Carlen Galleries, est. 1937

Carlen Galleries, Inc. records, 1775-1997 (bulk 1940-1986)

10.4 linear ft. (partially microfilmed on 14 reels)
Reel(s): 4166-4175 and 5745-5748

Correspondence, business records, subject files, a scrapbook, printed matter, photographs, and selections from Robert Carlen's library document the operation and activities of Carlen Galleries, Inc. and its founder Robert Carlen.

REELS 4166-4175 (PT. 1, GIFT) : Correspondence, 1937-1986, with artists, dealers, curators, and collectors, mainly about sales and purchases; correspondence files concerning sales of art work by Maurice Prendergast and Käthe Kollwitz; artist files, 1944-1976, regarding Albert Davies, Edward Hicks, and Horace Pippin containing letters, financial records, and printed matter; subject files, 1933-1977, on black artists, Raymond Feuillate, the French Moderns, and letters to Mrs. Almon Kidder concerning Raphaelle Peale; and business records, 1906-1977, including loan forms, records of Carlen Galleries exhibitions, miscellaneous art work information, photographs, inventories, advertising, a guest book, a scrapbook, clippings, conservation reports, and financial records.

REEL 4175, fr. 01-283 (PT.2, LOAN): Letters , 1941-1986, from and about Horace Pippin, about Edward Hicks, and gallery business; business records, 1937-1946, consisting of account books and receipts; printed matter, 1937-1947, including exhibition announcements, catalogs, and clippings; a scrapbook, 1937-1947, about Horace Pippin; and photographs, 1944, of works of art and portrait of Allan Freelon. (Note: some of the Horace Pippin and Edward Hicks material microfilmed in 1988 with Pt. 2 was lent again in 2002 for microfilming, and is duplicated in Pt. 4, although there was a significant amount rearranged in the interim.)

REEL 5745 (PT. 3; GIFT; 0.2 ft.): Letters, 1962-ca. 1980, from Charles M. Mount about John Singer Sargent; business records, 1979, consisting of a sales receipt and list of paintings to be appraised; and photographs, ca. 1940, ca. 1950, of Robert Carlen, and Carlen with Mr. and Mrs. Horace Pippin.

REELS 5746-5748 (PART 4; LOAN) : Correspondence, 1943-1997, concerning purchase and sale of art and antiquities, Carlen Galleries exhibitions, loans, and reference requests; a small amount of personal correspondence with the Carlen's daughters and friends; business records, 1941-1989, including appraisals, receipts, and contract for Carlen's participation in the University Hospital Antiques Show; subject files, 1937-1997, about Edward Hicks, Anatol Jal, the Captain James Lawrence goblet, Horace Pippin, and Antoine Roux, containing correspondence, printed matter, and photographs; and five notebooks, 1928-1994, about Horace Pippin (3 vols.), Edward Hicks, and Robert Carlen and the gallery, containing correspondence, printed matter, financial records, and photogaphs.

UNMICROFILMED: Selections from the library of Carlen Galleries, Inc., 1835-1992, including catalogs, pamphlets, and periodicals. A small number of folders include notes, photographs, and photocopies of archival material. (The filing order and subject designations were suppl

Location of Originals: Reels 4175 (fr. 01-283) and 5746-5748: Originals returned to the lenders after microfilming.

Papers on reels 4166-4175 were donated 1986 by Robert Carlen. Material on reel 4175, frames 1-283 (second series) mainly relating to Horace Pippin were loaned by Carlen 1988. In 2002, Carlen's daughter, Nancy Carlen, donated 2 feet of records, and loaned 3 feet for microfilming (the loan portion partially duplicates the 1988 loan, but material was significantly reorganized in the intervening years).

How to Use this Collection

• Patrons must use microfilm copy. (Selections from Carlen's library have not been microfilmed; use requires an appointment.)
  Use requires an appointment.
• Microfilm reels 4166-4175 and 5745-5748 available at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
• Please read the Finding Aid for more detailed information on this collection.
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