Kraushaar Galleries records, 1877-2006

The bulk of this subseries is mixed incoming and outgoing correspondence dating from 1965-1991, with the bulk dating from 1965-1989. The earliest correspondence in this collection is also located here, and is comprised primarily of incoming letters from the late 1880s to 1920s. Generally, correspondence is between the gallery and its clients, artists, institutions, and museums, regarding consignments, loans, sales, exhibitions, and other gallery operations. Found is an 1877 letter from William Schaus to Charles Kraushaar. Also found are two folders of Christmas cards with original artwork from artists Humbert Albrizio, Gifford Reynolds Beal, Werner Drewes, Walter Feldman, Edward Hopper, Andrée Ruellan, Karl Schrag, Linda Sokolowski, and Marguerite Zorach, among others. Additional correspondents found in this subseries include artists Louis Bouché, Leonard DeLonga, Kenneth Evett, Tom Hardy, John Heliker, Robert Laurent, and James Lechay. Researchers should note additional correspondence with artists, especially those represented in the 1970s-2000s, is found in Artists' Files and Consignments and Loans.

Artists' Christmas cards and miscellaneous correspondence is filed first, followed by correspondence arranged chronologically. Chronological correspondence from 1965 to 1978 is filed according to original order upon accession - grouped chronologically in spans of a year and a half (i.e. January 1965 - September 1966), then arranged alphabetically. Correspondence from 1978 to 1989 is arranged alphabetically. There is occasionally some slight overlap between years, generally as a result of interfiled letters from earlier years in order to maintain context.

This subseries documents the closure of the estate of John F. Kraushaar through accounting records, auction records, tax records, and a handful of bills. Folders are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Artists' Files documents the Kraushaar Galleries' representation of their stable artists through newspaper and magazine clippings; exhibition catalogs and announcements; biographical information; correspondence, including substantial correspondence with artists Karen Breunig, David Cantine, Kenneth Evett, Joe Lasker, Andrée Ruellan, and David Smalley; price lists; miscellaneous notes and writings; and appraisal records for the artwork of Louis Bouché and Walt Kuhn. Folders are arranged alphabetically by artist's last name.

Bound volumes provide nearly complete financial records for gallery purchases and expenses, transactions, and sales from Kraushaar Galleries' establishment in 1885 until 1947. Also found is a stock book from 1948-1957 which records sales and costs, and three miscellaneous ledger indices. Many materials are fragile and where leather rot was present, the covers of the bound volumes were removed. Folders are arranged alphabetically by type of record, then chronologically.

This subseries contains consignment books dating from 1899-1933, and incoming and outgoing consignment and loan records dating from the early 1930s-2000s. Consignment books document the consignee or loanee name, transaction dates, artwork title, artist name, price, and inventory number in ledger books. Incoming consignment records contain account statements to consigners, many of whom were Kraushaar Galleries' artists, inventory and price lists, shipping records, appraisals, notes, and scattered correspondence. Outgoing consignment and loan records are similar to the consignment books, but are on loose ledger pages. There is substantial correspondence with artists James Lechay and Jane Wasey in the incoming consignment materials.

Researchers should use care when using the materials in this subseries; much of the material is on highly acidic paper which has become fragile with friable edges. Consignment books are filed chronologically. Incoming consignment folders are arranged alphabetically by the artist's or consigner's last name; outgoing records are arranged alphabetically by consignee's name.