Addison M. Metcalf [Carl Van Vechten]

Addison M. Metcalf, theatrical producer and art collector, authentic, autographed original 7.5 x 9 glossy photograph of a display in The Addison M. Metcalf Collection of Gertrude Steiniana at Claremont College. Inscribed to Carl Van Vechten.  

The Addison M. Metcalf Collection of Gertrude Steiniana is vast. Gertrude Stein’s literary executor Carl Van Vechten called the Collection “the most valuable one in existence except for the archive at Yale.” The collection contains first editions of all of Stein's works; manuscripts and typescripts, including those for the biography written by Elizabeth Sprigge, university theses about her, and plays written by her; memorabilia pertaining to her life and work, including art catalogs, galley proofs, production files, dramatic music scores, and book advertisements; photographs of Stein, Alice B. Toklas, Addison Metcalf, John Breon, Jacques Lipchitz and others; paintings of Stein; phonograph records of her works; microfilm images of Stein; and one videocassette. Of particular interest is a large body of correspondence between collector Addison Metcalf and persons with a connection to Stein. Also included are books by and about her and journals containing articles by and about her.

Carl Van Vechten, (June 17, 1880 – December 21, 1964), celebrated American writer and photographer, was the literary executor of Gertrude Stein and a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance movement. He captured iconic images of all the key members in the worlds of Art, Theater, Music, and Literature. Van Vechten viewed his photography as a hobby; he never took commissions, he never sold photographs. He would grant permission to publish them, but had strict requirements to do so. He was a prominent fixture in 20th century photography collections with his work being included in such institutions as The Library of Congress, The Museum of The City of New York and The Smithsonian Institution.

Metcalf has inscribed "To my friend Carl Van Vechten / with sincere wishes & appreciation / always Addison" on the photograph's verso. Verso also bears the following notation: "From the Addison M. Metcalfs Gertrude Stein Collection / Feb. 1954 / Newtown Conn. Library / When this you see remember me." In good condition with scattered dings, creases and cracking to it surface, edges and corners.