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Marty, Andre, 1857-. Letters and manuscripts received by André Marty, ca. 1886-1911.

Title: Letters and manuscripts received by André Marty, ca. 1886-1911.

Letters from more than 50 artists and art critics primarily concerning the publication of the print portfolio, L'Estampe originale, but also referring to projects for illustrated books, monographs on art, exhibitions and art criticism. Most letters are addressed to Andre Marty, although a few are to his junior partner, Henri Floury. Included in the collection are two short manuscripts on the decorative arts, by Gustave Geffroy and Octave Uzanne. The letters relating to L'Estampe originale (1893-1895) provide detailed technical information about print states, color, choice of paper, and preferences for particular printers and engravers. They also chronicle the vicissitudes of artistic and journalistic collaboration and offer some clues as to the publisher's marketing strategies. Of particular interest are letters from Georges Auriol (5) about his designs for decorative borders; from the sculptor Alexandre Charpentier (16) discussing his innovative "timbre sec," and dickering over prices; from Maximilen Luce (1) with instructions for printing engravings; from Monet (1) expressing uncertainty about working in lithography; from Roger Marx (23) concerning his preface and the promotion of the portfolios; from Van Rysselberghe (1) promising to enlist other Belgian artists; from Lucien Pissarro (13) about distribution of the publication in England, and his own prints; and from Felix Vallotton (1) regarding control over editions and financial terms. Among the letters containing comments on specific prints and details on technical matters are those from Carriere (13); Signac (1); Joseph Pennell (6); Camille Pissarro (8); and Felicien Rops (3). There are also some from artists who plan to withdraw from the project; for example, Zandomeneghi, Blanche, Khnopff, and Duez. Letters treating other subjects include five from Paul Ranson (n.d.) discussing wallpaper and tapestry designs; letters of 1897 from Ernest Chaplet and Auguste Delaherche about a ceramics exhibition sponsored by Le Figaro; a long, detailed letter from Gabriel Mourey (1893) discussing his plans for a series of monographs on contemporary French and British artists; seven letters (1894-99) from Lucien Pissarro about projects for illustrated books; 2 letters from Paul Signac (1894, n.d.) and a file of letters (34) from Gustave Geffroy on various journalistic matters, including the publication of his collected criticism and the brochure promoting his project for a "Musee du soir." A sketch by Carriere for the cover of the brochure is also included in the collection. In addition to Geffroy and Marx, critics represented by significant groups of letters are Arsene Alexandre, Henry Nocq, Moreau-Nelaton, Thadee Natanson, Felix Feneon, Frantz Jourdain, and Emile Verhaeren. A three-page draft manuscript (n.d.) by Octave Uzanne concerns the subject of art and industry and functionalism in the decorative arts. A one page manuscript by Geffroy (1899) is an open letter to the Director of Fine Arts advocating independent exhibition by decorative artists for the World's Fair of 1900. The collection also includes, under restricted use, photocopies of complementary material dispersed from the Marty archive.

ArchivalResource: ca. 230 items.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/145998991 View