Gerhard and Marianne Pinkus art collecting records
Scope and Contents
This series consists of correspondece, financial records, and related material documenting Gerhard and Marianne's art collecting.
The bulk of the series documents their acquisitions of works by Marc Chagall.
Box 1, Folder 1
Walter Bick correspondence
1969-1993
Box 1, Folder 2
Klaus Gerwin correspondence
1979-1999
Box 1, Folder 3
Assorted Correspondence
1959-1995
Scope and Contents
Letters regarding: personal greetings; auction notifications; auction bids; prospective sales and purchases; and authenticity
of artwork.
Box 1, Folder 4
Graphic Arts Council (LACMA) documents and correspondence
Scope and Contents
Letter informing Gerhard of his lifetime membership to GAC; talk given by Gerhard to GAC in honor of Ebria Feinblatt (curator
of prints and drawings 1947-1985); interview between GAC member Mary Ruiz and Gerhard Pinkus on Pinkus's collection, his relationship
with Chagall and his impressions on art collecting.
Box 23, Folder 1-3
Marc, Vava and Ida Meyer Chagall correspondence
1958-1974
Box 23, Folder 4
Correspondence re Chagall
1959, 1972
Box 23, Folder 7
Business correspondence
1964
Box 1, Folder 5
Chagall exhibits: invitations and brochures
Box 1, Folder 6
Chagall, Marc. Moses on Mt. Sinai and others. Invoice, Photograph and Negatives.
1954-02-06
Scope and Contents
A handwritten invoice documents the sale of three Moses works by Chagall to Gerhard: "Finding of Moses" (signed crayon drawing);
"Moses on Mt. Sanai" (signed crayon drawing); and "Moses on Mt. Sinai" (etching from the "Bible" series). Also included: a
photograph of the Mt. Sinai drawing; a newspaper clipping of an article by E. O. Wilson on the fundamental qualities of morality
featuring a picture of Moses and the stone tablets; and negatives of the Mt. Sinai drawing.
Box 1, Folder 7
Chagall, Marc. Three Acrobats. Purchase papers and Gerhard's notes
1955-1995
Scope and Contents
Purchase papers (1955-1956), presumably for "Three Acrobats" (photograph included); detailed notes by Gerhard about the work
and its relationship to Chagall's experience with Hasidism; and a New Yorker article about the Hasidim.
Box 1, Folder 8
Chagall Exhibit, Pasadena Art Museum
1957
Scope and Contents
Correspondence and insurance documents related to the exhibit and the lending of Chagall works by Pinkus.
Box 1, Folder 9
Chagall, Marc. Sister Anna. Purchase papers and history
1960
Scope and Contents
Purchase papers of "Sister Anna" ("The Washerwoman") by Chagall; inquiries into the history of the drawing and resulting information;
correspondence regarding an exhibition at Bradeis, where the drawing was shown before Gerhard acquired it, and where Chagall
himself was present; and restoration papers and correspondence for the drawing.
Box 1, Folder 10
Clown and Donkey, by Marc Chagall. Exhibits, damage and restoration
1963-1964
Scope and Contents
Papers and tickets for exhibit in Japan for which Gerhard lent the Chagall painting "Clown and Donkey"; correspondence about
another exhibit of the same painting at the Musee de Toulouse; correspondence regarding damage done to the painting en route
from Japan on Air France and regarding the resulting compensation for restoration of the painting; and prints and negatives
of the painting.
Box 1, Folder 11
Efross & Tugendhold. Die Kunst Marc Chagalls. Invoice
1964
Scope and Contents
This book was published in Potsdam in 1921. Gerhard ordered it from a rare book store in London.
Box 1, Folder 12
The Magician, by Chagall: inquiries and related correspondence
1964-1965
Scope and Contents
Correspondence between Gerhard and Franz Mayer, director of the Kunstmuseum Basel and son-in-law to Marc Chagall (husband
of his daughter Ida), regarding a drawing Gerhard was shown by an American collector. The drawing is part of the illustrations
Chagall did for Peretz's book, "The Magician." Gerhard asks if this is one of the original illustrations (which were supposedly
left behind in Russia) or if it is an unpublished or later-published illustration. Meyer responds in a letter dated March
5 (included) that he phoned Chagall and quotes Chagall's response. He also relates information about Ida, Chagall's daughter's,
health.; A letter from Valentina Chagall in response to a letter (not included here) from Gerhard inquiring about the drawing.
