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Remembering Margot Gayle, In Her Own Words
…do you like that? What a great way to end the interview! Access the full Margot Gayle oral history here. Margot Gayle’s oral history is one of about fifty in…
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Strange Bedfellows Happened on West 9th Street: Ida Tarbell, Hans Hofmann, and Margot Gayle
…Gayle Margot Gayle campaigning to save the Jefferson Market Courthouse; From: H.J. Fields/The New York Public Library Born in 1908, Margot Gayle became involved in historic preservation while working at…
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Celebrating & Remembering Margot Gayle
…important anniversary, we have decided to revisit our 1996 Oral History Interview with NYC Landmarks Law activist and historic preservationist Margot Gayle. Born in 1908, Gayle became involved in preservation…
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Honoring Preservationist Margot Gayle Women’s History Month Panel Discussion
Honoring Preservationist Margot Gayle Women’s History Month Panel Discussion Margot Gayle (1908-2008) was one of the most influential preservationists in New York City history. Among her many achievements were founding…
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Margot Gayle
Margot Gayle (1908-2008) led the grassroots effort to save the landmark Jefferson Market Courthouse building in Greenwich Village and transform it into a library. Gayle begins this interview by discussing…
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Ribbon Cuttings, Reopenings, and Anniversaries Bring Neighborhood History to the Fore
…Preservation’s oral history with Margot Gayle CLICK HERE to learn more about pioneering Greenwich Village preservationist Margot Gayle Speaking of Jefferson Market Library, the beloved Greenwich Village landmark fully reopened…
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Retracing the Stories and Homes of Early Village Preservationists
…homes from which these preservationists were inspired to join the cause. Here are just a few highlights: Margot Gayle – 44 West 9th Street Margot Gayle with an image of…
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Neighborhood/Preservation History Archive
…Obituary Margot Gayle, 1908-2008 Margot Gayle, who passed away in September of 2008, served on the Village Preservation Board of Advisors for many years. Gayle’s preservation battles included saving the…
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Happy Birthday, Tom Bernardin!
…and his own apartment on East 52nd Street. While living in this apartment, Tom began his work and volunteering with Village preservation efforts, inspired by Margot Gayle, “one of the…
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The Jefferson Market Library: A Striking Landmark Shines Again
…academy, the building faced the wrecking ball in the post-World War II years. However, preeminent preservationist Margot Gayle led a grassroots effort to save the building, and it found new…
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Library Week, the Landmarks Law, and Our Local Branches
…The wrecking ball was looming when neighborhood advocates, led by noted preservationist Margot Gayle, organized a grassroots campaign to save the courthouse. (Read our oral history with Gayle here.) Thanks…
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A Cast Iron Gem That’s Worn Many Different Hats
…was built in the 1970s. According to a piece co-written by influential preservation pioneer Margot Gayle, the owner at the time had thought of constructing a new building before deciding to…
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Building (801) Broadway: McCreery’s Cast-Iron Gem
…40 years ago. The rooftop addition that now sits atop the structure was built in the 1970s. According to a piece co-written by influential preservation pioneer Margot Gayle, the owner…
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Open House New York in Greenwich Village: The history of three unique sites
…Villagers, for whom its idiosyncratic and quirky design was a symbol of their non-conformist community. Preservationists led by Margot Gayle and Ruth Wittenberg, and local artists including nearby Patchin Place-resident…
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Stories of the Village
…corner or a building has changed over time. Margot Gayle, in a 1996 interview describing her work on behalf of what is now the Jefferson Market Library, creates a mental…
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New Oral History: Westbeth Artist Christina Maile
…Winter Show. CLICK HERE to watch the program This latest oral history adds to our collection of over 60, with preservationists like Jane Jacobs and Margot Gayle; merchants like the…
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New Oral History: Lucy Komisar and the Women’s Movement, Julius’ Bar “Sip-In,” and Civil Rights in the 1960s and ’70s
…in, or made significant history in our neighborhoods, including Jane Jacobs, Penny Arcade, Wolf Kahn, Jonas Mekas, Marlis Momber, Edwin Fancher, Margot Gayle, David Amram, Matt Umanov, Merce Cunningham, Joan…
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Partners in Preservation Sites Announced
…the Jefferson Market Courthouse, the beautiful Victorian Gothic style building by Frederick Clark Withers and Calvert Vaux constructed from 1875-1877. Successfully led by Margot Gayle and Philip Wittenberg, the campaign…
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Carol Janeway: Ceramicist and Fierce Village Advocate
…of Jane Jacobs, Doris Diether, and Margot Gayle, all fierce women to whom we owe much of the founding of the preservation movement in Greenwich Village and New York City….
