Emily Hall Tremaine -
Tremaine Collection / Miller Company:
Compilations and documentation


emily hall tremaine victory boogie woogie Emily Hall Tremaine emily hall tremaine three american flags
emily hall tremaine house emily hall tremaine interior design



This Emily Hall Tremaine -Tremaine Collection / Miller Company micro-site at artdesigncafe is the authoritative, researched source and centralized, online disseminator of information focused on the Modernist art and design achievements of Emily Hall Tremaine (1908-87) and Burton Tremaine (c. 1902-91).

Overlooked for too many years and falling through various cracks, artdesigncafe took action starting in 2016 with this Tremaine / Miller Co. documentation recovery and dissemination pursuit. The effort has resulted in many taking another closer look at their highly influential art and design organizing and collecting work, an important force in Post-World War II American Modernism.

With the Tremaine’s initial Modernist Painting toward Architecture (1947-52) crossover power engine and interest in varied creative fields— fine art, architecture, product design, interior design, graphic design, new patented lighting technology, and world-class communications, it is expected that the Tremaine work will be of historical interest for decades and centuries to come.


OVERVIEW OF SECTIONS

A. Continued overview re. the work of Emily Hall Tremaine and Burton Tremaine
B. Painting toward Architecture (1947-52) information and sources
C. Miller Company (focus: 1924-85) information and sources
D. Exhibitions and publications regarding works in the former Tremaine Collection
E. Spotlight: Tremaine Collection exhibition (1984) and auctions (1988, 1991)
F. Spotlight: The Tremaines and Louise Lawler
G. Publications mentioning Emily Hall Tremaine (1944-present)
H. Regarding the Emily Hall Tremaine papers at the Smithsonian


> I. Mystery, danger & misunderstandings: Emily Hall Tremaine in the 1930s

The "original It Girl" Emily Hall Tremaine discovered media coverage rock’n roll back in the 1930s.

Self-made, she spun articles through wire services published across American newspapers and beyond. Then she took on California Nazis in 1940-41 occupying newspapers for over four months. (After WWII, she applied this knowledge to her art activity, placing works into hundreds of shows and publications.)

Meet one of the coolest and craziest ladies of the 20th century. See the 2019+ research project that many are talking about.

 Emily Hall Tremaine


J. Emily and fashion design over the years
K. Developing list of artworks in the former collection and related designs


Like some art people you may know, Emily’s artworks were her children. In the coming years, it is expected that a catalogue raisonné of the highest quality will be published to honor the extraordinary work of Emily Hall Tremaine and Burton Tremaine. Contact Emily’s foundation to inquire about the current status.




A. Continued introduction - Emily Hall Tremaine and Burton Tremaine: A dynamic force in American Modern art and design

Over the years, there were many art finds by the Tremaines, often purchased early on in artist’s careers. Their acquisitions included Andy Warhol’s Marilyn diptych (1962), voted the third most influential Modern artwork in 2004 in a Turner Prize survey. Emily is credited with suggesting the two panels be placed side-by-side. In 1980, she sold the artwork to the Tate Gallery in London. Other finds include Jasper Johns’s Three flags (1958), since 1980 at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and featured on several, varied publication covers. In the Netherlands, Emily is known as the first owner of Piet Mondrian’s Victory Boogie Woogie (1942-44), a prized artwork in the country today. At the official unveiling of VBW in The Hague in 1998 after the purchase was Dutch Queen Beatrix with curators comparing the work’s significance to, among others, the Mona Lisa. Yes, the Mona Lisa.

See more


Design commissions over the years by the Tremaines included the unbuilt Tremaine House (1948) by Oscar Niemeyer and Roberto Burle Marx, recognized for fusing rectilinear and organic orientations in art and design at an important time in America. The Tremaines even had a hand in Walter de Maria’s iconic Lightning field (1977), letting the artist set up and test the work on their land in Arizona, prior to the siting in New Mexico.

Before PtA in the 1930s, Emily Hall Tremaine worked in the publishing field, achieving national level media attention for her work and also her life. However, it was only after meeting and marrying Burton Tremaine that her interest and exhibition of artworks took off. It is their conversations that are understood to have developed the Tremaine Collection and the power of their selections can be seen in the exhibitions of the works to the present day.

Also contributing to the former Tremaine Collection discussion are: Louise Lawler’s Tremaine Pictures— both photoworks and new, related editions, over 200 so far— showing Tremaine-owned artworks in their New York and Connecticut interiors; and the selected Tremaine-owned works in the well-known 1988 and 1991 Christie’s auctions after Emily’s death. Further, criticism by the Guerrilla Girls for the male-only artist selection of works that ended up at auction also contribute to the discussion with continued exhibition of their critical poster. (However, note that numerous works by female artists collected by the Tremaines over the years were left out at the auction, not at Sotheby’s as stated in the artwork, but Christie’s).

Further, off in Australia and circling back to Painting toward architecture, the impact of the initial project is well-known via the work of architect Harry Seidler. Over the years, Seidler frequently mentioned the influence of the Painting toward architecture book and its impact on his work. In fact, after Emily’s death, he later acquired an important Van Doesburg work in the original PtA, an image featured in a travelling exhibition of his work in the 2010s, and the artwork was later donated to the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.




B. Painting toward Architecture (1947-52 / 1944 - c. 1960)

Painting toward Architecture exhibition
Painting toward architecture exhibition as installed at the Contemporary Art Museum, Houston (January-February 1950). Courtesy the Karl Kamrath Collection, University of Texas at Austin architectural archives. (See FN "Photo A" for list of works in the photo.)

"The part that the Medicis played in Renaissance Italy can be best approximated today by such great corporations as those that I have named and the fact that the Miller [Company] recently won an award for having made the best use of the fine arts to promote high standard in the [caliber] of their own products is truly significant." (Adelyn D. Breeskin, Director, Baltimore Museum of Art, excerpt from speech, 4 April 1948, at opening of Painting toward Architecture, at one of 28+ venues.)


After decades under historical dust, Painting toward architecture (1947-52) since 2017 has gained attention and is being revisited— and often looked at in any depth for the first time— by Modern art and design scholars. However, more extensive documentation recovery of the important Post-WWII initiative is needed.


See PTA resources


B.1: Overview article - "Rethinking ’Painting toward architecture’ (2017)"

B.2: Painting toward architecture - Miller Co. press release

B.3: Painting toward architecture: Documentation and historical information

B.4: Painting toward architecture - artworks and designs

B.5: Spotlight - "Painting toward architecture: Three works, three histories, three Modern mysteries" (2017) (on Mondrian’s Victory Boogie Woogie and other VBW representations; unbuilt Tremaine House designed by Niemeyer and Burle Marx; and the unbuilt design by Frank Lloyd Wright for Meteor Crater)

B.6: Spotlight - "Van Doesburg artworks in Painting toward Architecture"


Current state of documentation: At this juncture, any original archive of PtA-era documentation that may have been maintained at an earlier time is presumed lost. If you know of anything, please do contact artdesigncafe.com. Important details of this history have to date, been lost.

The Emily Hall Tremaine’s papers at the Smithsonian (see section H. below) do not include exhibition files prior to 1962. There are bits and pieces of documentation scattered in the papers and difficult to find quickly, and nothing as of 2021 is yet organized at that resource for this era. artdesigncafe took documentation recovery action starting in 2016 and as of 2021, the documentation listed above functions as the Painting toward architecture archive.

Of highest importance to the PtA mystery are more details and documentation related to lighting and commercial interior design applications, the stated purpose of the PtA project, and graphics, and how both may have been presented as an aside to art / architecture exhibitions (28+).



C. Miller Company (1924-1985 focus)

Miller Company Ceilings Unlimited Miller Company Ceilings Unlimited


Above, two Modernist graphic designs (left, cover of the Miller Company’s 1945 Ceilings Unlimited catalogue; right, cropped view of 1948 advertisement by Serge Chermayeff highlighting interior design concept with lighting by Morris Lapidus for the Miller Company).


The Miller Company work focused on residential and then commercial lighting. Research is needed to better understand the strands of Modernism at the company, particularly related to 1930s lighting design, particularly by Leroy C. Doane, and Burton Tremaine’s design management. This is important to understanding the predecessor work leading to Painting toward Architecture (1947-52). Currently very little is known.

Below are links to two developing documentation compilations by artdesigncafe.


See Miller Company documentation


C.1: Miller Company product designs in collections, historical lighting installations, and exhibitions. (See 1945-65 for occasional art - graphic design - product design - interior design - architecture PtA-era crossovers.)

