Archives of American Art
Felicia Meyer Marsh and Meyer Family papers
Marsh, Felicia Meyer, 1912-1978
Meyer, Herbert W. (Herbert William)
Meyer, Anne
AAA.marsfeli
Archival Resource Key
4.9 Linear feet
circa 1880-1977
The papers of painter Felicia Meyer Marsh and the Meyer family measure 4.9 linear feet and date from circa 1880 to 1977. The collection is comprised of biographical materials including family business records, writings by Marsh, and other family documents; and Marsh's correspondence with her husband Reginald Marsh, her parents Herbert and Anne Meyer, and with numerous artists such as Peggy Bacon, Alexander Brook, Olin Dows, Philip Evergood, Lloyd Goodrich, Edward Hopper, George Tooker, and Andrew Wyeth after her husband's death in July 1954. Also found are 24 diaries belonging to Marsh and her parents; printed materials documenting the art careers of Marsh and Herbert Meyer; artwork including 20 sketchbooks; and photographic materials containing 19th and 20th-Century photographs of Felicia and Reginald Marsh, the Meyer family, and friends.
English
.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Felicia Meyer Marsh and Meyer family papers were donated in 1979 by the Felicia Meyer Marsh estate via executor Elizabeth Barlett Sturges, friend of Marsh. Other material was transferred from the Reginald Marsh papers in 2005.
Processing Information
The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Sarah Mundy in 2019.
Preferred Citation
Felicia Meyer Marsh and Meyer family papers, circa 1880-1997. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Terms of Use
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Biographical / Historical
Felicia Meyer Marsh (1912 or 1913-1978) was a painter in Dorset, Vermont and was married to artist Reginald Marsh from 1934 until his death on July 3, 1954.
Marsh was born in New York City to artists Herbert and Anne Norton Meyer. She studied at The Finch School, the Art Students League, and in Paris, France. Marsh was known for her landscapes of Vermont where she spent time during her youth and much of her time as an adult when she was not in New York City. In addition to landscapes, Marsh also painted portraits, figures, cityscapes, interiors, and nature scenes.
In her early career, Marsh showed her work in group exhibitions during the 1930s and 1940s. She held several solo exhibitions from the 1940s until 1974 at the Wakefield Gallery, Macbeth Gallery, Frank K.M. Rehn Gallery, and others.
Marsh died in 1978 in New York City.
Scope and Contents
The papers of painter Felicia Meyer Marsh and the Meyer family measure 4.9 linear feet and date from circa 1880 to 1977. The collection is comprised of biographical materials including family business records, writings by Marsh, and other family documents; and Marsh's correspondence with her husband Reginald Marsh, her parents Herbert and Anne Meyer, and with numerous artists such as Peggy Bacon, Alexander Brook, Olin Dows, Philip Evergood, Lloyd Goodrich, Edward Hopper, George Tooker, and Andrew Wyeth after her husband's death in July 1954. Also found are 24 diaries belonging to Marsh and her parents; printed materials documenting the art careers of Marsh and Herbert Meyer; artwork including 20 sketchbooks; and photographic materials containing 19th and 20th-Century photographs of Felicia and Reginald Marsh, the Meyer family, and friends.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged as six series.
- Series 1: Biographical Material, 1907-1976 (Box 1; 0.2 linear feet)
- Series 2: Correspondence, 1903-1977 (Box 1; 0.8 linear feet)
- Series 3: Diaries, 1914-1953 (Box 1-3; 1.4 linear feet)
- Series 4: Printed Material, 1931-1977 (Box 3, OV 13; 0.2 linear feet)
- Series 5: Artwork, 1892-1977 (Box 3-6, OVs 7-13; 1.5 linear feet)
- Series 6: Photographic Material, circa 1880-1976 (Box 4-5, OV 14; 0.8 linear feet)
Existence and Location of Copies
The collection is available on 35mm microfilm reels 1817 (fr. 812-815), 2082, 2087-2090, 2233-2235, and 4473-4475 at the Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan. Researchers should note that the arrangement of material described in the container inventory does not reflect the arrangement of the collection on microfilm.
