French & Company (New York, N.Y.),

Biographical/Historical Note

An art dealership based in New York City, French & Company bought and sold decorative arts, as well as paintings and sculpture. For over half a century after Mitchell Samuels co-founded the firm in 1907 in New York, French & Company was considered one of the largest art dealerships in the world. Under Mitchell Samuels' directorship, French & Company worked with many wealthy American collectors eager to develop collections in decorative art objects and paintings of European provenance. Among the firm's clients were J. Paul Getty, William Randolph Hearst, J.P. Morgan, the Vanderbilts, and the Rockefellers. During this period, the firm also served as agents and decorators for the Huntingtons, Fricks, Mellons, and Astors. The French & Company building on East 57th Street housed more than 50 showrooms, eight fireproof vaults and a 10,000 volume art reference library.

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