C.2: Miller Company design catalogues and historical information. (See 1945-65 for occasional art - graphic design - product design - interior design - architecture PtA-era crossovers.)



D. Exhibitions and publications regarding works in the former Tremaine Collection

Combining her great eye for emerging contemporary art and rock-solid communications skills, Emily Hall Tremaine enabled her artworks to be in hundreds of exhibitions and shown and mentioned in hundreds of publications. A full understanding of this extensive work is in process.

Below are links to resources developed by artdesigncafe:


See the resources


D.1: Tremaine Collection / Miller Company art & design in exhibitions (1945-present)

D.2: Tremaine Collection artworks and designs in publications (compilation; 1945-present)

D.3: Spotlight: A New York collector (Emily Hall Tremaine) selects... at San Francisco Museum of Art (1965), exhibition checklist. (The selected works are not thought to have been in the Tremaine Collection)



E. Spotlight: Tremaine Collection exhibition (1984) and auctions (1988, 1991)

The Tremaine Collection exhibition (1984) at the Wadworth Atheneum, Hartford, Connecticut, was an important exhibition showing a selection of the later state of the collection. It is important to note that many works prior were donated, sold or traded for other artworks. Regarding the artworks in the 1988 and 1991 auctions, these are listed, as shown in the catalogue for quick reference.

Below are links to resources developed by artdesigncafe:


See the resources


E.1: The Tremaine Collection: 20th Century Masters exhibition at Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT (1984) (list of artworks on view)

E.2: The Tremaine Collection: 20th Century Masters exhibition catalogue (list of photos of artworks and designs) (1984)

E.3: Tremaine Collection artworks in Tremaine auction catalogues (1988, 1991)



F. Spotlight: The Tremaines and Louise Lawler

Louise Lawler’s Tremaine pictures series is an important disseminator of the Tremaine art legacy. However, the "Tremaine" connection over the years at times has been lost across the number of photos and later manifestations by the artist. The compilation below identifies the photos, and the artworks shown in the photos, for researchers.

Below is a link to a resource developed by artdesigncafe:


F.1: Louise Lawler. The Tremaine pictures. List of photoworks (with Tremaine-owned artworks identified in the photos) (2007)


Emily Hall Tremaine

G. Publications mentioning Emily Hall Tremaine (1944-present)

An important creative force in Post-WWII America, Emily Hall Tremaine was mentioned in several artistic contexts across art, design and communications in a variety of publications.

Please note, many publications that mention Tremaine-owned works also mention the Tremaines in some way. This can be seen via photo credits, and regarding exhibitions, being listed as lenders.

Below is a developing selected compilation by artdesigncafe:


1940s text mentions

See the texts


1948 - article mention - Emily and Painting toward architecture

(19 January 1948). Art in the factory. Newsweek, p. 90. (Updated 28 August 2021. AAA00300.)

"’This is no Barnum & Bailey play,’ says Mrs. Burton G. Tremaine, Jr., art director of the company and wife of its owner. ’Our scheme is directed toward a small industrial audience— engineers and designers who have open minds, or they wouldn’t be in the business. We reach up to them, not down.’" (Excerpt from article above.)


  • Offline - see worldcat.org for locations.

1948 - article mention - Emily and Painting toward architecture

(February 1948). Art for architecture’s sake. Interiors, pp. 76-81. (Updated 2 June 2018. AAA00294; AAA03308.)

"There are certain differences between the Milller collection and those of the giant corporations we mentioned... the important difference lies in the collection itself... unlike the average company collection, it was not assembled to meet the approval of the masses..."

"We cannot refrain from mentioning that the original idea for the program was contributed by Mrs. Burton G. Tremaine, Jr. who insists on staying in the background although she is entitled to official recognition not as the boss’s wife but as the company’s art director, and a skilled hand at advertising techniques." (Excerpt from article above.)


  • Offline - see worldcat.org for location.

1948 - book review mention - Emily and Painting toward architecture

D. D. (1 October 1948), “Painting toward architecture” [book review]. Architectural Forum, 89(4), pp. 158-59. (Updated 28 August 2021. AAA00240.)

"The key to Mr. Hitchcock’s text is in the title’s connective word toward which might imply a sense of distance as well as direction... through Mrs. Burton Tremaine, wife of the president, the whole program has been intelligently and, from a commercial point of view, unostentatiously made available to public appreciation." (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - see worldcat.org for possible locations.

1949 - exhibition guide - Emily as jury alternate for MoMA advertising / editorial art show

(1949). A guide to the 28th Annual Exhibition of Advertising and Editorial Art of the New York Art Directors Club [15 March - 17 April 1949], (third page). ["Jury members... alternates... Mrs. Burton Tremaine, Jr.; Art Director; The Miller Company... ".] Museum of Modern Art, New York. (Viewed 28 August 2021. AAA00563).

1949 - newspaper brief

(19 Feb 1949). Mrs. Tremaine lends Braque painting [Tremaine has lent The Black Rose by Braque for a retrospective exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art and also for its viewing at the Museum of Modern Art, New York]. Meriden Daily Journal, p. 1. (Viewed 22 July 2023. N2-00036).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact an area public library.

1949 - newspaper mention

(21 Feb 1949). City items [mention: Mrs. Burton Tremaine, Jr. has lent The Black Rose by Braque for a retrospective exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art and also for its viewing at the Museum of Modern Art, New York]. Meriden Record, p. 12, col. 4. (Viewed 22 July 2023. N2-00037).

1949 - press release - Emily as jury alternate for MoMA advertising / editorial art show

(c. February 1949). Press release: Museum exhibits selections from Art Directors Club annual competition [with mention: "Mrs. Burton Tremaine, Jr., Art Director, The Miller Company, alternate"; she’s the only woman listed in the entire group]. Exhibition: The 28th Annual Exhibition of Advertising and Editorial Art of the New York Art Directors Club; Museum of Modern Art, New York (15 March - 17 April 1949). (Viewed 28 August 2021. Q00222).




1960s text mentions

See the texts


1965 - brochure with exhibition checklist - A New York collector selects...

(c. January 1965). A New York collector selects... brochure [with exhibition checklist; exhibition with works selected by Emily Hall Tremaine at the San Francisco Museum of Art (22 January - 14 February 1965); works presumably not in the Tremaine Collection]. artdesigncafe.com. (Viewed 9 October 2021).

1965 - article mention - Emily and Washington Gallery of Modern Art exhibition

Hudson, Andrew. (26 September 1965). The show’s simply too large for the gallery [with mention of several loaned works by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine, and mention of exhibition at the former Washington Gallery of Modern Art, Washington, DC]. Washington Post, G9. (Viewed 31 August 2021. K01211).

"Why is the Washington Gallery of Modern Art showing an exhibition of ’20th century painting and sculpture’ culled from private collections in Connecticut? The answer according to the catalogue introduction written by Gerald Nordland, the Gallery’s director, is: because Emily Tremaine picked up a suggestion made at a meeting of the Gallery’s National Advisory Committee ’and romanced it into a full-scale program with one state’s private collections to be reviewed at the beginning of the season each year.’ ..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1966 - article mention

Zinsser, William K. (15 October - 1 November 1966). The Pop collectors. The East Village Other [New York], pp. 7-8. [Viewed 28 August 2021. EHT-08-04-02(-03); K01313].

"... Mr. Tremaine told me on the phone that he and his wife want no publicity... I put some questions to them by mail. These Mrs. Tremaine answered in a long and interesting letter ... The works that [the Pop collectors] bought so inexpensively have since become the old masters, in great demand for exhibitions here and abroad... they are generous stewards of their trust, constantly sending the works off like children bound for boarding school...

"... Except for Mrs. Tremaine, the pop art collectors are men..." (Excerpt from above.)


1967 - article mention

Witchel, Lawrence. (17 March 1967). The underground— where the action is; Checkbooks of wealthy have given respectability to Pop Art movement ["... Mr. and Mrs. Burton Tremaine, Jr. are ’in’..."]. Tonawanda News (Tonawanda, New York), p. 8. (Viewed 4 September 2021. Q00272).

  • Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search the archive, "North Tonawanda NY Evening News 1967 Grayscale - 1306", and scroll down for the link.)

1967 - article mention

Witchel, Lawrence. (14 April 1967). The underground: Where the action is; Mini-skirted maids dig "the beat bit" [with mention of Emily Hall Tremaine]. Philadelphia Daily News, p. 34. (Viewed 28 August 2021. K01160).

