Albert E. Thiele records

Albert E. Thiele records

Collection Overview

Repository:
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Archives.
Creator:
Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. Board of Trustees.
Title:
Albert E. Thiele records
Call Number:
A0032
Dates:
1937-1983 (bulk 1952-1968)
Volume:
4.75 cubic ft. (6 record center cartons)
Historical Abstract:
Albert E. Thiele (AET) (1892-1982) joined the Guggenheim Brothers in 1909, and later became a partner. AET was Vice President of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation (SRGF) for approximately thirty years, and was the longest-serving member of the SRGF Board of Trustees, serving from 1937-1982. AET was influential in many aspects of the planning and building of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and its Annex at 1071 Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Scope and Content Abstract:
The Albert E. Thiele (AET) records span the years 1937-1983 and document the construction of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (SRGM) and its Annex (SRGMA) in New York City. The collection includes: correspondence; architectural drawings; personal notes; promotional brochures; photographs; detailed construction reports; financial documents; certificates; press clippings and brochures; architectural drawings; and magazine proofs. This collection provides documentation of administrative, financial, and legal information relating to the construction of and modifications to the SGRM and the SRGMA.
Location:
ArchivesOne, CF1
Language:
Collection is primarily in English.
Arrangement:
Organized into 2 series: 1. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Main Building; 2. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Annex.
Restrictions:
The collection is partially restricted. Please contact the Archives Manager for further information.
Publication Rights:
Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Manager of the Library and Archives.
Preferred Citation:
Albert E. Thiele records. A0032. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Archives, New York, NY.
Subjects:
Architectural drawing.
Construction + architecture--Inspections.
Construction + architecture--Museums.
Easton, Glen H.
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.
Guggenheim, Harry F. 1890-1971.
Interior architecture--New York (State)--New York.
Lighting, Architectural and decorative.
Museum architecture.
Ottenheimer, John.
Peters, William Wesley
Public buildings--New York (N.Y.).
Short, William H., 1924-1991.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
Taliesin Associated Architects.
Thiele, Albert E. 1892-1982.
Wright, Frank Lloyd, 1867-1959.
Contributors:
Euclid Contracting Corp.
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.
Prince, Harry M.
Sweeney, James Johnson, 1900-1986.
Related Materials:
William H. Short papers. M0004. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Archives, New York, NY.Frank Lloyd Wright papers. A0006. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Archives, New York, NY.
Finding aid prepared by Brandy Philip in January 2007.

Historical Note

Albert Edward Thiele (AET) (1892-1982) was born in December, 1882, in Brooklyn, New York. The son of Albert Head and Tillie Thiele, insurance workers, AET was raised in Brooklyn and graduated from the School of Commerce at New York University, from which he received the Madden Memorial Award. AET joined the Guggenheim Brothers in 1909, later became a business partner, and was involved in mining investment and exploration. Over the course of his career, AET served as Chairman of the Pacific Tin Consolidated Corporation, and as the Director of the Kennecott Copper Corporation, the Barber Oil Corporation and the Anglo Lautaro Nitrate Corporation. He was named a Life Trustee of New York University.

AET married Alice K., and together they had one child, Roger H. Thiele.

AET was the longest-serving member of the Board of Trustees of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation (SRGF), serving from 1937 until his death in 1982. AET served as Vice President of the Foundation from 1940-(1968?), serving concurrently as Treasurer from 1937-1950. As a member of the Executive and Finance Committee, AET was responsible for many of the business functions and activities of the Foundation. AET worked closely with the SRGF Presidents Solomon R. Guggenheim; Arthur Stuart, Earl of Castle Stuart; Harry F. Guggenheim; and Peter Lawson-Johnston. During his tenure on the Board of Trustees, he worked under the directorships of Hilla Rebay, James Johnson Sweeney and Thomas M. Messer. AET was involved in almost all aspects of the planning and construction of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Annex and was influential in shaping its institutional and administrative structure.

AET died in his home in Scarsdale, N.Y. on December 22, 1982.

Bibliography

New York Times, "Albert E. Thiele Is Dead at 90; Guggenheim Brothers Partner," December 22, 1982.

Scope and Content Note

The Albert E. Thiele records span the years 1937-1983 and mostly document the construction of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (SRGM) and its Annex (SRGMA) in New York. The collection includes: correspondence; architectural drawings; personal notes; promotional brochures; photographs; detailed construction reports; financial documents; legal documents; press clippings; and magazine proofs. This collection provides thorough documentation of administrative, financial, and legal information relating to the construction of the SRGM and the SRGMA. The collection is arranged in two series. Series 1. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Main Building records contain information regarding the SRGM, from its earliest design stage through construction and the first few years of operation. The bulk of the collection is comprised of correspondence between Frank Lloyd Wright and Guggenheim officials and their struggle over the construction on personal, financial and legal grounds. Other highlights of the collection include architectural drawings of the SRGM, early documentation and photographs pertaining to the museum site, and a 1966 organization manual and chart for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. Series 2. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Annex collection covers all of the administrative aspects of the Annex project, most importantly the correspondence between Guggenheim officials, Taliesin Associated Architects, and Euclid Contracting Corporation. The SGRMA files also contain detailed material bills and other bills for the construction project, legal contracts, certificates, guarantees, permits, change orders, insurance, and building violation citations. Also included are contractor bids, papers that relate to the construction of specific projects, and different versions of project specifications with handwritten notes.

