TABLE OF CONTENTS Finding Aid for the Peter H. Davidson & Co., Inc. Records, 1951-1991 (bulk 1970- 1984) Summary Information Historical Note SUMMARY INFORMATION Scope and Content Note Arrangement Repository The Frick Collection/Frick Art Reference Library Archives Administrative Information 10 East 71st Street Related Materials New York, NY, 10021 [email protected] Controlled Access Headings © 2010 The Frick Collection. All rights reserved. Collection Inventory Creator Series I: Subject Files, Peter H. Davidson & Co., Inc. 1966-1988 Title Series II: Edward Peter H. Davidson & Co., Inc. Records Sprague Jones Correspondence, 1975- ID 1977 MS.04 Series III: Artist Files, Date [bulk] 1971-1991 Bulk, 1970-1984 Series IV: Stock Books, undated Date [inclusive] 1942-1991 Series V: M. Knoedler & Co., Inc. Material, 1942- Extent 1972 11.5 Linear feet (24 boxes, 1 oversize folder) Abstract Find The records of Peter H. Davidson & Co., Inc. provide a picture of an independent art dealer operating a firm in New York during the 1970s and 1980s. The records include artist files, stock books, subject files and correspondence. Preferred Citation Peter H. Davidson & Co., Inc. Records, The Frick Collection/Frick Art Reference Library. Return to Top » HISTORICAL NOTE Peter Hamilton Davidson, son of William F. and Edna Davidson, graduated from Georgetown University in 1960 with a B.A. in English and Philosophy. Upon graduation he followed in his father's footsteps, joining the New York art gallery, M. Knoedler & Co., Inc., as Assistant to the Head of the American Department. In 1968, Davidson succeeded his father as Head of the American Department and was named Vice President of M. Knoedler & Co. In 1969, Davidson joined the firm of Wildenstein & Co. as Head of the American Department, where he was assisted by Nicholas Wyeth. He left Wildenstein in 1971 to form his own art gallery, Peter H. Davidson & Co., Inc. While Davidson's gallery dealt primarily with American art from all periods, it also handled some 19th and 20th century European pieces. Many prominent works were sold through the gallery, including paintings by Albert Bierstadt, Winslow Homer, Marsden Hartley, and Andrew Wyeth. Return to Top » SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE The Peter H. Davidson & Co., Inc. Records provide a picture of an independent art dealer operating a gallery in New York during the 1970s and 1980s. The Artist Files series forms the bulk of the collection. These files contain information about artwork handled by Peter Davidson's gallery. Each file usually includes a photograph, description, and provenance of the artwork, and in some cases research notes, correspondence or invoices. The stock books are closely related to this series, containing photographs, descriptions, and artwork provenance. The Subject Files, predominantly composed of correspondence, document the business interests of the gallery. The files generally concern attempts to sell or acquire artwork and contain information about appraisals, consignments, sales, and loans. The Edward Sprague Jones Correspondence series contains mainly outgoing correspondence from Jones (1928-1996), Davidson's employee, concerning attempts to find prospective art pieces or purchasers. The final series contains materials originating from M. Knoedler & Co., Inc. It is unclear whether the materials were used by Davidson during his tenure at the firm, or if they belonged to his father, William F. Davidson, or both. The materials include artist files, research files, two account ledgers, and two files regarding personal art collections. Return to Top » ARRANGEMENT This collection is arranged in five series: Series 1: Subject Files Series 2: Edward Sprague Jones Correspondence Series 3: Artist Files Series 4: Stock Books Series 5: M. Knoedler & Co., Inc. Material Return to Top » ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Access Restrictions These records are open for research under the conditions of The Frick Collection/Frick Art Reference Library Archives access policy. Contact the Archives Department for further information at [email protected]. Provenance Gift of Peter H. Davidson, 1993. Processing Information Arranged and described by Tiffany Tyau-Wong, 2007; Shannon Yule, 2008. Return to Top » RELATED MATERIALS Related Materials Peter H. Davidson & Co., Inc. Weir Records, Frick Collection/Frick Art Reference Library Archives. Separated Materials Negatives removed to cold storage, color transparencies and duplicate photos removed to the Photoarchive, and books removed for possible individual cataloging. Return to Top » CONTROLLED ACCESS HEADINGS Corporate Name(s) l Peter H. Davidson & Co., Inc. Genre(s) l Photographs. l Correspondence. l Artist files. Personal Name(s) l Davidson, Peter H. l Jones, Edward