Valentina's letter relates some information about the drawing and also informs Gerhard of Marc's and her plans to travel to
Jerusalem for the new year to see the opening of the Chagall stained glass windows at the Hebrew University Medical Campus
Synogogue. She also mentions a trip to Paris regarding Chagall's stained glass windows for the Metz Cathedral.; a receipt
from Estella Katzenellenbogen, which confirms that Gerhard returned the abovementioned drawing to her in 1965.; A receipt
for framing of the drawing, dated February 13, 1964.; A photograph of the drawing.
Box 2, Folder 1
Marc Chagall: Early Graphic Works
1972
Scope and Contents
Correspondence regarding the exhibit; newspaper clippings; The Graphic Arts Council of LACMA's newsletter, to which Gerhard
Pinkus contributed an essay on Chagall and the exhibit; Drafts of this essay; correspondence between Chagall or his wife and
Pinkus or LACMA representatives; and Gerhard's handwritten reflections on several of the works exhibited.
Box 2, Folder 2
Association des Amis du Musee National Message Biblique Marc Chagall: correspondence and documents
Scope and Contents
Correspondence with the association, as well as documents related to their meetings.
Box 2, Folder 3
Chagall's "Dead Souls" series etching plates. Auction purchase documents
1982-1992
Scope and Contents
Auction purchase papers for Marc Chagall's Drypoint and Etching Plate 44 from "Dead Souls" (based on the novel by Nikolai
Gogol) signed in plate and signed in pencil. Edition 285: "Pliushkin offers a drink"; and Receipt for purchase of plate 76
of the same: "The Porter Refuses Chichikov Entrance to the Governor's House.
Box 2, Folder 4
Sister Anna, by Marc Chagall. Shipping/Lending documents
1984
Scope and Contents
The work was lent for the George Pompidou Center's Exposition "Dessins de Chagall."
Box 2, Folder 5
Chagall, Marc. Man with Cat on a Roof. Purchase papers and restoration correspondence
1985
Scope and Contents
In addition to the contents described in the title of this record, there is also an obituary of Wilhelm F. Arntz, an art collector
from Germany.
Box 2, Folder 6
Chagall, Marc. Albert Lasard. Purchase papers and correspondence
1985-1995
Box 2, Folder 7
Chagall, Marc. Ma Vie. Invoice
1988-04-08
Scope and Contents
Gerhard ordered a signed copy of this book--Chagall's autobiography from a rare book store in New York.
Box 2, Folder 8
Chagall, Marc. Diary of a Horse and Dix Mille Aubes. Invoice
1988-10-18
Scope and Contents
Gerhard purchased a signed copy of each of the two books by Claire and Yvon Doll--Diary of a Horse and Dix Milles Aubes, both
of which were illustrated by Chagall.
Box 2, Folder 9
Chagall, Marc. Sobakevich at Table. Auction acquisition papers
1992-11-22
Box 2, Folder 10
Chagall, Marc. Lithograph no. 281. Purchase papers and correspondence
1994
Scope and Contents
There is little information on what the lithograph is, other than its numerical designation. The correspondence concerns its
late arrival from the gallery.
Box 2, Folder 11
Der Sturm. The Drinker, by Chagall. Purchase and reprint documents
1990-1999
Scope and Contents
In 1990, Gerhard ordered a reprint of an issue (no. 6, 1914) of the art and culture journal "Der Sturm" featuring on its cover
a drawing by Chagall--"The Drinker." In 1999, he purchased the issue through a rare journal collector. The correspondence,
information and receipts for both transactions are included.
Box 2, Folder 12
Marc Chagall: 1907-1917, LACMA
1996
Scope and Contents
Brochures, newspaper clippings and marketing materials for the exhibit; correspondence and invitations regarding the exhibit
and corresponding events; and a transcript of a guided tour of the paintings, including Gerhard Pinkus's words about various
paintings.
