Calder, Alexander

An important archive of autograph letters and postcards by Calder, announcements for Calder exhibitions, photographs, and other items, preserved by Jane Davenport Harris DeTomasi.

condition described in catalogue entry.
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Jane DeTomasi (1897–1984) was a Long Island artist who was a close friend of Alexander Calder and his family for over thirty years.  She was the daughter of geneticist Charles Davenport.  Her first husband was biologist Reginald Harris, and her second was explorer, chemist and musician James DeTomasi.  DeTomasi first studied art in Chicago, then in Paris under Antoine Bourdelle.  It was Calder, however, who was to be the most significant influence on her art. 

The collection comprises:

Calder, Alexander.  30 autograph letters signed ("Sandy"), 43 pages (11 x 8 1/2 in.; 279 x 216 mm), Roxbury, CT, Paris, Saché (Indre et Loire) and other places, 4 July 1941–1 January 1976; condition varies, but mostly good.  Most with autograph envelopes — 15 autograph postcards signed ("Sandy"), some with alterations to the images by Calder, one with original drawing of a fish, another with a collage of a pink pig, v.p., v.d.   Also included are photographs of Calder, Christmas cards, a telegram, correspendence between DeTomasi and several museums concerning loans of Calder art for exhibitions, numerous brochures and notices for Calder exhibitions, newspaper clippings.

In this fine group of letters Calder discusses various exhibitions and projects, including designing a sculpture for a Philip Johnson building in Ft. Worth, installing a mobile at Idlewild Airport, planning exhibitions in Caracas and Basle, painting an airplane for Braniff Airlines, etc.  The letters also offer warm glimpses into Calder's family life, both in Connecticut and France.  One of the most amusing letters is a an account of a family road trip through the French countryside, written in the form of a dialogue (16 September 1953).  In addition the letters deal with practical matters: cars to be looked after in Connecticut while the family is in France, Christmas visits scheduled in August, arrivals at Idlewild, checks to be picked up from New York galleries.

A fine archive giving an intimate glimpse into the life and work of a 20th-century master.