Helen Comstock papers

Helen Comstock was born in Kansas City, and educated at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and at the University of California. Under her maiden name (she was married to watercolorist Helmut Siber) she wrote numerous articles, edited a two-volume Concise Encyclopedia of American Antiques (1958), wrote books on American Furniture (1962), American Lithographs of the Nineteenth Century (1950), The Looking Glass in America, 1700-1825 (1968), and the 100 Most Beautiful Rooms in America (1958).

Comstock began her editorial work on the staff of the International Studio magazine in about 1926, rising to Associate Editor by 1931 when it combined with Connoisseur of London. She eventually became American editor of Connoisseur. Beginning in 1941, Comstock also joined the staff of Antiques. It was not until 1958 that she resigned from Connoisseur's staff.