THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY MANUSCRIPTS & ARCHIVES SECTION ACCESSION RECORD Accession Number *85 M 29 Title Asher B. Durand Papers Location Approximate Inclusive Dates 1812-1886 Date of Receipt 1921 Received From Charles Henry Hart gift (name & address) Volume on Arrival Number of Boxes (after reboxing) 6 FB; 1 volume Condition Good. Some of the letters need conservation treatment, especially Michael Pekenimo's Restrictions None Special Formats (list) Graphics DESCRIPTION See attached TEMPORARY CATALOG CARD ADDED ENTRIES (additional) Art Union (NYC) Lea & Carey Epidemics-Cholera, Asiatic 1831-32 Illustrated letters New York City-history 1820-69 National Academy of Design (NYC) Pekenimo, Michael United States History 1812-86 ACCESSIONED BY Valerie Wingfield Date: 4-19-85 ASHER B. DURAND PAPERS Asher Brown Durand (1796-1886) engraver and painter. Durand was born in New Jersey, the eighth of eleven children. As a child, he developed his mechanical ability by working in his father, John Durand's workshop. Around 1812 he became an apprentice to Peter Maverick, a steel-engraver. During the next five years, Durand made copies of illustrations for English books sold in America. In 1817, Durand went into partnership with Maverick and during this period he was commissioned to engrave the "Declaration of Independence" by John Trumbull. A rift developed between Durand and Maverick; Maverick felt that because he was the one most experienced, he should have executed it. Their partnership ended in 1820. Durand continued to engrave and formed a brief partnership (from 1824 to 1832) with his brother Cyrus. Among his most important works were the "Musidore" and "Ariade." In 1836 Durand gave up engraving and turned his interests toward painting. Durand toured Europe (1840-41) with fellow artists J.F. Kensett, T.P. Rossiter and J.W. Casilear. He served as president of the National Academy of Design (1845-61). During the latter part of his life, Durand stayed active within the intellectual and artistic life of New York City. After a period of fifty-four years, he returned to his birthplace of Jefferson City, N.Y. where he died in 1886. Durand married twice and was widowed by both. At the time of his death, he was survived by several children. The papers of Asher B. Durand consist of Biographical sketches of Asher B. Durand. Also included is General Correspondence (1812-84). The early period (1812-20) concentrates on Durand's partnership with Peter Maverick, a steel engraver, their business arrangements with regard to setting up "Maverick Durand and Co." (NYC), and commissions of work. Some of Maverick's letters to Durand state his grievances with him over commissions. According to Maverick, Durand and his brother Cyrus were not keeping to the terms of agreement regarding how work was to be divided. Correspondence, 1830 - - - -, includes letters to Durand regarding commissions to engrave bank note vignettes, etc. He also spent several months in Augustus, Florida according to the letters addressed to him. Correspondence c. 1831-32 mentions the cholera epidemic which was sweeping New York and neighboring states. Durand was living outside of New York City at the time. C. 1835 March, Durand wrote to his son John from Washington relating his experiences, especially his portrait sessions with Henry Clay. Later that year in Boston, Durand wrote again regarding his portrait sessions with John Quincy Adams' granddaughters. The letters of the latter half of 1840 (June-1841) are mostly to his son John and to his wife regarding his tour of Europe. Durand wrote about his impressions of London, especially the Royal Academy, and offered opinion of the Queen, as well as his thoughts about Paris, Antwerp, The Hague, Geneva, and Italy, including Florence, Rome, and Milan. The period 1848-84 covers Durand's presidency of the National Academy of Design (1848-62), his conflicts with the rival Art Union, and other subjects. Scattered throughout are letters from Durand to his family. Prominent correspondents include Carey, Lee & Carey, John W. Casilear, Thomas Cole (1836-40), John Durand (son), John F. Kensett, William S. Mount, Erastus Dow Palmer, Michael Pekenimo, Luman Reed (art patron) and Elias B. Wade, Jr. Some letters are in French and illustrated; transcripts are included with many letters. The remaining papers consist of Testimonials, diplomas 1821-26, including: the National Academy of Design; Addresses 1846-47; n.d., by Durand; Broadsides, an auction of engravings (1) and the American Art Union (1); Graphics, a print of an engraving of David Crockett (autograph). Journal: 1840 regarding Durand's European trip (including 2 small journals in pencil). Durand descendants Son John, died in 1908 (probably in Paris) " Fred wrote from Maplewood, N.J. in 1893 Daughter ***** Caroline, married George Woodman. Lived in South Orange, N.J. He died in 1893. John Durand's brother was 17 year younger than he but died in 1905 apparently without issue. He was actually a half-brother One nephew is mentioned in the letters: