From Central Archives: Illustration by Joseph M. Sedacca© AMNH
I recently had nearly the full run of Museum Memo (1953-1961) newsletters come across my desk and what an absolute joy it was. The Museum Memo was a one subject newsletter that came out 10 times a year (writer, editor John O’Reilly took 2 months off at the end of summer). These newsletters offer a behind-the-scenes look at what various people in the museum are up to. One focuses on a member of the museum’s security team and how he works with guests. Another, how the education department handles all those school groups. The tone is light and fun, sometimes a little cheeky, and they contain delightful illustrations.
Several people contributed illustrations over the years but today I thought I’d share some favorites by Joseph M. Sedacca. The Museum Memo didn’t have a particularly long run, but Sedacca (of the department of Exhibition and Graphics) contributed the bulk of the illustrations starting in 1955 until The Memo was discontinued as a stand-alone publication. His illustrations fall into a few categories:
People around the museum! These accompanied features on their specific work or the work of a department...
...while others are peeking around the museum in public halls and behind the scenes...
...and others are just plain fun!
This entry was written by Lauren VanDenBerg, Shelby White & Leon Levy Project Archivist.