Victor David Brenner papers, 1895-1912

Descriptive Summary

Repository
American Numismatic Society
Extent
0.5 cubic feet (2 boxes)
Language
English
Abstract
Correspondence, drawings, catalogs, photographs, conference and exhibit invitations, and other materials, some relating to Abraham Lincoln that were possibly used by Brenner when designing the 1909 Lincoln cent.

Victor David Brenner in his studio, ca. 1910

Creator

Name
Brenner, Victor D. (Victor David), 1871-1924
Abstract
Victor David Brenner (1871-1924) was an artist, sculptor, and engraver who is most widely known for his design of the U.S. Lincoln cent in 1909.

Contents

Administrative Information

Access

Collection open to all researchers.

Preferred Citation

Victor David Brenner papers, 1895-1912, Archives, American Numismatic Society.

Restrictions

Copyright restrictions may apply. Permission to publish or reproduce must be secured from the American Numismatic Society.

Biographical Note

Victor David Brenner (1871-1924) was an artist, sculptor, and engraver who is most widely known for his design of the U.S. Lincoln cent in 1909.

Scope and Content Note

Contains correspondence, including personal letters, postcards, and a Christmas card; invitations and other materials relating to conferences and exhibits, including the Pan-American Exposition (Buffalo, 1901), Universal Exposition (St. Louis, 1904), Universal Exposition (Brussels, 1910), and Paris Salon (1910); drawings, including an unsigned engraving, unsigned pen and ink sketches, and a sketch of a peace silver dollar by Brenner in pencil, possibly as part of a competition leading to the design of the 1921 Peace Dollar; catalogs from Brenner exhibitions in New York City at the Grolier Club (1907) and Arthur Hahlo & Co. (cover only, 1912); Brenner’s student certificate card from the National Academy of Design for the 1895-96 session; and a photograph of Brenner in his studio with his hand touching the bas relief of a young girl. Items relating to Lincoln and possibly used by Brenner for his designs include a 50-cent Civil War scrip note (1862) with Lincoln’s image, a carte de visite entitled “Lincoln Family,” a souvenir photographic print labeled, “House in Which Lincoln Died,” a framed shadowbox profile of Lincoln carved in ivory or other white material, and several published portraits of Lincoln. Five items from the Society of French Artists’ Paris Salon (1900) are mounted within a single frame and include two photograph portraits of Brenner and documents relating to the exhibition.

Related Entities

Collection Hierarchy

  • Box 1 of 2

    Note:

    Descriptions are based on entries in Bowers & Merena Galleries auction catalog, November 6-9, 2002. (Lot 656)

    Drawing - Small unsigned engraving of angel and seated person, other figures at left, seemingly a study for something else, artist not identified.

    Drawings - Pen and ink sketches of rear male torso, other figures, women, etc., studies on paper, standing figure on other side, holding a ball.

    Drawing - Sketch of Peace silver dollar by Brenner, pencil, possibly made for the competition ultimately leading to the 1921 Peace dollar

    Correspondence - Postcard in German, Munich, October 29, 1906, address to Brenner, New York at 107 Second Avenue, discussing the meeting of the Austrian Coin and Medal Club on August, 1906, and other matters.

    Correspondence - Double fold-out scenic postcard of Turino, Italy (Turin) in French. July 20, 1901, to Brenner, with greetings and message, addressed to the sculptor at 125 East 23rd Street, New York.

    Correspondence - Correspondence on full letter-size stationary, October 6, 1916, to “Dear Sister,” discussing the issue of Etude for the previous month, Rosh Hosonah [sic], noting that he had recently obtained a Schleicher piano, the Municipal Art Society, and other personal matters.

    Correspondence - Souvenir postcard, June 15, 1920., Ogunquit ,Maine, signed “Dave” to Mrs. M.F. Brenner, 107 Second Avenue, New York City. Depicted as a surf scene, “Off the Rocks, Ogunquit, ME.”

    Correspondence - Postcard, torn corner, for the 1910 Brussels Exposition, Valentine & Sons, Ltd., signed Dave,” addressed to Mrs. M.F. Brenner, 3 Bld Monmarte, Paris.

    Correspondence - Card from Venice, signed “David,” March 6, 1907, to Mr. Michael Brenner, 131 Norfolk Street, NYC.

    Correspondence - “Real photo” postcard of “Brenner See gegan Sueden” [Lake Brennner] sent to Brenner, then in Paris, by H. Codman, from Innsbruck, August 1, 1906.

    Correspondence - Letter from Ernst, Vienna, December 20, 1904, to Victor D. Brenner, acknowledging a check for 20 crowns which in turn had been given to the treasurer of “our society.”

    Correspondence - Postcard from Quebec addressed to David Victor Brenner [sic], 147 West 23rd Street, NYC, January 3, 1904 from L. Vadi.