"... Mr. and Mrs. Burton Tremaine, Jr., are ’in’. They have a barn in Connecticut which always filled with a constantly-changing display of art which is one of the Nation’s most important collections of contemporary canvases, construction, assemblages and sculptures... " (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - see worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1969 - feature article

Baro, Gene. (15 February 1969). Decisive art collection [on the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine art collection with many photos of works in Tremaine interiors]. Vogue, pp. 132-41, 150, 152. (Viewed 30 August 2021. K01215-22).

"... Do the Tremaines always agree? They are tolerant of their differences, indulgent of one another’s enthusiasms. ’Personally, I don’t see it,’ Mr. Tremaine may say, deadpan, ’but Emily likes it, and she’s always right.’ In fact, these two have an exquisite sympathy that the visitor senses at once. The splendid collection represents both of them, yet is unified. It is as if it reflected a single sensibility, a single intelligence. Their give-and-take is a shared understanding." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations.




1970s text mentions

See the texts


1970 - article mention

Cimons, Marlene (presumably) (Los Angeles Times). (12 October 1970). J. Carter Brown, National Gallery of Art Director, stacks up an impressive list of accomplishments [with mention of Tremaine Collection]. Watertown Daily News (Watertown, New York), p. 4. (Viewed 12 September 2021. Q00340).

"... Today Brown sits in a large airy office on the gallery’s first floor... [he] decked [the walls in his office] with several abstract and op art paintings borrowed from the collection of [Emily and] Burton Tremaine ..." (Excerpt from above.)


1971 - article mention, photo

Richard, Paul. (1 September 1971). Moving into the 20th century [article about the National Gallery of Art, and discussions about acquisition of the Tremaine Collection]. Washington Post, Style section, pp. D1, D8 (illustrated). (Updated 8 August 2021. K01206-07).

"... Though [J. Carter] Brown will not discuss it, it has been learned that he has been negotiating with [Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine] of Meriden, Conn., and New York City, whose collection of more than 300 pictures of the 20th century is among the world’s finest... " (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - see worldcat.org for possible locations.

1973 - feature article - selected Tremaine Christmas cards in Wadsworth Atheneum show

UPI (Madison, CT). (23 December 1973). Friends get novel card from couple [with mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine as senders of unique Christmas cards; with mention of selection on view in Greetings, gifts and announcements at Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT (unknown start date - 30 December 1973)]. The Hartford Courant, p. 4A. (Viewed 9 October 2021. Q00665).

"... ’I just thought I’d do something different with our big collection of these cards by displaying them like paintings. Perhaps they can also provide Christmas card designers with inspiration,’ Mrs. Tremaine, a former graphic artist, says..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1975 - article mention

Rose, Barbara. (March 1975). How I found paradise [with mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine in St. Martin]. Vogue, p. 162. (Viewed 29 August 2021. K01196).

"... If absolute elegance is what you’re after, stay at La Samanna; in the whitewashed terrace dining room... you might see Benny Goodman, Berry Gordy or Motown, art collectors [Burton and Emily Hall] Tremaine... At La Samanna, there are bizarre juxtapositions: millionaires from Madrid, politicos from Paris, journalists, artists, photographers, lawyers— the busiest people in the world who are looking for the quietest, most discreet spot in which to recharge. You could run into painters Jasper Johns, Mark Lancaster, and Sven Lukin; art dealers Betty Parsons, Lawrence Rubin, and Janie C. Lee ..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for possible locations.




1980-84 text mentions

See the texts


1980 - spotlighted article - Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine

Glueck, Grace. (27 September 1980). Painting by Jasper Johns sold for million, a record [with photos of Three flags, the artist and published purchase invoice (1959 USD$900, [c/o] Miller Company, Meriden, CT); mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine; to Whitney Museum of American Art, New York]. New York Times, pp. 1, 12. (Viewed 29 August 2021. K01163-64).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1980 - news brief - Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine

AP (New York). (27 September 1980). Johns’ painting sold for $1 million [re. Three flags; mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine; to Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; no photo]. Washington Post, p. A8. (Viewed 29 August 2021. K01167).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1980 - article mention - Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine

(New York). (27 September 1980). Whitney Museum pays $1 million for Johns painting [Three flags; mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine; to Whitney Museum of American Art, New York]. The Morning Call (Allentown, PA), p. 66. (Viewed 30 August 2021. K01165).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1980 - news brief - Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine

Possible wire service. (27 September 1980). Museum pays $1 million for painting [Jasper Johns’s Three flags; mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine; to Whitney Museum of American Art, New York]. Atlanta Constitution, p. 3B. (Viewed 30 August 2021. K01318).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1980 - photo / caption - Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine

AP Laserphoto. (28 September 1980). Photo / caption: $1 million for living artist’s work (Caption: "The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York has paid $1 million for a painting by Jasper Johns. The work, ’Three flags’ ... was sold... [by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]... "). Chicago Tribune, p. 2. (Viewed 2 September 2021. Q00235).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1980 - feature article, photo - Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine

Associated Press (New York). (28 September 1980). $1 million for living painter’s work [Jasper Johns’s Three flags, sold by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine to Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; with photo of artwork]. Philadelphia Inquirer, p. 26-A. (Viewed 1 September 2021. Q00233).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1980 - article mention - Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton & Emily Hall Tremaine

Krieger, R. E. (28 September 1980). People in the news [with photo of Jasper Johns’s Three flags; mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine, regarding sale of artwork to Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, for USD$1 million]. Hartford Courant, p. A2. (K01166).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1980 - news brief - Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine

(NYTS, New York, Sept. 27). (28 September 1980). Record price [for Jasper Johns’s Three flags by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine to Whitney Museum of American Art, New York]. South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), p. 5. (Viewed 1 September 2021. Q00232).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1980 - article mention - Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine

(29 September 1980). $1-million art sale amuses the artist [Jasper Johns re. Three flags sale by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine to Whitney Museum of American Art, New York]. The Morning Call (Allentown, PA), p. A14. (Viewed 31 August 2021. K01171).

"... The Tremaines have a collection The [New York] Times says ’is known as one of the outstanding holdings of contemporary art in the United States’... The Times quoted [Johns] as saying he felt ’nothing other than amusement’ about the selling price..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1980 - news brief - Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine

UPI (New York). (29 September 1980). Johns work sold for $1 million [Three flags; mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine; to Whitney Museum of American Art, New York]. Los Angeles Times, part VI, p. 5. (Viewed 30 August 2021. K01170).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1981 - article mention - Three flags sold for USD$1 million, Marilyn diptych sold, by Tremaines

Saltzman, Cynthia. (31 July 1981). Meet Arnold Glimcher, who links the worlds of art and commerce [with mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. Wall Street Journal, pp. 1, 8. (Updated 8 August 2021. K01213).

"... The Whitney Museum of American Art paid $1 million last September to acquire ’Three flags’, Jasper Johns’s lush pop-art painting of the Stars and Stripes...

[Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine] originally purchased the painting for $900 in 1959 from Leo Castelli... More recently the Tremaines have been doing business with the Pace. (After the gallery exhibited 10 pop-art paintings from the Tremaine collection last year, for example, one of them, Andy Warhol’s ’Marilyn Monroe Diptych’, was sold to the Tate Gallery for $300,000.) ... " (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1980 - feature article - Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine

Wilson, William. (1 October 1980). Record art sale poses question [with mention of Jasper Johns’s Three flags sold by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine to the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York]. Los Angeles Times, pp. I1 (illustrated), I4. (Viewed 31 August 2021. K01172).

"If a Jasper Johns painting can sell for $1 million, what will it cost museums to build collections of quality contemporary art? ..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1980 - article (quiz) mention - Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine

(4 October 1980). Saturday news quiz; Answers to quiz [with mention of Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. New York Times, pp. 21, 39. (Viewed 2 September 2021. Q00230; Q00236).

"Questions are based on news reports in the Times in the last week... [Question:] 19. Mr. and Mrs. Burton Tremaine of Meriden, Conn. sold ’Three flags’ for $1 million. What is ’Three flags’?" ... [Answer:] ’The Whitney Museum of American Art purchased ’Three flags’, the Jasper Johns painting considered a precursor of the Pop Art movement." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1980 - article mention -Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine

Webb, Charles. (18 October 1980). Some other things worth saving [with brief mention: ".. In 1959, a Connecticut couple bought Jasper Johns’ ’Three flags’ for $900 and sold it for $1 million in 1980... "]. San Bernardino Sun (presumably Sunday Parade magazine supplement) (San Bernardino, CA), p. 20. (Viewed 1 September 2021. Q00094).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1983 - article mention

Hoving, Thomas. (September 1983). 101 top collectors [with mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. Connoisseur, pp. 108-18. (Viewed 29 August 2021. K01114-17).