Box 2, Folder 13
Verve and "Derriere le Miroir" issues featuring Chagall (receipt and correspondence)
2000
Scope and Contents
This is a single receipt for the purchase of two French journal issues: Derriere le Miroir, no. 235 (1979), which features
Chagall ("Chagall vu par Vercors"); and Verve, no. 24 (1950), which features an article on Chagall's illustrations of Bocaccio's
Decameron from the Duke de Bourgnon manuscript.
Box 2, Folder 14
The Bible, by Marc Chagall (photographs, negatives and information)
Scope and Contents
Several photographs and negatives of Chagall's preliminary sketches for his Bible series. Also included is a note written
by Gerhard about his consultation with a Rabbi on Hebrew letters in one of the drawings.
Box 2, Folder 15
Chagall Lithographs (photographs)
Scope and Contents
Photographs of the following lithographs by Chagall: Goat in the Night; Man Drinking Tea; and Man with Pig. In addition, there
is a nude charcoal by a German Expressionist artist.
Box 23, Folder 5
Chagall Epstein painting
1962
Box 23, Folder 6
Chagall exhibition photographs, LACMA
1972
Box 2, Folder 16
Brockhurst, Gerald, "Adolescence," and Klee, Paul "Seiltanzer," purchase papers
1973-09-25
Scope and Contents
Brockhurst "Adolescence" is an etching, edition 91, 14.5 x 10.5 in; Klee "Seiltanzer" is a colored aquatint, signed lower
right, 16 x 10 in. Purchased from the Childs Gallery in Boston.
Box 2, Folder 17
Carriere "Paul Verlaine" purchase papers
1971-10-11
Scope and Contents
Correspondence and receipts related to purchase of "Paul Verlaine" lithograph by E. Carriere (1896). Also included is a newspaper
clipping including a poem by Osip Mandelstam about Paul Verlaine.
Box 2, Folder 18
Chasseriau, Theodore. Reclining Nude. Related materials and correspondence
1964
Scope and Contents
Most of the materials included concern a drawing by Chasseriau, into whose history Gerhard inquired by letter. The result
of these inquiries confirmed that the drawing had been in the Delacroix family collection for over 100 years. The folder also
includes: photographs of the drawings; galerie brochures; newspaper clippings; and letters regarding Gerhard's interest in
acquiring drawings by Delacroix and Rodin.
Box 2, Folder 19
Delacroix, Eugene. "Le Chant d'Ophelie" and "Femmes d'Alger." Lithographs, purchase papers
1987-1993
Scope and Contents
Included are auction purchase papers, notes, descriptions and a newspaper article on "Le chant d'Ophelie."
Box 2, Folder 20
Felixmuller. Extensive bank-related correspondence.
Scope and Contents
Many letters, receipts and a check connected with the purchase of a Felixmuller work.
Box 2, Folder 21
Kertesz, Andre. Photo Invoice and Auction Brochure
1989-10-12
Scope and Contents
Andre Kertesz was a Hungarian photographer who lived in Paris in the 1920s and 30s among literary figures such as Mondrian
and Gertrude Stein. Gerhard purchased on of his photographs at a Christie's auction in New York.
Box 2, Folder 22
Kirchner, E. L. "Berliner Straßenszene," pencil drawing, papers
Scope and Contents
Includes several prints and negatives of this pencil drawing of the 1913 Kirchner painting "Berliner Straßenszene." Also included
is correspondence regarding the drawing.
Box 2, Folder 23
Laely, Christian Anton. Music-Hall. Purchase papers
1995-08-08
Scope and Contents
Music-Hall (1939) is an oil on canvas, acquired from the Kornfeld gallery in Bern, Switzerland.
Box 2, Folder 24
Rico Lebrun: life, death and related events
1962-1985
Scope and Contents
Newspaper clippings; advertisement from museum exhibits; materials related to a ballet based on Lebrun's work.
Box 2, Folder 25
Levy, Rudolph. Life and Work. Related papers and correspondence
1991
Scope and Contents
Receipt for purchase of book on Levy; correspondence with Levy scholar; gallery booklet on Levy exhibit; and newspaper clippings.
Box 3, Folder 1
Lopez, Gasparo. Flower Still Life with Urn. Related papers
Scope and Contents
A negative of the painting is included among the papers.
