Box L

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Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Vincent A.R. Primavera, President of The Florentine Craftsmen, Inc. to Ruth Havey tells her Mr. Carmelo C. Provenzano will be at Dumbarton Oaks Research Library on December 19 between 2:30-3:00pm.

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Letters and sketches sent by Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss about the status of the projects in the Dumbarton Oaks Garden.

Scope and Contents: Typescript estimate with handwritten signature from William Hughes, Inc. to Ruth Havey for paving in the Dumbarton Oaks Box Terrace according to Ruth Havey telegram to Robert and Mildred Bliss about the estimate, L:RH 1955.04.05. Hughes estimates the cost to be $1480 and based on Ruth Havey's 1/4 inch scale drawing, DO 38a M315 b. Hughes understands changes may be made as job progresses and provides detail on how the job will be done. DO 38a M315 b may refer to this drawing dated 3/26/55 for...

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Estimate with handwritten signature from William Hughes, Inc. to Robert and Mildred Bliss in care of Ruth Havey. Hughes proposes to do complete a wall for Dumbarton Oaks for $3995. He provides detail on how the work would be done.

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Typescript paid receipt from Alexander's Sculptural Service to Mildred Bliss for one snail with gnomon, sundial model made with hydrocal. Approved for payment by Ruth Havey, 2/23/[19]60, and signed paid by A.J. Tatti, 3/11/[19]60.

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Typescript invoice and paid receipt from Alexander's Sculptural Service to Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss for Dumbarton Oaks for 4 bronze wheats. Approved for payment by Ruth M. Havey, 3/2/[19]60 and marked paid by A.J. Tatti 5/1/[19]60.

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Handwritten message for Western Union telegram (night letter) from Mildred Bliss informing Ruth Havey she is needed at Dumbarton Oaks and to please communicate so the next phase of work can be planned. The Arbour [arbor] Terrace has priority.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss enclosing notes took in Washington November 28th to December 3rd on available materials and methods of paving the Arbor Terrace, the Byzantine Church Garden, and the Mélisande steps. She says that extensive advice for paving came from Mr. J.R. Kennedy of the Earley Studio, Inc. who is anxious to do the work and offered to make up samples of paving in any color or texture wanted. A box of paving material samples was...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss enclosing a 3" scale sketch for the top of the gate (possibly C-2-12) and a full size drawing for the M cypher (C-3-39D) and unfinished studies for the R and B cyphers. She has asked for three proposals from Lothar A. Freund Ironworks, District Ornamental Ironworks-Philip Finelli, and A.F. Jorss Ironworks Co. Inc. to construct the R Street entrance gates. The Lothar A. Freund Ironworks contract is (L:RH...

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Signed contract for fabricating, finishing and erecting two pairs of wrought iron entrance gates on R Street for the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection at Washington, D.C. Contract prepared by Ruth M. Havey, landscape architect and signed by her on behalf of Mildred Bliss. Drawings referred to in contract are: DO-26 3.01 (C-38A, a revised 3.01 and dated 7/16/53) and DO-26 3.02a (C-3-39A).

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss discusses her visit to Washington, D.C. to meet with Lothar A. Freund of Lothar A. Freund Ironworks and take final measurements for the R Street entrance gates. Havey has plans to be in Washington for one week, August 11-18, 1953. Note from unknown creator for Mrs. Bliss informing her that Fanelli [Finelli] and Colasanti to be best for this type of fountain.Includes note indicating [Philip] Finelli of District Ornamental...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss thanking Mildred for the warm Christmas greetings. She tells her she is excited about the R Street gates. Ruth discusses in detail the construction process and progress of the R Street gates; the gate finials for the North Vista that Frederick Coles is constructing; and the steps at the north entrance to the house to be constructed by either Mr. Phelps or Mr. Steinbraker.Ruth Havey mentions it was thoughtful of Mildred Bliss to...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss discusses marble and granite samples from Mr. Phelps for Mildred to review and select for a bird bath fountain. Marble samples include one, "Verde Antique" from the Vermont Marble Company and three, Black Serpentine, Porforio Bruno and porphyry, a dark green granite should arrive from Tomkins Kiel. A request was made for two granite samples and a book of colored plates from the Cold Spring Granite Company to consider instead of marble. A...

