Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America
Archives related to: Lucas, George A., 1824-1909
| title | George A. Lucas papers, 1825-2003 [bulk 1824-1909] MS.10 | repository | Baltimore Museum of Art |
| description | The George A. Lucas Papers contain the correspondence, art collection-related papers, and subject files of George A. Lucas, as well as several of his friends and colleagues. They document Lucas’ work as an art agent in late 19th and early 20th century Paris and his collections of artwork, spanning the years 1862 to 1909. They also contain research materials relating to the Lucas Papers that were not part of Lucas’ original collection. The Papers are housed in 19 boxes and consist of three series: Subject Files, Personal Papers and Lucas Research Collection. One box contains Oversize material. The majority of the material in the Lucas Papers was originally stored with many of the paper based artworks in his collection, pasted to the pages of large folios in the collection of the Prints, Drawings and Photographs Department. For example, letters and newspaper clippings about artists were attached alongside the artist’s prints and drawings. The artwork was separated from the other material by the Conservation Department for improved access and security, the artworks retained in PDP, and the letters and ephemera sent to the Archives and Manuscripts Collections. Note that some items have retained accession numbers and are cross-referenced in the BMA’s collection database. Lucas also pasted ephemeral material about artists in some of the books in his collection. A thorough inventory of this material has not yet been done and none of it has been removed from the books. A few items from Félix Ziem have already been found and their location is noted along with the other Ziem material in the Subject Files Series. As other material is located, it will be added similarly. Where names, dates or other information was either indecipherable or missing, The Diary of George A. Lucas and other reference sources have been checked to obtain correct information. Names have been verified in either the Getty’s Union List of Artist Names or Bénézit’s Dictionary of Artists. In general, materials are arranged alphabetically by correspondent or subject and then by date. Exceptions are noted below. Additional reference materials stored with the Lucas Papers include a photocopy of handwritten translations of some of the correspondence in the Subject Files. The original translations can be difficult to read, however, in some cases they were used to aid in the translations in this finding aid. A photocopy of Lucas’ collection inventory, “Catalogue – Eaux Fortes” is also available and should be used in place of the original. Biographical Information George Aloysius Lucas was born May 29th, 1824 in Baltimore, Maryland. His father, Fielding Lucas, Jr. owned a publishing and stationer’s company in Baltimore that was known for publishing maps, atlases and several important drawing books and was to eventually become Lucas Bros. Inc. Leaving his brothers to assist with the family business, Lucas left Baltimore in 1851 to work for the New York, New Haven Railroad and subsequently worked for several other railroad companies before moving to Paris in 1857. In Paris, Lucas made his living as an art agent, buying and commissioning paintings, prints, and drawings for wealthy American friends such as William Henry Huntington, Frank Frick, William Walters, Samuel Putnam Avery, and William Henry Huntington. He met and befriended many artists and made frequent visits to their studios to see their works in progress. At the same time, Lucas was making his own purchases and putting together his remarkable collection of artworks and books. Beginning in 1887, Lucas worked with Walters on the Barye Monument Committee and was also instrumental in putting together the Barye exhibition at the École des Beaux-Arts in 1889. Lucas’ companion in Paris was Octavie-Josephine Marchand, who though never mentioned by anything other than “M” in either his diaries or correspondence, was an important figure in his life. Lucas remained in Paris until his death on December 17th, 1909. Language of Materials Material is in French and English. Correspondence from British and American persons is generally in English. Existence and Location of Copies For complete transcriptions of the Whistler letters held by the BMA, see The Centre for Whistler Studies: http://www.whistler.arts.gla.ac.uk/index.htm. |
| extent | 3.2 Linear feet ; 19 boxes |
| formats | Correspondence Artist Files Clippings Photographs Ephemera |
