Description:

Louis Kahn Archive, Approx. 55 Pcs, Relating to One of His Most Famous Buildings in Philadelphia

A fascinating archive relating to modern architect Louis I. Kahn (1901-1974), and the design, construction, and eventual demolition of the American Federation of Labor Medical Services Building in Philadelphia. The archive, ca. 1955-1967, consists of eleven documents signed by Louis Kahn including seven typed letters on personalized letterhead; 14 vintage photographs of the completed building; and a group of approximately 30 pieces of miscellany, including legal and insurance paperwork and contemporary press clippings concerning the building's slated destruction through eminent domain. The materials are housed in a sturdy red clamshell case. The gilt embossed black leather label on the spine reads "Louis Kahn / AFL / Medical / Building." Overall size of the case is 9.5" x 12.275" x 1.125." Individual condition issues are elaborated below; please also refer to catalog photos for additional information. Provenance: Ex-Christie's.

Kahn completed construction of the American Federation of Labor (A.F.L.) Medical Services Building in Philadelphia in 1957. Located on 1326-1334 Vine Street in downtown Philadelphia, Kahn's 4-storey square-shaped glass and granite building was used as a medical facility offering free medical services to local union members. Sadly, the building was demolished in 1973 to make way for Interstate 676, also known as the Vine Street Expressway, the primary connector between Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey.

Though no longer extant, the A.F.L. Medical Services Building in Philadelphia is regarded by Kahn scholars as one of his greatest achievements, combining his interests in "authenticity, monumentality" and "techno-organicism" with his own left-leaning politics. Historian Sarah Williams Goldhagen wrote: "In the A.F.L [building], Kahn sought to create a public building that, through both spatial and symbolic means, would remind users of their role as participants in the collectivity of their organization and in the larger public realm" [Sarah Williams Goldhagen, "Louis Kahn's Situated Modernism" (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001), p. 80].

The lot includes:

1. A group of 11 documents signed by Louis Kahn, including seven typed letters, signed by him as "Louis I. Kahn." Altogether featuring twelve signatures. The typed letters are all on customized stationery featuring "Louis I Kahn Architect FAIA" letterhead. Expected wear including flattened paper folds and isolated rusted paperclip impressions or staples. The February 13, 1957 letter has moderate chipped edges. Else near fine. 8.5" x 11."

In chronological order:

- February 28, 1955 typed letter signed by Kahn at lower right, and addressed to Isidore Melamed, Executive Director of A.F.L. Medical Service Plan of Philadelphia. Concerning major events in the upcoming construction project timeline, such as the proposed April 6, 1955 ground-breaking.

- February 27, 1956 carbon copy memorandum on "United Building Construction Co." letterhead regarding proposed fiberglass ceiling insulation installation, signed and dated by Kahn at lower left as "Louis I Kahn III-1-56."

- March 7, 1956 typed letter signed by Kahn at center, and addressed to Melamed, regarding approval of insulation costs.

- March 8, 1956 typed letter signed by Kahn at center, and addressed to Melamed, concerning "stainless steel work approval." Stapled to a carbon copy memorandum signed and dated by Kahn as "Louis I Kahn III-8-56."

- March 8, 1956 typed letter signed by Kahn at center, and addressed to Melamed, regarding the "furnishing [of] metal doors, H.M. bucks for wood and lead lined doors, metal framing for partitions in waiting spaces and metal framing for corridor partitions…" Stapled to a carbon copy memorandum signed and dated by Kahn as "Louis I Kahn III-3-56."

- March 8, 1956 typed letter signed by Kahn at center, in addition to the added autograph inscription, "The door pulls for the main entrance door have not as yet been designed. The cost of this item is not part of this letter. Louis." The letter concerns a nearly $12,000 hardware contract. Stapled to a carbon copy memorandum signed and dated by Kahn as "Louis I Kahn III-8-56."

- October 8, 1956 typed letter signed by Kahn at center, and addressed to Melamed, regarding a partial bill in the amount of $100,933.73. Stapled to an itemized ledger listing such items as "Excavation," "Granite Base," "Brickwork," "Roofing," and "Electrical Work."

- February 13, 1957 typed letter signed by Kahn at center, and addressed to Melamed, regarding an additional pay installment.

2. A group of 14 vintage photographs of the A.F.L. Medical Services Building, including one color 8" x 10" photo signed and inscribed by an A.F.L. Medical Services Plan employee verso; five 7"x 5" photos (three color, two black and white); and eight 3.5" square photos (seven color, one black and white.) The largest and smallest photographs were printed on Kodak photo paper. The largest photo has isolated surface loss. Expected wear including warping and curling to the rest of the group, else near fine.

3. A group of approximately 30 pieces of miscellany comprised of internal A.F.L. Medical Plan internal memoranda; legal paperwork; insurance documents; and newspaper clippings, including one from the "Philadelphia Inquirer" dated March 8, 1966 entitled "Kahn Design Will Yield To Expressway: Doomed Structure Stirs Architects." The clipping reads in part: "The news that one of Philadelphia's finest architectural landmarks is to be torn down to make way for the proposed Vine Street Expressway has brought howls of anguish from prominent architects and art lovers…"

Louis I. Kahn, who was of Estonian Jewish heritage, immigrated with his family to the United States in 1906. After receiving his bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania School of Fine Arts, Kahn engaged in private architectural practice in the Philadelphia area. In addition to serving as a Professor of Architecture at Yale University from 1947-1957, and Professor of Architecture at University of Pennsylvania from 1957 until his death, Kahn also taught at MIT and Princeton. He was awarded a Fellowship from the American Institute of Architects in 1953.

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This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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