Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America
Archives related to: Bishop, Cortlandt F. (Cortlandt Field), 1870-1935
| title | American Art Association records, 1877-1924 (bulk 1910-1924) | repository | The Frick Collection and Frick Art Reference Library |
| description | The American Art Association records document a selection of auction sales run by the gallery, as well as Thomas Kirby’s relationship with those who sold their works through the AAA. Records date from 1877-1924, with the bulk dating from 1910-1924. The collection includes correspondence, approximately 1,000 photographs, handwritten and typed notes, fragments of a typescript on the American Art Association, pages from auction sales catalogues, newspaper and periodical clippings, and several sales catalogues. The records are organized in three series: I. Auction Sales, 1910-1923 II. Correspondence and Notes, 1877-1924, and III. Clippings, 1881-1924. The bulk of the collection concerns specific auction sales conducted by the American Art Association. Files contain inventories of the works, often with prices and names of buyers; black & white photos of the works and several of the exhibition installations; correspondence; sections of a typescript on AAA; handwritten notes regarding the sales; pages from sales catalogues; and clippings. Documentation of 70 sales ranges from a single typescript sentence to multiple folders of correspondence, inventories and hundreds of photographs of the items for sale. An additional 150 auction sales are represented in the files only by cursory handwritten notes. Some of the most heavily documented sales include "57 Paintings Belonging to Ichabod T. Williams" of February 3-4, 1915, "Charles of London, Italian, French & English Furniture, Tapestries, Rugs, Paintings, Porcelains, etc." of November 15-20, 1920 and "Palatial Mansion & Contents Collected by William J. Saloman" April 4-7, 1923. Also of note in the records is correspondence between Kirby and Arthur B. Emmons regarding several auctions in which works he owned were sold, 16 letters to Charles De Kay from correspondents other than Thomas Kirby, handwritten notes on George Inness, biographical comments on Thomas Kirby, and several letters concerning the controversy over the authenticity of the painting "Blue Boy" at the William H. Fuller Sale of February 25, 1898, including a letter from Francis Davis Millet. A few clippings and letters document Kirby's career prior to his affiliation with the American Art Association. Historical Note: Thomas E. Kirby (1846-1924), with his partners James F. Sutton and R. Austin Robertson, founded the American Art Association (AAA) in 1883, one of the premier art auction houses of its time. Known for his “million dollar voice,” Kirby conducted the sales himself, and is credited with creating the style of modern art auctions, instituting an atmosphere of elegance and style, and enforcing standards in order to counteract the negative reputation held by auctioneers of the day. Kirby’s son Gustavus joined the firm in 1912 and became half owner in 1915, upon the death of James Sutton. The galleries, located on East 23rd Street on Madison Square South, moved to 30 East 57th Street in 1922. In 1923, Kirby sold AAA to Cortlandt Field Bishop, who contracted Hiram Parke and Otto Bernet to run the auction house. In 1929 it merged with the Anderson Auction Company. Location The Frick Collection/Frick Art Reference Library Archives. Call Number MS.015 |
| extent | 3.75 linear feet |
| formats | Photographs Financial Records Correspondence Clippings Notes |
| access | These records are open for research under the conditions of The Frick Collection/Frick Art Reference Library Archives access policy. Contact the Archives Department for further information at archives@frick.org |
| record link | http://www.frick.org/archives/FindingAids/AmericanArtAssociation.html |
| record source | https://library.frick.org/permalink/01NYA_INST/1qqhid8/alma991007470759707141 |
| finding aid | Finding aid available in the repository. |
| acquisition information | The records were a gift of Mrs. Thomas W. Waller (Wilhelmina), granddaughter of Thomas Kirby, in 1956. These records are just a portion of those donated; an additional 12 linear feet of scrapbooks containing auction sales newspaper clippings have not yet been processed. Mrs. Waller also donated books and sales catalogues, which have been integrated into the Library’s collection. The bulk of the American Art Association's records (an additional 50 linear feet) are located in the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. |
| updated | 03/16/2023 10:30:05 |
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| title | D.W. Bishop Travel Diaries, 1869-1870, 1873-1881. | repository | Syracuse University Libraries |
