Morgan collections correspondence, 1887-1948
The files document in detail the purchases made by Pierpont Morgan and his successors both for the library and the art collections. They consist primarily of correspondence between Belle Greene (Morgan's librarian and later Director of the Library), and various art and book dealers, scholars, colleagues, and private collectors, along with invoices for items purchased. Correspondence for the early years (ca. 1887-1905) is with Pierpont Morgan himself, though researchers will not find letters from Morgan explaining why he made specific purchases. From 1905 until 1913, the year of Morgan's death, the bulk of the correspondence is with Belle Greene, Morgan's librarian, acting as his agent. From 1913-1924, Greene acts as private librarian to Morgan's son, J.P. Morgan Jr. From 1924-1948, Greene acts as Director of the Morgan Library. With a very few exceptions, the collection does not include photographs of the items being purchased or considered for acquisition. Because Morgan collected so widely in so many areas, these records are invaluable to art historians doing research on provenance of objects once owned by Morgan, to Library staff documenting the entry of items into the collection, and to cultural historians studying the American art and book market
Manuscript, English, 1887