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New Oral History: Shirley Wright and the Founding of the West Village Nursery School
…to our collection of over 60, with preservationists like Jane Jacobs and Margot Gayle; merchants like the Strand’s Fred Bass and Romana Raffetto of Raffetto’s; choreographers like Merce Cunningham; activists…
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New Oral History: East Village Photography Pioneer Alex Harsley
…to Alex’s oral history — CLICK HERE This latest oral history adds to our collection of over 60, with preservationists like Jane Jacobs and Margot Gayle; merchants like the Strand’s…
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Jonathan Ned Katz Oral History: LGBTQ Historian, Painter and Pioneer
…His Paintings, His Life. Explore all of our oral histories here, including Jane Jacobs, Penny Arcade, Wolf Kahn, Jonas Mekas, Marlis Momber, Edwin Fancher, Margot Gayle, David Amram, Matt Umanov, Merce Cunningham, Joan Davidson, Richard Meier, Ralph Lee, Mimi Sheraton, John Guare, Calvin Trillin, and Chino Garcia. …
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The Doors to Jefferson Market
…Preeminent preservationist Margot Gayle led the grassroots effort to save the building and the library conversion was led by pioneering preservation architect Giorgio Cavaglieri (read more about him HERE), an…
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The Long Road To Our Landmarks Law
…rallies to create the New York City landmarks law. Mayor Robert F. Wagner signs the New York City Landmarks Law, April 19, 1965.Photo: Margot Gayle/NY Preservation Archive Project Two of…
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New Oral History: Calvin Trillin and More than a Half Century in Greenwich Village
…Amram, Merce Cunningham, Marlis Momber, John Guare, Margot Gayle, Wolf Kahn, Ralph Lee, Jonas Mekas, Mimi Sheraton, among many others. Read or Listen to Calvin Trillin’s Oral History HERE Access…
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New Oral History: Calvin Trillin and More than a Half Century in Greenwich Village
…Amram, Merce Cunningham, Marlis Momber, John Guare, Margot Gayle, Wolf Kahn, Ralph Lee, Jonas Mekas, Mimi Sheraton, among many others. Read or Listen to Calvin Trillin’s Oral History HERE Access…
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Oral History: Ayo Harrington’s East Village
…Mimi Sheraton, Ralph Lee, Fred Bass, Peter Ruta, Richard Meier, Merce Cunningham, Matt Umanov, David Amram, Verna Small, Marlis Mober, Jonas Mekas, Margot Gayle, Wolf Kahn, Lorcan Otway, Frances Goldin,…
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New Oral History: Author, Historian, Artist, and Activist Jonathan Ned Katz
…history in our neighborhoods, including Jane Jacobs, Penny Arcade, Wolf Kahn, Jonas Mekas, Marlis Momber, Edwin Fancher, Margot Gayle, David Amram, Matt Umanov, Merce Cunningham, Joan Davidson, Richard Meier, Ralph…
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New Oral History: Playwright John Guare and 60 Years of Life In Greenwich Village
…East Village of the last half century, from Jane Jacobs to Jonas Mekas, Merce Cunningham to Margot Gayle, Chino Garcia to Penny Arcade. Read or Listen to John Guare’s Oral History HERE Check Out All 60+ Oral Histories HERE…
