)
Photo
Front elevation; one-story cottage
None
Box 3 022 (023)
Photo
Side elevation; one-story cottage with screened porch
Gunnison Homes
Box 3 023 (024)
Photo
View of a one-story cottage; appears to be an advertisement
None
Box 3 024 (025)
Drawing
Floor plan of a one-story home; two bedrooms
None
Box 3 025 (042)
Series F15: Photo
Interior view of factory machinery
None
Box 3 026 (043)
Series F16: Photo
Interior view of factory; large panels being transported along overhead conveyors
None
Box 3 027 (044)
Series F17: Photo
Interior view of factory; small panels moving on a low conveyor
None
Box 3 028 (045)
Series F18: Photo
Interior view of factory; small panels on factory lines
None
Box 3 029 (046)
Series F19: Photo
Interior view of factory; male workers and large machinery
None
Box 3 030 (049)
Series C1: Photo
Men unloading materials from a trailer labeled ‘The Lustron Home: a New Standard for Living’
None
Box 3 031 (050)
Series C2: Photo
View of materials gathered at the worksite
None
Box 3 032 (051)
Series C3: Photo
Carpenters begin to erect the frame of the house
None
Box 3 033 (052)
Series C4: Photo
View of the work site as the frame goes up
None
Box 3 034 (053)
Series C5: Photo
View of the work site as the frame goes up
None
Box 3 035 (054)
Series C6: Photo
View of the work site as the frame goes up
None
Box 3 036 (055)
Series C7: Photo
View of frame construction of the roof
None
Box 3 037 (056)
Series C8: Photo
View of carpenters attaching installation to the exterior of the frame
None
Box 3 038 (057)
Series C9: Photo
View of carpenters attaching installation to the exterior of the frame
None
Box 3 039 (058)
Series C10: Photo
View of carpenters completing the roof
None
Box 3 040 (059)
Series C11: Photo
Interior view of the house in construction; roof not yet completed
None
Box 3 041 (060)
Series C12: Photo
Interior view of carpenters installing ceiling panels
None
Box 3 042 (061)
Series C13: Photo
Interior view of overhead ceiling panels and ceiling construction
None
Box 3 043 (066)
Photo
Front elevation of one-story cottage
None
Box 3 044 (067)
Drawing
Floor plan of one-story cottage; two bedrooms
None
Box 3 045 (068)
Photo
Interior view of a living room looking into the kitchen doorway
None
Box 3 046 (069)
Photo
Front elevation of one-story cottage
None
Box 3 047 (074)
Photo
Carpenters completing the exterior of a one-story cottage
None
Box 3 048 (077)
Drawing (pixilated)
Front elevation of one-story cottage
PLAN 100 KD, 101 KD
Box 3 049 (078)
Drawing
Floor plan of one-story cottage, two bedrooms
PLAN 100 U, 101 U
Box 3 050 (079)
Drawing
Floor plan of one-story cottage, two bedrooms
PLAN 100 U, 101 U
Box 3 051 (080)
DUPLICATE OF 050
See above
One type of prefabricated wall panel
Box 3 052 (081)
Drawing
Construction drawing of a wall panel with wood siding
None
Box 3 053 (082)
Photo
Interior view of factory; men constructing a wall panel
None
Box 3 054 (083)
Rendered Drawing
Front elevation of one-story cottage
None
Box 3 055 (085)
Photo
Men pushing a large construction unit into an un-finished house
None
Box 3 056 (086)
Photo
Perspective view of a back-to-back kitchen and bathroom unit
"Have you got one a little larger?"
Box 3 057 (092)
Cartoon
Cartoon illustration of a couple searching for a prefrabricated home in a toy store
SUGGESTED PROCEDURE FOR BUYING
Box 3 058 (093)
Text
Textual slide with three considerations for buying a prefabricated home
None
Box 1 001
Bedroom
Two twin beds; fireplace; high boy dresser; flowery wallpaper, curtains, and rug
John Whipple House, Ipswich, Massachusetts; Late Seventeenth Century
Box 1 002
Probably a Sitting Room/Kitchen
Large fireplace, decorated mantle; otherwise modest decoration and spare in appearance
None
Box 1 003
Series: DR1 - Formal Dining Room
Small space; minimal décor; chairs against the wall; polished silver; cheerful; 4 chairs
None
Box 1 004
Series: DR 2 - Dining Room
Small and minimal; sewing machine against the wall; cheerful; 4 chairs
"Extension Teaching"
Box 1 005 (025)
Series: DR 3 - Dining Room
Open entry; relatively minimal; corner cabinet and bookshelves; 4 chairs
"Extension Teaching"
Box 1 006 (003)
Dining Room
Large, long dining table; lots of tableware on display
"Interior"; TROY Studio Lantern Slide Makers, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Box 1 007
Dining Room
Large space; minimal furniture; exposed-beam ceiling; chairs against the wall
"Extension Teaching"
Box 1 008 (038)
Motif
Simple wooden dresser; flanked by chairs of similar style; topped with an arrangement in a vase and a round platter
"Extension Teaching"
Box 1 009 (005, 23, 34)
Motif
Simple wooden dresser and chair; some decoration; striped wallpaper
None
Box 1 010 (019)
Series: D1 - Double Image: Side chairs and Secretaries
Three-drawer secretaries, each with a wooden side chair drawn up to the dropped leaf of the desk; personally decorated
"Extension Teaching"
Box 1 011 (014, 018, 034, 040)
Possibly an office space
A secretary and bookcase flanked by a rocking chair on one side and windsor chair on the other; desk under the window along adjacent wall
"Grouping"; TROY Studio Lantern Slide Makers, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Box 1 012
Possibly an office or living room
Secretary and bookcase in similar detail as shown in 011; various side tables and seating
"Proportion"; John P. Troy, Sibley College, Ithaca NY
Box 1 013 (008)
Series: T&C1 - Seating arrangement
Side table flanked by a worn leather armchair and Windsor chair
"Extension Teaching"
Box 1 014 (004)
Series: DR 4 - Dining Room
Cheerfully decorated table and four chairs; built-in display shelf
"Extension Teaching"
Box 1 015 (37)
Part of a bedroom or living room
Corner of a room showing window seat, Pembroke table, wooden frame loveseat
"Extension Teaching"
Box 1 016 (37)
DUPLICATE OF 015
DUPLICATE OF 015
None
Box 1 017 (012, 016)
Series: DR 5 - Dining Room
Symmetrical arrangement; dining table at center, flanked by two chairs against the wall, opposing corner cabinets
"Extension Teaching"
Box 1 018 (027)
Probably part of a Living Room
Open doorway with view into other spaces; Pembroke table, small rug, Windsor chairs
None
Box 1 019 (022, 026)
Fireplace arrangement
Fireplace flanked by a wing chair and a round side table; mantle minimally decorated
None
Box 1 020
Living Area
Secretary with bookcase; furniture against the walls; window centered in image
None
Box 1 021 (009, 013)
Series: T&C2 - Motif
Corner of a room with side table and chair; situated at a doorway