Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America

Archives related to: M. Knoedler & Co.

titleM. Knoedler & Co. letters received, 1890-1920.
repositoryThe Getty Research Institute
descriptionCollection consists of letters addressed primarily to Roland Knoedler and to the director of his gallery in Paris, Hamman. The letters are from artists and concern business matters, studio visits, rights of reproduction, as well as work in progress.

Correspondents include Lawrence Alma Tadema (1895-1901); Etienne Prosper Berne-Bellecour (1901-1906); Albert Besnard (1900); Jules Breton (1902); Jean Charles Cazin (1896-1907); Theobald Chartran (1907); Edouard Detaille (1900-1904); Firmin Girard (1890-1911); Francois Flameng (1891-1909); Emile Friant (n.d.); Francois Grison (n.d.); Georges Haquette (1896-97); Jules Lefebvre (1892-95); Madeleine Lemaire (1892-1913); Leon Lhermitte (1900-1912); Jean-Ferdinand Monchablon (1897-98); and Fritz Thaulow (1900-1905). The collection also includes one letter from the writer Theodore Duret (1917). In alphabetical order by correspondent.

Biographical or Historical Notes:
Art dealer.
extentca. 200 items. 7 microfiche use copy. 7 microfiche master copy.
formatsCorrespondence
accessOpen for use by qualified researchers.
record linkhttp://hdl.handle.net/10020/cat76417
record sourcehttp://library.getty.edu/vwebv/searchBasic
updated03/16/2023 10:29:44
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titleM. Knoedler & Co. records, approximately 1848-1971
repositoryThe Getty Research Institute
descriptionThe records of M. Knoedler & Co. document the business of the prominent American art dealer from the mid-19th century to 1971, when the Knoedler Gallery was acquired by Armand Hammer. The archive traces the development of the once provincial American art market into one of the world's leading art centers and the formation of the private art collections that would ultimately establish many of the nation's leading art museums, such as the Frick Collection and the National Gallery of Art.

It brings to the foreground the business side of dealing as artworks shuttled back and forth among Knoedler, fellow dealers, and collectors, documenting developments in art connoisseurship, shifting tastes, the changing role of art in American society, and the essential role of private collectors in the formation of public American art collections.

The records provide insight into broader economic, social and cultural histories and the nation's evolving sense of place in the world. The Knoedler Gallery became one of the main suppliers of old master and post-Impressionist paintings in the United States. Financial records of the firm provide crucial provenance information on the large number of artworks in American museums that were sold by the gallery. The archive includes stock books, sales books and commission books; correspondence with collectors, artists, art dealers and other associates; photographs of the artworks sold by the gallery; records from the firm's offices in London, Paris and other cities; exhibition files; framing and restoration records, and records of the firm's Print Department.

Selected portions of the archive have been digitized and made available online. Connect to selected digitized portions of the archive.

Arranged in 14 series:
Series I. Stock books;
Series II. Sales books;
Series III. Commission books;
Series IV. Inventory cards;
Series V. Receiving and shipping records;
Series VI. Correspondence;
Series VII. Photographs;
Series VIII. Exhibition files;
Series IX. American Department records;
Series X. Framing and restoration records;
Series XI. Print Department records;
Series XII. Other financial records;
Series XIII. Library cards, scrapbooks, and research materials;
Series XIV. Knoedler family papers


Biographical/Historical Note:
M. Knoedler & Co. was a successor to the New York branch of Goupil & Co., an extremely dynamic print-publishing house founded in Paris in 1827. Goupil's branches in London, Berlin, Brussels, and The Hague, as well as New York, expanded the firm's market in the sale of reproductive prints.

The firm's office in New York was established in 1848. In 1857, Michael Knoedler, an employee of Goupil and a manager for the firm, bought out the interests in the firm's New York branch, conducted the business under his own name, and diversified its activities to include the sale of paintings. Roland Knoedler, Michael's son, took over the firm in 1878 and with Charles Carstairs opened galleries in Paris and London.

In 1928, the management of the firm passed to Roland's nephew Charles Henschel, Carman Messmore, Charles Carstairs and Carstairs' son Carroll. In 1956 Henschel died, and E. Coe Kerr and Roland Balaÿ, Michael Knoedler's grandson, took over. In 1971 the firm was sold to businessman and collector Armand Hammer. The gallery closed in November 2011.

