Frank Lloyd Wright

LARKIN BUILDING (S.093 - 1903)

BOOKS CERAMICS COINS DOCUMENTS THE LARKIN IDEA LETTERHEAD & ENVELOPE PHOTOS POSTCARDS SILVERWARE

JAMESTOWN EXHIBITION

BOOKS

Front	Back	Date: 1913 Publication: The Larkin Club-of-Ten (Published by Larkin Co., Buffalo, NY) Author: Larkin Co. Description: Includes illustration of Larkin complex including Wright’s Larkin Building and the Larkin Logo on the back cover. 6 x 9. (First Edition) Pages: 48 S#: 0120.04.0507

	Date: 1989 Publication: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Larkin Building, Myth and Fact (Soft Cover) (Published by The Architectural History Foundation, New York, New York. The MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and London, England) Author: Quinan, Jack Description: A must for studying the Larkin Building. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Larkin Building was demolished only forty-six years after its 1904 completion. Quinan’s in depth study of the Larkin Building in Buffalo, New York is an invaluable resource. Quinan’s draws on engineering documents, personal accounts and other papers he acquired from the family of Darwin D. Martin, a Larkin executive who proposed commissioning Wright to design the company’s offices. With more than one hundred photographs, floor plans, maps, and diagrams, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Larkin Building provides a complete record of how the building was conceived, built, evaluated, and finally demolished in what has been called a tragic loss for American architecture. (Edited from publisher’s description.) 8.5 x 9.25. (First Soft Cover Edition, Hard Cover first published in 1987.) Pages: 189 ST#: 1989.64.1007

	Date: 1999 Publication: John D. Larkin: A Business Pioneer (Published by Daniel I. Larkin, Amherst, New York. Distributed by Western New York Wares, Inc. Buffalo, New York.) Author: Larkin, Daniel I. Description: Autobiography of John D. Larkin includes involvement with Wright. Written and autographed by Grandson. Includes three photographs and one illustration of the Larkin Building. Original cover price $14.95. 6 x 9. First published in 1998. (Third Edition) Pages: 212 ST#: 1999.49.1206

CERAMICS

COINS

Back	Date: 1925 - John D. Larkin Front Description: John D. Larkin. Fiftieth Anniversary. 1875 - 1925. Larkin Co. Engraving by Kilenyi. Bronze. 1.5" Diameter. S#: 0171.01.0506 Close-up of Larkin Building

DOCUMENTS

	LOAN PAPERS: Frank Lloyd Wright to D. D. Martin 1) Frank Lloyd Wright, The Lost Years, 1910-1922. Page 72-73 including footnotes, Anthony Alofsin, 1988. Sub-chapter "Darwin Marin and Finances" goes into detail about these specific loans and his support of Frank Lloyd Wright. 2) Frank Lloyd Wright: A Visual Encyclopedia. Page 208, Iain Thomson, 1999. Francis W. Little was a client and dedicated collector of Japanese prints. Mr. Wright borrowed $10,000 from Little to buy the American rights to the Wasmuth Portfolios. Little held a portfolio of Wright's Japanese prints as collateral. 3) For additional information on these loans see Frank Lloyd Wright: A Biography, Page 207-8. Meryle Secrest. 1992. Date: 1911 - March 10, 1911 Description: 1) March 10, 1911. This is a demand of payment by the Security National Bank of Minneapolis, of a Promissory note for $4,000 by Frank Lloyd Wright "Maker of said note". Evidently DD Martin and Francis W. Little guaranteed the loan, because their names are listed on this notarized collection notice. S#: 1911.00.0501

Front of Check Back of Check	Date: 1911 - March 18, 1911 Description: 2) March 18, 1911. A check in the amount of $4068.72 written by Francis W Little to "Myself", and given to D. D. Martin. This check satisfied the "demand for payment" (#1) shown above. This amount is the first entry on the 4/15/15 note shown below (#3). On the back of this check is written "Pay to the Order of The Security National Bank...", which is shown above. This check is signed and endorsed by Francis W Little's signature. S#: 1911.01.0501