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The SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District: A 1973 Designation That Helped Shape NYC’s Cultural Legacy
…Jacobs stopped the LoMEX plan from ever being approved, and fellow preservationist Margot Gayle, artists, residents, and many others helped secure the designation of the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District on…
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New Oral History: Margaret Halsey “Pi” Gardiner, Merchant’s House Museum Executive Director Since 1990
…Wolf Kahn, Jonas Mekas, Marlis Momber, Edwin Fancher, Margot Gayle, David Amram, Matt Umanov, Merce Cunningham, Joan Davidson, Richard Meier, Ralph Lee, Mimi Sheraton, John Guare, Calvin Trillin, and Chino…
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A Lifelong Commitment to the Village – Margaret Halsey Gardiner’s Oral History, Pt. 1
…Kahn, Jonas Mekas, Marlis Momber, Edwin Fancher, Margot Gayle, David Amram, Matt Umanov, Merce Cunningham, Joan Davidson, Richard Meier, Ralph Lee, Mimi Sheraton, John Guare, Calvin Trillin, and Chino Garcia….
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A Lifelong Commitment to the Village — Margaret Halsey Gardiner’s Oral History, Pt. 2
…Kahn, Jonas Mekas, Marlis Momber, Edwin Fancher, Margot Gayle, David Amram, Matt Umanov, Merce Cunningham, Joan Davidson, Richard Meier, Ralph Lee, Mimi Sheraton, John Guare, Calvin Trillin, and Chino Garcia….
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New Oral History: Film Forum’s Karen Cooper
…Jacobs, Penny Arcade, Wolf Kahn, Jonas Mekas, Marlis Momber, Edwin Fancher, Margot Gayle, David Amram, Matt Umanov, Merce Cunningham, Joan Davidson, Richard Meier, Ralph Lee, Mimi Sheraton, John Guare, Calvin…
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A Century of Impact: Carol Greitzer’s Lifelong Love of New York and Greenwich Village
…courthouse was abandoned by all but city rats, pigeons, and mildew, and was at risk of demolition. Preservation advocates like Margot Gayle, Philip Wittenberg, and Greitzer campaigned and rallied to…
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New Oral History: Kevin McGruder and Greenwich Village’s Black LGBTQ+ Literary Circles
…made significant history in our neighborhoods, including Jane Jacobs, Penny Arcade, Wolf Kahn, Jonas Mekas, Marlis Momber, Edwin Fancher, Margot Gayle, David Amram, Matt Umanov, Merce Cunningham, Joan Davidson, Richard…
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Black History Month: Explore and Help Preserve the Rich Black History in Our Neighborhoods
…in our neighborhoods, including Jane Jacobs, Penny Arcade, Wolf Kahn, Jonas Mekas, Marlis Momber, Edwin Fancher, Margot Gayle, David Amram, Matt Umanov, Merce Cunningham, Joan Davidson, Richard Meier, Ralph Lee,…
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Essential Local Oral Histories for Women’s History Month
…longtime Merchants House Museum director Pi Gardiner, community gardens advocate Ayo Harrington, preservationist Margot Gayle, photographer Marlis Momber, housing activist Fran Goldin, and performance artist Penny Arcade, among many others….
