Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America

Archives related to: Schemm, Peter A., 1853-1909

titleAmerican Art Association Records, circa 1853-1929, bulk circa 1885-1922
repositoryArchives of American Art
descriptionThe American Art Association records measure 27.8 linear feet and date from circa 1853-1929, with the bulk of the material dating from circa 1885-1922. The records include auction and sales files, general financial and legal files, inventory and stock records, client files, printed materials, photographic materials, artwork, and the personal papers of founder Thomas Ellis Kirby.
extent27.8 linear feet
formatsBusiness Papers Printed Materials Artwork Photoprints
accessUse of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
record linkhttps://sova.si.edu/details/AAA.amerarta?t=W&q=Schemm%2C+Peter+A.#ref792
finding aidhttps://sova.si.edu/details/AAA.amerarta?t=W&q=Schemm%2C+Peter+A.#ref792
acquisition informationThe American Art Association records measure 27.8 linear feet and date from circa 1853-1929, with the bulk of the material dating from circa 1885-1922. The records include auction and sales files, general financial and legal files, inventory and stock records, client files, printed materials, photographic materials, artwork, and the personal papers of founder Thomas Ellis Kirby.
updated03/16/2023 10:30:01
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titleCharles M. Kurtz Papers, 1843-1990, bulk 1884-1909
repositoryArchives of American Art
descriptionThe papers of arts administrator, museum director, collector, dealer, and editor Charles M. Kurtz (1855-1909), measure 27.74 linear feet and date from 1843-1990 (bulk dates 1884-1909). The bulk of the collection consists of detailed chronological correspondence between Kurtz and his wife and family, friends, colleagues, and business associates that documents many notable exhibitions, galleries, museums, private collections, as well as cities, people, and events of the period. Also found in the collection are Kurtz's diaries, scrapbooks, printed materials, and photographs.
extent27.74 Linear feet
accessThe collection is open for research. Patrons must use microfilm copy.
record linkhttps://sova.si.edu/details/AAA.kurtchar?t=W&q=Schemm%2C+Peter+A.#ref1356
finding aidhttps://sova.si.edu/record/AAA.kurtchar?s=0&n=10&t=W&q=Schemm%2C+Peter+A.&i=0
acquisition informationFor many years, the Kurtz Papers were thought to have been destroyed in a fire. Isabel Kurtz, a school teacher who lived with her older sister in Buffalo, New York, was vague when initially approached about her father's papers by Archives Regional Director, Robert Brown in the mid-1980s. However upon her death in 1991, her will revealed that the papers were indeed in her house in Buffalo and the bulk of them were bequeathed to the Archives of American Art. Paintings and a diary relating to the Glasgow School were given to the Yale Center for British Art. That diary has subsequently been duplicated on microfilm and is now also available in the Archives. Scorch marks on some of the papers and also on the paintings given to Yale suggest that there was indeed a fire. The material that was not bequeathed to the Archives included duplicates of printed documents along with books from the Kurtz library and a coin collection, all of which were dispersed in an estate auction that was held in Buffalo in 1991.
updated02/23/2023 11:54:06
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