Series Descriptions

Series 1. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Main Building, 1937-1966 (bulk 1952-1960), 2.5 cubic ft. (3 record center cartons)
Summary: The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Main Building (SRGM) papers span the years 1937-1966. The bulk of the collection (1952-1960) pertains to Albert E. Thiele's involvement with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (SRGM), specifically the planning and construction of the Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW) designed museum building at 1071 Fifth Avenue in New York. The records contain information regarding the SRGM, from its earliest design stage through construction and the first few years of operation. The bulk of the collection is comprised of correspondence, both incoming and outgoing. Highlights include correspondence with FLW, Harry F. Guggenheim (HFG), Robert Moses (RM), James Johnson Sweeney, William H. Short, Clinton N. Hunt, and William Wilson, as well as with Euclid Contracting Corporation. Correspondence between HFG, FLW and RM showcase the struggles over building progress on personal, financial and legal grounds. Other highlights of the collection include architectural drawings of SRGM, early documentation and photographs pertaining to the museum site, and a 1966 organization manual and chart for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.
Arrangement: Arranged in one alphabetical sequence.
Series 2. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Annex, 1957-1978 (bulk 1966-1968), 2.25 cubic ft. (3 record center carton)
Summary: Papers that relate specifically to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Annex (SGRMA) construction project. Subseries A. Administrative consists of correspondence and financial and legal information. The correspondence included is primarily between Guggenheim officials (Glen H. Easton and Harry F. Guggenheim), Taliesin Associated Architects (William Wesley Peters and John Ottenheimer), Euclid Contracting Corporation, and subcontractors. The majority of correspondence discusses the project in its planning stage, or provides updates on various aspects of the project as a whole. Financial documents include material bills and other bills for the construction projects, and legal contains official contracts, certificates, guarantees, permits, change orders, insurance, and building violations. Subseries B. Projects contains promotional materials from project bids and papers that relate specifically to the construction of certain projects within the SRGMA construction project. This includes both major architectural changes and the planning of general structural changes such as the installation of elevators, the pouring of footings, and the implementation of security systems. The security systems folder contains letters to and from Frank Lloyd Wright concerning structures and apparatus necessary to insure the security of the building and collection while maintaining the architectural integrity of the building. Other folders contain different draft versions of the project specifications, with handwritten notes by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, their legal advisors, and Taliesin Associated Architects.
Arrangement: Organized into 2 subseries: A.) Administrative; B.) Projects.