Painters -- Vermont
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York
Women artists
Drawings
Diaries
Scrapbooks
Sketchbooks
Women painters
Marsh, Reginald, 1898-1954
Goodrich, Lloyd, 1897-1987
Bacon, Peggy, 1895-1987
Evergood, Philip, 1901-1973
Hopper, Edward, 1882-1967
Biographical Material
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
0.2 Linear feet
Box 1
1907-1976
Scope and Contents
The series contains a small leather case and one engagement calendar belonging to Anne Norton Meyer; family business records consisting of receipts for art supplies, shipping receipts for artworks by Reginald Marsh, and a few other records; wedding and marriage announcements; and writings by Felicia Meyer Marsh and about her father, Herbert Meyer.
Artifact of Anne Norton Meyer
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930s
1
1
Engagement Calendar Belonging to Anne Meyer
Archival Resource Key
1958
1
2
Family Business Records
Archival Resource Key
1938-1976
1
3
Identification and Membership Cards
Archival Resource Key
1936-circa 1954
1
4
Marriage Certificate for Herbert and Anne Meyer
Archival Resource Key
1907
1
5
Wedding Announcement for Felicia Meyer and Reginald Marsh
Archival Resource Key
1934
1
6
Writings, Autobiographical Essay by Felicia Meyer Marsh
Archival Resource Key
1932
1
7
Writings, Poetry by Felicia Meyer Marsh
Archival Resource Key
1926-1928
1
8
Writings About Herbert Meyer
Archival Resource Key
1933
1
9
Correspondence
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
0.8 Linear feet
Box 1
1903-1977
Scope and Contents
The majority of the correspondence before 1954 are personal family letters between Felicia Meyer Marsh (Tim or Timmy) with her husband Reginald Marsh and her parents Herbert and Anne Meyer. Other correspondence includes illustrated letters from Reginald Marsh and others; sympathy letters following Reginald's death on July 3, 1954; and business correspondence after 1954 regarding artworks by Reginald.
Reginald Marsh to Felicia Meyer Marsh
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940s
1
10
Felicia Meyer Marsh and Her Parents
Archival Resource Key
circa 1936-1949
1
11-15
Illustrated Letters
Archival Resource Key
circa 1934-circa 1954
1
16
Scope and Contents
Includes additional letters from Reginald Marsh to Felicia Meyer Marsh, and letters from friends and family.
General
Archival Resource Key
1903-June 1954
1
17-22
General
Archival Resource Key
July 1954-December 1954
1
23-25
Scope and Contents
Includes sympathy letters from Peggy Bacon, Alexander Brook, Olin Dows, Philip Evergood, Lloyd Goodrich, Edward Hopper, George Tooker, Andrew Wyeth, and other friends and family.
General
Archival Resource Key
1955-1977
1
26-28
General
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
29-30
Diaries
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
1.4 Linear feet
Boxes 1-3
1914-1953
Scope and Contents
The series includes 24 diaries belonging to Felicia and her parents. Felicia's travel diary documents her first trip abroad to Europe in 1926. Herbert Meyer's travel diaries document his travels across the United States and in Mexico. Herbert's other diaries contain observations regarding exhibitions and other events. The diaries of Anne Meyer contain records of her daily activities.
Felicia Meyer Marsh, Travel Diary
Archival Resource Key
1926
1
31
Anne Meyer Diaries
Archival Resource Key
1914-1943
2
1-15
Scope and Contents
15 diaries
Anne Meyer Diaries
Archival Resource Key
1944-1946
3
1-2
Scope and Contents
2 diaries
Herbert Meyer Diary
Archival Resource Key
1933
3
3
Herbert Meyer Travel Diaries
Archival Resource Key
1935-1937
3
4-5
Scope and Contents
2 diaries
Herbert Meyer Diaries
Archival Resource Key
1937-1953
3
6-7
Scope and Contents
3 diaries
Printed Material
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
0.2 Linear feet
Box 3, OV 13
1931-1977
Scope and Contents
Printed materials consist of art reproductions, one book, brochures, event programs, and travel ephemera. Exhibition announcements and catalogs, clippings, and one scrapbook relate to Felicia Meyer Marsh and Herbert Meyers's careers.
Art Reproductions
Archival Resource Key
circa 1945
13
Book, Éléments D'Anatomie L'Homme
Archival Resource Key
1928
3
8
Brochures
Archival Resource Key
1969-1970
3
9
Event Programs
Archival Resource Key
1936-1945
3
10
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs
Archival Resource Key
1940-1975
3
11
News Clippings
Archival Resource Key
1933-1977
3
12
News Clippings
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
13
Scrapbook
Archival Resource Key
1931-1941
3
14
Travel Ephemera
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940s
3
15
Artwork
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
1.5 Linear feet
Boxes 3-6, OVs 7-13
1892-1977
Scope and Contents
Most of the artwork in this series is by Felicia Meyer Marsh unless noted otherwise. The series includes a large amount of drawings and sketches in ink, paint, and pencil; commercial graphics by Harold Gilbert; an illustration project by Herbert Meyer; and 20 sketchbooks containing mostly figure drawings and portraiture, as well as scenes of Europe and nature.
