Skip to main content
Notice: The Library is open for research by appointment only, please visit our research services page for more information.

Clarita V. Stubenbord design portfolio

Creation: approximately 1960
 Collection
Accession: 2499

Abstract

Clarita Violet Stubenbord (1909-2010) was an artist and designer working in the 1930s through the 1960s in New York. Her design work was primarily packaging design for the cosmetics industry. This collection is Stubenbord's portfolio of design work for major cosmetics houses, primarily Dorothy Gray, but also Elizabeth Arden and Estee Lauder.

Dates

  • Creation: approximately 1960

Creator

Extent

1 volume(s)

Biographical Note

Clarita Violet Stubenbord (1909-2010) was an artist and designer working in the 1930s through the 1960s in New York. Her design work was primarily packaging design for the cosmetics industry.

Stubenbord was born on September 11, 1909 in Brooklyn, New York the daughter of James W. Stubenbord (1882-1939) and Edna Gillespie Stubenbord (1883-1963). The family had played a role in the development of Coney Island, where it operated a popular hotel and restaurant on the Boardwalk. She showed precocious artistic talent, winning third prize for original work for nine-year-olds in a 1918 contest run by Wanamaker's department store.

She did attend at least one year of college and achieve some acclaim for her pastel artwork which did exhibit. Most biographical details are unknown, but she became a designer whose primary work was for the big cosmetics houses, for whom she designed decorative containers, lipsticks, cosmetics boxes, artwork, displays and packaging for integrated sales campaigns. She also designed such things as note paper, Christmas and other cards and packaging novelties. Her Wedgwood-themed cologne bottles for Dorothy Gray are still popular with collectors.

In 1966 she married John Edward Roraback (1906-1988). She died as C.V. Roraback in St. James on the eastern end of Long Island on June 19, 2010.

Scope and Content

The volume is an artist's portfolio maintained by Clarita V. Stubenbord. It is unclear whether the portfolio was assembled to showcase her work to potential clients or as an album of mementos, although there is some evidence it was the latter. The date that the portfolio was finished is unknown, but the latest dated item is from 1958.

The items in the portfolio include artwork, mockups, folded-down packages, photographs, and newspaper clippings covering Stubenbord's design work for major cosmetics houses, primarily Dorothy Gray, but also Elizabeth Arden and Estee Lauder. The objects include perfume bottles and containers, cosmetics holders, lipstick housings, novelty gifts, packaging and studies for advertising art. The portfolio also contains six letters of thanks to accountant and philanthropist Samuel David Leidsedorf and family. There is an detailed list of the items at the back of the portfolio.

Location

Volume 1.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Language of Materials

English

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Clarita V. Stubenbord design portfolio
Author:
Christopher T. Baer
Date:
2017
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400