Sprague. Subject(s) l Art galleries, Commercial--New York (State)--New York. l Art dealers--New York (State)--New York. Return to Top » COLLECTION INVENTORY Series I: Subject Files, 1966-1988 2.5 Linear feet The subject files are predominantly composed of correspondence; however, some files contain newspaper clippings, brochures, photographs, shipping invoices, exhibition loan agreements, sales invoices, or consignment agreements. The subject files document the business interests of Peter H. Davidson's art gallery, and generally regard attempts to acquire or sell artwork. Artists and artwork have been noted when mentioned. Box Folder Date 1 1 A.M. Adler Fine Arts, Inc., New York, N.Y. 1982 Contains consignment receipts for Charles H. Ebert paintings: Old Lyme, Autumn Oaks, Junk Store, Majestic Tree, and Fisherman's Hut. 1 2 Adamick, Joseph 1971 1 3 Adams, Jerry V. (Mr. and Mrs.) 1974 Contains picture invoice for Andrew Wyeth Portfolio. 1 4 Adams-Davidson Galleries, Inc., Washington, D.C. 1971 1 5 Akrami, Nader 1975 Correspondence regarding potential client contacts in Iran. 1 6 Appleby Bros. Ltd., London 1972 Regarding General George Washington and General Nathaniel Greene by Thomas Stothard. Includes photos. 1 7 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company, Chicago, Ill. 1974 Regarding Santa Fe paintings. 1 8 Auchman, Tyla 1973- 1982 Regarding contacts in Brazil. 1 9 Baer, Ellen D. undated Regarding four unidentified paintings of country scenes believed by Baer to have possibly been stolen from Knoedler. 1 10 Baird, Mrs. Robert B. 1977 Regarding Thomas Meehan book, Native Flowers and Ferns of the United States. 1 11 Baker, James 1973 Regarding Open and Closed by Andrew Wyeth. 1 12 Bartholet, Mrs. E. Ives 1974- 1979 Regarding John Sloan paintings, John Singer Sargent drawings, and The Phonograph by Jan Maltuka. 1 13 Barton, Gordon R. (Sporting Gallery, Inc.) 1977 Regarding George Wright drawing. 1 14 Beardsley, Barbara (Art Conservation Laboratory, Inc.) 1982 Regarding conservation performed on Hicks artwork. 1 15 Bender, Mrs. William 1974 Regarding her collection of American paintings, including works by Charles Demuth, Marsden Hartley, and Ernest Lawson. 1 16 Beresford, James A. (Mr. and Mrs.) 1976 Regarding Erickson and Sea Boots by Andrew Wyeth. 1 17 Bernard Danenberg Galleries, Inc., New York, N.Y. 1973 Regarding Portrait of a Woman in Maurer's Studio and Café Scene by Alfred H. Maurer. 1 18 Bessemer Trust Company, Newark, N.J. 1972- 1974 Regarding Open and Closed by Andrew Wyeth. 1 19 Blaine, Nell 1972- 1976 1 20 Bogner, Howard F. (Colonel) 1973 1 21 Bosshard, Mrs. Peter (mother of Jorge Guinle) 1974- 1975 Regarding Frank Stella lithograph, River of Ponds I. 1 22 Bradley, Mrs. Harry L. 1976 1 23 Brady, John, Jr. 1976 Regarding Marsden Hartley artwork and The Ascension by Tintoretto. 1 24 Brandywine Gallery, Albuquerque, N.M. (John Miller) 1973 Regarding Open and Closed by Andrew Wyeth. 1 25 Brasher, Rex 1981 Contains newspaper clipping. 1 26 Brisco, James Price 1974 Regarding Albert Bierstadt painting. 1 27 Brockhurst, Mrs. Gerald 1979 Regarding Gerald Brockhurst artwork. 1 28 Bruning, Paul J. 1975- 1976 Regarding Carlotta by Georges Rouault, Nature Morte au Verre de Vin by Auguste Renoir, Rendez-vous de la Poste by Maurice Utrillo, and an Alexander Calder sculpture. 1 29 Buckman, Richard C. 1973 1 30 Byrd, Caruth undated Contains newspaper clipping. 1 31 C.G. Sloan Co., Washington, D.C. 1977 Contains newspaper clipping. 1 32 Calabi Associates, Newton Centre, Mass. (Sonja Calabi) 1977 Regarding Maurice Prendergast paintings, Street Scene and a village scene in Brittany. 1 33 Carr, Ambrose 1974 Regarding building façade on 57th St. featuring The Knight, Death and the Devil by Albrecht Durer. 1 34 Carter Administration 1977 Contains newspaper clipping. 1 35 Case, Richard W. 1973 Regarding Madame Frieseke by Frederick Carl Frieseke. 1 36 Cernuschi, Alberto (Galerie Cernuschi) 1976 Invitation to opening of Armand Nakache exhibition. 1 37 Chace, Sherman Peter 1973- 1979 Regarding Alfred Bricher painting and other consignment pieces. 1 38 Chapin, Peter 1973 Includes four Christmas cards featuring artwork by Peter Chapin. 1 39 Chemical Bank, New York, N.Y. (James Woodward) 1982 Regarding Charles H. Ebert paintings. 1 40 Childs, Francis S. 1982 Regarding efforts to locate French painter, Constant Meyer [exact name unknown]. 1 41 Cody, Margaret 1980 Regarding artist Carroll Jones. 1 42 Coe, Mrs. Henry H.R. 1975 Regarding Frederic Remington watercolor. 1 43 Coe, Jay 1980 1 44 Collins, Richard J. 1979 Regarding Potentia by Arthur B. Davies. 1 45 Cornell, John R. 1974- 1978 1 46 Country Art Gallery, Locust Valley, N.Y. (Clarissa H. Watson) 1977- 1978 1 47 Country Store Gallery, Inc., Austin, Tex. (Raymond Brown) 1976 Regarding Andrew Wyeth and