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Vincent J. Fonelli Collection, 1906-1985, bulk 1906-1985

 

Summary

Creator:
Fonelli, Vincent J., 1906-1972
Abstract:
The Vincent J. Fonelli Collection includes materials on the life and personal artwork of Fonelli, who lived from 1906 to 1972. The collection consists of architectural drawings, paintings, photographs, hand drawings, and sculptures done by Fonelli around his time at Columbia University. Polish posters and newsletters are also featured in the collection.
Extent:
2 Linear Feet 4 Boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Vincent J. Fonelli Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Background

Scope and content:

Series I: Personal Files, 1906-1972 contains a biography of Vincent J. Fonelli; two photographs of Vincent J. Fonelli as Chief Aeronautical Instructor at the Miami Senior High School; black & white and color photographs of his art work such as busts, sculptures and paintings; architectural design for Dr. L. L. Witmoore Clinic; various home designs and floor plans; charcoal and water color free hand drawings completed as part of home work for the School of Architecture at the Columbia University and School of Art at the George Washington University.

Series II: Poland Files, 1971-1985 includes journals such as The Quarterly Review and The Quarterly Review of Polish Heritage; exhibit brochure related to Polish Master Paintings 19th and 20th Century; and sixteen posters produced by various artists.

Biographical / historical:

Vincent J. Fonelli was born to Francesco Paola and Maria-Antonia Fonelli, on September 28, 1906, in Central Italy, near Salerno. The "J" in Fonelli's name stands for "Jacobus" in Roman, and "James" in English. He was the oldest of three brothers and two sisters. From boyhood, Fonelli had a great desire for art, and while in the Italian grade schools made his best grades in designing various objects. When he was about six years of age he told his father that he wanted to be a great artist. A little while later his father took him to Rome where he had some preliminary training in sculpture from a Roman Sculptor.

In June 1913, Fonelli had successfully convinced his aunt and uncle to take him to America, where he entered school, attending both day and evening classes to learn English. At sixteen, Fonelli obtained his first full-time job in a mechanical shop, while continuing school. He graduated from Bryant High School in Queens, New York and then entered Long Island City Technical School in Long Island, New York, becoming a first-class tool maker. At nineteen, Fonelli was admitted to Cooper Union Institute in New York to study intensively in Motor Vehicle Engineering, and passed his final examination with honors.

At twenty-three, Fonelli received his first United States mechanical patent in auto toys. Later he obtained a Canadian patent. Fonelli studied preliminary Aeronautical Engineering subjects at Daniel Guggenheim School of Aeronautics, at New York University. In 1927, Fonelli opened a small private school of Aeronautics in New York, known as Aviation Engineering School. He received a Government Instructor’s License for Airplane Ground Work and a Civil Aviation Act (CAA) license as Ground Instructor of Aircraft.

In 1947, Fonelli attended the University of California in Oakland, California and in 1951 entered Columbia University in New York to study architecture, art, and sculpture. He furthered his artistic education in Washington, D.C. at the American University and the Corcoran School of Art. He later became Captain for a Navy project and received patents for inventing the heart-shaped bed.

Fonelli married Cleo H. Neher, his second wife in December 1959. Over the course of his lifetime, he was an architect, artist, sculptor, educator, and creative inventor. Later on in life, Fonelli suffered from a severe heart attack from which he never fully recovered. On November 29, 1972, he passed away in Florence, Italy, but was buried in the United States at Mount Saint Mary Cemetery, in Flushing, New York.

Acquisition information:
Cleo H. Neher donated these materials to the University of Central Florida Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives in 1986 (CFM1986_01).
Processing information:

Collection processed by Suphi Burak Ogreten; finding aid prepared by Suphi Burak Ogreten. Placed photographs in archival plastic sleeves; removed metal paperclips; placed all materials in acid free folders and boxes.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in two series, Personal Papers and Poland Files.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The entire collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

Vincent J. Fonelli Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Location of this collection:
John C. Hitt Library
12701 Pegasus Drive, Building 2
Orlando
FL
32816-8030
USA