| description | The D. W. Bishop Travel Diaries consists of two bound diaries detailing Bishop's travels to England, Scotland, Europe, Asia and Egypt. The diaries contain many small newspaper clippings and memorabilia such as ship ephemera and playbills. Arrangement of the Collection3:09:07 PM The collection is arranged chronologically. Biographical and Historical Note: David Wolfe Bishop (d. 1900) was a diarist from Lenox, Massachusetts. Little is known of Bishop apart from details from his obituary in the New York Times: he married Florence Van Cortlandt (who married John E. Parsons after Bishop's death) and had two sons, Cortlandt Field Bishop (1870-1935) and David Wolfe Bishop, who committed suicide in Paris in 1911. He was a member of the Knickerbocker, the Union, the Riding, the New York Yacht and the Metropolitan Clubs. He was also a member of the St. Nicholas Society, and the Sons of the American Revolution. Upon his death on May 1, 1900, Bishop held valuable properties in New York worth over one million dollars. Preferred citation for this material is as follows: D. W. Bishop Travel Diaries, Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries |
| extent | 2 volumes |
| access | There are no access restrictions on this material. |
| record link | http://library.syr.edu/digital/guides/b/bishop_dw.htm |
| record source | http://summit.syr.edu/vwebv/holdingsInfo?bibId=2677706 |
| finding aid | A guide to this collection is available on the repository's web site. |
| updated | 11/01/2017 15:42:07 |
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| title | Arthur Swann Papers and correspondence, [1900-1956]. | repository | Grolier Club |
| description | Letters from booksellers and collectors to Swann concerning his activities in the New York book trade. Also holograph appraisal of the library of J.P. Morgan made in 1915-1916 with the assistance of Joseph Martini (Guiseppe Martini). Collection includes testimonials gathered by Swann in England in 1900 as to his character and ability and two typescripts by him on important sales. Correspondents include Cortlandt Field Bishop, P.J. Foley, and Byrne Hackett of the Brick Row Book Shop. Collection includes undated typescript by Ernest Dawson, "What's wrong with the book trade?" Also three photographs and some clippings relating to Swann's departure from the American Art Association in 1927 and other related topics. Biographical and Historical Note: Bookseller and auctioneer, Arthur Swann worked in Liverpool and Leeds before coming to New York City and joining the Anderson Auction Company. From 1913 he was associated with the American Art Association (AAA), where he organized the rare book and manuscript department. After leaving AAA he served briefly as vice president of the Brick Row Book Shop. From 1933 Swann was a vice president of what became the Parke-Bernet Galleries. During his long career he prepared the auction catalogs for many significant sales of rare books and manuscripts in New York City. |
| extent | 2 boxes |
| access | Contact the Grolier Club for access restrictions. |
| record link | http://www.grolierclub.org/LibraryAMC.SwannPapers.htm |
| record source | http://grolier.vtls.com:3272/heading/search?theme=grolier |
| finding aid | Unpublished finding aid available through Grolier Club website. |
| updated | 11/27/2017 15:24:30 |
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| title | Cortlandt F. Bishop with dogs [ca. 1924–1930] | repository | Lennox Library Association |
| description | Title from accompanying materials. CFB with Husky, Lasky pulling toboggan, Lupo - the passenger handwritten on back of print. Rights status not evaluated. This work is licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License (CC BY-NC-ND). Preferred Citation: Courtesy of the Lenox Library Association. |
| extent | 1 digital image |
| access | his work is licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License (CC BY-NC-ND). |
| record source | http://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/1c18f684h |
| updated | 05/24/2016 15:38:47 |
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| title | Dog collar leather brass plate reads Cortland F. Bishop Esq Lenox MA | repository | Lennox Historical Society |
| description | Title from accompanying materials. 1 dog collar No known copyright restrictions This work is licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). |
| extent | 1 item |
| access | No known copyright restrictions. |
| record source | http://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/02871m455 |
| updated | 05/24/2016 15:38:40 |
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