	Date: 1915 - April 15, 1915 Summary of debt (Page 1) Description: 3) April 15, 1915 Summary of debt (Page 1). These two pages summarize the amount owed D. D. Martin. Frank Lloyd Wright to D. D. Martin, Dr. is written at the top with the date 4/15/15. Page 1 includes two loans. The first is in the amount of $24,435.49 including payments and interest incurred from March 20, 1911 through July 1, 1915. This includes two payments to Peabody, Houghtaling & Co. for a total of $6,000 and also a payment to Catherine Wright on Nov. 14, 1911 in the amount of $2,000. The second is a note dated May 1, 1912 in the amount of $4,760.00 including interest incurred from May 1, 1913 through July 1, 1915. S#: 1915.00.0501

	Date: 1915 - April 15, 1915 Summary of debt (Page 2) Description: 4) April 15, 1915 Summary of debt (Page 2). Page 2 includes one more loan dated Nov. 15, 1910 in the amount of $2,500.00 (due six-months from date) including interest incurred from Nov 15, 1910 through July 1, 1915. There is a payment of Japanese Prints which leaves a balance of $1,724.40. There is a total balance owed on July 1, 1915 of $30,919.89 when you add up all three loans. This would indicate Little's ongoing support for Frank Lloyd Wright. There is a note on the back of page 2: "Papers in 4,000 loan on notes secured by Jap. prints." S#: 1915.01.0501

	Date: 1915 - April 15, 1915 Summary of debt (Back of Page 2) Description: 4B) April 15, 1915 Summary of debt (Page 2 Back). This is the back of Page 2. The note on the back reads: "Papers in 4,000 loan on notes secured by Jap. prints." S#: 1915.01.0501

	Date: 1918 - Notes for Loan #2 Description: 5) Notes for Loan #2. Interest owed on $4,000 from 5/1/13 to 2/21/18 in the amount of $1395.29. S#: 1918.01.0501

	Date: 1918 - Notes for Loan #3 Description: 6) Notes for Loan #3. Interest owed on $2,500 from 8/16/11 to 2/21/18 in the amount of $644.62. S#: 1918.00.0501

	Date: 1922 Notes for Loan #1 Description: 7) Notes for Loan #1 to D. D. Martin. Interest owed on $4,000 from 5/1/12 to 11/1/22 in the amount of $2520 and interest owed on $1750 from 11/15/10 to 11/15/22 in the amount of $1260. S#: 1922.00.0501

THE LARKIN IDEA

Jamestown Exhibition Pavilion. Courtesy of the Larkin Idea, March 1907, page 27. See additional information.

Detail from above image.

Date: 1907

Publication: The Larkin Idea - March 1907 (Published on the first day of each month by the Larkin Co., Buffalo, NY)

Author: Anonymous

Description: "Larkin Co. at Jamestown Ter-Centennial. Along with the many beautiful structures that will soon be completed on the grounds of the great Jamestown Exhibition is the private building of Larkin Co. In this building there will be an interesting display of the Larkin Products and Premiums... The Larkin Building is intended for the entertainment and comfort of the hosts of our friends and customers that will attend the exhibition. ...the object of the Jamestown Exhibition is primarily to celebrate the three hundredth anniversary of the first English settlement on the American continent..." Additional information on the history of Jamestown and the Exhibition. Includes one illustration of the Jamestown Exhibition Pavilion (S.132 - 1907) designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Gift from Mark Surman, New York. "I found the catalog in 1987 while remodeling my home, the catalog was in a ceiling corner. I estimate the home was built in the late 1800’s." Original List Price 50 cents a year.

Size: 5 x 8

Pages: 26-28

S#: 0080.10.1110

Date: July 1907

Publication: The Larkin Idea - July 1907 (Published by Larkin Company, Buffalo)

Author: Anonymous

Description: "Beauty Wrought by Gardener and Architect." The Larkin Administration Building Conservatories. Includes three photographs. Note: Graphic designs on cover taken from Wright’s interior designs. Original List Price 42 Cents (50 cents per year). 5 x 8.

