Archives of American Art

Papers relating to the sale of George Whitney's art collection

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.whitgeor
Creators:
Whitney, George, d. 1885
Dates:
undated
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.2 Linear feet
(7 items)
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Collection contains an album, "The Whitney collection", with 42 carbon prints of paintings in Whitney's collection as well as news clippings relating to the sale of the collection (some items are loose), and a folder with additional clippings on the sale (1885), an article from the Philadelphia Inquirer on William Trost Richards (1973), and a catalogue, "The works of Mr. Wm. T. Richards in the collection of American and foreign paintings to be sold on the account of the late Mr. George Whitney of Philadelphia, on exhibition at the Galleries of the American Art Association." These materials are microfilmed on reel 2029.
Scope and Contents
In 1979, an anonymous lender lent papers for microfilming (reel 1497), including 112 watercolor sketches and an oil painting, 1875-1889, received by George Whitney in the 1870s and 1880s from William Trost Richards. The artworks mainly depict Rhode Island (primarily Conanicut Island) and England. Most sketches are annotated on the verso with the subject matter and the date they were received by Whitney.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
George Whitney (d. 1885) was a collector; Philadelphia, Pa., and Richards a marine and landscape painter, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania (b. 1833, d. 1905).

Administration

Existence and Location of Copies
35mm microfilm reels 1497 & 2029 available for use at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
Existence and Location of Originals
Reel 1497: Originals returned to the lenders after microfilming.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The album, catalog and clippings were initially lent for microfilming by Elizabeth H. Friedman, a descendent of Whitney, in 1979. She subsequently donated these materials in 1980. The sketches and painting on reel 1409 were lent for microfilming anonymously.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Art -- Collectors and collecting Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Marine painting -- 19th century -- Rhode Island -- Newport Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Painters Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Marine painters Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Whitney, George, d. 1885 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Richards, William Trost, 1833-1905 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives of American Art
750 9th Street, NW
Victor Building, Suite 2200
Washington, D.C. 20001
https://www.aaa.si.edu/services/questions