"... 93, Emily and Burton Tremaine ... The owners are showing signs of deaccessioning, which, if they do it right, won’t hurt— as long as the best goes public someday." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1984 - brochure - exhibition guide - Tremaine Collection show

(c. 1984). A guide to the exhibition - The Tremaine Collection: 20th century masters brochure. 4 pp. Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT. (Viewed 9 October 2021. K00244).

"... For almost 50 years [Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine] have been in tune with the cutting edge of the progressive, formalistic tradition in the 20th century... around 1950 they began to turn more and more to contemporary American artists, purchasing works by Rothko, Pollock, Johns and others. In the early 1960s they were among the very first to buy Pop Art..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • Offline - Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford archive.

1984 - exhibition checklists - Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection exhibition

(c. 1984). Exhibition checklists for The Tremaine Collection: 20th Century Masters exhibition at Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT. Wadsworth Atheneum archive. (Please note, during a January 2018 review, a precise list was not known. Two lists conflict the number of works at 123 and 132 and the guide states 150 works.)

  • Offline - Wadsworth Atheneum archive, Hartford, CT.
  • Contact the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation for more information and current status.

1984 - lecture transcript - Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine Collection exhibition opening

(25 February 1984). Philip Johnson lecture on Chick Austin and Burton & Emily Hall Tremaine (on the occasion of the Tremaine Collection exhibition opening), Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT. (Viewed 3 November 2021).




1985-89 text mentions

See the texts


1986 - article mention - designer’s listed client: Emily Hall Tremaine

(2 July 1986). Designer moves north to start a new business; Daniel Sterling Swortfiguer settling in Old Forge area. Boonville Herald (Boonville, NY), p. 13. (Viewed 26 September 2023. Q01187).

"Among his private residential clients are [Burton and Emily Hall] Tremaine, of New York, owners of the Tremaine Collection…" (Excerpt from above.)


1987 - article mention

G. G. (3 May 1987). A gallery of owners and their troves [with mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. New York Times, p. H26. (Viewed 4 September 2021. Q00255).

"Every museum has a shopping list, not only of the works it wants, but of the collectors who might be persuaded to provide them...

... Emily and Burton Tremaine, New York. Treasures such as Mondrian’s ’Victory Boogie Woogie’, a tondo painting by Robert Delaunay, and works by Pablo Picasso, Franz Kline, Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman, and Jasper Johns share billing with works by younger artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1987 - obituary

Glueck, Grace. (17 December 1987). Emily Hall Tremaine, designer and collector, dies. New York Times. (Updated 15 April 2021. K00049).

"Emily Hall Tremaine, a designer and art collector, who with her husband Burton assembled one of the outstanding American holdings of 20th-century art, died yesterday at her home in Madison, Conn. ..." (Excerpt from above.)


1987 - obituary

Johnson, Joanne. (17 December 1987). Emily Hall Tremaine, 79; collected contemporary art. Hartford Courant, p. B12. (Viewed 28 September 2021. Q00247).

"Emily Hall Tremaine, one of the first collectors of contemporary American and European art, who was credited with opening the door to widespread appreciation of that genre, died Wednesday at her home in Madison. She was 79...

... Some of the better-known paintings the Tremaines owned included... Mondrian’s ’Victory Boogie-Woogie’... Memorial donations may be made to Planned Parenthood of New Haven..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1987 - news brief - Emily passes away

AP (Madison, Conn.). (18 December 1987). Art collector dies [re. Emily Hall Tremaine]. Spokane Chronicle (Washington), p. 4. (Viewed 23 September 2023. Q01175).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1987 - news brief - Emily passes away

AP (Madison, Conn.). (18 December 1987). Contemporary art collector Emily [Hall] Tremaine dead at 79. Scranton Times (Pennsylvania), p. 24. (Viewed 21 September 2023. Q01164).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1987 - obituary - Emily passes away

AP (Madison, Conn.). (18 December 1987). Obituaries: Emily [Hall] Tremaine. Vidette-Messenger (Valparaiso, Indiana), p. 2A. (Viewed 23 September 2023. Q01172).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1987 - news brief - Emily passes away

AP (Madison, Conn). (18 December 1987). Deaths elsewhere... Emily Tremaine ["Emily Hall Tremaine, one of the first major collectors of contemporary American and European art, died Wednesday at age 79" (Excerpt in full)]. Kokomo Tribune (Kokomo, Indiana), p. 12. (Viewed 3 September 2021. Q00240).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1987 - obituary - Emily passes away

AP (Madison, Conn.) (18 December 1987). Obituaries... Emily Tremaine, art collector ["... ’Emily Tremaine is widely admired not just for her intelligence and sensibility, but equally so for her courage,’ Andrea Miller-Keller, curator of contemporary art and acting chief curator at the Wadsworth Atheneum... "]. Newsday (Long Island, New York), p. 41. (Viewed 4 September 2021. Q00249).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1987 - obituary - Emily passes away

AP (Madison, Conn.). (18 December 1987). Obituary: Emily Hall Tremaine. Daily News (New York), p. 92. (Viewed 4 September 2021. Q00248).

"... Montana-born Emily Tremaine... said in 1984 she and her husband introduced Warhol and Lichtenstein: ’At first we thought, well of course, the man who’s doing the soup cans (Warhol) must know the man who’s doing the garbage cans (Lichtenstein).’ ..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1987 - obituary - Emily passes away

Associated Press. (18 December 1987). Notables… Emily Hall Tremaine. Kansas City Star, p. 7B. (Viewed 24 September 2023. Q01173).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1987 - obituary - Emily passes away

Associated Press (Madison, Conn). (18 December 1987). Obituaries… Collector of major art works dies at 79 [announces the death of Emily Hall Tremaine]. Salinas Californian (Salinas, CA), p. 4A. (Viewed 21 September 2023. Q01163).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1987 - news brief - Emily passes away

(Presumably AP). (18 December 1987). Deaths elsewhere... Emily Hall Tremaine ["... assembled one of the outstanding American holdings of 20th-century art..."]. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, p. 12. (Viewed 4 September 2021. Q00250).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1987 - article mention - Emily passes away

(Presumably AP). (18 December 1987). Deaths elsewhere: ... Emily Hall Tremaine ["... assembled one of the outstanding American holdings of 20th-century art..."]. Tampa Bay Times (Florida), p. 15B. (Viewed 4 September 2021. Q00252).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1987 - news mention - Emily passes away

(Presumably AP). (18 December 1987). Elsewhere… Emily Hall Tremaine. Reporter-Dispatch (White Plains, NY), p. A6. (Viewed 23 September 2023. Q01174).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1987 - article mention - Emily passes away

(Presumably AP). (18 December 1987). Passings... Emily Hall Tremaine, Modern art collector ["... one of the nation’s leading collectors of modern art... "]. Los Angeles Times, p. 34. (Viewed 4 September 2021. Q00251).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1987 - obituary - Emily passes away

(Presumably AP) Madison, Conn. (18 December 1987). Deaths: Emily Hall Tremaine. Alabama Journal (Montgomery, AL), p. 25. (Viewed 23 September 2023. Q01170).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1987 - article mention - Emily passes away

(Presumably AP). (19 December 1987). Deaths elsewhere... Emily Hall Tremaine ["... one of the first major collectors of contemporary American and European art..."]. Orlando Sentinel (Florida), p. D10. (Viewed 4 September 2021. Q00253).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1987 - article mention - Emily passes away

(Presumably AP). (19 December 1987). Deaths elsewhere... Emily Hall Tremaine ["... one of the first major collectors of contemporary American and European art..."]. Pittsburgh Press, p. B4. (Viewed 4 September 2021. Q00254).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1987 - book mention, photo - Three flags sold for USD$1 million by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine (1980)

Kurtz, Bruce D. (1987). Visual imagination: An introduction to art [with mention and photo of Jasper Johns’s Three flags, sold in 1980 by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine for $1 million to Whitney Museum of American Art, New York], [p. 54 (photo of artwork), fig. 3-30]. Prentice-Hall: Englewood Cliffs, NJ. (Viewed 1 September 2021. K01153-55; K01157).

