Stanley Slotkin Collection

Collection

Identifier: M084

Staff Only

Abstract

Stanley Slotkin (1905–1997) was a prominent Los Angeles businessman specializing in medical and party rentals through his company Abbey Rents. During his lifetime he collected liturgical and biblical texts and artifacts which he donated as individual items to a variety of universities and museums. This collection contains hand-painted ainted canvas depicting the biblical story of the lives of King Solomon and Queen of Sheba. Original and facsimile leaves from Bibles, liturgical, medical, and other scholarly works.

Dates

16th century to circa 1940

Biographical / Historical

Stanley Slotkin (1905–1997) was a prominent Los Angeles businessman specializing in medical and party rentals through his company Abbey Rents. Slotkin also had strong interests that influenced his life and caused his philanthropy.Slotkin grew up in a family of Russian immigrants. Slotkin was raised by his parents in Kansas City. In Kansas City, Slotkin came up with a business plan to rent rather than sell.In the 1930s, Stolkin opened his first Abbey Rents store in St. Louis. Stanley Slotkin started increasing his company after this and it became the world’s largest rental firm in 1965. During the growth of his company, in 1937, Slotkin relocated his business headquarters to Los Angeles. Abbey Rents had 90 rental outlets that lent a wide variety of goods, including party supplies and medical equipment. He had two children with Myriam Slotkin: Mark and Diane.During his lifetime he collected liturgical and biblical texts and artifacts which he donated as individual items to a variety of universities and museums.

Extent

3 Linear Feet : 1 Triangular Box (3 x 3 x 30 inches) + 1 Custom box (21 x 29.5 x 2 inches)

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

A Coptic depiction of the biblical story, with text is in Ge'ez d a guide in English. Size approximately L 55" x H 25 7/8". Detached leaves are in multiple languages.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series: 1. Painting (rolled), and 2. Detached Leaves.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

gift of Stanley Slotkin, 1956.

Accruals

no further accruals expected

General

Description and translation of text can be found with the object and at G:/Specol/collection_guides/non-du/Slotkin Collection Solomon and Sheba Coptic Art reproduction.xls. 1/mythical animal 2/discussion among the people who come to an agreement. Other items given by Slotkin are being discovered as items are housed for rennovation. 3/grinding of spices 4/goats are fed with the ground spices 5/"something with the goats" 6/merchants sacrifice goats to mythical animal 7/mythical animal eats goats 8/mythical animal shows boundries of Kingdom 9/the people are introduced to Makeda 10/The father of Makeda dies. Makeda becomes Queen 11/the coronation of Makeda as Queen of Sheba 12/Jeruselem merchants 13/Queen Makeda sends gift of incense to King Solomon 14/the sending of her gift 15/Queen Makeda's gift is received by King Solomon 16/Queen Makeda starts her journey to meet King Solomon 17/Queen arrives at city of King Solomon 18/Queen Makeda arrives by boat to city of King Solomon 19/Queen Makeda is in front of King Solomon's Palace 20/Queen Makeda and King Solomon meet 21/Queen Makeda and King Solomon have a banquet with the people 22/King Solomon asks Queen Makeda to stay with him. 23/King Solomon sees Queen Makeda's naked body 24/King Solomon and Queen Makeda make love 25/King Solomon decides to "keep" Queen Makeda 26/King Solomon and Queen Makeda live together 27/"Gold and Silver signs" 28/Queen Makeda returns to her country 29/After her return to her country a son is born 30/Queen Makeda's son, Menyelek, and other children put on a play 31/Menyelek asks Queen Makeda who his father is. 32/Menyelek grows to resemble his father 33/Menyelek starts his journey to meet his father 34/Menyelek travels to the home of Solomon through the land of Egypt 35/Menyelek is in front of King Solomon's Palace 36/Menyelek is introduced to his father 37/Menyelek is at school in King Solomon's palace 38/King Solomon gives his blessing to Menyelek 39/Menyelek is accepted at the son of Solomon 40/Queen Makeda joins King Solomon and Menyelek for his coronation 41/Menyelek receives the Kingdom with dignity 42/Queen Makeda give Menyelek the seal of her kingdom 43/Makeda "confesses" 44/The "Axumite" Kingdom with King Solomon and Menyelek Steli