The collection is arranged as 9 series. Series 1: Biographical Material, 1933-1973 (0.1 linear feet; Box 1) Series 2: Correspondence, 1937-1980 (0.5 linear feet; Box 1) Series 3: Turner Exhibition Files, 1960-1961 (0.1 linear feet; Box 1) Series 4: Artists' Files, 1950-1966 (0.3 linear feet; Boxes 1-2) Series 5: Collectors' Files, 1956-1966 (0.3 linear feet; Box 2) Series 6: Business Records, circa 1945-1964 (0.3 linear feet; Box 2) Series 7: Inventory and Stock Records, 1946-1965 (1.3 linear feet; Boxes 2-3) Series 8: Printed Material, 1951-1962 (0.1 linear feet; Box 3) Series 9: Photographs, circa 1945-circa 1960 (2 folders; Box 3)
Access Note / Rights:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Summary:
The papers of New York art dealers and gallery owners Otto and Ilse Gerson measure 3 linear feet and date from 1933 to 1980. This collection includes biographical materials, correspondence, exhibition files, artists' files, collectors' files, business records, inventory and stock records, printed materials, and photographs.
Citation:
Otto and Ilse Gerson papers, 1933-1980. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Additional Forms:
The bulk of collection is available on 35 mm microfilm reels 4049-4053 at Archives of American Art offices, and through interlibrary loan. Researchers should note that the arrangement of the material described in the container inventory does not reflect the arrangement of the collection on microfilm.
Use Note:
The Otto and Ilse Gerson papers are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Biography Note:
Otto Gerson was born in Germany and immigrated to the United States, where he met and married Ilse Goehler in 1939. They both became U.S. citizens and together they rose to prominence as art dealers in New York City, circa 1940-1962, bringing works by noted post-war European (and some American) artists to the American market.
Language Note:
Collection is in English, French and German.
Provenance:
The Otto and Ilse Gerson papers were donated to the Archives of American Art in 1984 by Indian Head Bank North on behalf of Otto and Ilse Gerson.
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Topic:
Art galleries, Commercial -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Art galleries, Commercial -- France -- Paris Search this
