Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America
Archives related to: Whitney, George
| title | George Whitney papers relating to William Trost Richards, 1875-1889. | repository | Archives of American Art |
| description | Sketches, an oil painting, a photograph album, and printed material primarily relating to Whitney's patronage of painter William Trost Richards. REEL 1497: 112 watercolor sketches and an oil painting, 1875-1889, mainly depicting Rhode Island and England. Richards sent these sketches to Whitney, with titles or descriptions of each scene written on its reverse. Whitney added the date he received each sketch to this inscription. REEL 2029: A catalog of William Trost Richards's paintings sold by the Whitney estate, and clippings reporting the sale in 1885. Bio / His Notes: Whitney was a collector; Philadelphia, Pa., and Richards a marine and landscape painter, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania (b. 1833, d. 1905). |
| extent | 117 items (on 2 microfilm reels) reels 1497 & 2029 |
| formats | Sketches Artwork Photograph Album Printed Materials |
| access | Contact repository for restrictions and policies. |
| record source | http://www.siris.si.edu/ |
| acquisition information | Material on reel 2029 was donated 1980 by Elizabeth H. Friedman, a descendent of Whitney. The sketches and painting were lent for microfilming anonymously. Location of Original: Reel 1497: Originals returned to the lenders after microfilming. |
| updated | 02/14/2025 10:07:35 |
| .................................................................... | |
| title | Papers relating to the sale of George Whitney's art collection | repository | Archives of American Art |
| description | Collection contains an album, "The Whitney collection", with 42 carbon prints of paintings in Whitney's collection as well as news clippings relating to the sale of the collection (some items are loose), and a folder with additional clippings on the sale (1885), an article from the Philadelphia Inquirer on William Trost Richards (1973), and a catalogue, "The works of Mr. Wm. T. Richards in the collection of American and foreign paintings to be sold on the account of the late Mr. George Whitney of Philadelphia, on exhibition at the Galleries of the American Art Association." These materials are microfilmed on reel 2029. In 1979, an anonymous lender lent papers for microfilming (reel 1497), including 112 watercolor sketches and an oil painting, 1875-1889, received by George Whitney in the 1870s and 1880s from William Trost Richards. The artworks mainly depict Rhode Island (primarily Conanicut Island) and England. Most sketches are annotated on the verso with the subject matter and the date they were received by Whitney. Biographical/Historical Note: George Whitney (d. 1885) was a collector; Philadelphia, Pa., and Richards a marine and landscape painter, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania (b. 1833, d. 1905). The album, catalog and clippings were initially lent for microfilming by Elizabeth H. Friedman, a descendent of Whitney, in 1979. She subsequently donated these materials in 1980. The sketches and painting on reel 1409 were lent for microfilming anonymously. |
| extent | 0.2 linear ft. (7 items) |
| formats | Printed Materials |
| access | Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information. |
| record source | http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/papers-relating-to-sale-george-whitneys-art-collection-10127 |
| updated | 02/14/2025 10:07:50 |
| .................................................................... | |
| title | George Whitney letters to Henry Hill Collins regarding William Trost Richards, 1880 | repository | Archives of American Art |
| description | Two letters, March 2 and April 16, from George Whitney to prominent business owner Henry Hill Collins concerning the potential sale to Mr. Collins of the landscape painting "Lion Rock, Cornwall" by artist William Trost Richards. The letters include a detailed description of the painted scene, Richard's painting technique, and the price of the painting. Wright also writes "It is the best work that Mr. R (Richards) has ever done." Biographical Note George Whitney (d. 1885) was an art collector from Philadelphia, Penn Citation: George Whitney, Philadelphia, Pa. letter to Henry Hill Collins, 1880 Mar. 2. Miscellaneous manuscripts collection, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. |
| extent | 2 items |
| formats | |
| record source | http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/images/detail/george-whitney-philadelphia-pa-letter-to-henry-hill-collins-9232 |
| updated | 02/14/2025 10:07:50 |
| .................................................................... | |
| title | Scrapbook of materials relating to George Whitney's art collection, ca. 1885 | repository | Archives of American Art |
| description | Forms part of: Papers relating to the sale of George Whitney's art collection, Scrapbook contains: a handwritten list of the artists represented in Whitney's collection, reproductions of 35 paintings and one sculpture from the collection, newspaper clippings pertaining to some of those paintings (notably several on Eastman Johnson's The last service of the old stage coach) or to the sale of Whitney's collection itself, and photographs of his gallery with the paintings in situ. Artworks reproduced are primarily 19th century realist paintings and watercolors, including several landscapes by William Trost Richards. Citation: Scrapbook of materials relating to George Whitney's art collection, ca. 1885. Papers relating to the sale of George Whitney's art collection, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. |
| formats | |
| record source | http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/images/detail/scrapbook-materials-relating-to-george-whitneys-art-collection-12181 |
| updated | 02/14/2025 10:07:50 |
| .................................................................... | |