Zane Studio photographs

Collection

Identifier: Collection 518

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists primarily of negatives, which are often accompanied by a print. Mostly wedding portraits, these images have been foldered alphabetically by the clients name, along with any date information that was available. The collection is not a comprehensive body of the Zane Studio's work, but rather a portion of it that has survived and has been donated to the library.

Dates

1935-1977

Biographical / Historical

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Zane (Zanon) Burniewicz (1901-1977) was a Lithuanian immigrant who built a successful business as a photographer in Grand Rapids, MI. The son of a photographer, Zane came to the United States as a young boy, along with his father Alexander and brother Veto. It was there in Grand Rapids that Zane would meet his wife Harriet Pruss, whom he married on April 17, 1922.

Beginning his photography career with his father and other studios, Zane later opened one of his own, the Zane Studio, at 511 Leonard NW in 1933. Known primarily for its wedding photography, the Zane studio was run with the help of family members, including Harriet, who often worked as a receptionist. Harriet also helped with photographing the brides, one of whom would be featured each month in a large display at the studio.

In addition to wedding photography, the Zane Studio also took images of first communions at St. Alphonsus, where Zane and Harriet were members. Outside of church, Zane and Harriet were also active members of Grand Rapids' civic life. Harriet was a participating member of the Ladies Literary Club, West Side Literary Club, and a founding member of the Welcome Home of the Blind. Zane was a charting member of Grand Rapids' chapter of the Civitan Club, where he and others promoted civic service and youth development.

Extent

6 Linear feet (13 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Zane (Zanon) Burniewicz (1901-1977) was a Lithuanian immigrant and local photographer in Grand Rapids, MI. This collection, which represents a small portion of his work, includes portraits and wedding photographs of local people of mostly Polish and Lithuanian descent. Patrons interested in local photographers or those researching their family history are likely to find this collection particularly useful.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These materials were donated by Zane's granddaughter, Brandy Gunderson, 2015.003.

Processing Information

Film materials found in box 11 were originaly housed with the glass plate negatives found in box 12 under the client's name. They were separated into two boxes to protect the fragile glass negatives. Most of the glass plate negatives include two poses on each side of the plate, one of which has a penciled x through them. This likely indicates that they were not ordered by the client, which is supported by the absence of an accompanying proof. Most of the negatives that have damage or are cracked happen to be on the marked out side of the plate. As the cracked and shattered halves of these plates are neither safe, nor able to be housed appropriately, they were discarded after being scanned.