Samuel O. Klein

Samuel O. Klein was active during the mid-1930s, documented specifically between 1935 and 1936. Klein is known for contributions to the Index of American Design, a significant federal arts initiative established during the Depression era. This project focused on the meticulous documentation and rendering of American decorative, folk, and popular arts from the colonial period through the 19th century, positioning Klein primarily as a documentarian of historical material culture.

Approximately fifteen works attributed to Klein are associated with the Index of American Design project and are represented in museum collections. These documents, which capture the details and aesthetics of early American objects, are held by major institutions, including the National Gallery of Art. The documented pieces represented in these holdings include renderings of a Bag, a Bandbox, a Bouquet Holder, a Fireman's Trumpet, and a Nursing Bottle.

As a result of their inclusion in federal collections, many of Samuel O. Klein prints are now widely available in the public domain. These detailed records serve as essential resources for design history and are often presented as high-quality prints for researchers and the public. Researchers can access downloadable artwork representing the essential forms and patterns of American crafts captured during Klein’s brief but impactful period of activity.