    Correspondence - Postcard addressed to Victor David Brenner, 125 East 230 Street, forwarded to 131 Norfolk Street, then forwarded again to 300 5 Street, NYC from Turino, Italy, 1902, transmitting a message in French from “Joseph”.

    Correspondence - Postcard addressed to Mrs. M.F. Brenner, 107 2nd Avenue, NYC from Avers (Antwerp), 1902, signed “Dave” and illustrating the synagogue there.

    Correspondence - Christmas card to V.D. Brenner, 25 December 1902

    Invitations, passes and cards - Card from the Ministry of Science and Arts, Universal Exposition in Brussels in 1910, text in French, regarding Brenner’s exhibit in Group 2, Beaux Arts.

    Invitations, passes, and cards - Invitation ticket to Brenner to the Royal Academy of Arts, Tuesday, June 26, London.

    Invitations, passes and cards - Permanent ticket, overprinted in green, “SEASON,” a pass issued to Victor David Brenner for the Pan-American Exposition, May 1-November 10, 1901, Buffalo, New York. Card no. A1713. (NOTE: President McKinley was assassinated at this exposition.)

    Invitations, passes and cards - Two-sided coin-form cardboard badge with Brenner’s name, Congress Internationale de Numismatique, Brussels, 1910, celebrating the art of the medal. Yellow and green ribbon attached.

    Invitations, passes and cards - Small printed card, filled in ink, torn, still in one piece from the Universal Exposition of St. Louis, 1904, informing hat formal announcement has been made that Brenner had won a silver medal on his exhibit of sculpture, catalogue nos. 2076 and 2077 in Group XI.

    Invitations, passes and cards - Exhibitor’s passcard to the Paris Salon, Brenner’s name in ink as the recipient, date not given, April 30 to June 30.

    Invitations, passes and cards - Card given to Brenner for the 1905 Paris Salon, April 29 to June 30, signed on the back by Brenner who was staying at 20 Rue Blomet.

    Invitations, passes and cards - Embossed card for an exhibit in Vienna, 1903, with ink note on the back that this card number 4 issued to Brenner.

    Invitations, passes and cards - Invitation to Brenner to attend a musical and comedy event in Paris, undated.

    Invitations, passes and cards - Printed card of O. Roty, Paris sculptor, with Roty’s new address written in ink and a notation.

    Invitations, passes and cards - Business card for Charles Dupiez, “Expert en Medailles,” Brussels.

    Invitations, passes and cards - National Academy of Design, student’s certificate, 1895-1896, issued to Victor David Brenner, number 215, small printed card with ink inscription.

    Photograph - Brenner in his studio, standing, right hand touching a bas relief of a young girl.

    Programs and catalogs - Four-page program for an exhibit at Casper’s Kunst Salon [art gallery], Berlin, undated, early 20th century, featuring the works of N. Aronson.

    Programs and catalogs - Catalogue of Medals and Plaques by Victor D. Brenner, exhibited at the Grolier Club, March 7 to March23, 1907.

    Programs and catalogs - Catalog of an exposition of Bronzes, Marbles, and Medallions by Victor D. Brenner, from April 15 to May 1, 1912.

    Lincoln-related materials - Framed ‘shadow box’ image of Lincoln, facing right, from Brenner’s personal effects, seemingly sculpted in ivory or a related white substance, mounted on red velvet.

    Lincoln-related materials - 50-cent Civil War scrip note, Park’s House, 185 and 187 Washington Street, Boston, printed by L. Prang & Company, engravers, November 1, 1862, unused remainder, with engraved portrait of Lincoln. (Cataloger states: “No doubt a study item collected by Brenner to observe earlier depictions of Lincoln.”)

    Lincoln-related materials - Small sepia print card, circa late 19th century, titled “Lincoln Family,” showing President Lincoln, his wife, and two sons.

    Lincoln-related materials - Souvenir photographic print, with inscription on back, “house in which Lincoln died.”

    Lincoln-related materials - Printed sepia portrait, half tone process, facing right, of Lincoln, mounted on cardboard, not signed closely resembling the portrait of Lincoln used on Brenner’s plaque, and then in the Lincoln cent.

    Lincoln-related materials - Printed article on Abraham Lincoln, not identified but seemingly from a popular magazine of the early 20th century, including a printed portrait of Lincoln from an ambrioty.

  • Box 2 of 2

    Framed suite of Brenner items

    Scope and Content:

    In old frame, maroon mat with gilt trim, gilt inside to frame, under glass, probably for some type of exhibition. Shown at the upper left and lower right are two portraits of Brenner, together with two items in French, one signed by Brenner and indicating that his address was 20 Rue Bloumet, Paris. (The entire relates to the Salon de 1900 conducted by the Societe des Artists Francoise, Place de Breteuil.)

    Exhibit labels and panels

    Note:

    Includes panels and labels from an exhibit displayed at ANS headquarters on Varick Street from 2010 to August 2012 that are being kept for the text. One panel is damaged from adhesive.