[Judaica] Letter And Sketches By Peggy Guggenheim, American Art Collector, Bohemian And Socialite

Marguerite “Peggy” Guggenheim (August 26, 1898-December 23, 1979) was an American art collector, bohemian – due to the large number of men she had slept with -- and socialite, born to the wealthy New York City Guggenheim family.  She was the daughter of Benjamin Guggenheim, who went down with the Titanic in 1912, and the niece of Solomon R. Guggenheim, who established the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.   Peggy collected art in Europe and America between 1938 and 1946, a collection she began exhibiting in 1949. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a modern art museum on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, and is one of the most visited attractions in Venice. 

Both Guggenheim and Hammer were born to Jewish parents.

Offering a one-page 8 x 10, ALS, to Victor Hammer, brother of Dr. Armand Hammer and owner of Hammer Galleries of New York City, dated February 1, 1950, from her London address.  Also included are five drawings by Guggenheim depicting visual jokes.

“I had your letter on the first. I am glad that for once I had the bright idea of sending you that catalogue.

“About my sketches. I am afraid if I had gone in for drawing, my critics would have said, ‘What a splendid tailor he would have made!’ So, I shall continue to treat it as a sideline.

“I enclose somethings which perhaps will raise a laugh with you and Harry.

“My best wishes, with the hope to see you both or either of you in London in 1950 and here’s to the continued prosperity of the Hammer Gallery that [rank] among the Irish Avenue shops!

“Yours sincerely

“Peggy Guggenheim”

Contained on a single sheet and attached to card stock, the sketches are entitled, “Back view of elephant lifting right leg,”  “A Giraffe passing my window,” “A Mexican on a bicycle as seen from the 10th floor,” “A Bear climbing a tree,” “Charwoman scrubbing the floor.”

Toning and folds to both the letter and the sketch sheet. The letter contains mounting residue to the top of the verso.  Else very good.

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