The papers of New York art collector Douglas Cramer measure 1.41 linear feet and date from circa 1970-2014. Papers include letters from artists, four guest books signed by visitors to Cramer's art collection and attendees of his parties, printed material documenting Cramer's career in television as well as his prominence as an art collector, and photographs of people and artists who attended his parties including Ellsworth Kelly, Ed Ruscha, Mary Boone, Leo Castelli, and others.
There is an unprocessed addition to this collection of nine items donated in 2022 that include correspondence and works of art to Douglas Cramer consisting of handmade Christmas cards by Bryan Hunt, David Hockney, and Harland Miller; a sketch by Ellsworth Kelly; a postcard from Sol Lewitt; a sketch in oil on cardstock by Eric Fischl; and a collage by Richard Meier. Materials date from circa 1986-1994 and undated.
Scope and Contents:
The papers of New York art collector Douglas Cramer measure 1.41 linear feet and date from circa 1970-2014. Papers include letters from artists, four guest books signed by visitors to Cramer's art collection and attendees of his parties, printed material documenting Cramer's career in television as well as his prominence as an art collector, and photographs of people and artists who attended his parties including Ellsworth Kelly, Ed Ruscha, Mary Boone, Leo Castelli, and others.
There is an unprocessed addition to this collection of nine items donated in 2022 that include correspondence and works of art to Douglas Cramer consisting of handmade Christmas cards by Bryan Hunt, David Hockney, and Harland Miller; a sketch by Ellsworth Kelly; a postcard from Sol Lewitt; a sketch in oil on cardstock by Eric Fischl; and a collage by Richard Meier. Materials date from circa 1986-1994 and undated.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged as five series
Missing Title
Series 1: Letters, 1972-2014 (2 folders; Box 1)
Series 2: Guest Books, 1990-1997 (0.5 linear feet; Box 1-2)
Series 3: Printed Material, circa 1972-2012 (0.7 linear feet; Box 1)
Series 4: Photographs, circa 1970, circa 1985 (1 folder; Box 1)
Series 5: Unprocessed Addition, circa 1986-1994 and undated (0.3 linear feet; folder 3, OV 4)
Biographical / Historical:
Douglas Cramer (1931- ) is an art collector and television producer in New York, New York and Miami, Florida. A producer of noted television series including The Love Boat, Dynasty, and The Brady Bunch, Cramer is also an avid art collector and was a founding member of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.
Related Materials:
Also found in the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview with Douglas Cramer conducted by Avis Berman in 2013.
Provenance:
Donated to the Archives of American Art in 2016 by Douglas S. Cramer. 9 additional documents were donated by the Douglas S. Cramer Jr. Revocable Trust in 2022 via Herbert Bush III, Cramer's spouse and trustee.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Rights:
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.
Topic:
Art -- Collectors and collecting -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Art -- Collectors and collecting -- Florida -- Miami Search this
Television producers and directors -- Florida -- Miami Search this
Television producers and directors -- New York -- New York Search this
Genre/Form:
Visitors' books
Photographs
Citation:
Douglas Cramer papers, circa 1970-2014. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