1988 - essay; auction catalogue - first auction of selected Tremaine works

Christie’s New York. (1988). Introduction [by Tracy Atkinson, Curator of the Tremaine Collection]. Contemporary art from The Tremaine Collection, (9 November 1988), 74 pp. Christie’s New York. (Viewed 14 October 2021. K00635; K00666-68).

"... It is no exaggeration to observe that Burton and Emily Tremaine taught several generations what it meant to be great collectors... Among living artists almost every work was acquired within the year of its creation... Although proceeds from earlier disposals were turned back into the collection, during recent years some sales benefited instead the foundation which will one day be formed from Emily Tremaine’s estate. The foundation, which will further several of her interests during her lifetime, will benefit from the results of the present sale..." (Excerpt from above.)


ADC: It is important to note here the vagueness of "benefit" here. Referring to Emily Hall Tremaine’s public probate file and will held in Madison, CT, in principle, she owned half of the art collection, which was specified to go to her named foundation. The other half was owned by Burton Tremaine. As specified in her will, most of her substantial personal assets also went to her foundation. Also note that the foundation remit at that time, as stated by Atkinson, should be confirmed. (16 October 2021.)


1988 - article mention - Emily passes away

Robinson, Walter. (February 1988). Obituaries [with mention of Emily Hall Tremaine]. Art in America, p. 174. (Viewed 7 October 2021. Q00645).

"... Emily Hall Tremaine, 79, ar[t pa]tron who with her husband, Bu[rton,] was a pioneering collector of con[tem]porary American and European a[rt. In] 1980 the Tremaines made front-[page] news when they sold Jasper Jo[hns’] Three Flags to the Whitney Mu[seum] for $1 million; they had purchase[d the] painting for $900 in 1959..." (Excerpt from above.)


1988 - article mention - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Reif, Rita. (8 September 1988). Christie’s to auction works from two art collections [with mention: "Emily and Burton Tremaine’s postwar and modern art— are to be auctioned in November at Christie’s... 34 works from their collection..."]. New York Times, p. C20. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00739).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Muchnic, Suzanne. (13 September 1988). Johns, Pollock works top art cache set for auction [with mention: "Thirty-two contemporary artworks from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection will go on the auction block Nov. 9 at Christie’s New York..."]. Los Angeles Times, Part VI, pp. 1 & 3. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00740-41).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article mention - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Reif, Rita. (14 September 1988). $210 million worth of art is to be auctioned. [with mention of 1988 Tremaine auction]. New York Times, p. C19. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00742).

"... Christie’s contemporary art sale begins with the sale of the postwar part of the collection formed by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine— 32 works valued as a total of more than $20 million ..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article mention - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Reif, Rita (New York Times Service). (15 September 1988). Record number of artworks on the block in New York [with mention of the sale of 32 works from the collection of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada), p. C5. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00743).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Muchnic, Suzanne (Los Angeles Times). (16 September 1988). Contemporary art sale likely to set records [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. The Journal-News (Nyack, New York), p. C4. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00744-45).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1988 - article - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Muchnic, Suzanne (Los Angeles Times). (17 September 1988). Major works to be sold from Tremaine collection [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Hartford Courant, Connecticut Living section, pp. G1 & G2. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00774-75).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1988 - article - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Los Angeles Times. (18 September 1988). Contemporary art sale expected to set records [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. The Sun (Baltimore, MD), Arts & Entertainment section, p. 5N. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00748).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1988 - news brief - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Muchnic, Suzanne (Los Angeles Times). (18 September 1988). Art auction expected to set records [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), p. C-6. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00746-47).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1988 - article - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Muchnic, Suzanne (Los Angeles Times). (21 September 1988). Tremaine artworks auctioned [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Toronto Star (Canada), p. D4. (Viewed 3 September 2021. Q00262).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article mention - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Berry, Heidi L. (29 September 1988). The laws of supply and desire; record-breaking sums are making big business take auction houses seriously [with mention of works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection]. Washington Post, Washington Home section, pp. 11-15, 19. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00758).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article mention - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Voland, John. (6 October 1988). Morning report [including mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine Collection artworks on view at Maisonette Room, Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA (c. 6-8 October 1988)]. Los Angeles Times, Part VI, p. 2. (Viewed 3 September 2021. K00783-84).

"... Works from what is being called the most important group of contemporary paintings ever to come to auction will be exhibited in Los Angeles today ..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Conlon, Michael (Reuter, Chicago). (8 October 1988). Contemporary art expected to fetch record prices at Christie’s sale [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada), p. C8. (Viewed 3 September 2021. K00749).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Los Angeles Times. (23 October 1988). Contemporary art on auction block [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Asbury Park Press (Asbury Park, NJ), p. E4. (Viewed 3 September 2021. K00750-51).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1988 - article mention - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Berry, Heidi L. (3 November 1988). Auctioning three major art collections [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Washington Post, Washington Home section, pp. 11-16. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00772-73; K00779-82).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - advertisement - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Christie’s New York (Park Avenue). (4 November 1988). Advertisement: "... Viewing this weekend; Contemporary art from the [Burton and Emily Hall] Tremaine Collection [4-9 November]. New York Times. p. C29. (Viewed 3 September 2021. K00778).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article mention - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Reif, Rita. (4 November 1988). Auction houses offer a century of art in 7 days of sales [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. New York Times, Weekend section, pp. C1 & C28. (Viewed 3 September 2021. K00776-77).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Howells, Beverley. (6 November 1988). [Burton and Emily Hall] Tremaine collection under the hammer in New York [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned by Christie’s]. Sunday Morning Post / South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), Living section, p. 4. (Viewed 3 September 2021. K00752).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article mention - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

(Los Angeles Times) (New York). (9 November 1988). New York art auctions offer high-priced work [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Montreal Gazette (Canada), p. H5. (Viewed 3 September 2021. Q00263).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article mention - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Muchnic, Suzanne. (9 November 1988). Record prices expected at N. Y. auctions [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Los Angeles Times, p. H1. (Viewed 3 September 2021. K00753).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article mention - White flag sold for $7 million

AP (New York). (10 November 1988). Painting brings $37.3m [incorrect, clarified in first sentence as $7.04m; regarding Jasper Johns’s White flag; among 32 works auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. The Citizen (Auburn, New York), p. 5. (Viewed 4 September 2021. Q00271).

  • Online - fultonhistory.com. (Search the archive, "Newspaper Auburn NY Citizen Advertiser 1988 - 4544", and scroll down for the link.)

1988 - article - White flag sold for $7 million

Lipson, Karin. (10 November 1988). Record price raised for "White flag" [Jasper Johns’s White flag; with mention of works auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Newsday (Long Island, NY), p. 9. (Viewed 3 September 2021. K00754-55).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article mention - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Muchnic, Suzanne (Los Angeles Times). (10 November 1988). Records expected to fall in New York auctions [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Philadelphia Inquirer, p. 4-C. (Viewed 3 September 2021. K00761).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article - White flag sold for $7 million

(New York). (10 November 1988). Johns’ painting brings record $7 million [Jasper Johns’s White flag; with mention of works auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. The Journal-News (Nyack, New York), Metro section, p. B5. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00759-60).

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1988 - article - White flag sold for $7 million

(10 November 1988). Christie’s sells painting by Johns for $7 million [Jasper Johns’s White flag; with mention of works auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Wall Street Journal, p. 1. (Viewed 15 September 2021. Q00266).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article - White flag sold for $7 million

New York (Reuter). (10 November 1988). He’s waving the flag for $7.04 million [Jasper Johns’s White flag; with mention of works auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada), p. 1. (Viewed 3 September 2021. Q00257).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1988 - article - White flag sold for $7 million

New York (Reuter). (10 November 1988). Jasper Johns’ painting White Flag sold for record $7.04 million [with mention of works auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s; "... The total sale price for the Tremaine collection was $25,824,700 with 15 records set"]. Toronto Star (Toronto, Canada), Section D, p. D1. (Viewed 3 September 2021. K00762).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article - White flag sold for $7 million

(New York Times). (10 November 1988). Jasper Johns’s painting fetches record $7 million [White flag; with mention of works auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s for $25.8 million previous evening, "tripling the record for a single owner’s contemporary art collection"]. Montreal Gazette (Canada), p. C13. (Viewed 3 September 2021. Q00264).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article - White flag sold for $7 million

Reif, Rita. (10 November 1988). Johns’s ’White flag’ is sold for record price [in hard copy article, photo of Jasper Johns’s White flag; with mention of works auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. New York Times, p. C26. (Updated 2 September 2021. H00524; K00737).

