Effie Seachrest Papers

The Effie Seachrest Papers, 1927-1939, consists of four letters written to Seachrest and one photograph.

The first letter, dated December 12, 1927, is from Marie-Paule Lapauze, the widow of Henry Lapauze,a French art critic, curator, art historian, and conservator at the Palais des Beaux-arts in Paris. After Henry’s death in 1925, Marie-Paule became a well-known editor, publisher, art expert, and the only female curator of the Luxembourg Museum. In her letter, Marie-Paule Lapauze proposes to Seachrest the idea of becoming an advisor for the Nelson museum, believing her connection to French museums would be beneficial for the museum as they assess European artwork, and relates that Sir Joseph Duveen, head of the Duveen Brothers art dealer firm, agrees to the benefit of this proposition. Madame Lapauze then states her hopes to visit Kansas City to discuss this with the chairman and trustees of the museum as soon as possible.

The second letter, dated March 4, [1931], is likely from American artist George Waller Parker. Seachrest hosted an exhibit of his work at her gallery in March 1931. In this letter the artist inquires about his upcoming show, asks her for lodging suggestions, and shares his plans to arrive in Kansas City either March 20 or 21.

The third letter, dated April 27, 1937, is from Armenian-American artist Hovsep T. Pushman. He requests that Effie return five paintings he loaned her, so they may be present at an exhibition at a museum in Dayton, Ohio.

The fourth letter, dated January 13, 1939, is from Canadian-American Impressionist painter Ernest Lawson, who was Effie Seachrest’s art mentor and close friend. In his letter, Lawson outlines his health decline and requests Effie to sell any remaining artwork and send him the earnings. This letter is paired with a photograph of Ernest Lawson.