Box 3, Folder 2
Manet. Polichinelle. Handwritten invoice and/or description
1979-06-09
Box 3, Folder 3
Marc, Franz. "Akte (zwei liegende Akte)" painting (1912), sale papers
1996-10-09
Scope and Contents
Franz Marc (1880-1916): "Nudes" (Two reclining nudes) Title used in the 2nd "Blue Rider Exhibition" in 1912 Munich. Tempera
painting on paper, 54 cm x 66 cm, signed on verso: "F. Marc 1912." --description found among these papers, regarding the sale
of this painting at Christie's London in 1996.
Box 3, Folder 4
Matisse, "La lettre" purchase papers
2000
Scope and Contents
This is an etching from 1929, 154 x 225 mm, signed, edition 28 impressions, purchased from the Paul Proute firm in Paris.
Box 3, Folder 5
Meryon, Charles, "Morgue a Paris" and Fantin-Latour, Henry "Eve," purchase papers
1984
Scope and Contents
No identifying markers of the actual artworks' names are given in the purchase papers, but the names of the two pieces were
written on the outside of the envelope in which these papers were stored. The pieces were purchased from the Kornfeld gallery
in Bern, Switzerland.
Box 7, Folder 1
Picasso Lawsuit
1962
Scope and Contents
Correspondence between Gerhard Pinkus, his lawyers and gallery representatives about the purchase of an inauthentic Picasso
drawing from a gallery in New York.
Box 18
Rembrandt Mappe
Scope and Contents
Large book of Rembrandt prints in German. 2 copies.
Box 3, Folder 6
Vases, Art Nouveau, Acquisition 9apers
1966-1975
Scope and Contents
Included are two auction catalogues.
Box 3, Folder 7
Miscellaneous receipts and invoices where artwork is not specified.
Gallery and exhibition ephemera
Box 3, Folder 8, Box 23, Folder 11
Gallery catalogs
1952-1995
Scope and Contents
Catalog from the Galerie Vomel and catalog from Gutekunst and Klipstein.
Box 3, Folder 9
Gallery events and brochures, assorted
Scope and Contents
Copy of Omniart 1962; Letter informing Gerhard of his membership to L'Association des Amis du Musee National Message Biblique
Marc Chagall. Assorted advertisements from galleries and exhibits.
Box 3, Folder 10
Miscellaneous art-related clippings, ads and prints
Box 3, Folder 11
Album officiel de l'Exposition Universelle...de Bruxelles
1910
Box 3, Folder 12
Legion of Honor (California Palace) bulletins
1963-1965
Box 23, Folder 8-10
Insurance and inventory logs
1992-2005, undated
Gerhard and Marianne Pinkus personal papers
Scope and Contents
This series contains Gerhard and Marianne's non-business papers, including childhood school reports, insurance documents,
journals and planners, correspondence to Gerhard and Marianne, naturalization documents, etc.
Box 6, Folder 1
Gerhard Pinkus education documents
1910-1935
Scope and Contents
Included are report cards and diplomas from various institutions.
Box 6, Folder 2
Pinkus family correspondence
1900-1973
Box 7, Folder 5
Drawings and paintings by Marianne
1926-1927
Box 7, Folder 6
Marianne school documents
1926-1932
Box 8
Journals
1928, 1951, 1953-1954
Box 6, Folder 3
Marianne miscellaneous personal documents
1929-1981
Box 3, Folder 16
Marianne's German passport
1929-1932
Box 6, Folder 4
Gerhard school notebook and tax card
1935
Box 14, Folder 11
Early letters to Marianne
1935-1940
Box 9, Box 10, Box 11
Daily planners
1937, 1944-1951, 1953-1968, 1970-1997
Box 8, Folder 1
Marianne university documents
1938-1942
Box 6, Folder 5
Gerhard naturalization papers
1942
Box 6, Folder 6
Gerhard elective service
1942-1943
Box 6, Folder 7
Gerhard certificates and miscellaneous documents
1942-1975
Box 14, Folder 12
Wedding notes and cards
1943
Box 6, Folder 8
Certificates and personal documents
1943, 1973
Box 8, Folder 2
Gerhard miscellaneous notes
1946-1947
Box 6, Folder 9
Documents about Gerhard's father's death
1949
Box 3, Folder 15
Hotel receipts
circa 1955
Box 8, Folder 3
Postcards to Gerhard and Marianne
1956-1958
Box 8, Folder 4
Marianne passports, naturalization and social security
1961-1976
Box 6, Folder 12
Gerhard personal papers
1972-1976
Box 6, Folder 13
Social insurance Germany
1975-1976
Box 7, Folder 2
Insurance documents
1976-1978
Box 8, Folder 5
Marianne miscellaneous personal documents
1979-1983
Box 8, Folder 6
Marianne medical documents
1983
Box 8, Folder 7
Gerhard manuscripts
undated
Box 8, Folder 8
Gerhard, misc. photos, cards and letters.