Durand Woodman, undoubtedly his sister's son John Durand also had another sister. Asher B. Durand Papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, NYPL Container and Reel List The Asher B. Durand Papers, filmed by the Archives of American Art, are available in the Microforms Division, The New York Public Library, Call No. *ZM-23. See Archives of American Art reel list for Reels N-19 to N-21 (p. 1-34); and N-25 for item level description (copy available in the Manuscripts and Archives Division). See Manuscripts and Archives Division survey file on Thomas Cole for list of Cole-Durand correspondence in Asher B. Durand Papers. Microfilm must be used in lieu of the originals. Reel No. Box No. Content N19 1-3 General Correspondence, 1812-1840 6 Letters from Michael Pekenino, 1819-1822, n.d. Note: Letters follow 1820 correspondence on film. 6 Graphics: engraved portrait of David Crockett by Asher B. Durand, with original manuscript signatures of prominent artists, etc. Note: Follows 1833 correspondence on film. See reel list, p. 9. N20 6 Journals, 1840. 1 v., 156 pp., June 1-Oct. 11; with two small journals in pencil, Oct. 23-Nov. 15; Nov. 16- Dec. 4. 4-5 General Correspondence, 1841-1869 N21 5 General Correspondence, 1870-1883 6 Undated letters, A-T; Miscellaneous letters 6 Addresses by A. B. Durand, [1846]; n.d. Note: starts with transcript of 1817 address 6 Broadsides 6 Testimonials, Diplomas, etc., 1821-1861 1 Biographical Sketches and Lists of Works by A.B. Durand Engraving of Arms of City of New York by A.B. Durand on passport signed by Mayor Cornelius W. Lawrence, 1836. Document issued to Louis X. Huder. Note: Item filmed from Division's Miscellaneous Personal Name File for Lawrence, Cornelius W. Note: End of Asher B. Durand filmed material; reel continues with John Durand Papers. N25 Letters (typescript copies) to Asher B. Durand (frames 1141-1144): Sully, Thos. 8 June 1825. 1 p. Doughty, Thos. 6 May 1833. 2 pp. Jones, George. 31 July 1835. 1 p. Note: Reel includes miscellaneous supplements to Manuscripts and Archives Division collections filmed on previous rolls, in alphabetical order by collection. Note: Items filed in General correspondence, Asher B. Durand Papers Thomas Cole - Asher B. Durand Correspondence Box 3 1836 May 12, A.B.D. to Cole original and copy " 13, Cole to A.B.D. copy only " 21 " " " " " " " " 23 A.B.D. to Cole original and copy " 24 Cole to A.B.D. copy only " 25 A.B.D. to Cole original and copy " 31 A.B.D. to " " " " June 5 A.B.D. to " original only " 7 Cole to A.B.D. copy only " 11 A.B.D. to Cole original and copy " 16 Cole to A.B.D copy only " 19 A.B.D. to Cole original and copy " 23 Cole to A.B.D. copy only Jul. 7 A.B.D. to Cole original and copy " 9 Cole to A.B.D. copy only " 15 A.B.D. to Cole original only " 17 Cole to A.B.D copy only " 19 A.B.D. to Cole original only " 21 A.B.D. " " " " Aug. 30 Cole to A.B.D. copy only Sept. 1 A.B.D. to Cole original only " 12 Cole to A. B.D. copy only Nov. n.d. Cole to A.B.D. copy only " 14, Cole to A.B.D. copy only Dec.? Cole to A.B.D. copy only n.d. A.B.D. to Cole original only 1837 June 9 Cole to A.B.D copy only " 13 A.B.D. to Cole original only " 14 Colt to A.B.D. copy only " 18 A.B.D. to Cole original only " 20 A.B.D. to Cole " " Jul. 29 Cole to A.B.D. copy only Sept. 5 A.B.D. to Cole original only Nov. 2 Cole to A.B.D. copy only " 7 A.B.D. to Cole original and incomplete copy Dec. 25 A.B.D. to Cole original only n.d. (3) Cole to Durand copies only 1838 Jan. 4 Cole to Durand copy only " 31 " " " " " Feb. 7 A.B.D. to Cole original only " 12 Cole to Durand copy only Mar. 20 " " " " " " 30 A.B.D. to Cole original only May 24 A.B.D. to " original and copy " 28 Cole to Durand copy only *N.B. In this group of letters, the original of Cole's are not present those of Durand are. Cole-Durand Correspondence Cole-Durand ***** Box 3 1838 Aug. 7 Cole to Durand copy only Sept. 2 A.B.D. to Cole original only " 4 Cole to Durand copy only Nov. 12 " " " " " n.d. " " " " " 1839 Sept. 4 Cole to Durand copy only Dec. 18 " " " " " 1840 May 26 Cole to Durand copy only " 31 A.B.D. to Cole original only Box 4 1841 July 12 Cole to Durand copy only " 8 A.B.D: to Cole original only 1842 Mar. 8 Cole to Durand copy only 1843 Mar. 4 Cole to Durand copy only Box 5 1847 Mar. 6 Cole to Durand original, signature cut out Letters, n.d. Box 6. Avery, S. (1) Bittinger, Ed. (1) Bullock, Julia " Catlin, G. " Clover, L.P., jr. (1) Cooper Union School od Design for Women (1) Davis, I.P. (1) Durand, Cyrus (3) Ehninger, John W. (2) Falconer, John M. (1) Freeman, James E. (1) Gould, Chas. (1) Greenough, Horatio (2) Headley, J.T. (1) Herring, James (1) Hill, G.H. (1) Huntington, Daniel (1) Inman, J. (transcript) (1) Johnston, D.C. (transcript) (1) Jas. B. (4) Jones, Ida C. (1) Kemble, Gov. (1) Koch, E.J. (1) Leutze, Emanuel (1) Nordhoff, Talbot Geo. (1) Phillips, B. (1) Putnam, Geo. P. (1) Sands, Robert C. (1) Smith, A.R. (3) Stone, William J. (2) Stuart, R.C. (1) Summerfield, J. (1) Swinburne, S.W. (1) Terry, Luther ? (1) Tully. Tho(mas)*****. transcript (1) Miscellaneous