extent3042.6 linear feet (5550 boxes, 17 flat file folders)
formatsAuction Catalogs Business Records Correspondence Financial Records Ephemera
accessOpen for use by qualified researchers, with the following exceptions. Boxes 77, 262-264, 1308-1512, 1969-1974, 3592-3723 are restricted due to fragility. Box 4468 is restricted until 2075.
record linkhttp://hdl.handle.net/10020/cifa2012m54
record sourcehttp://primo.getty.edu/GRI:GETTY_ALMA21129976460001551
contact informationContact gallery's archivist
finding aidAt the Getty Research Institute and over their website.
acquisition informationAcquired in 2012.
updated05/29/2018 14:44:23
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titleJames Oliver Account Books, 1865-1868, 1872-1890.
repositoryThe New-York Historical Society
descriptionAccount books, 1865-1868 and 1872-1890, address book, ca. 1965, and a notebook of copied signatures of prominent painters, undated, of New York City painting restorer James Oliver. Account books record charges and payments for restoration work on individual paintings, frequently identified by painter or title. Oliver's clients included Samuel Putnam Avery, M. Knoedler & Co., restaurateur Lorenzo Delmonico, Blakeslee & Co., and New York art dealer Samuel L. Lowenherz. Address book contains names and addresses of Oliver's clients in the New York area and abroad. Also present is a volume containing the signatures of prominant painters of the day copied in pencil.
Subjects:
Avery, Samuel Putnam, 1822-1904.
Delmonico, Lorenzo C., 1813-1881.
Lowenherz, Samuel L.
Blakeslee & Co.
M. Knoedler & Co.

Biographical and Historical Notes
Painting restorer of New York City.

Location
New-York Historical Society

Collection
Mss Collection

Call Number
BV Oliver, James
extent5 v. Microfilm copy available, see Miscellaneous Microfilm reel #46.
formatsAccount Books Microfilm
accessopen to qualified researchers at The New-York Historical Society; patrons must use microfilm.
record sourcehttp://www.bobcat.nyu.edu
acquisition informationGift of Wendell Davis, Sep. 7, 1954.
updated11/12/2014 11:29:56
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titleM. Knoedler & Co. exhibition catalogs, [undated] and 1912-1922.
repositoryArchives of American Art
description"Imaginative Paintings," undated, of thirty young artists of New York city, enclosed is a typewritten note regarding an error in the catalog; "Exhibition of American Painters," undated, 58 works by 48 artists; "Exhibition of American Paintings and Sculpture Pertaining to the War," ca. 1918, 44 works by 41 artists; "Catalogue of Water Colors by John S. Sargent and Edward D. Boit," 1912; "Ninth Annual Summer Exhibition of Paintings by American Artists," 1916; "Eleventh Annual Summer Exhibition of Paintings by American Artists," 1918; "Catalogue of an Exhibition of Recent Work by A Group of American Artists," 1919, with a forward by Frederick James Gregg; and catalogs of one person exhibitions of Gladys Thayer, E. O. Hoppe, Albert Sterner, Abbott H. Thayer, George O. Hart, Mrs. Clare Sheridan, and [Leon] Bakst.

Bio / His Notes:
Art gallery at 556-558 5th Ave., New York, N.Y.
extent14 items, reel 4859 (fr. 338-401)
formatsExhibition Catalogs
accessPatrons must use microfilm copy.
record sourcehttp://www.siris.si.edu/
acquisition informationContained in: Miscellaneous art exhibition catalog collection, 1887-1934 (bulk 1915-1925)
updated11/12/2014 11:29:56
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titleRoland Balay interviews, 1981 Nov. 19-Dec. 7.
repositoryArchives of American Art
descriptionAn interview of Roland Balay conducted by Nancy C. Little for the Archives of American Art. Balay speaks of his grandfather's founding of M. Knoedler and Company, the gallery's history, his dealings with artists exhibited by the gallery, and his opinions of various collectors.
extent2 sound cassettes (24 p. transcript on 1 microfilm reel) reel 3196
formatsSound Recording Transcript Microfilm
accessTranscript: Patrons must use microfilm copy.
record sourcehttp://www.siris.si.edu/
acquisition informationPart of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958.
updated11/12/2014 11:29:56
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titleCorrespondence to Van Wyck Brooks, 1947.
repositoryUniversity of Pennsylvania
descriptionLetter concerns the restoration of a portrait of Mitchell Clark Brooks, Van Wyck's grandfather. The letter's writer, Harry A. Brooks, both worked for Knoedler and was a relation to Van Wyck Brooks.

Correspondence to Van Wyck Brooks, 1947.

Other Contributors: Brooks, Harry A.

Contained in:
Van Wyck Brooks Papers. Folder 1914

Location: Rare Book & Ms Library Manuscripts
Call Number: Ms. Coll. 650
extent1 item (1 leaf)
formatsCorrespondence
accessContact repository for restrictions and policies.
record sourcehttp://www.franklin.library.upenn.edu
acquisition informationFound In: Van Wyck Brooks Papers. Folder 1914
updated11/12/2014 11:29:56
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titleCorrespondence with Carl Zigrosser, 1917-1953, n.d.
repositoryUniversity of Pennsylvania
descriptionThe correspondence reflects the business and personal relationship between Zigrosser and Carrington. Letters record purchases from Weyhe by the Museum of Fine Arts, Carrington’s efforts to make Weyhe Gallery the American associate of Campbell Dodgson and the Print Collectors’ Quarterly, and his interest in Zigrosser’s work on The Modern School. Carrington writes about his interest in art education and his work at the Children’s Art Center in Boston, and his favorable impression of Zigrosser’s daughter Carola. Carrington sent Zigrosser letters about business, research projects, lectures and sales, comments on Zigrosser’s publications (particularly The Artist in America), and exhibitions. There is a detailed letter on Whistler’s prints written a year before Carrington died.