Commercial Graphics by Harold Gilbert
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
16
Drawings and Sketches, Animals
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
17
Drawings and Sketches, Cityscapes
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
18
Drawings and Sketches, Cityscapes
Archival Resource Key
undated
8
Drawings and Sketches, Interiors
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
19
Drawings and Sketches, Interiors
Archival Resource Key
undated
9
Drawings and Sketches, Landscapes
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
20-22
Drawings and Sketches, Landscapes
Archival Resource Key
undated
10
Drawings and Sketches, Portraits and Figures
Archival Resource Key
undated
1928
3
23-24
Drawings and Sketches, Portraits and Figures
Archival Resource Key
undated
11
Drawings and Sketches, Portraits and Figures
Archival Resource Key
undated
12
Drawings and Sketches by Herbert Meyer
Archival Resource Key
circa 1897
3
25
Drawings and Sketches by Unidentified Artist
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940s
3
26
Drawings and Sketches by Others
Archival Resource Key
circa 1934
13
Project, "Parkman's Oregon Trail Illustrated by Herbert Meyer"
Archival Resource Key
1939
3
27
Project, "Illustrations in the Form of Sketches for Parkman's the Oregon Trail Drawn by Herbert Meyer"
Archival Resource Key
1939
3
28
Sketchbook, Europe
Archival Resource Key
circa 1945
3
29
Sketchbook, Nature
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
30
Sketchbooks
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
31-37
Scope and Contents
8 sketchbooks
Sketchbooks
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
1-5
Scope and Contents
8 sketchbooks
Sketchbooks
Archival Resource Key
undated
7
Scope and Contents
2 sketchbooks
Photographic Material
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
0.8 Linear feet
Boxes 4-5, OV 14
circa 1880-1976
Scope and Contents
The series includes childhood photographs, portraits, and snapshots of Felicia Meyer Marsh, photographs of Reginald Marsh, Herbert and Anne Meyer (Felicia's parents), Frederick Dana Marsh (Reginald's father), the Meyer family, and friends. Other photographs are of places, works of art, and a portrait of Henry Schnakenberg by Doris Ulman. The series also contains many vintage photographs including an opalotype glass plate of an unidentified woman.
Childhood Photographs of Felicia Meyer Marsh
Archival Resource Key
circa 1915-circa 1925
3
38-39
Childhood Photographs of Felicia Meyer Marsh
Archival Resource Key
1914
14
Portraits of Felicia Meyer Marsh
Archival Resource Key
circa 1928
4
1
Photographs of Felicia Meyer Marsh
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930-1965
4
2-3
Photographs of Felicia Meyer Marsh
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940
14
Photographs of Felicia Meyer Marsh at the Beach
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940s
4
4
Photographs of Felicia Meyer Marsh Painting
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930-1976
4
5
Photographs of Felicia Meyer Marsh and Others
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930-circa 1955
4
6
Photographs of Felicia Meyer Marsh and Others
Archival Resource Key
circa 1950
14
Photographs and Negatives of Felicia Meyer and Reginald Marsh
Archival Resource Key
1934-circa 1950
4
7-8
Photographs of Herbert Meyer
Archival Resource Key
circa 1882-circa 1950
4
9
Photographs of Herbert Meyer and Family
Archival Resource Key
circa 1880-circa 1940
5
1
Photographs of the Meyer Family
Archival Resource Key
circa 1909-circa 1970
5
2
Photograph of Frederick Dana Marsh (Father of Reginald Marsh)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1915
5
3
Photographs of Artists and Art Models
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940s
5
4
Photographs and Negative of Portrait of Henry Schnakenberg by Doris Ulman
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920
5
5
Photograph of Portrait of Henry Schnakenberg by Doris Ulman
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920
14
Photographs of Others
Archival Resource Key
1933-circa 1950
5
6-7
Opalotype of Unidentified Woman (Glass Plate)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1885
5
8
Photographs of Places
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930-1976
5
9
Photographs of Works of Art
Archival Resource Key
circa 1955
5
10