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Typescript cost estimates for the lettering and leafwork of the R Street entrance gates by Lothar A. Freund of Lothar A. Freund Ironworks. Estimate probably was included in a correspondence from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss, July 17, 1954 (L:RH 1954.07.17).

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss discusses a leaf sample and drawing for the lettering of the R Street gates made by Mr. Freund. The cost estimate for the gates with the lock plates was included. This estimate is now separate from letter (L:RH 1954.06.17).The estimates are being prepared for rebuilding the arbor in the Arbor Terrace in aluminum; bronze; pressure treated Southern Yellow Pine; and untreated redwood with glued and...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss sharing her eagerness for Mildred Bliss to return to Dumbarton Oaks, so they can continue their work together.Havey expresses sadness to hear that Robert Bliss' brother had died. Havey enclosed notes on the status of some of the projects, but these are no longer with the correspondence. She plans on being in Washington sometime after Labor Day, probably during the week of September 13th, to organize...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature discusses being in Washington on September 16th to work up full size dummies for the balustrade and arbor base and stake out the paving in the Arbor Garden for Mildred to see on the 18th. She wants to confirm that Mildred does want the yew hedge removed, so she can see the designs against the balcony and the gate better. The yews are to be discarded with the exception of the four large ones which if used elsewhere Mr. Kearney would prefer to move...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten note and questions on graph paper from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss. Havey asks Mildred to add the answers to questions on projects and mail back to her. List of items to ask Mrs. Bliss include materials, cost, and planning details for rebuilding the arbor; the estimate for the console at the North Court wall at house; gate finials in the North Vista; Wall capping with moulding edge in the North Vista; Doria benches in the North Vista finished as is; New Doria bench in the East...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss offers thanks for holiday greetings and returns affectionate thoughts and good wishes to her and Robert Bliss. She reports spending Christmas in Boston. Havey tells her the reconstruction of the arbor in the Arbor Terrace is on schedule with the contract signed with Lank Construction Co. and expected substantial completion by February 15th. The Box Terrace paving drawings are about done and Havey will ask Mr. Kearney to find a contractor for...

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Western Union International Communications telegram from Ruth Havey to MilRob (Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss). Havey advises them to accept paving estimate from William Hughes for Box Terrace and arbor estimate from G. Morris Steinbraker & Sons Company to rebuild the arbor.

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss about the book, Knowing Your Trees by G.H Collingwood, a duplicate book that Mildred gave her. She is returning the Chestnut Oak leaf found between pages 154 and 155 describing the Chestnut Oak tree. The author of the book happens to be the forester from the Library of Congress who suggested heart Cypress for the arbor. She reports that Collingwood tells her he takes a walk around Dumbarton Oaks almost every...

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Western Union telegram from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss tells her plans are being sent for the Arbor Terrace special delivery. The Box Terrace paving plans will follow. [G. Frederick] Coles has full size shop drawings for the center circle of the Box Terrace and a model for the North Court [North Vista] console changes.

Scope and Contents: Typewritten notes attached to estimates for construction and installation of the stone balustrade by William Hughes, Incorporated and the wrought iron railing by Fred S. Gichner Iron Works, Inc.Includes undated note by Ruth Havey estimating Frederick Coles' work on the Music Room bench, and references drawings GD B-2-16A and GD B-2-16B.Dated estimates sent by William Hughes on behalf of William Hughes Incorporated and by A.G. Stern on behalf of Fred S. Gichner Iron...

Scope and Contents: Typescript letter with handwritten signature discusses near completion of designs for the Arbor Terrace with potted plants. Doria stone for paving will be obtained from a firm in Long Island City. Romborg [Romberg] from [McLeod and Romberg Stone Co.] is disappointed that the limestone he has will not be used. Havey suggests Phelps or the dealer in Tennessee who owned the Doria to send the drawings to for execution, but they must be able to do the job as good as the Romberg firm. Mr. McLeish...

Scope and Contents: Handwritten letter from Ruth Havey to Mildred Bliss telling her that the "vision of loveliness" she wanted in the Arbor Terrace will be there with a few weeks to spare. The foundation for the scrolls is in and the general proportions promist to work out well; the drainage and grading are on pace; the shop drawings are finished; the Doria is to arrive; and the shop is cleared to start cutting. The planting has been mapped and Mr. Kearney will travel somewhere south of her to locate it. Havey...