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Creator
Quinn, John, 1870-1924
Call number
MssCol 2513
Physical description
38.7 linear feet (74 boxes, 45 volumes, 1 other item, 50 microfilm reels)
Preferred Citation

John Quinn papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library

Repository
Manuscripts and Archives Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.
Portions of this collection have been digitized and are available online.

Collection consists mainly of correspondence, with writings, printed matter and photographs that document Quinn's artistic and political interests. Correspondence, 1901-1924, is with artists, art dealers, critics, poets, playwrights, booksellers, publishers, and members of his family. Files of letters and letterbooks contain correspondence relating to his interest in the artistic and literary scene in America and abroad, events in Ireland especially during the Home Rule movement, his purchase of paintings, sculpture, first editions and manuscripts of contemporary literature, and the sale of his library and manuscript collection. Also includes typescripts of literary works, typescript of the catalog of Quinn's art collection, ledgers, sales and exhibition catalogs, periodicals, and photographs of Quinn with individual artists and group portraits.

Biographical/historical information

John Quinn (1870-1924) was a corporation lawyer in New York City who amassed an important private collection of paintings, drawings and sculpture as well as books and manuscripts of contemporary authors. In addition to promoting modern and avant-garde art in all forms, he particularly encouraged the work of members of the Irish Literary Revival, the artists of the Paris School, and English and American writers of his time. In 1923 he sold his manuscript and library holdings to subsidize his art collection.

Scope and arrangement

Collection consists mainly of correspondence, with writings, printed matter and photographs that document Quinn's artistic and political interests. Correspondence, 1901-1924, is with artists, art dealers, critics, poets, playwrights, booksellers, publishers, and members of his family. Files of letters and letterbooks contain correspondence relating to his interest in the artistic and literary scene in America and abroad, events in Ireland especially during the Home Rule movement, his purchase of paintings, sculpture, first editions and manuscripts of contemporary literature, and the sale of his library and manuscript collection. Also includes typescripts of literary works, typescript of the catalog of Quinn's art collection, ledgers, sales and exhibition catalogs, periodicals, and photographs of Quinn with individual artists and group portraits.

The John Quinn papers are arranged in eight series:

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift of Mrs. Thomas F. Conroy (niece and goddaughter of John Quinn), 1962; estate of John Quinn, 1936; later additions of gifts were received from Jeanne Robert Foster (1978), Thomas F. Conroy (1986) and Richard and Janis Londraville (1990).

Processing information

Compiled by Francis O. Mattson, 1974

Description updated and revised by Valerie Wingfield, 1992.

Related Material

Foster-Murphy collection, 1900-1969. Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library. Maloney collection of Irish historical papers. Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.

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Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room, Third Floor, Room 328

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