Smithsonian Institution Archives

Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution

Record Unit 284
Cooper-Hewitt Museum,
Department of Membership and Programs,
Records, 1973-1978

By Gerald J. Rosenzweig and Richard V. Szary


Historical Note

Descriptive Entry

Series Descriptions

  Series 1. AUCTIONS, 1974-1977

  Series 2. SPECIAL EVENTS PROGRAMS, 1976-1978

  Series 3. VOLUNTEER FILES, 1974-1978



HISTORICAL NOTE

The Department of Membership and Programs handles the Cooper-Hewitt Museum's fundraising, special events, education, membership, and volunteer programs. One of the fundraising programs is the annual benefit auction of antiques and fine works of art. From 1974 to 1976, the funds earned from these auctions were used for the renovation of the Carnegie Mansion, and since 1977, to support the Museum's education programs.

Dorothy Twining Globus was the coordinator for the 1974 auction. Mary Kerr served as the coordinator for the 1975 auction, and since 1976, has served as Manager, Department of Membership and Programs.


DESCRIPTIVE ENTRY

These papers consist of correspondence with prospective donors for cash donations or donation of items for auctions; invitations to the auction and auction-related events; photographs of items for auction; drafts for auction catalogues; invitations and announcements; auction bids; expense statements; sale receipts; and newspaper and journal articles. Other records concern the special events programs such as the Save Venice fundraising picnic, 1977; the opening of the Carnegie Mansion, 1976; and the 75th anniversary of the Carnegie Mansion, 1977. The Department's inactive volunteer files are also included.


SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

SERIES 1.
AUCTIONS, 1974-1977

Box 1 of 16

Auction, 1974

Folder1   Background
Summary report of auction
Folder2   Bids, for sealed bid and evening sales
Folder3   Bills and expense list, includes photocopies of invoices and receipts
Folder4   Bills, museum's copy of bills for items auctioned
Folder5   Catalogue
Folder6   Conditions of sale
Folder7   Estimates, estimates of amounts that various lots would bring
Folder8   Illustrations, photographs and negatives
Folder9   Isobe, Yukihisa, correspondence concerning donation
Folder10   Models, examples of catalogues, forms, etc. used at other auctions
Folder11   Notes, Dorothy T. Globus file
Folder12   Objects, follow-up and no reply concerning donors
Folder13   Printing, samples of materials printed up for auction

Box 2 of 16
Folder1   Publicity
Folder2   Transmittals, photocopies of forms transmitting proceeds to Smithsonian Treasurer
Folder3   Unsold, concerning objects not sold at auction and consigned to Sothelsy Perke Bernet and outstanding accounts
Folders4-63   BA001-BA060, correspondence with donors, catalogue forms and other materials concerning donation of objects for auction

Box 3 of 16
Folders1-80   BA061-BA140

Box 4 of 16
Folders1-89   BA141-229

Box 5 of 16

Auction, 1975

Folder1   Bids, evening auction sale
Folders2-3   Bids, silent auction
Folder4   Committees
Folder5   Correspondence
Folder6   Correspondence, Irving Jermansky
Folders7-14   Donors, A-H

Box 6 of 16
Folders1-12   Donors, J-W
Folder13   Donors, monetary
Folder14   Invoices

Box 7 of 16
Folder1   Mailing list
Folder2   Notes
Folder3   Outstanding bills
Folder4   PB84
Folders5-7   Photographs and negatives
Folder8   Tickets
Folder9   Transmittal reports

Box 8 of 16

Auction, 1976

Folder1   Acknowledgements
Folder2   Auction letters
Folder3   Auction notes
Folder4   Auction party
Folder5   Auction printing
Folder6   Auction prospects and promises
Folder7   Auction receipts
Folder8   Benefit Committee
Folder9   Correspondence

Box 9 of 16
Folder1   Correspondence (cont'd)
Folder2   Catalogue
Folder3   Catalogue slips, addedum
Folders4-21   Catalogue slips, A-Q

Box 10 of 16
Folders1-6   Catalogue slips, R-W
Folder7   Donors
Folders8-9   Photographs
Folder10   Publicity
Folder11   Thank yous
Folder12   Thank yous, unsent
Folder13   Transmittal reports
Folder14   Unpaid auction bills

Box 11 of 16

Auction, 1977

Folder1   Acknowledgements
Folder2   Acquisition Committee lists
Folder3   Advertising
Folder4   Auction, lists of bids, lots 95-305
Folder5   Auction party and donations responses
Folder6   Auction pending
Folder7   Auction sale receipts
Folder8   Benefit auctions
Folder9   Catalogue
Folder10   Committees
Folder11   Contributors

Boxes 12-13 of 16

Box 14 of 16
Folders1-2   Donors, arranged by receipts numbers (notebooks I & II)
Folder3   Evening auction bids
Folder4   Expenses
Folders5-7   Photographs of items for sale at auction

Box 15 of 16
Folder1   Press release
Folders2-3   Sealed bids
Folder4   Thank yous
Folder5   Transmittal reports
Folder6   Miscellaneous (unfiled materials)

SERIES 2.
SPECIAL EVENTS PROGRAMS, 1976-1978

Box 16 of 16
Folders1-4   Carnegie House: Museum opening, 1976
Folder5   Carnegie House: 75th Anniversary, 1977
Folder6   Save Venice Picnic fundraising, June 13, 1977
Folders7-8   Special events, general, 1976-1977

SERIES 3.
VOLUNTEER FILES, 1974-1978

Box 16 of 16
Folders9-10   Volunteer Programs applications, 1974-1978


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