The design elements on the cover are similar to the design elements on the interior of the Larking Building. Notice the right side of the image.

Pages: 2-3

S#: 0080.03.0205

Date: August 1907

Publication: The Larkin Idea

Author:	Anonymous	Twitmyer, Geo. E.	Anonymous

Description:	Our Jamestown Exhibit. About the Larkin Company exhibition pavilion at the Jamestown Ter-Centennial Exposition. Includes photo. (Sweeney 73)	A Model Administration Building. About the Larkin Building. This is a slightly abridged reprint of an article published in the Business Man’s Magazine, April 1907. Includes eight photos.	Some Photographed views from the Home of the Larkin Idea. Includes interior photos of building.

Pages:	16-17	1-8	Cover 2

S#:	0073.00.0404	0073.01.0404	0073.02.0404

Jamestown Exhibition Pavilion. Courtesy of the Larkin Idea, August 1907, page 16. See additional information.

Date: 1907 Order Form

Publication: Larkin Co. Order Form,

Author: Larkin Co.

Description: Order form was folded inside the August 1907 issue.

S#: 0073.03.0404

Date: February 1908

Publication: The Larkin Idea

Author: Anonymous

Description: Photo of exterior and interior of the Larkin Building. Also note the cover design. The elements on the cover are elements on the interior of the building. Also includes original mailing envelope.

Pages: 1, 7

S#: 0085.01.0702

Date: 1912

Publication: Larkin Idea, The - April 1912 (Published on the first day of each month by the Larkin Co., Buffalo, NY)

Author: Anonymous

The Larkin Restaurant, on the top floor of the Administration Building. Courtesy of the Larkin Idea, April 1912, page 5.

Description: "An Hour At The Home of The Larkin Idea... Every year forty-five thousand people thoroughly enjoy this trip through the Larkin Factories and Administration Building, the later being the largest and most completely appointed private office-building in the world... In the Larkin Restaurant, on the top floor of the Administration Building, Wholesome and dainty refreshments will be served to you and we are quite certain that you will leave The Home of The Larkin Idea with the same feeling that so many of our other friends express, that you ‘wouldn’t have missed the trip for anything." Original List Price 50 cents a year.

Size: 5 x 8

Pages: Cover 1, 3-5

S#: 0114.04.1110

Date: 1912 Home of the Larkin Idea

Publication: The Home of the Larkin Idea (Published by the Larkin Co., Buffalo, NY) (Soft Cover)

Author: Anonymous

Description: First published in 1901, Revised in 1906 with the third edition. This is the twelfth edition. “We present this book with the hope that, to those who have visited us, it will serve as a reminder of an hour well spent.” This seems to indicate that this book may have been given to those touring the Larkin Company. Pages 25-28 includes “The Larkin Administration Building” and “The Larkin Restaurant” with seven photographs. The back cover includes an illustration of the Larkin Globe. The book is folded in half to 4.25 x 8. But when opened up, it is actually 8.4 x 8. (Twelfth Edition)

Pages: 32

S#: 0111.01.0107

Inverted Page 18-19

Date: 1912 Negative Page 18-19

Description: Negative: "The Larkin Factories. The Home of Larkin Idea. From Little Beginnings to Present Immensity." 8 x 10 duplicate negative of page 18-19, from “The home of The Larkin Idea”. (S#111.01) Negative is a duplicate, a seam is visible. Negative shows the entire Larkin Co complex. Same basic illustration as Larkin Co. Letterhead 1917 and Two Postcards (1908 & 1910).

