Records document the dealings of the gallery in Berlin from 1925-1933 and the New York gallery from 1933 into the early 1990s. The bulk of the papers dated from 1950-1985. Circa 2,500 photographs of art and 23 photograph albums illustrate the stock, primarily Old Master paintings and drawings, exhibited, bought and sold by the gallery. Letters of expertise and correspondence with clients, dealers, art historians and other experts dates from the years 1933-1985, and document the daily business of the gallery for the years 1950-1985.

Hanns and Kate Schaeffer began as art dealers in Berlin in 1925, and moved to New York in 1935 where they became a rallying point for emigré scholars and musicians (W. Stechow, J. Held, R. Wittkower, O. Hagen, among others). The Berlin gallery operated between 1925-1939, the New York gallery from 1935 into the 1990s. The gallery specialized in Old Master Paintings, at first concentrating on Flemish and Dutch masters, later adding Italian paintings and far more drawings from all schools. The gallery was the agent for Benjamin Katz during the war years and had considerable dealings with the Duits family and business. Hanns Schaeffer died in 1967 and Kate Schaeffer carried on the business for almost 20 years with a particular interest in drawings.

100 linear feet

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