Scope and Contents
Included are mostly new photographs (1980s on), but among them are some very old letters (from the 1920s) written by Martin
Pinkus.
Box 12
Realia and ephemera
Scope and Contents
3 wallets, matchbook, pen nibs, envelopes.
Box 3, Folder 14
Pinkus greeting card
Scope and Contents
Illustrated with print by Kathe Kollwitz.
Box 15, Folder 1-7, 13, Box 18
Photographs of Gerhard and Marianne
Box 15, Folder 8-11
Photographs of Marianne
Scope and Contents
Includes many photographs of Marianne as a young girl.
Box 15, Folder 12, Box 21, Folder 13-19
Pinkus residences
Scope and Contents
Includes many interior photographs showing art on the walls.
Box 21, Folder 21
California Furniture Shops photographs
Box 22, Folder 1-19
Photographs of Gerhard and Marianne in Europe
circa 1955
Box 14, Folder 23
Short story manuscript "Dimi"
Box 14, Folder 24
Manuscript by Alfred Perry
Box 18
Assorted newspapers and magazines
1939, 1955, 1974, undated
Pinkus and Epstein families papers
Scope and Contents
This series contains documents, correspondence, clippings, photographs, notes and ephemera relating to Gerhard and Marianne's
extended families.
Box 17
Books
1859, 1924, undated
Scope and Contents
Hebrew prayer book [?], German etiquette book, textbook on Jewish history and literature.
Box 14, Folder 2
Irma Magnus's personal documents
1893, 1913
Box 14, Folder 3
Postcards and stamps
1899-1955
Box 7, Folder 7
"Grandpa's [Martin Pinkus] Collected Works": Letters, notes
1905-1964
Box 7, Folder 8
"Grandpa's [Martin Pinkus] Collected Works": Notes and ephemera
1905-1946
Box 7, Folder 9
"Grandpa's [Martin Pinkus] Collected Works": Vacation journals
1927-1928
Box 7, Folder 10
"Grandpa's [Martin Pinkus] Collected Works": Songs and poems
1927-1964
Scope and Contents
Includes two songs by Alfred Perry.
Box 7, Folder 11
"Grandpa's [Martin Pinkus] Collected Works": Birthday letters
1937-1957
Box 7, Folder 12
"Grandpa's [Martin Pinkus] Collected Works": Typescripts
1942
Box 13, Folder 1
Epstein family correspondence
1900-1944
Box 13, Folder 2
Real estate transaction document
1902
Box 13, Folder 3
Cohen and Epstein financial records
1913
Box 14, Folder 4
Official request for German court
1921
Box 13, Folder 4
Pinkus family documents
1927
Box 13, Folder 5
Emigration documents
1927
Box 13, Folder 6
Handwritten score and story
1928
Box 13, Folder 7
Martin and Franziska Lewin passports
1929, 1934
Box 13, Folder 8
Epstein power of attorney
1935
Box 14, Folder 1
Miscellaneous documents and notes
1935, 1983, undated
Box 14, Folder 5
Birthday party materials
1936
Box 14, Folder 6
Letters to Irma from Fritz
1947
Box 14, Folder 8
Fritz and Irma Epstein passports
1955, 1959
Box 14, Folder 7
Maps and letters from abroad
1958, undated
Box 13, Folder 10
"Performance Arts" magazines
1972-1973
Box 13, Folder 11-14
Leters to/from family in South America
1990s
Box 15, Folder 14-16, Box 16, Folder 1-48, Box 17, Folder 1, Box 17, Folder 2-3, Box 18, Box 19, Box 20, Box 21, Folder 1-12, 20
Photographs of family and friends