Size: 8 x 10

S#: 0111.02.0404

Close-up of Larkin Building

LETTERHEAD AND ENVELOPES

	Date: Larkin Co. Buffalo, N.Y. Envelope. Circa 1904-09 Description: Larkin Co. Buffalo, N.Y. Envelope. Circa 1904-09. Back: "Old Customers are rewarded for recommending new customers. Have your friends write for our catalog." 1113 E. 27-53. [Place a Two Cent Stamp Here] Gift from Randolph C. Henning. Size: 6 x 3.5 S#: 0055.01.0809

Larkin Co. 1910 Envelope Back	Date: Larkin Co. 1910 Envelope Description: Larkin Co. Envelope - (Printed by the Larkin Company, Buffalo, NY). Post Marked 1910. Note: Graphic designs on cover taken from Wright's interior designs. Size: 6.5 x 3.75. S#: 0094.03.0706 1910 Envelope Detail Note the similarities of the above design element on the left and right side of the name to the design elements of the right side of the image below. A variation was used in the design on The Larkin Idea. 1910 Envelope Detail This logo design was also used on The Larkin Idea.

Larkin Co. 1910 Letterhead Detail	Date: Larkin Co. 1910 Letterhead Description: Larkin Co. Letterhead. Top Left: "John D. Larkin, Pres’t & Treas. Chas H Larkin, Vice Pres’t. Wm. R. Heath, Vice Pres’t. D.D. Martin, Secretary. John D. Larkin, Jr. Ass’t Treas. Harry H Larkin, Ass’t Treas." In Illustration: "Larkin, Seneca, Swan, Carroll, Exchange, Van Rensselaer Streets." Top Right: "Factory to Family. Soapmakers, Perfumers, Chemists, Importers, Food Specialists." Center: "Larkin Co., Established, 1875." "Buffalo, N.Y 6/3/10." Size: 8.5 x 10 S#: 0104.05.0209 Larkin Co. 1910 Letterhead Detail Larkin Building Interior

	Date: Larkin Co. Letterhead - 1917 Description: Larkin Co. Letterhead - 1917. Letterhead stamped Jul 21 1917. Same basic illustration as Negative and Two Postcards (1908 & 1910). Printed code top right hand corner 514F.2061. Size: 8.5 x 10. S#: 0138.01.0305 Close-up of Larkin Building

PHOTOS

	Date: 1915 Larkin Building. Darwin D. Martin's Desk Description: Larkin Building. Darwin D. Martin's desk designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the Larkin Administration Building (1905) atrium, Buffalo, New York, August 3, 1915 (Martin was CEO of Larkin). It shows Martin's desk on his return from a family vacation to Yosemite. The "Welcome Home" flowers are in a Rookwood(?) vase. In the early 1980s the Kelmscott Gallery acquired this photograph from the estate of Darwin. D. Martin. It beautifully illustrates Wright's concept of a common workspace for executives and employees. The desk by Van Dorn Iron Works Company had "drawers of various sizes and designed to provide space for specific forms and papers". The chair is designed with painted steel and an oak seat. The photograph is so clear that “Tuesday August 3" is visible on a number of desk calendars. According to the Graycliff Conservatory, Inc., Scott Elliott (Kelmscott Gallery) donated an impressive collection of historic photographs of the Darwin D. Martin family, including a photo album and journal of the Martin family's cross country trip to California including Yosemite National Park in 1915. The Larkin Company was a mail-order house that sold soap and other household products. The building was demolished between February and July 1950. Published in "Frank Lloyd Wright’s Larkin Building, Myth and Fact" Quinan, 1989, page 50. Original silver gelatin 1915 photograph. Photographer unknown. Size: 7.5 x 7.75 S#: 0128.02.0107

	Date: 1915 Martin Trip to Yosemite National Park

	Date: Larkin Building Circa 1932 Description: Larkin Building. Built 1903, Demolished 1950. I have noticed a number of changes to the Larkin building in this later photo: 1) Globes are missing 2) Plaques have been added at the street entrance 3) Windows added top/side of building 4) Fountain pool filled in 5) Street has been widened 6) Lights added to each side of fountain 7) Chimney added to center column on right side at top 8) Parking added on right side of building Published in "Frank Lloyd Wright’s Larkin Building, Myth and Fact" Quinan, 1989, page 120. S#: 0502.01.1001

POSTCARDS

	Date: Circa 1907

	Date: 1908 Description: “The Larkin Factories, Buffalo, N.Y. Over Fifty Acres of Floors. 1875 - 1908” “The Larkin Co. are the World’s largest Manufacturers of Soaps and Toilet Preparations and important Food Specialists...” Shows facility including the Wright Larkin Building. This illustration is the same as the Larkin Co. Letterhead 1917, Negative and 1910 Post card but in color. See detail below. Size: 5.4 x 3.5. S#: 0085.02.0801, 0085.03.0207

	Close-up of Larkin Building from above postcard.

