Drawings and Design Notes
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Dowd, William R.
setName: label: See more items in
content: Dowd Harpsichord Collection
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1952 - 1990
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives Center, National Museum of American History
identifier: label: Identifier
content: NMAH.AC.0593, Series 3
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: This series consists of drawings, tracings, rubbings, and supplemental notes and correspondence for harpsichords built, examined, and/or restored by Dowd and his staff. The drawings are primarily pencil on velum from 1960 to 1984.  Some of the harpsichord templates are on film negatives and are approximately 8' x 36" in size. There is a bound, handwritten index to the drawings, 1959-1987, that provides the drawing number, a brief description, and a date, for example, drawing 6C, action elevation, 1963. 

Many of the notes key to specific drawings: for example, notes about pins and screws for drawing 12F. Also included are specifications for for harpsichords.  These materials are arranged by instrument number where possible and contain the owner's name, and details about the harpsichord such as finish, decor, and shipping. The bulk of the drawings are rolled.