Material relating to Kurt Schwitters compiled by his English companion, Mrs Edith ‘Wantee’ Thomas mostly after the artist’s death in 1948

1948–91

Available online are various items selected from the Kurt Schwitters collection featuring writings, correspondence and photographs, particularly relating to Schwitters' relationship with Edith Thomas, and the court case between Edith and Kurt Schwitters' son, Ernst, regarding the division of Schwitters' works following his death. Items from this collection also available online are: private view cards and exhibition catalogues relating to exhibitions featuring Schwitters' work; photographs of Schwitters, and his family and friends; and photographs of his works and locations he visited.

Further details on this collection are available on the archive catalogue.

Collection Owner: Kurt Schwitters 1887–1948
Collection: Tate Archive
Acquisition: Presented by Edith Thomas's son, Geoff Thomas, in 1995.
Reference: TGA 9510

139 objects in this collection

Material relating to Kurt Schwitters compiled by his English companion, Mrs Edith ‘Wantee’ Thomas mostly after the artist’s death in 1948

139 Objects

Title: Material relating to Kurt Schwitters compiled by his English companion, Mrs Edith ‘Wantee’ Thomas mostly after the artist’s death in 1948
Date: 1948–91
Description: Available online are various items selected from the Kurt Schwitters collection featuring writings, correspondence and photographs, particularly relating to Schwitters' relationship with Edith Thomas, and the court case between Edith and Kurt Schwitters' son, Ernst, regarding the division of Schwitters' works following his death. Items from this collection also available online are: private view cards and exhibition catalogues relating to exhibitions featuring Schwitters' work; photographs of Schwitters, and his family and friends; and photographs of his works and locations he visited.

Further details on this collection are available on the archive catalogue.
Reference: TGA 9510

Showing 21–40 of 139 objects

Letters from Geo. Gatey & Son to the Museum of Modern Art and Edith Thomas about the sale of Schwitters’ work

George Gatey & Son Solicitors (Windermere, UK)

16 March 1948

Letter from Harold Handley at Geo. Gatey & Son to Edith Thomas about Kurt Schwitters’ last will and testament

George Gatey & Son Solicitors (Windermere, UK), Harold Handley, recipient: Edith “Wanty” Thomas

24 March 1948

Letter from Kate Steinitz to Edith Thomas (‘Wantee’) about the loss of her friend, Kurt Schwitters

Kate Steinitz, recipient: Edith “Wanty” Thomas

24 March 1948

Letter from Margaret Miller at the Museum of Modern Art to Edith Thomas about Schwitters’ work and funding

Margaret Miller, Museum of Modern Art (New York, USA), recipient: Edith “Wanty” Thomas

1 April 1948

Letter from Margaret Miller at the Museum of Modern Art to Geo. Gatey & Son about the sale of Schwitters’ work

Margaret Miller, Museum of Modern Art (New York, USA), recipient: George Gatey & Son Solicitors (Windermere, UK)

6 April 1948

Letter from M. Hagenbach to Edith Thomas about Schwitters’ work in Switzerland

Marguerite Hagenbach, recipient: Edith “Wanty” Thomas

14 April 1948

Note relating to cash in Schwitters’ estate

Unknown person(s)

1 September 1948

Letter to Ernst Schwitters from Edith Thomas (‘Wanty’) about Kurt Schwitters’ affairs following his death

Edith “Wanty” Thomas, recipient: Ernst Schwitters

4 May [1948]

Photocopy of a letter sent to Edith Thomas (‘Wanty’) from [Ernst Schwitters wife, Eve]

Eve Schwitters, recipient: Edith “Wanty” Thomas

29 May 1948

Letter to Eve and Ernst Schwitters from Edith Thomas (‘Wanty’)

Edith “Wanty” Thomas, recipients: Eve Schwitters, Ernst Schwitters

date not known

Letter to Edith Thomas from Marguerite Hagenbach regarding Schwitters’ work in Switzerland

Marguerite Hagenbach, recipient: Edith “Wanty” Thomas

9 February 1948

Letter to Edith Thomas from Arthur E. Shave with postal order enclosed

Arthur E. Shave

1 September–9 November 1948

Letter to Geo. Gatey & Son from Margaret Miller at the Museum of Modern Art, forwarded on to Edith Thomas and Ernst Schwitters

Collection owner: Kurt Schwitters

22 December 1948–8 January 1949

Invoice from the Museum of Modern Art for Schwitters’, ‘Paper Clouds’ collage

Museum of Modern Art (New York, USA)

31 January 1949

Letter from Ernst Schwitters to Geo. Gatey & Son about the sale of some of Kurt Schwitters’ work

Ernst Schwitters, recipient: George Gatey & Son Solicitors (Windermere, UK)

7 February 1949

Letter from Margaret Miller at the Museum of Modern Art to Geo. Gatey & Son about the sale of Schwitters’ work, ‘Paper Clouds’ and interest from the Pinacotheca Gallery in obtaining some of Schwitters’ work

Margaret Miller, Museum of Modern Art (New York, USA)

8 February 1949

Letter from Rose Fried at the Pinacotheca gallery to Geo. Gatey & Son

Rose Fried, Pinacotheca Gallery (New York, USA), recipient: George Gatey & Son Solicitors (Windermere, UK)

10 February 1949

Letter from Eve Schwitters to Margaret Miller at the Museum of Modern Art

Eve Schwitters, recipients: Margaret Miller, Museum of Modern Art (New York, USA)

12 February 1949

Photocopy of a letter sent from Ernst Schwitters to Edith Thomas (‘Wanty’)

Ernst Schwitters, recipient: Edith “Wanty” Thomas