Folder List

Series 1. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Main Building, 1937-1966 (bulk 1952-1960), 2.5 cubic ft. (3 record center cartons)
BoxFolderTitleDate
709677Air Conditioning: Henry Bellsmith: Correspondence1957
709677Art Conservation Department1959
709677Auditorium: Sound System (2 folders)1958-1960
709677Bill of Sales and Insurance Binder for Cooling Tower and Finishing Hardware1957
709677Bronze: Handrails and Signage1957-1959
709677Certificate of Occupancy1959-1960
709677Changes and Additions: Requests From James Johnson Sweeney and Staff1957-1958
709677Contractors: Bids, Estimates of Costs (2 folders)1952-1957
Correspondence
709677,
805074		General (8 folders)1957-1961
709677Brown, Hunt: 1071 Property Line Neighbor1957
691578Library1964
709677Moses, Robert: Between Robert Moses, Frank Lloyd Wright, Harry F. Guggenheim1953-1958
709677Sculpture Garden Area1958
709677Short, William H. (2 folders)1956-1964
709677Shriver, Robert (Ambassador to France)1968
709677Wilson, William1953
709677Electrical Services1956-1959
709677Engineer: Consulting1955-1959
709677Engineer (Dr. J. Feld): Bills1956-1957
709677Elevators1959
709677Estimated Costs of Museum Construction1957-1959
Euclid Contacting Construction
709677Contract Changes and Additions (3 folders)1956-1959
709677Contract and Contract Payment (2 folders)1955-1960
709677,
691578		Contracting Payments and Correspondence (4 folders)1956-1960
691578Exterior Coating: Cocoon1957-1960
691578Extracurricular Activities1958
691578Fassler and Froelich Payments1958-1960
691578Fifth Avenue Property: Correspondence, Contracts, Photographs of Vacant Lot1944-1956
691578Finance: Statements1956-1959
691578Flagpole1959-1960
691578Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation: Agreement and Fees (Restricted)1951-1959
691578Gallery Lighting1959-1960
691578Garage Accommodations1957, 1959
691578Holden, Arthur C.1954
691578Interior: Furniture, Furnishings and Interior Decorations (2 folders)1952-1960
691578Insurance: Fire1956-1967
805074Janitorial Cleaning1959
691578Landscape: Correspondence, Plant List, Plans (2 folders)1958-1965
Maintenance
691578Building and Landscape (3 folders)1958-1964
691578Employees and Operating Costs (2 folders)1952-1961
691578Medallion Plaque1959-1966
691578Moving to The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum1958-1963
691578Museum Committee Meeting Minutes (Restricted)1937-1939, 1958-1959
691578Name of the New Museum and Auditorium1952-1957
691578New York City Board of Appeals (2 folders)1950-1958
691578Occupancy Limitation1955-1959
691578Office Space1958-1959
691724Organization of Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation: Manual and Chart1963-1966
691724Photography Department1958-1960
691724Place of Assembly Permit1953-1955
691724Plastering Galleries1958
691724Pre-Construction Correspondence and Pamphlet n.d., 1950-1951
691724President's Office1960-1961
Restaurant
691724General1954-1962
805074Maintenance1958-1963
691724Sewage Ejectors1959
691724Skylights: Louvers1957-1959
691724Snow Maintenance1958-1959
691724Specifications, Plans, Contracts: Correspondence (2 folders)1951-1957
691724Stamp: Frank Lloyd Wright 2 Cents Issued 6/2/19661966
691724Steam Heating1954-1959
691724Strikes1957-1958
691724Stone, Edward: Architect1959
691724Storage Racks: Artwork1958-1959
691724Sump Pump1959
691724Telephone and Buzzer Systems1958-1959
691724Test Borings1945, 1955
691724Specifications: Archeseum for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation Memorial1955
691724Subpoena: Building Violations1956-1958
691724Survey of Fifth Avenue Property1956
691724Vandalism (Restricted)1963
Series 2. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Annex, 1957-1978 (bulk 1966-1968), 2.25 cubic ft. (3 record center carton)
BoxFolderTitleDate
A. Administrative
Correspondence
692053General (5 folders)1963-1967
692053Agreements and Fees (2 folders)1963-1965
692053Bidder Specifications 1966
Construction
692053Problems1966-1968
Progress
692053General1966-1967
692053 Daily Inspection (2 folders)1966-1968
692053 Punchlist1968
692053Euclid 1966-1971
692053Later Projects1978-1983
692053Press1963
692053Security Guardianship1959-1967
692053Tea Room1963-1982
692053Thannhauser Gallery 1963-1965
692053Financial
692053General1963-1971
692053Material Bills (4 folders)1966-1968
691360Monthly Reports From Architect (2 folders)1966-1968
Legal
692053Agreements and Fees: Originals and Copies (3 folders, Restricted)1964-1971
692053,
691360		Building Violations (2 folders)1964-1967
692053Certificate of Occupancy1968
692053,
691360		City Planning Commission (3 folders)1963-1967
692053Change Orders1967-1968
Contracts
100574Annex Building Contract1966
100574,
691360		Bid Letters (2 folders)1966
100574Builders (2 folders)1966-1967
100574Euclid1966-1967
100574Freed, Donald E.1973-1975
100574Tea Room1965-1967
3Department of Buildings1963-1967
100574Guarantees1968
Insurance
100574Builders' Risk (Restricted)1966-1968
100574Fire Damage (Restricted)1967-1970
691360Press1963-1964
B. Projects
Bids
Contractor
100574General (2 folders)1963-1966
100574Conforti and Eisle1966
100574Nadal and Lansing1966
691360Kuhn, Smith and Harris1966
100574Electrical1963-1966
Construction
100574Aye Simons Reading Room1978
100574Bookstore and Restaurant1973-1975
100574,
691360		Cafeteria (2 folders)1963
100574Four East 89th Street1966-1967
100574Security Systems1957-1960
Structural
100574General1967-1969
691360Borings1966
100574Concrete Forms1967
100574Doors1967
100574Elevators1966
100574Footings1966-1968
100574Humidifier1967-1968
100574Interior1966-1968
100574Lighting1966-1968
100574Sprinkler1963
100574Windows1967
100574,
691360		Tea Room (2 folders)1965-1968
100574Thannhauser Gallery1963-1965
Specifications for Alterations and Additions
100574General (3 folders)1964-1973
100574Addendum 1, 2 and 31966
100574Draft Two1966
100574Legal Copy1966
100574Taliesin Copy1966
Proofs
100574Taliesin Copy1966
100574Guggenheim Copy1966