1988 - article - White flag sold for $7 million

Rizzo, Frank. (10 November 1988). Madison couple’s "White flag" brings banner price at auction [with photo of Jasper Johns’s White flag; with mention of works auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Hartford Courant, p. A4. (Viewed 4 September 2021. K00623).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1988 - article - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Tully, Judd (Special, New York, Nov. 9). (10 November 1988). $37 million contemporary art sale [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Washington Post, Style section, pp. B1 & B20. (Viewed 4 September 2021. K00763-64).

"... The Tremaines bought early and in depth, often straight out of the artist’s studios, especially the work of pop artists who— in the early 1960s— were still unknown..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article mention - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Los Angeles Times (New York). (11 November 1988). More art records tumble, painting nets $17 million [focus on Ganz auction, but with mention of works auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s previous evening]. Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario, Canada), p. D11. (Viewed 13 September 2021. Q00267).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1988 - article - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Muchnic, Suzanne. (11 November 1988). Record-setting sales kick off art auction [with mention of works auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Los Angeles Times, Part IV, pp. 1 & 15. (Viewed 4 September 2021. K00756-57).

"... Proceeds from the Tremaine sale will go to a trust to be established from Emily Hall Tremaine’s estate. During her life, she supported organizations working for population control, Atkinson said, but the foundation will serve ’broader purposes,’ including education and culture.

The Tremaine collection would have been a spectacular addition to many museums’ collections, but Atkinson indicated that Emily Hall Tremaine became disenchanted with museums about 20 years ago..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article mention - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Muchnic, Suzanne (Los Angeles Times). (11 November 1988). Record prices expected at auctions [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s, "the finest group of contemporary art ever to appear at auction"...]. Press & Sun Bulletin (Binghamton, NY), p. 6D. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00766-67).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1988 - article - White flag sold for $7 million

Reuters (New York). (11 November 1988). Record [CDN]$8.65 million for Johns painting [with mention of works auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection]. Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada). (Viewed 3 September 2021. Q00258).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - news brief - auction of selected Tremaine artworks

Unknown wire service. (11 November 1988). People in the news [mention of works auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s, and new record for artist, Jasper Johns, a day after at Sotheby’s presumably]. Hartford Courant, p. A2. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00765).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1988 - news brief - White flag sold for $7 million

Associated Press (New York). (12 November 1988). Johns’ painting sets new high for living artist [with mention of 32 works to be auctioned from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection by Christie’s]. Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, NY), p. 5C. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00768).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1988 - article mention

Reif, Rita. (16 November 1988). Choppy night at Christie’s: Records and failures [mention: "two works from the collection of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine were sold... Alberto Giacometti’, ’Man who walks against the rain’... Joan Miro’s ’Women in the night’..."]. New York Times, p. C22. (Viewed 4 September 2021. K00771).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article mention

Glueck, Grace. (26 November 1988). The mania of art auctions: Problems as well as profits [with mention of Burton and Emily Tremaine collection and its recent auction of selected artworks, including specific mention of Lichtenstein’s I can see the whole room... and a painting by Tom Wesselmann]. New York Times, pp. 1 & 15. (Viewed 3 September 2021. K00770).

"The effect of the huge prices paid at this month’s art auctions are reverberating through the art world... " (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1988 - article mention

Reif, Rita. (23 December 1988). Auctions [with mention of Tremaine auction of selected works]. New York Times, p. C29. (Viewed 26 September 2021. Q00269).

"Record worldwide auction sales were reported this week by both Sotheby’s and Christie’s for the fall season that ended Tuesday... At Christie’s auctions in New York of the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection of contemporary art totaled $26 million... " (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations.




1990s text mentions

See the texts


1991 - obituary - Burton Tremaine passes away

Fowler, Glenn. (27 March 1991). Burton G. Tremaine, executive, 89, dies; a collector of art. New York Times. (Viewed 24 February 2019. K00048).

"... Mr. Tremaine and his wife, Emily Hall Tremaine, began collecting art [in 1944]. By the early 1980’s the Tremaine collection had grown to more than 400 works by Europeans and American artists... In 1980, the Tremaines sold ’Three flags’, an early painting by Jasper Johns, to the Whitney Museum for $1 million..." (Excerpt from above.)


1991 - obituary

(30 March 1991). Obituaries... Burton G. Tremaine; Collector of American, European Art [with mention of Emily Hall Tremaine]. Los Angeles Times, p. A18, cols. 1-2. (Viewed 14 October 2021. Q00660).

"Burton G. Tremaine, 89, who with his late wife, Emily, assembled one of the finest collections of 20th-Century art in the country... In 1980 the Tremaines sold ’Three flags,’ by Jasper Johns to the Whitney Museum for $1 million..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - news brief - plans for second Tremaine auction of selected works

(New York). (7 June 1991). Christie’s plans fall sale of the Tremaine Collection [on 5 November; with mention of "the late Burton and Emily Tremaine"]. Wall Street Journal, p. C10, col. 6. (Viewed 14 October 2021. Q00662).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - feature article - second Tremaine auction

Reif, Rita. (7 June 1991). 50 paintings to be sold from Tremaine estate. New York Times, p. C3. (Updated 29 August 2021. H00525; K00738).

"... The Tremaine collection is being sold from the estate of Mr. Tremaine, who died on March 23 at the age of 89. He was chairman emeritus of the Miller Company of Meriden, Conn., a manufacturer of sheet metal products and lighting fixtures. [Emily Hall Tremaine], a designer, died in 1987 ..." (Excerpt from above.)


1991 - feature article - second Tremaine auction of selected works; works currently on view at Wadworth Atheneum

Tully, Judd (New York, June 6). (7 June 1991). Major Moderns for sale; Christie’s to auction renowned collection [of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine (estates); works currently on view at Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford]. Washington Post, C2. (Viewed 14 October 2021. Q00663).

"... This time, Christie’s has guaranteed the trove... assures the consignors, the separate estates of Burton G. Tremaine and Emily Hall Tremaine, of millions ... McCaughey [Wadsworth Atheneum Director] said that some of the paintings are owned by Emily Tremaine’s estate and some jointly by her and her late husband..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention

Glueck, Grace. (24 June 1991). One art dealer who’s still a high roller [about Larry Gagosian; mention of Burton and Emily Tremaine and Piet Mondrian’s Victory boogie woogie]. New York Times, p. C9, C16. (Viewed 16 October 2021. Q00664).

"... Mr. Gagosian worked his way up to such resale clients as Burton and Emily Tremaine, from whose celebrated collection of post-World War II art he sold prizes like Piet Mondrian’s ’Victory boogie-woogie,’ to Mr. Newhouse for a price reported to be $11 million..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Peers, Alexandra. (30 October 1991). Big fall auction will be a test of art market’s recovery hopes [with mention of second Tremaine auction and photo of Fernand Leger’s Le petit dejeuner]. Wall Street Journal, pp. C1, C19. (Viewed 30 October 2021. Q00665).

"... Christie’s opens the two weeks of sales Tuesday night with the season’s highlight: the modern art collection of the late Burton and Emily Tremaine, superstar collectors whose trademark was spotting historically important works. Ironically, it was the huge success of the first auction of works from their collection in November 1988... that jump-started the boom in contemporary art..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - news brief mention - second Tremaine auction

Artner, Alan G. (31 October 1991). Modern masters; Works from Tremaine collection going on the block at Christie’s [with mention of second auction of selected works from the collection of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine and photo of Fernand Leger’s Le petit dejeuner]. Chicago Tribune, p. 13C. (Viewed 30 December 2021. Q00913).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Peers, Alexandra. (31 October 1991). U. S. art auctions will be a test of market’s hopes for recovery [with mention of second Tremaine auction, and possible relevant Tremaine Collection artwork illustration(s)]. Asian Wall Street Journal (Hong Kong-based), p. 13. (Viewed 30 October 2021. Q00666).

