HISTORICAL LETTERS 1969-2023
Matuschka’s correspondence reflects a valuable piece of history and is a vital resource for historians, scholars, and students who are interested in what it was like to communicate in the last century, when telephone calls were too expensive and email and texting was nonexistent. These well-kept correspondences spanning 55 years not only has societal appeal but also holds historical value, offering a glimpse into the artistic, political, psychological and cultural trends of the times.
Matuschka’s penchant for printed matter and ‘on paper’ documentation began early and it is astonishing that she retained all the letters and correspondenceever sent to her beginning in 1969 when she was 15 and a Ward of the State of New Jersey up thru her professional career. The letters represent a time capsule for what it was like to be alive (and live in NYC) during one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse decades of the 20th century. Matuschka’s letters are located on a variety of computers, floppy discs, cds, DVD's and in file cabinets, archival boxes and folders.
Before she began composing letters on computers, she made copies of those she mailed For an unknown reason, Matuschka kept every letter ever written to her, or by her.
The collection holds over 10,000 letters, faxes, postcards and greeting cards-- typed or hand written--- from 1969 thru 2017 from a wide variety of sources: publishers, princes, politicians, prisoners, TV and film producers, journalists, artists, famous people, doctors, social workers, therapists, lawyers, Judges, breast cancer survivors, pen pal campaigns (often lasting decades) and a few, rare and revealing handwritten letters from family members. Often the envelope and stamp have been preserved. Matuschka’s letters are located on a variety of computers and before computers, she made copies of letters that she sent out. For an unknown reason, Matuschka kept every letter ever written to her, or by her.
Postcard sent to Matuschka c/o The Woman's Museum, 1995
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 1993
The New York Times received thousands of letters to the Editor commenting and criticising Matuschka’s iconic photo, “Beauty out of Damage” in 1993 which appeared on their August 15th, 1993 cover. At the time, this was considered a controversial publishing decision based on its subject matter. This cover generated more letters to the editor than any other in its history . Both disgruntled viewers and staunch admirers wrote to The Times and Matuschka about this image. Some individuals even cancelled their subscriptions. While the positive response outweighed the negative, it was a close call.
GREENPEACE LETTERS 1994-1996
LETTERS FROM MEN 1970-2005
The collection holds an extraordinary number of letters from male admires, complete with visual aids, snap shots and 3-D objects, Some penpall relationships lasted years, if not decades.
MATUSCHKA'S LETTERS 1970-2005
Matuschka’s letters are located on a variety of computers, floppy discs, cds, DVD's and in file cabinets, archival boxes and folders. Before she began composing letters on computers, she made copies of those she mailed For an unknown reason, Matuschka kept every letter ever written to her, or by her.
PROFESSIONAL LETTERS 1978-2023
Matuschka’s penchant for printed matter and ‘on paper’ documentation includes professional correspondences from publishers, producers, business partners, lawyers, photographers, gallery owners, editors , rejection letters, and collaborators. The wide range of professional letters includes those written to her by individuals such as George Plimpton, Kathy Ryan and editors of international magazines. The artists letters to professional partners are also included in the archive.
LETTERS FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY: 1969-1974
The first letter Matuschka wrote was to a Judge in 1970. It is a plea for help after being placed in foster care after she became a Ward of the State of New Jersey in 1969.. A copy of her handwritten draft, and then the typed version has been preserved. Matuschka was assigned a variety of social workers & therapists whom she had to correspond with during their sponsorship of her education. At 16 years old, Matuschka would begin lengthy pen pal relationships with almost everyone she befriended as stamps were cheaper than the cost of a phone call in those days.
