Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America
Archives related to: Kouchakji, Fahim
| title | Albert C. Barnes Correspondence, 1902-1951 | repository | The Barnes Foundation |
| description | The correspondence of Albert C. Barnes (1872 - 1951) contains personal and professional letters and records that document the activities of his chemical companies, Barnes and Hille and the A.C. Barnes Company, the acquisition of his world-renowned art collection, and the development of the educational program which lead to the establishment of the Barnes Foundation, an institution over which he presided until his death in 1951. The bulk of the correspondence (1924 - 1951) reflects Barnes's work as a businessman, art collector, author, and educator and includes evidence of his evolving educational theories, his finances, travels to Europe and the American West, essays, lectures, and publications, and his opinions regarding art and artists. Correspondents include Etienne Bignou, John Dewey, Paul Guillaume, Georges Keller, Henri Matisse, Pierre Matisse, Bignou Gallery, Galerie Durand-Ruel, Leo Stein. Biographical Notes: Albert C. Barnes was born in Philadelphia on January 2, 1872, completed a B.S. degree at Central High School of Philadelphia, and earned an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, in 1892. Barnes studied chemistry at the University of Berlin and pharmacology at Ruprecht-Karls-Universtat in Heidelberg. In 1901, Barnes married Laura Leggett of Brooklyn, N. Y. The following year, with partner Hermann Hille, Barnes developed and manufactured the medicine Argyrol, which he successfully marketed worldwide. In 1922, Barnes established the Barnes Foundation, an educational institution dedicated to the appreciation of fine art and arboriculture. Throughout his life, Barnes collected European Primitive, Impressionist, and Modern art as well as Native American, Early American, and Pennsylvania German decorative art and fine crafts. He presided over the Barnes Foundation until his death on July 24, 1951. Preferred Citation [Description of item], [date]. Presidents' Files, Albert C. Barnes Correspondence. The Barnes Foundation Archives, Merion, Pennsylvania. Reprinted with permission. |
| extent | 125.5 linear feet |
| formats | Correspondence |
| access | Open for research by appointment only. |
| record link | https://s3.amazonaws.com/barnes-images-p-e1c3c83bd163b8df/assets/ABC_Pkwy.pdf |
| record source | http://www.barnesfoundation.org/ead/acb_frameset.html |
| finding aid | http://www.barnesfoundation.org/ead/acb_frameset.html |
| acquisition information | These records were housed in the storage area of the Barnes Foundation’s administration building. |
| updated | 03/16/2023 10:30:07 |
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