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Katherine S. Dreier papers / Société Anonyme archive, 1818-1952, bulk 1920-1951

Abstract Or Scope

The Katherine S. Dreier portion of the collection contains correspondence between Dreier and artists and friends (including Constantin Alajalov, David Burli︠u︡k, Marcel Duchamp, Wassily Kandinsky, Man Ray, and Ted Shawn); and art-related organizations (including the Arts Club of Chicago, the Brooklyn Museum, the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art).
There is some correspondence regarding art purchases and the packaging and shipping of art, such as that with George F. Of, Inc.; W. F. Collins & Co.; and W. S. Budworth & Son. There is a large amount of correspondence between Dreier and various departments at Yale (especially the Yale Art Gallery) regarding the transfer of the Société Anonyme's art collection to Yale. The collection contains manuscripts and notes for Dreier's articles, lectures, and books; her early diaries; and a brief autobiographical account; as well as some writings by others. There are subject files regarding organizations with which Dreier was affiliated, including the Cooperative Mural Workshops, the Long Ridge Women's Club, and the Society of Independent Artists.
The collection contains exhibition catalogs that were annotated by Dreier; exhibition catalogs of one-artist shows of Dreier's artwork; and material regarding Dreier's personal finances. There are many photographs of Dreier's artwork, of Dreier and her friends and family (including scenes in China from a trip that Dreier took, 1921-22), of artists and their artwork, and of exhibitions. There is also some original artwork by various people, including sketches, drawings, prints, and watercolors. The Dreier Family papers contain correspondence, poetry and skits, and writings (including a diary by Dreier's sister, Dorothea).
The Société Anonyme portion of the collection includes correspondence with members, potential members, and businesses; a logbook regarding exhibitions; financial material, including a checkbook; by-laws and amendments, and drafts of the certificate of incorporation; membership lists and cards; lists of officers and committees; meeting minutes; ephemera regarding exhibitions, lectures, and musical events sponsored by the Société; scrapbooks; and files of background material about artists represented in the published catalog of the Société Anonyme's art collection at Yale.

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