Biography/History:
Fitz Roy Carrington first met Carl Zigrosser when the latter was hired by Frederick Keppel & Co. Their correspondence began when Carrington became curator of prints at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and Zigrosser went to Weyhe Gallery. Their friendship continued after Carrington went back to a commercial print dealer, M. Knoedler & Co., and on into Carrington’s retirement.

Other Contributors: M. Knoedler & Co.

Contained in:
Carl Zigrosser Papers, ca. 1891-1971. Folder 263.

Location: Rare Book & Ms Library Manuscripts
Call Number: Ms. Coll. 6

LC Subject(s):
Dodgson, Campbell, 1867-1948.
Whistler, James McNeill, 1834-1903.
Children’s Art Center (Boston, Ma.)
Frederick Keppel & Co.
Print Collector’s Quarterly.
The Modern School.
The Artist in America, 1942.
extent52 items (79 leaves).
formatsCorrespondence
accessContact repository for restrictions and policies.
record sourcehttp://www.franklin.library.upenn.edu
updated11/12/2014 11:30:03
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titleCorrespondence with Carl Zigrosser, 1950-1969.
repositoryUniversity of Pennsylvania
descriptionContained in:
Carl Zigrosser Papers, ca. 1891-1971. Folder 1027.

Location: Rare Book & Ms Library Manuscripts
Call Number: Ms. Coll. 6
extent3 items (3 leaves).
formatsCorrespondence
accessContact repository for restrictions and policies.
record sourcehttp://www.franklin.library.upenn.edu
updated11/12/2014 11:30:03
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titleM. Knoedler & Co. Exhibition catalogs and miscellaneous material, 1913-1955 (bulk 1949)
repositoryThe New-York Historical Society
descriptionCatalogs, leaflets, brochures, announcements, invitations and miscellaneous ephemera of exhibitions held at the galleries of M. Knoedler & Co.

Includes, material of exhibitions of works by the following artists (in alphabetical order): Jankel Adler, Gilbert Adrian, François Barraud, Mrs. Irving T. Bush, Teng Chiu, Jean de Botton, Max Ernst, Lillian Freiman, Thomas Gainsborough, Kahlil Gibran, Pierre Grimm, Maurice Grosser, Xavier Guerrero, James McBey, Henry McBride, Ethel Frances Mundy, Elie Nadelman, William Orpen, Serge Poliakoff, Sir Henry Raeburn, José María Sert, Georges Seurat, William Henry Singer, Edmund Charles Tarbell, J.M.W. Turner, and Stanley Wilson.

Also includes, material of the following group shows: old and modern drawings (1924), naval and military portraits (1932), views of London and the English country-side (1944), and the Far West (1949).

Also includes, material of the following art collections: Sporting painting from the collection of Charles H. Thieriot (1940), exhibition of the collection of Erich Maria Remarque (1943), Impressionist and Post-impressionist master pieces from the collections of members of the Advisory Committee of the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University (1949).

New-York Historical Society
Archives N620 .K7

extent34 items
formatsCatalogs Ephemera
accessContact repository for restrictions and policies.
record sourcehttp://www.bobcat.nyu.edu
finding aidIndexes: Checklist available in the Library; item level control. Arranged chronologically
updated11/12/2014 11:30:07
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titleRecords of the Director's Office: Frederic Allen Whiting, 1913-1930
repositoryThe Cleveland Museum of Art
descriptionThe records of the Director's Office are the primary source for understanding the decisions made and actions taken at the highest level of the museum's administration.

In addition, the records constitute one of the most valuable, unified resources for researching the early history of the museum and its art collection; initial construction and expansion of the museum building;

changes in the museum's administrative hierarchy; personalities and activities of individual staff members; artistic and social movements of the first half of the twentieth century; and the museum's relationship with civic, cultural, and educational institutions throughout the country and the world.

The records from Frederic Allen Whiting's tenure as director are divided into four main series: I. Numbered Administrative Correspondence, II. Unnumbered Administrative Correspondence, III. Biographical Materials, and IV. Index to Numbered Administrative Correspondence.

Citation:
The Cleveland Museum of Art Archives, Records of the Director's Office: Frederic Allen Whiting, date and short description of document [e.g., letter from Whiting to Kent, 6 June 1916].
extent22.6 cubic feet, 72 boxes
formatsAdministrative Records Writings Correspondence Notes
accessAt the end of the restricted period, the records will still be subject to the review of the archivist before access is granted.
record linkhttp://library.clevelandart.org/museum_archives/finding_aids/whiting/index.php
record sourcehttp://library.clevelandart.org/museum_archives/finding_aids/
updated11/12/2014 11:30:11
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