Series IV. Photographs, circa 1885-2007, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The series holds 8 photograph albums and a variety of loose photographs. The albums are listed individually in the container list. The earliest dates from about 1912 to 1916 and includes photographs of Brooke and others in China and Honolulu when Brooke's father was stationed there. Most of the albums date from the 1970s-1990s, with photographs of various social settings, receptions, dinners, and other events.
The loose photographs range from the 1880s, depicting Brooke's grandparents, to the last years of Brooke's life in the 2000s. Some of these include her husbands Charles Marshall and Vincent Astor. Most are of social gatherings, receptions, events at New York Library and other institutions supported by Astor, and similar photographs.
Arrangement
The series is arranged with albums first, followed by general photographs arranged roughly by format, subject and chronologically. Most of the photographs were boxed loose with no arrangement when delivered to N-YHS. The sorting of these photographs into the various folders noted in the container list was done by the processing archivist and is not a reflection of any original order.
Photograph album [1]., circa 1912-1916, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Album of photographs, primarily snapshots from China. Brooke (Russell) Astor and her parents appear in several. Some are captioned. At the back are some color transparencies of artworks/drawings, likely by Brooke.
Photograph album [2]. "Mrs. Vincent Astor Jewels", 1927, inclusive
Scope and Contents
A label in the album indicates it was compiled in 1927 so it is unclear which Mrs. Vincent Astor is being referred to.
Photograph album [3]. "Dedication of the bench in memory of Alexander Russell, Princeton University", 1977 July 28, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Photos by Cliff Moore. Includes photos of those gathered for the dedication, with a typescript of the benediction by Rev. Richard N. Chrisman.
Photograph album [4]. Chinese Garden Court, Helmet Exchange, 1980 January 10, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Photographs removed from an album. Photos are of the hard hat exchange and press conference at the construction site of the Astor Chinese Garden Court in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Photograph album [5]. Presidential Citizen's Award, 1988, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Photographs from the presentation of the award to Brooke Astor by Ronald Reagan and from the following reception, at the White House.
Photograph album [6], circa 1989-1992, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The contents are generally uncaptioned and undated, but dated items range from 1989-1992. Photos are primarily of Brooke Astor at various events, receptions, and social settings. Notable other people in the photos are Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, Vartan Gregorian, Bob Hope, Barbara Bush, Edward Koch, and Norman Schwarzkopf, among many other unidentified individuals. There are photos from an Outward Bound outing; at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; with Marie Christopher when she was given the Brooke Russell Astor Award (1990); at the Seamen's Church Institute (groundbreaking/construction?); at the Arthur Ross birthday celebration (1991); a dog party; Morgan Library Christmas Party; etc. There is a thank you letter from Gregorian for Astor's endowment of the Bryant Park bookstack.
Photograph album [7], circa 1992-1995, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The contents are generally uncaptioned and undated, but dated items range from 1993-1994. Photos are primarily of Brooke Astor at various events, receptions, and social settings. Notable other people in the photos are Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, Vartan Gregorian, Mario Cuomo, Edward Koch, and Norman Schwarzkopf, among many other unidentified individuals. There are photos from the opening of the Bartow-Pell Carriage House (1993); at the Briarcliff Rotary Club; from various travels (Maine, Santo Domingo); and at the Hadrian Award Luncheon honoring David Rockefeller (1994); among others. Includes some letters of thanks and transmittals of photographs.
Photograph album [8], circa 1970, 1995-1997, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The contents are generally uncaptioned and undated, but the bulk of the dated items range from 1994-1997. There are a small number of photos here that date from perhaps the 1970s. Photos are primarily of Brooke Astor at various events, receptions, and social settings. Notable other people in the photos are David Rockefeller and Felix Rohatyn, among many other unidentified individuals. There are photos from the Hadrian Award Luncheon honoring Lord Rothschild (1995) and The Aga Khan (1996), at the New York Public Library, with dogs and in gardens, among others. Includes some letters of thanks and transmittals of photographs.
Early photographs (4 folders), circa 1885-1930s?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Photos of Brooke Astor as a child through early adulthood, her parents and grandparents, and others, mostly unidentified. There are many copy prints of photos from Haiti and from China (many from photo album [1]). There may be some photos of Charles Marshall here as well.
Photographs. Charles Marshall, 1930s-1950s?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
A small number of photos with Marshall. There may be others in the folders of early photographs.
Photographs. Vincent Astor (2 folders), 1940s?-1950s, inclusive
Scope and Contents
One framed photo of Vincent with a dog; a carte-de-visite labeled as Vincent's father (as a child); slides of Ferncliff; portrait of Vincent in military uniform; Brooke and Vincent; and a photo-illustration of a pavilion for "Captain & Mrs. Vincent Astor" (1948).
Portrait photographs of Brooke Marshall/Brooke Astor, 1940s-2007, inclusive
Photographs. New York Zoological Society (Bronx Zoo), circa 1980s, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Photos of elephants, including baby "Astor," gorillas, lions; Brooke Astor riding an elephant in the Asian section; and a group shot (of trustees?).
Photographs. Various black and white, circa 1964-1990s?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Dinners, social settings, celebratory events.
Photographs. Various color (2 folders), 1960s-2000s?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Social settings, New York Public Library, interiors and exteriors of residences, dogs.
Photographs. Ambassador James Clement Dunn presenting credentials in Madrid, 1953, inclusive
Photographs. Astor Court luncheon, 1991, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Luncheon hosted by Brooke Astor for the Asian Art Department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Photographs of drawings of Brooke Astor, undated, inclusive
Postcard. Brooke Astor with Lillian Gish at Merchant's House Museum, 1982, inclusive
Photographs. New York Public Library, 1990s?, inclusive
Transparencies of artworks (by Brooke Astor?), undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
See also the back of photo album [1] for additional transparencies.
Oversize photographs
Scope and Contents
Holds: Copy print of a 1914 photograph of Mrs. John Astor (Vincent's mother) in Statue of Liberty costume at the Anglo-American Peace Centenary pageant at Albert Hall (contextual note with photo); Brooke Astor with Lyndon Baines Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson; "library at 120 East End Ave; Vincent Astor's favorite red leather chair" (1959); 3 photos on-board Vincent Astor's yacht Nourmahal (circa 1928?); photo of a painting by Betsy Flagg Melcher of Brooke Astor (1963); Vincent Astor by building models (1950s?).