Augustus F. de Forest papers, 1852-1946

Collection Information

Size: 1.4 Linear feet, (on 3 microfilm reels)

Summary: Papers, mostly about 19th century American painters, including: correspondence, photos of art work, notes, artists' biographies, and printed matter. Many of the papers are stamped "de Forest Art Library," "de Forest Early American Portraits," or "de Forest Library of Americana." Also found are photographs of Henry Wilson, Edward Troye, Gutzon Borglum, George H. Yewell, William Sartain and Eastman Johnson; and two etchings of "The Mermaid" by Frederick Stuart Church.

Biographical/Historical Note

De Forest was an art appraiser and gallery owner in New York, N.Y.

Provenance

De Forest acquired some of these papers from Charles Henry Hart (after the latter's death in 1918) for the De Forest Art Reference Library and for his art appraisal-gallery business. Later, they passed into the possession of M. R. Schweitzer, another art dealer in New York. Finally, Julius H. Weitzner owned them before giving them to the Archives of American Art.

Language Note

English .