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Archives of American Art
A Finding Aid to the Morris W. Primoff Papers Relating to Thomas Hart Benton, 1950-1978, in the Archives of American Art
Summary
- Collection ID:
- AAA.primmorr
- Creators:
-
Primoff, Morris W.
- Dates:
-
1950-1978
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
0.01 Linear feet
- Repository:
The Morris W. Primoff papers relating to Thomas Hart Benton measures 0.01 linear feet and date from 1950 to 1978. The papers primarily consist of correspondence between attorney Morris W. Primoff (1899-1986) and New York-based painter and muralist Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975). Correspondence includes letters, 1950-1965, between Benton and Morris W. Primoff of Primoff & Primoff, Counselors at Law. Letters concern the "Lewis family" gift of Benton's painting "Island Farm" to Morris W. Primoff; a Benton exhibition at the Gerst Gallery in New York; tax laws concnerning unsold works of art in artists' estates; a proposed book on Benton by Crown Publishers, Inc.; and Benton's expedition up the Missouri River following the trail of Lewis and Clark. Also included are a letter from Benton's wife Rita to Polly and Murray (Morris) Primoff thanking them for attending Benton's exhibition opening in New Britain, 1954; and a letter from Polly Burroughs concerning a book on Benton, 1978. Printed material includes the catalog "Thomas Hart Benton: A Giant in American Art"(1962) and newspaper clippings.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
The Morris W. Primoff papers relating to Thomas Hart Benton measures 0.01 linear feet and date from 1950 to 1978. The papers primarily consist of correspondence between attorney Morris W. Primoff (1899-1986) and New York-based painter and muralist Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975). Correspondence includes letters, 1950-1965, between Benton and Morris W. Primoff of Primoff & Primoff, Counselors at Law. Letters concern the "Lewis family" gift of Benton's painting "Island Farm" to Morris W. Primoff; a Benton exhibition at the Gerst Gallery in New York; tax laws concnerning unsold works of art in artists' estates; a proposed book on Benton by Crown Publishers, Inc.; and Benton's expedition up the Missouri River following the trail of Lewis and Clark. Also included are a letter from Benton's wife Rita to Polly and Murray (Morris) Primoff thanking them for attending Benton's exhibition opening in New Britain, 1954; and a letter from Polly Burroughs concerning a book on Benton, 1978. Printed material includes the catalog "Thomas Hart Benton: A Giant in American Art"(1962) and newspaper clippings.
Arrangement
Arrangement
Due to the small size of this collection the papers are arranged as one series.
- Series 1: Morris W. Primoff papers relating to Thomas Hart Benton, 1950-1978 (Folder 1; 20 items)
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Morris W. Primoff (1899-1986) was a New York attorney. Thomas H. Benton (1889-1975) was a painter, mural painter based in New York, N.Y.
Administration
Author
Rihoko Ueno
Existence and Location of Copies
Primoff's outgoing letters are photocopies.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Morris W. Primoff papers relating to Thomas Hart Benton were donated to the Archives of American Art in 2006 by Barbara and L. Robert Primoff, daughter-in-law and son of Morris W. Primoff.
Processing Information
The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Rihoko Ueno in 2023.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Preferred Citation
Morris W. Primoff papers relating to Thomas Hart Benton, 1950-1978. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Keywords
| Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Art -- Collectors and collecting -- New York (State) -- New York | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Lawyers -- New York (State) -- New York | Occupation | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Benton, Thomas Hart, 1889-1975 | Personal Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Benton, Rita P. | Personal Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Archives of American Art
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Victor Building, Suite 2200
Washington, D.C. 20001
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-7950
https://www.aaa.si.edu/services/questions