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Celebrating 50 Years of the Jefferson Market Garden: A Green Oasis in the Heart of Greenwich Village
…in 1959. The Greenwich Village Association (GVA), led by Margot Gayle and Verna Small, campaigned forcefully to preserve the building and won their first victory in 1961 by saving the four-sided…
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A Preservation Pioneer at 100
…but were it not for the work and efforts of Cavaglieri and preservationists like Margot Gayle, endangered buildings such as these would have been lost forever — further casualties in…
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Old Buildings, New Forms: Creative adaptive re-use in the built environment
…and erect an apartment building. But Greenwich Village residents and activists including Margot Gayle and Philip Wittenberg led the effort to save the building from the wrecking ball. In 1961,…
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A Preservation Agenda For Landmarking’s 50th Birthday
…Landmarks Law by Mayor Wagner, April 19, 1965. Photo: Margot Gayle/NY Preservation Archive Project As we approach this momentous occasion, we thought we’d take a look at some items on…
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Celebrating 51 Years of Landmarking
Mayor Robert F. Wagner signs the New York City Landmarks Law, April 19, 1965. Photo: Margot Gayle/NY Preservation Archive Project Fifty-one years ago today, on April 19, 1965, the New…
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A Stroll Through the Garden: GVSHP members only event 6/17
…Village residents, lead by Margot Gayle. These residents also rallied together to have the Women’s House of Detention demolished and have a public green space in its place. In 1975,…
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Jefferson Market Garden Party
…are of course among our favorite topics to write about. We’ve discussed the link between Jefferson Market Library, GVSHP Board of Advisors members Carol Greitzer and Margot Gayle, and the…
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Happy Birthday, SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District
…iron pipe. Engineering Record, Building Record and Sanitary Engineer, Volume 3 From “Cast-Iron Architecture in New York” by Margot Gayle and Edmund V. Guillon Jr, 1974. And although not in our primary…
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Lucy Moses Honors
…Park. I’ve had such fun.” If you are interested in learning more about some other pioneers in the preservation movement, check out GVSHP’s oral history interviews with Margot Gayle, Jane…
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The Most Picturesque Sites in The Village
…police academy, the building faced the wrecking ball in the post-World War II years. However, preeminent preservationist Margot Gayle led a grassroots effort to save the building, and it found…
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Jefferson Market Revealed: An Exclusive Showing of the Greenwich Village Collection
…this one-of-a-kind collection and look at archival materials including rare photographs of the building’s conversion from courthouse to library and memories of Margot Gayle’s great crusade to preserve the building….
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In Their Own Words: A Salute to the Women of the Greenwich Village Preservation Movement
…public, features interviews with many of the most influential women of the preservation movement, including Margot Gayle, Verna Small, and Jane Jacobs. Hear fascinating selections from their oral histories shedding…
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Oral History Highlight: Colette Smith Douglas
…David Amram, Verna Small, Marlis Mober, Jonas Mekas, Margot Gayle, Wolf Kahn, Lorcan Otway, Frances Goldin, Chino Garcia, Penny Arcade, and James Polshek, among many others. Explore them all HERE. …
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Tom Bernardin
…he found in Greenwich Village. Preservation pioneer Margot Gayle inspired him to become involved in preservation, which Bernardin has especially pursued via a passion for clocks and lampposts, founding clocks.org….
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Jackson Square Library: An Exquisite Building, and once a church of ‘Exquisite Panic’
…Carol Greitzer, Margot Gayle and Philip Wittenberg, and including Lewis Mumford, E.E. Cummings (who lived across the street in Patchin Place) and actor Maurice Evans, rallied to save the building…
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Michael E. Levine Oral History: How the Greenwich Village Historic District, SoHo, and Stonewall Happened
…Jane Jacobs, Rick Kelly, Mimi Sheraton, Ralph Lee, Fred Bass, Peter Ruta, Richard Meier, Merce Cunningham, Matt Umanov, David Amram, Verna Small, Marlis Mober, Jonas Mekas, Margot Gayle, Wolf Kahn,…
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Oral Histories
…Cott Merce Cunningham Joan Davidson Doris Diether Colette Douglas Albert Fabozzi Edwin Fancher Chino Garcia Pi Gardiner Margot Gayle Frances Goldin John Guare Phil Hartman Ayo Harrington Alex Harsley Shirley…
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Civil Rights History and Diversity
…Oral Histories Ola and Fawzy Abdelwahed Penny Arcade Tom Bernardin Albert Fabozzi Chino Garcia Margot Gayle Frances Goldin Barbara Kahn Jane Jacobs Barbara Kahn Wolf Kahn Maria Kenny Michael E….