"... Christie’s opens the two weeks of sales Tuesday night with the season’s highlight: the modern art collection of the late Burton and Emily Tremaine, superstar collectors whose trademark was spotting historically important works..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - advertisement - second Tremaine auction

Christie’s Park Avenue (New York). (1 November 1991). Advertisement: "... Important Modern Paintings from The Tremaine Collection; Auction: Tuesday, November 5 at 7 p.m. ..." New York Times, p. C27, col. 2. (Viewed 21 November 2021. Q00915).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Vogel, Carol. (1 November 1991). A crucial auction test: Will prices keep falling? [With mention of selected works from Tremaine Collection, and photo of Fernand Leger’s Le petit dejeuner]. New York Times, pp. C1, C15. (Viewed 30 October 2021. Q00667).

"... ’The Tremaines put together a very personal collection, buying among the best of what was available,’ explained Michael Findlay, who heads Christie’s department of Impressionist and modern art. ’At the time they bought many of these paintings, the works were by no means the icons they are today’ ..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for possible locations.

1991 - news listing - second Tremaine auction

(3 November 1991). News listing: "This week; Here are the major business and economic events scheduled for this week: ... Tuesday ... In New York, Christie’s sale of modern paintings from the Tremaine collection startsa two-week round of big art auctions that may indicate whether the market slide has ended... " Los Angeles Times, p. D6, col. 2. (Viewed 21 November 2021. Q00916).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - advertisement - second Tremaine auction

Christie’s Park Avenue (New York). (3 November 1991). Advertisement: "... Important Modern Paintings from The Tremaine Collection; Auction: Tuesday, November 5 at 7 p.m. ..." New York Times, p. H37. (Viewed 21 November 2021. Q00917).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - feature article - second Tremaine auction

Rizzo, Frank. (3 November 1991). Tremaine Collection going to auction [about second auction of selected works from the collection of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. Hartford Courant. [Hard copy version title: "Bidding a fond farewell; gavel to signal end of an era", pp. G1, G4.] (Updated 2 November 2021. Q00476; Q00668).

"Works of art from the Connecticut estate of Emily and Burton Tremaine, considered by museum directors, dealers and art writers to be one of the greatest private collections of 20th century art in the world, will go on the auction block beginning Tuesday at Christie’s in New York...

Proceeds from the auction will be split between the family and the foundation set up by Emily Hall Tremaine, who had no heirs. The foundation will likely benefit the arts as well as other organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, a favorite charity of Emily Tremaine...." (Excerpt from above.)


ADC: It is important to note here that in Emily’s 1987 will, she states she owns half of the art collection. As understood, this means half of every artwork, which created understandable challenges when dividing the estates of Emily and Burton. Referring to Emily Hall Tremaine’s public probate file and will held in Madison, CT, by the time of this second auction, with approval by a judge, works were organized into groups. Also, the bulk of Emily’s personal assets went to her named foundation. Also note that the foundation remit at that time, as stated by Atkinson, "likely", should be confirmed. It is not clear where he got this. (16 October 2021.)


1991 - feature article - second Tremaine auction

Tully, Judd. (3 November 1991). Acid test for art’s autumnal auctions; will prices stay low despite high quality? [Article mainly focuses on the second auction of selected works from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine art collection.] Washington Post, p. G01. (Viewed 2 November 2021. Q00670).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - feature article - second Tremaine auction

Watson, Peter. (3 November 1991). Fare from the modern crowd [about the second auction at Christie’s of selected works from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine art collection]. The Observer (London, UK), p. 43. (Viewed 2 November 2021. Q00669).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Muchnic, Susanne (Los Angeles Times). (4 November 1991). Art auctions have no recession but this year’s prices are pedestrian [with mention: "... Despite the cautious mood, 33 pieces from the renowned Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection offer potential excitement at Christie’s ... "]. Toronto Star, p. D2. (Viewed 21 November 2021. Q00918).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Associated Press. (5 November 1991). Anxious art world hoping fall sales end market slump [with mention of Christie’s auction of selected works from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine Collection, with mention of first auction in 1988]. Ellwood City Ledger (Ellwood City, Pennsylvania), p. 5. (Viewed 27 September 2021. Q00241).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Associated Press (New York). (5 November 1991). Art world hoping for a new picture [with article mainly concerning second auction at Christie’s of selected works from the collection of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. Rockland Journal-News (Rockland County, New York), p. B4. (Viewed 3 November 2021. Q00675).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Associated Press (New York). (5 November 1991). Art auctions hope for end to slump [with mention of selected works from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection to be sold at Christie’s]. Globe & Mail (Toronto, Canada), p. C2. (Viewed 30 December 2021. Q00919).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Associated Press (New York). (5 November 1991). Auctioneers to test art market [with mention of second auction of selected works from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection]. The Ottawa Citizen (Ottawa, Canada), p. D15. (Viewed 3 November 2021. Q00674).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Associated Press (New York). (5 November 1991). Cloudy picture; art market nervous about recession as big fall auctions open [with mention of selected works from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection to be sold at Christie’s New York]. Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL), p. 3D. (Viewed 7 November 2021. Q00677).

"... Christie’s sales will be anchored by 49 pieces from the Tremaine collection of 20th century art— generally held to be one of the finest ever assembled..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Cox, Dan. (5 November 1991). Auction rooms bid for a better season [with article mainly concerning second auction at Christie’s of selected works from the collection of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. Newsday (Long Island area, New York), pp. 47, 50. (Viewed 3 November 2021. Q00673).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Crocker, Catherine (Associated Press - New York). (5 November 1991). Anxious art world looks to fall sales [with mention of the Christie’s auction of selected works from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine art collection]. Burlington Free Press (Burlington, Vermont), p. 6D. (Viewed 2 November 2021. Q00671).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Crocker, Catherine (Associated Press - New York). (5 November 1991). Art auctions open today in a bid for scarce dollars [with mention of auction of selected works from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine Collection]. San Bernardino Sun (San Bernardino, California), section D, presumably p. 35. (Viewed 27 September 2021. Q00242).

  • See worldcat.org for locations.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Crocker, Catherine (Associated Press - New York). (5 November 1991). Art world hangs hope on auctions [with mention of second auction at Christie’s of selected works from the collection of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Florida), p. 2E. (Viewed 3 November 2021. Q00676).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Associated Press (New York). (6 November 1991). Apprehensive art world waits for gavel to fall on possible sales of $250 million [with mention of selected works from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection to be sold at Christie’s]. Vancouver Sun (Vancouver, Canada). (Viewed 7 November 2021. Q00679).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Crocker, Catherine (Associated Press - New York). (6 November 1991). Art world trying to pull out of slump [with mention of selected works from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection to be sold at Christie’s]. Central New Jersey Home News (New Brunswick, NJ), p. F8. (Viewed 7 November 2021. Q00678).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.



1991 - spotlighted wire service article - second Tremaine auction

Kennedy, Dana (New York). (6 November 1991). Fall art auctions kick off with Modern art from Tremaine Collection. Associated Press wire. (Viewed 12 September 2021. Q00341).

"... Part of the [Burton and Emily Hall] Tremaine collection was put on the auction block Tuesday night; the rest will be auctioned during the next two weeks during the big fall art auctions... " (Excerpt from above.)




1991 - article mention - Leger work sells for $7.7m

Associated Press (New York). (6 November 1991). Cubist work sells for $7.7 million [referring to Leger’s "The Breakfast"; with mention of this work and other selected works in the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine being sold at auction]. The Index-Journal (Greenwood, South Carolina), p. 14. (Viewed 28 September 2021. Q00243).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - feature article - second Tremaine auction

Associated Press (New York). (6 November 1991). Leger work brings $7.7-million [with article mainly concerning second auction at Christie’s of selected works from the collection of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. The Globe & Mail (Toronto, Canada), p. C3. (Viewed 30 December 2021. Q00921).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - feature article - second Tremaine auction

Associated Press (New York). (6 November 1991). Painting by Leger goes cheap— $7.7 million [with article mainly concerning second auction at Christie’s of selected works from the collection of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. The Courier-News (Somerville, New Jersey), p. A-2. (Viewed 30 December 2021. Q00920).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Peers, Alexandra. (6 November 1991). Christie’s auction paints art market as very still life (with mention of selected works in the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection sold at Christie’s, and Leger’s Le petit dejeuner sold for [over] $7 million). Wall Street Journal, p. A8. (Viewed 7 November 2021. Q00680).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Tully, Judd. (New York, Nov. 5.) (6 November 1991). Ups and downs in first fall test of art market [with large focus on selected works in the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine art collection at auction at Christie’s New York]. Washington Post, p. B1. (Viewed 8 November 2021. Q00681).