	Date: Larkin Product and Premium List 1909 Order Form Description: “Larkin Product and Premium List” Order Form for the Fall and Winter Edition (62nd). Pre-paid advertising Reply Card, 1909. Includes cover with illustration of the Larking Building. PM 10/11/09. See verso below. Size: 5.5 x 6.5, folded to 5.5 x 3.25. S#: 0086.02.0407

	Larkin Product and Premium List 1909 Order Form Verso of above.

	Date: 1910 Description: The Larkin Factories, Buffalo, N.Y. Over Fifty Acres of Floor Space. Visitors Welcome. This illustration is the same as the Larkin Co. Letterhead 1917, Negative and 1908 Post card but in color. Two Postmarks, Dec 30, 1910 Buffalo NY and Jan 14 1911 Trumansburg NY. See detail below. Size: 5.5 x 3.5. S#: 0094.01.0305

	Close-up of Larkin Building from above.

	Date: 1910 Description: The Larkin Factories, Buffalo, N.Y. Over Fifty Acres of Floor Space. Visitors Welcome. This illustration is the same as the Larkin Co. Letterhead 1917 and Negative but in color. Same Card as #94.01, with minor changes: Smoke and back is printed in different color. Size: 5.5 x 3.5. S#: 0094.04.0307

	Date: 1910 Description: The Larkin Factories, Buffalo, N.Y. Over Fifty Acres of Floor Space. Visitors Welcome. 1910. This illustration is the same as the Larkin Co. Letterhead 1917, Negative and 1908 Post card but in color. Postmarked: Aug 31, 1910, Buffalo NY. Size: 5.5 x 3.5. S#: 0094.02.0506

	Date: Circa 1910


	Date: 1912 (Have verified 1913 PM)

	Date: 1914 Description: “The Larkin Factories, Buffalo, N.Y. Fidelity to an idea and an ideal built the Larkin Factories of today from small beginnings.” (Bottom) “Over 64 Acres of Floor Space.” Back: “Over 150,000 Larkin clubs are in operation today.” The “Terminal Warehouse” on the left was constructed in 1912. PM 8/24/14 Size: 10.7 x 3.6 S#: 0124.01.0207



	Date: 1914 Description: “The Larkin Factories, Buffalo, N.Y. Fidelity to an idea and an ideal built the Larkin Factories of today from small beginnings.” (Bottom) “Over 64 Acres of Floor Space.” Back: “Over 150,000 Larkin clubs are in operation today.” The “Terminal Warehouse” on the left was constructed in 1912.) (Same as #124.01 but back is reversed.) Size: 10.75 x 3.5 S#: 0124.02.0407



	Date: 1916 Description: "The Larkin Factories, Buffalo, N.Y. Fidelity to an idea and an ideal built the Larkin Factories of today from small beginnings.” Bottom: “Over 64 Acres of Floor Space.” #18377. Published by E.C. Kropp Co., Milwaukee. (In 1919 Larkin employed 2225 people. The “Terminal Warehouse” on the left was constructed in 1912.) PM 8/29/18. Size: 11.3 x 3.8 S#: 0132.01.0207



	Date: 1918 Description: "The Larkin Factories, Buffalo, N.Y. A National Institution, Co-operatively owned by 1,800 Employees." "Over 75 Acres of Floor Space." #18377. (Published by The Larkin Company) (In 1919 Larkin employed 2,225 people. The "Terminal Warehouse" on the left was constructed in 1912.) Size: 11.25 x 3.75 S#: 0139.02.0107