| access | The collection is open for research. The George A. Lucas Papers are part of The George A. Lucas Collection, purchased with funds from the State of Maryland, Laurence and Stella Bendann Fund, and contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations throughout the Baltimore community, and are the physical property of the Archives and Manuscripts Collections, Baltimore Museum of Art. Copyright, except in cases where material has passed into the public domain, belongs to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult a Library staff member |
| record link | http://cdm16075.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/p16075coll6 |
| bibliography | The Diary of George A. Lucas, an American Art Agent in Paris, 1857-1909. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1979. |
| record source | http://www.artbma.org/library/finding_aids/LucasPapers.html |
| finding aid | In repository and on the repository's website |
| acquisition information | George A. Lucas willed his art collection and papers to Henry Walters on his death in 1909. Walters donated the entire collection to The Maryland Institute, College of Art in 1911. The collection was moved to the BMA beginning in 1933 and was finally purchased by the BMA in 1996. In 2005 the letters and ephemera in the collection were transferred from the Prints, Drawings and Photographs Department to the Archives and Manuscripts Collections. |
| updated | 03/16/2023 10:29:55 |
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| title | Artist file: Lucas, George A.; miscellaneous uncataloged material. | repository | The Museum of Modern Art |
| description | The folder may include announcements, clippings, press releases, brochures, reviews, invitations, small exhibition catalogs, and other ephemeral material. Location MoMA Queens Artist Files Call Number Lucas, George A. |
| extent | 1 folder. |
| formats | Ephemera |
| access | Contact repository for restrictions and policies. |
| record source | https://library.nyarc.org/permalink/01NYA_INST/ai54l4/alma991011688429707141 |
| updated | 11/29/2022 15:49:50 |
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| title | Correspondence associated with: Lucas, George A. 1824-1909. | repository | Online Edition of Correspondence of James McNeill Whistler |
| description | George A Lucas was the recipient, sender or subject of 90 documents, dated between 1855-1902, associated with Whistler and his work. They are available online in either digital form or by transcript, and in some cases both. The individual documents are located in the following repositories: Glasgow University Library Baltimore Museum of Art, MD Wadsworth Athenaeum, Junius Spencer Morgan Memorial, Hartford, CT Library of Congress New York University, Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, Fales Library, New York Walters Art Gallery, Library, Baltimore, MD Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Hunterian Art Gallery, University of Glasgow |
| extent | 90 documents |
| formats | Correspondence Electronic Resource |
| access | Contact repository for restrictions and policies. |
| record source | http://www.whistler.arts.gla.ac.uk/correspondence/ |
| updated | 11/12/2014 11:29:57 |
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| title | Samuel Putnam Avery Papers, [ca. 1850]-1905 | repository | The Metropolitan Museum of Art |
| description | Collection includes Avery's diary referring to his travels in Europe, 1871-1882; a scrapbook of samples of his work; and autographs and sketches sent to Avery from such American and European artist friends as Edouard Detaille, Henri Lefort, W.J. Linton, W.H. Vanderbilt, J.G. Vibert, and J.A.M. Whistler. Catalogs and notes of Avery's works and art collections; editorials and resolutions in memory of Avery, 1905; and letters written to Avery's wife upon his death. Copies of children's books containing his illustrations and printed proof sheets of etchings designed by Avery. Note Some correspondence is in French Location and Call Numbers Watson Library Reference Z42.3A7 M48 v.4 LIB USE ONLY --- Watson Library Reference Z42.3A7 M48 v.5 LIB USE ONLY --- Watson Library Reference Z42.3A7 M48 v.6 LIB USE ONLY --- Watson Library Bookcage MS 06 LIB USE ONLY Watson Library Bookcage MS 07 LIB USE ONLY --- Watson Library Bookcage MS 08 LIB USE ONLY --- Watson Library Bookcage MS 09 LIB USE ONLY --- Watson Library Bookcage MS 10 LIB USE ONLY |
| extent | 2 linear ft |
| formats | Diaries Scrapbooks Sketches |
| access | Contact repository for restrictions |
| record link | http://libmma.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15324coll13/id/2555 |
| record source | http://library.metmuseum.org/record=b1718424~S1 |
| updated | 11/12/2014 11:30:17 |
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