Lechter, Melchior, 1865-1937. Melchior Lechter papers, 1879-1937.
Title:
Melchior Lechter papers, 1879-1937.
Collection consists primarily of correspondence between Lechter and the artists, writers, craftsmen and decorative artists with whom he worked and intersected. His correspondence with friends and relatives also illuminates this vanished artistic milieu, and provides some information about his personal life. Collection also contains Lechter manuscripts, proof sheets, assorted writings and personal documents, photographs, newspaper clippings and a series relating to Richard Wagner. Some published materials remain in the archive. Most publications received with the papers have been separated to the Getty's Research Library and include numerous volumes with book illustrations by Lechter. Correspondence is divided into sub-series: general; friends and artists; family and Marguerite Hoffmann; publishers and booksellers; museums; galleries, academies, magazines; and businesses. The letters reflect Lechter's involvement with Stefan George and his circle of poets, artists and musicians. Correspondents in this group include artists, craftsmen and small businesses about whom not much is known, as well as such people as Edith Andreae, Conrad Ansorge, Robert Boehringer, Georg Bondi, Dorothea Braus, Kurt Breysig, Otto Closs, Charles Du Bos, Otto Eckmann, Wolfgang Frommel, Edith Grote, Friedrich Gundolf, Franz Happe, Gustav Richard Heyer, Edith Landmann, Georg Peter Landmann, Julius Landmann, Michael Landmann, Pauline Lange, Sabine Lepsius, Dorothy Lethbridge, Rudolf Majut, Otto Mayer, Wilhelm Müller-Schoenefeld, Rudolf Pannwitz, Josef Pembaur, Walther Rathenau, Arnold Rönnebeck, Emil Schering, Eugen Schmidt-Herboth, Maria Schneider, Ernst Schur, Georg Simmel, Gertrud Simmel, Otto Stichling, Curt Stoeving, Georg Swarzenski, Lothar Treuge, Berthold Vallentin, Richard Wintzer, Karl Wolfskehl, and Friedrich Wolters. Many other writers, scholars, patrons of the arts, museum directors, publishers, politicians and religious leaders are among the correspondents. The letters go into depth on topics of interest to Lechter, such as his devotion to music, especially music of Liszt and Wagner, his deep interest in Indian theosophy, mysticism and Christian religiosity, as well as philosophy primarily based on Friedrich Nietzsche. Extensive correspondence between Lechter and family members includes letters to and from his sister, Anna Lechter and brothers, Wilhelm, Johannes and Ferdinand Lechter. These are followed by correspondence with his companion, Marguerite Hoffmann. Also includes extensive original drafts of a book Hoffmann wrote on Lechter, Erinnerungen an Melchior. The drafts far exceed the final published edition of this work. There are also two horoscopes commissioned by Hoffmann for Lechter. Examples of Lechter's artistic output can be seen in his manuscripts and proof sheets. Also included are documents such as contracts, educational progress reports, award certificates, an autobiographic sketch, and diplomas, all of which mark highlights in his life. Examples of pertinent events are also manifest in albums of photographs and newspaper clippings. Also includes various memorabilia about Richard Wagner, such as libretti of his operas and periodicals about him and Bayreuth.
ArchivalResource:
ca. 36 linear ft.
http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/82093002 View
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