Subject Files
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Frank Perls Gallery
setName: label: See more items in
content: Frank Perls papers and Frank Perls Gallery records
physdesc: label: Extent
content: (Box 6-22; 16.5 linear feet)
unitdate: label: Date
content: circa 1939-1983
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives of American Art
identifier: label: Identifier
content: AAA.perlfran, Series 4
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials
arrangement: label: Arrangement note
content: This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents note
content: This series is the most extensive in the collection and reflects the order of the files maintained during the operation of the gallery. Subjects refer to named correspondents, family members, organizations, galleries, museums, publications, non-Frank Perls Gallery exhibitions, and art topics of interest. Although some of the files represent collected reference materials, the majority consist primarily of correspondence. Perls made very few distinctions between his work and personal life; his closest friends were artists he represented, clients whose collections he helped build, art critics he befriended, and fellow gallery owners he admired. This series provides rich documentation on these personal, family, and professional relationships.

Of particular note are files documenting Perls involvement with the Art Dealers Association of America, an organization dedicated to the high standards of ethical practice in the profession. Many files in this series document Perls professional efforts to uncover corruption and fraud within the art world, especially in Los Angeles.

While this series also contains scattered invoices, most financial records are found in the general financial and business records series. Photographs are also scattered within. The majority of the exhibition files filed here do not represent Frank Perls Gallery exhibitions. The few exhibition files found here are related to other business, such as requests for authentication of artwork and records documenting stolen and fake art investigations.