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Long Lost Cache of Early SoHo Photos Raises Awareness, Funds to Fight City Plan
…artists, urban pioneers, and preservationists like Jane Jacobs and Margot Gayle not saved them from demolition. As SoHo and NoHo face another plan from city leaders that would help lead…
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Matt Umanov: Guitar Hero, Sharing Musical Musings and Memories
…can find include Jane Jacobs, Rick Kelly, Mimi Sheraton, Ralph Lee, Fred Bass, Peter Ruta, Richard Meier, Merce Cunningham, David Amram, Verna Small, Marlis Mober, Jonas Mekas, Margot Gayle, Wolf…
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Beverly Moss Spatt Oral History: the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s First Woman Chair
…Margot Gayle, Wolf Kahn, Lorcan Otway, Frances Goldin, Chino Garcia, Penny Arcade, and James Polshek, among many others. Explore them all HERE. For more, check out… The full transcript of…
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John Guare Oral History: a Writer of the Theater, and of Greenwich Village
…Bass, Peter Ruta, Richard Meier, Merce Cunningham, Matt Umanov, David Amram, Verna Small, Marlis Mober, Jonas Mekas, Margot Gayle, Wolf Kahn, Lorcan Otway, Frances Goldin, Chino Garcia, Penny Arcade, and…
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Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Landmarks Law
Photo: Margot Gayle/NY Preservation Archive Project A lot can happen in 50 years, and many of us are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the New York City Landmarks Law. It…
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New Oral History: Playwright John Guare and 60 Years of Life In Greenwich Village
…East Village of the last half century, from Jane Jacobs to Jonas Mekas, Merce Cunningham to Margot Gayle, Chino Garcia to Penny Arcade. Read or Listen to John Guare’s Oral History HERE Check Out All 60+ Oral Histories HERE…
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Charlie Parker Lives, This Sunday in Tompkins Square Park
…Saxophonist and pianist Charles Gayle, who lives near the park, tells Off the Grid he’ll be in the audience this weekend. “I can say that in discussing music and Bird’s…
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Sullivan-Thompson Historic District gets its Day at LPC!
…the proposed Sullivan-Thompson historic district Council Member Corey Johnson turned out to speak personally in favor of designation, as did a representative of Manhattan Borough President Gayle Brewer. Other advocacy…
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The Small-Business-Saving Squad of the East Village
At the EVIMA meeting on Feb. 24, L-R: Business owners Richard Green of Love Shine, host Kevin Miceli of Ciao for Now, Peggy Yunque of The Shape of Lies, Gayle…
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Martha Graham: Dancer of the Century
…Schuman, Louis Horst, Alexander Calder, fashion designers Halston, Donna Karan, and Calvin Klein, and major ballet stars for whom she created parts, including Rudolf Nureyev, Mickhail Baryshnikov, and Margot Fonteyn….
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Village Independent Democrats Collection: 1955-1969
…Democrats to fight Tammany, Joseph Tucci runs against DeSapio Page 33: Creation of Special library for reports of city departments, Margot Gayne and Audrey Kasha battle in primary for 1st…
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Village Independent Democrats Collection: 1970-1979
…8/2/76 Letter from Margot Algase Sklar to Mr. Irwin Rosenberg asking for a rebate from the petitions printed the prior year that had defects Page 5: 8/3/76 Letter to Ms…
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Armand Hammer: Industrialist, Art Collector, Paradoxical Villager
…Hammer Collection of master drawings can now be seen on a rotating basis in the West Building of that museum. Mary Cassatt, Smiling Margot Wearing a Ruffled Bonnet, c. 1902,…
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