	Date: CirCA 1926-30 Title: The Larkin Factories, Buffalo, N.Y. (1903 - S.093) Circa 1926-1930. Description: "The Home of the Larking Idea - The Larkin Factories Buffalo, N. Y." Verso: "The Larkin Factories celebrated their fiftieth anniversary in 1925. "More than a Half Century of Service of American Homes. Over 50 years ago..." Printed with a yellow and black plate only. Could have been printed during the depression era, hence, two color instead of four color printing. Postmarked Aug 2, 1932. Size: 11.3 x 3.6 S#: 0172.12.0911

	Date: 1997 Description: Larkin Administration Building Post Card. Buffalo, NY 1903-06. Detail of upper facade showing pier sculptures by Richard Bock. The globes depicted here represent the Larkin Company's aspirations and its world-wide trade for the procurement of ingredients for soaps, perfumes and other toiletry products. Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society. ST#: 1997.18.0600

SILVERWARE
	Date: Circa 1930's Description: Larkin Advertising Souvenir Spoon. Replica of Globe at end of spoon represents Larkin Building (See photo below). Size: 4.25" Long S#: 1930.51.0499

Close-up	Larkin Building

JAMESTOWN EXHIBITION PAVILION (S.132 - 1907)

Jamestown Exhibition Pavilion. Courtesy of the Larkin Idea, March 1907, page 27.

Detail from above image.

Date: 1907

Publication: The Larkin Idea - March 1907 (Published on the first day of each month by the Larkin Co., Buffalo, NY)

Jamestown Exhibition Pavilion. Courtesy of the Larkin Idea, August 1907, page 16.

Date: August 1907

Publication: The Larkin Idea

Author: Anonymous

Description: Our Jamestown Exhibit. About the Larkin Company exhibition pavilion at the Jamestown Ter-Centennial Exposition. Includes photo. (Sweeney 73)

Pages: 16-17

Date: 1910

Publication: Ausgeführte Bauten und Entwürfe von Frank Lloyd Wright. Plate XXXVI (36). "Studies and Executed Buildings". (Single Sheet) (Published by Ernst Wasmuth A.-G., Berlin)

Author: Wright, Frank Lloyd

Description: Plate XXXVI (36) “Exposition building, containing an exhibition-room and lecture-room for the Larkin Co. at the Jamestown Exhibition; and the interior of the Browne’s Book-Store. A long narrow room in a down-town building converted into a book-store. The walls and ceiling were re-formed, and alcoves with chairs and tables provided for the convenience of customers.” Original vintage lithograph. (Sweeney 87)

Size: 15.75 x 25.25

Date: 1910

Publication: Ausgeführte Bauten und Entwürfe von Frank Lloyd Wright. Plate XXXVI (36). "Studies and Executed Buildings". (Single Sheet) (Published by Ernst Wasmuth A.-G., Berlin)

Author: Wright, Frank Lloyd

Description: Detail of Plate XXXVI (36). Floor plan for the Jamestown Exposition building, containing an exhibition-room and lecture-room for the Larkin Co. at the Jamestown Exhibition. (Sweeney 87)

Date: 1910

Publication: Ausgeführte Bauten und Entwürfe von Frank Lloyd Wright. Plate XXXVI (36). "Studies and Executed Buildings". (Single Sheet) (Published by Ernst Wasmuth A.-G., Berlin)

Author: Wright, Frank Lloyd

Description: Detail of Plate XXXVI (36). Exterior of the Jamestown Exposition building, containing an exhibition-room and lecture-room for the Larkin Co. at the Jamestown Exhibition. (Sweeney 87)

Jamestown Exhibition Pavilion Illustration from the Larkin Idea, March 1907, page 27. Note similarity with the above illustration.

Date: 1910

Publication: Ausgeführte Bauten und Entwürfe von Frank Lloyd Wright. Plate XXXVI (36). "Studies and Executed Buildings". (Single Sheet) (Published by Ernst Wasmuth A.-G., Berlin)

Author: Wright, Frank Lloyd

Description: Detail of Plate XXXVI (36). Detail of the exterior of the Jamestown Exposition building, containing an exhibition-room and lecture-room for the Larkin Co. at the Jamestown Exhibition. (Sweeney 87)