Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America
Archives related to: Strassburger, May Bourne
| title | May Bourne Strassburger Papers, 1924-1940. | repository | The Winterthur Library |
| description | These papers illuminate the acquisition of antiques by the Strassburgers. The single largest component of the collection consists of correspondence with and bills from antique dealers, most of whom were in England or France. Almost all the items mentioned were intended for one of the Strassburgers’ French homes. There is some correspondence with American dealers, including several small Pennsylvania dealers. In Europe, the Strassburgers were buying Chippendale furniture and sterling silver; in Pennsylvania, however, Mrs. Strassburger was buying homespun textiles and locally made furniture. Several letters allude to Mrs. Strassburger being a handspinner. The second largest component of the collection are letters from Albert Stopford, an elderly English gentleman who assisted the Strassburgers. He acted as an intermediary between the Strassburgers and dealers and helped arrange for shipping their purchases. Some of the letters from dealers were sent directly to Mr. Stopford and are filed with his correspondence. Also in the collection are catalogs from and notices of exhibitions and sales; photographs of furniture, silver, and rooms (probably one of the Strassburgers’ homes, but they are not labeled); a postcard showing the gate to Normandy Farm; a few newspaper clippings; and some inventories, mostly detailing pictures hanging in one of the Strassburgers’ homes (which one is not specified). There are a few photographs attached to correspondence from dealers. Biography or history May Bourne Strassburger and her husband Ralph Beaver Strassburger were avid antique collectors. Mrs. Strassburger was a Singer sewing machine heiress. She married Ralph in 1911. Ralph was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania; he graduated from the United States Naval Academy, and served in the diplomatic corps. He wrote two books: a genealogy of his family, and one on German settlers in Pennsylvania. The Strassburgers owned several homes: Normandy Farm in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania; and places in Paris, Deauville, and Chantilly, France. They also spent time in Palm Beach, Florida. Associated materials Other Strassburger materials are in Col. 360. The architect G. Edwin Brumbaugh did work for the Strassburgers, and information about that is found in his papers, Col. 34. Location The Winterthur Library: Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera, Winterthur, DE 19735. Call Number C ol. 583 |
| extent | 2 boxes (ca.0.5 cu. ft.) |
| formats | Correspondence Financial Records Auction Catalogs Photographs Inventories |
| access | Contact repository for restrictions and policies. |
| record link | http://findingaid.winterthur.org/html/HTML_Finding_Aids/COL0583.htm |
| record source | http://library.winterthur.org:8000/cgi-bin/webgw |
| updated | 03/16/2023 10:30:01 |
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