Back to articles
Proceedings Paper
Volume: 22 | Article ID: 31
Image
A Matter of Size, Scope, and Significance: Archival Processing and Mass Digitization of the Johnson Publishing Company Archive
  DOI :  10.2352/issn.2168-3204.2025.22.1.31  Published OnlineJune 2025
Abstract
Abstract

Acquired in 2019 by a consortium of philanthropic and cultural heritage organizations, the Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) Archive is co-owned by the Getty Research Institute (GRI) and Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). Dating from 1942, when John H. and Eunice W. Johnson founded the company, to the 21st century, the JPC Archive contains over 4 million photographs of published and unpublished works documenting the Black experience, some of which were featured in JPC’s 14 magazines, most notably JET and Ebony. In addition to the historically significant events and behind-the-scenes moments depicted, the Archive presents an unmatched and unique record of many facets of the life, work, and contributions of Black individuals, communities, groups, organizations, and businesses. Working collaboratively across the United States (from Los Angeles to Chicago to Washington, DC), these two large cultural heritage institutions currently co-steward this collection, with each focusing on their strengths to bring this remarkable and unique collection to the public.

Subject Areas :
Views 0
Downloads 0
 articleview.views 0
 articleview.downloads 0
  Cite this article 

Steven D. Booth, Nathan Anderson, Jeanine Nault, Luis J. Villanueva, "A Matter of Size, Scope, and Significance: Archival Processing and Mass Digitization of the Johnson Publishing Company Archivein Archiving Conference,  2025,  pp 165 - 172,  https://doi.org/10.2352/issn.2168-3204.2025.22.1.31

 Copy citation
  Copyright statement 
Copyright This work is a U.S. Government work not subject to copyright in the United States (17 U.S.C. §105). The work is also available for worldwide use and reuse under CC0 1.0 Universal. 2025
archiving
Archiving Conference
2161-8798
2161-8798
Society for Imaging Science and Technology
IS&T 7003 Kilworth Lane, Springfield, VA 22151 USA