Description:

Frank Lloyd Wright
various, ca. 1953-1954
Frank Lloyd Wright Butterfly Bridge Correspondence Archive
Archive
Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959). A large archive related to the Butterfly Bridge project in San Francisco, including four letters signed by Wright and three telegrams from him. Correspondence is dated between 1953 and 1954 when Wright designed the bridge, a famous but ultimately doomed project that was to be a secondary bridge running alongside the existing Bay Bridge, from San Francisco to Oakland. Varying degrees of wear include expected folds and creases with some soiling, foxing and toning. Overall, the archive is in very good plus condition.

As referenced in these letters, Wright designed a model for the Butterfly Bridge which was used to garner public and political support. The correspondence here is very interesting regarding the obstacles that Wright and architect Aaron Green (1917-2001), his California representative, encountered as they attempted to gain traction for the project throughout the Bay area. While it's not completely understood what cursed the project, the letters here strongly indicate that the poor reputation of Jaroslav J. Polivka (1886-1960), a Czech structural engineer who had previously worked with Wright on the Guggenheim Museum, was the culprit. In addition to these letters and telegrams, the lot also includes over two dozen pages of retained letters and notes, many of which reveal internal details about the project and problems with Polivka.

Highlights:

1.) Typed Letter Signed, "F.LL.W.", 1p, on his Taliesin West stationery with red whirling arrow logo, 11" x 8.5", Scottsdale, Arizona, February 25, 1953. To Aaron Green in San Francisco, in full: "Good idea to go ahead with the model. But better to get next to the authorities first. When do we see the Mayor?"

2.) Typed Letter Signed, "F.LL.W.", 1p, on his Taliesin stationery, 11" x 8.5", Spring Green, Wisconsin, June 17, 1953. In this letter to Aaron and Jean, Wright mocks Polivka's use of the English language and mentions bringing on structural engineer Eduardo Torroja (1899-1961) from Spain to replace Polivka. In full: "Love to you both and happy birthday to 'the sisters'. Thanks for the baskets and news of the model. The model seems to cut a wide swath. Polivka 'ain't no wiolets'. He is up against the 'collaps' in L.A. I would send for Torroja (Spain) if the traffic would bear it. That is, if the prospect was good enough for the expenditure of a couple of thousand dollars. Joe (Fabries) seems o.k." Edits (in parentheses) are in Wright's hand.

Wright's letter follows on the heels of a retained letter from Green, who writes at length about the project. In part: "Unfortunately, Polivka is little help, probably worse than none...It is most frustrating that his speaking does not convey his technical accomplishments and I know that some of my work has unwittingly been undone by him. Also unfortunately, I find that Polivka is very much disliked personally by his local professional colleagues and they take every opportunity to work against his professional reputation…thereby against the bridge. Rumors are rife that a recent structure engineered by him has collapsed and I am now checking to determine what element of truth is involved. He was evasive when I questioned him about it. For his sake and that of the good favor towards your bridge design I hope the rumor proves false...The reaction of the public to your bridge model has been and still is most remarkable…We have now had the model on display at five different places and are very happy it was made portable…The only spoken opposition we have encountered is from the local engineers, all speak dubiously of its feasibility, and some vociferously. If by any chance you could get the active support of some well-known man in engineering, rather than Polivka, I believe it might possibly help put the idea over..."

3.) Typed Letter Signed, "F.LL.W.", 1p, on his Taliesin stationery, 11" x 8.5", Spring Green, Wisconsin, June 29, 1953. To Aaron, in full: "Am sorry about Polivka's trouble. May not be his fault, But - I've been planning for some time to bring Torroya [sic] over for a consultation and will do so now. So you can let the word go abroad that he will be with us on the bridge. Love to you all. / Price Tower contract let - 1½ million."

In a retained letter dated July 12, 1953, Green replies with details on the bridge's progress and the building designed by Polivka that collapsed. In part: "I was surprised and pleased that you are bringing Torroja into it and am doing my best to spread the information, however, speaking frankly, I find that his name is not making much of an impression as yet. It will be extremely difficult to overcome the harm done by Polivka's recent difficulty. Unfortunately that issue was published in the Engineering News Record, a national publication, and has done a great deal of harm towards discrediting your bridge idea even in those circles favorably inclined. Professionally, I think Polivka is now doomed in this area. Pre-stressed Roof trusses which he designed for a winery building collapsed and were replaced by trusses engineered by someone else. The contractor involved has issued complaint against him and he is being investigated by State License Board for possible revocation of license. Polivka claims the trusses were not properly constructed and were damaged before erection. That could well be true, but unfortunately, the fact which impresses people most is that the structure collapsed and the damage to his reputation whether justified or not is irreparable. / The main fact which I am emphasizing, when this issue comes up for discussion, is that the bridge is your design and not Polivka's and that his troubles have no bearing whatsoever upon the validity or feasibility of your concept…"

4.) Typed Letter Signed, "F.LL.W.", 1p, on his Taliesin stationery, 11" x 8.5", Spring Green, Wisconsin, August 29, 1953. To Aaron, in full: "Will cooperate. Leaving here November 8th will fly to San Francisco on way to Phoenix. Will bill the clients as you suggest. Joe goes back to L.A. Monday. Love to you all." Light pencil notations in an unknown hand at right.

With much more content regarding one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most interesting projects, plus the mention of a few of his other projects, such as the Anderton Court Shops in Beverly Hills, an art center at Cal Berkeley, and the Price Tower skyscraper.

The Butterfly Bridge was heralded as an elegant, modern design using reinforced concrete rather than streel trusses, ostensibly needing little maintenance. At the center of the bridge, the roadways diverged to create "butterfly wings", allowing travelers to park their cars in a greenbelt for viewing the scenic San Francisco Bay. The beautiful but unfulfilled bridge project was ultimately forgotten, and its model was moved down to Los Angeles, as indicated in an additional telegram by Wright from 1954. It was most recently displayed at the Oakland Museum in 1989. Of interesting note, the model was even used as a prop in the 1988 film "Die Hard" starring Bruce Willis.

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