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Axel Bahnsen Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-145

Scope and Contents

Series I, Photographs, 1937-1977, contains 345 photographs. The photographs are of Ohio scenes, Mexico, landscapes, boats, city scenes, flowers, plants, portraits, nudes and miscellaneous subjects. The photographs are a mix between landscape, portrait, and abstract. The prints also vary in size from 7.25” x 9.5” to 15.5” x 19.5”. Some of the prints have the date on the back of the item, however, all are approximated to be between 1937 and 1977.

Series II: Exhibition Catalogs, 1947-1977, contains the exhibition catalogs from national and international art shows in which Bahnsen’s work was accepted. The listing includes the date and name of the exhibition. The exhibition catalogs are arranged chronologically. Please note that box and file numbers in the inventory are not always sequential since the physical arrangement of the catalogs is divided into “domestic” and “foreign” folders by year.

Dates

  • Creation: 1937-1977

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English, French, Spanish.

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on accessing material in this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Biographical / Historical

Born in Auburn, New York on May 21, 1907, Axel Bahnsen moved to Yellow Springs, Ohio, in 1924 where he attended Antioch College and began his photography career. Axel entered his first exhibit in 1926, and by 1930 he was ranked among the top 50 photographers in the world. At one time he was ranked the fourth best in international circles.

Bahnsen’s first studio opened in Dayton, Ohio in 1936. He later moved it to his home at 117 Glen Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio. At the time of his death, he maintained this studio where he held famous Sunday morning gatherings of local amateur and professional photographers. According to contemporaries, he thrived on competition and seemed to enjoy bringing other camera buffs to a high degree of proficiency.

Bahnsen’s concept of photography was that a camera was a “third eye” which allowed the creative artist another option with which to view and record life. He believes the photographer, in order to create art with his camera, must get inside the scene to the degree that all was sensed and intellectualized. To illustrate this concept, he often told an inquirer who wanted to take better photos to read a James Joyce novel or one of Shakespeare’s plays. He felt that gadgetry was not the answer to the artistic photograph, but insight into the subject of that photograph.

Axel Bahnsen was a five star exhibitor in the pictorial print division of the Photographic Society of America, of which he was elected a fellow. Also, he was the youngest member ever elected to the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain. During his life, he exhibited over 2,000 photographs in national and international competition. Axel Bahnsen died in Yellow Spring on April 24, 1978.

Extent

9.0 linear feet

Abstract

Axel Bahnsen was an internationally known photographer who lived in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Bahnsen became known for his portraits, pictorial studies, and nature scenes. Bahnsen’s photography features scenes from his home in Ohio to Mexico, France and more. This collection contains 345 prints from Bahnsen’s work from 1937-1977, most with exhibit and salon stamps, and exhibition catalogs and brochures from 1947-1977.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into two series:

Series I:
Photographs, 1937-1977
Series II:
Exhibition Catalogs, 1947-1977

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was donated to Special Collections and Archives at Wright State University by Eleanor Kraft Bahnsen, Axel Bahnsen’s wife, on August 5, 1980.

Bibliography

Axel Bahnsen photographs have been published in the book Photographs by Axel Bahnsen with notes by Paul R. Cooper. The book can be found in the Archives’ Reading Room (TR654 .B32 2010). An additional copy is available for circulation in Dunbar Library.
Title
Guide to the Axel Bahnsen Collection (MS-145)
Status
Completed
Author
Thomas H. Gilliam
Date
1987 February 5
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Revision Statements

  • 2019 March: Finding aid revised according to DACS standards by Alyssa Stark and Toni Vanden Bos.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Wright State University Libraries
Special Collections and Archives
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton OH 45435-0001 USA
937-775-2092