"... The two artists’ records set tonight were for the Delaunay and the Gris, both from the Tremaine collection ..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Associated Press (New York). (7 November 1991). Sale of Impressionist, modern art makes solid showing at Sotheby’s [with mention of second auction of selected works from the collection of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine at Christie’s]. Rockland Journal-News (Rockland, New York), p. E7. (Viewed 11 January 2022. Q00261).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - news brief mention - second Tremaine auction

Kennedy, Dana (Associated Press). (7 November 1991). Fernand Leger work fetches $7.7 million at art auction [with mention of second auction at Christie’s of selected works from the collection of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. Central New Jersey Home News (New Brunswick, New Jersey), p. D6. (Viewed 30 December 2021. Q00926).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - feature article - second Tremaine auction

Muchnic, Suzanne. (7 November 1991). Fall auction season opens with a whimper [with mention of second auction at Christie’s of selected works from the collection of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. Los Angeles Times, pp. F1, F5. (Viewing 11 January 2022. Q00924).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - news brief mention - second Tremaine auction

(New York). (7 November 1991). Fall art auction begin [with article mainly concerning second auction at Christie’s of selected works from the collection of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. Asbury Park Press (New Jersey), p. E8, col. 1. (Viewed 30 December 2021. Q00925).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Peers, Alexandra (New York). (7 November 1991). Bargain hunting is leading trend at art auctions (with mention of Leger’s Le petit dejeuner sold for USD$7.7 million at Christie’s, from the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection). Wall Street Journal, p. A4. (Viewed 21 September 2023. Q01148).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Peers, Alexandra. (7 November 1991). Disappointing auction at Christie’s paints gloomy picture of art market (with mention of selected works in the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection sold at Christie’s, and Leger’s Le petit dejeuner sold for [over] $7 million). Asian Wall Street Journal, p. 24. (Viewed 8 November 2021. Q00682).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Vogel, Carol. (7 November 1991). Wary bidding at auctions reflects a weak art market [with extended mention of selected works in the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine collection sold at auction at Christie’s New York]. New York Times, pp. C19, C22. (Viewed 8 November 2021. Q00683).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - article mention - second Tremaine auction

Associated Press (New York). (8 November 1991). Impressionist, modern art on the block at Sotheby’s [with mention of selected works in the Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine being sold at auction]. The Index-Journal (Greenwood, South Carolina), p. 8.C. (Viewed 7 October 2021. Q00244).

"... At a Christie’s sale Tuesday night, the results were mixed. The modern works from the collection of Emily [Hall Tremaine] and Burton Tremaine did well, while the rest of the sale was sluggish... " (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - advertisment - second wave, second Tremaine auction, additional works

Christie’s New York. (10 November 1991). Advertisement: "... On view today, Contemporary Art including Selections from The [Burton and Emily Hall] Tremaine Collection; Auction: Tuesday, November 12 at 7 p. m." New York Times, p. H35. (Viewed 21 September 2023. Q01150).

  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - news brief mention - second wave, second Tremaine auction

(Presumably unknown wire service). (10 November 1991). Art auction sends favorable signals [with mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine and auction at Christie’s earlier in the week]. The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), p. F1. (Viewed 21 September 2023. Q01149).

  • See worldcat.org for locations, or contact area public library.

1991 - news brief mention - second wave, second Tremaine auction, additional works

(Presumably unknown wire service). (13 November 1991). Bargain price [with mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. Logansport Pharos-Tribune (Logansport, Indiana), p. 1. (Viewed 7 October 2021. Q00245).

"... Jasper Johns’ ’Device Circle,’ a painting marked by an explosion of primary colors, sold for $4.4 million Tuesday night at Christie’s in New York. The collage was acquired by the late Burton and Emily Tremaine in 1959, the year it was created, and was expected to sell for between $5 million and $7 million ..." (Excerpt from above.)


  • See worldcat.org for possible locations, or contact area public library.

1995 - test preparation book mention, photo

Sia, Archibald et al. (1995). MSAT (Multiple Subject Assessment for Teachers) [with photo of Jasper Johns’s Three flags and mention of Jasper Johns], pp. 362 (photo of artwork). [Presumably, this was arranged long-term pre-1980, when artwork was sold, as photo credit is to "Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Burton Tremaine, Meriden, CT."] Research & Education Association: Piscataway, NJ. (Viewed 2 September 2021. Q00229).





2000s text mentions

See the texts


2001 - book mention, photo

(2001). The best test preparation for the NYSTCE (New York State Teacher Certification Examinations) [with photo of Jasper Johns’s Three flags and mention of Jasper Johns], pp. 325-26 (photo of artwork). [Presumably, this was arranged long-term pre-1980, when artwork was sold, as photo credit is to "Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Burton Tremaine, Meriden, CT."] Research & Education Association: Piscataway, NJ. (Viewed 1 September 2021. K01001-04).

2005 - test preparation book mention, photo

DenBeste, Michelle et al. (2005). The best teachers’ test preparation for the CSET multiple subjects (California Subject Examination for Teachers) [with photo of Jasper Johns’s Three flags and mention of Jasper Johns], [pp. 367-368 (with photo of artwork)]. [Presumably, this was arranged long-term pre-1980, when artwork was sold, as photo credit is to "Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Burton Tremaine, Meriden, CT."] Research & Education Association: Piscataway, NJ. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00993-96).

2008 - test preparation book mention, photo

Charney, Jean O. et al. (2008). The best teachers’ test preparation for the CSET multiple subjects plus writing skills (California Subject Examination for Teachers) [with photo of Jasper Johns’s Three flags and mention of Jasper Johns], 2nd ed., [pp. 367-68 (photo of artwork)]. [Presumably, this was arranged long-term pre-1980, when artwork was sold, as photo credit is to "Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Burton Tremaine, Meriden, CT."] Research & Education Association: Piscataway, NJ. (Viewed 2 September 2021. K00997-1000).




2010s text mentions

See the texts


2017 - feature article - Emily and Painting toward architecture

Preece, Robert. (July / August 2017). Rethinking "Painting toward architecture" (1947-52). Sculpture magazine, pp. 18-21. (Viewed 28 August 2021. K01311).

"Emily Hall Tremaine and her husband, Burton, the CEO and owner of the Miller Company in Meriden, Connecticut, are mostly remembered as collectors of cutting-edge 1960s art and for the prices commanded when some of their works were sold at auction in 1988 and 1991. But [in c. 1945-55], Mrs. Tremaine was the art director of the company, and she organized a traveling exhibition, “Painting Toward Architecture”, for the developing Miller Company Collection of Abstract Art. The show, which featured some of the biggest names in modern art and architecture, was seen in [28(+) venues] across the U.S. between 1947 and 1952. Combining experimental art and design crossovers, it also achieved a very sophisticated fusion of art, design, and publicity. The show and related initiatives were dynamic, pioneering, and entrepreneurial..." (Excerpt from above.)


2017 - article mention

Preece, R. J. (31 December 2017). Frank Lloyd Wright. Project for Meteor Crater & Painting toward architecture [with extensive mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. artdesigncafe.com. (Viewed 3 October 2021).

2017 - article mention

Preece, R. J. (31 December 2017). Oscar Niemeyer / Roberto Burle Marx. Tremaine House & Painting toward architecture [with extensive mention of Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine]. artdesigncafe.com. (Viewed 3 October 2021).




2020s text mentions

See the texts


2020 - article mention

Adam, Georgina. (7 February 2020). Call me Aggie: The legendary collector making a difference [feature on Agnes Gund with mention of Emily Hall Tremaine]. Financial Times. (Viewed 29 August 2021. K01184).

"... In 1967, aged 29, [Agnes Gund] joined the International Council of MoMA in New York, with the encouragement of art collectors including Emily Tremaine, Ginny Wright and Katherine White.

Gund first saw the work of Mark Rothko on Tremaine’s walls, and bought a key piece from the artist’s studio..."... (Excerpt from above.)


2021 - article mention

Sheets, Hilarie M. (24 March 2021). Agnes Gund, patron and advocate for underknown artists: "We’ve caught up with Aggie to some degree" [with mention of Emily Hall Tremaine as early mentor]. ARTnews. (Viewed 12 September 2021. Q00339).

"... Through the collector Emily Hall Tremaine, Gund’s early mentor in the museum world, she had the opportunity to buy all of Ben Heller’s phenomenal Abstract Expressionist collection..." (Excerpt from above.)


2021 - feature article

Preece, R. J. (2 August 2021). Meet the other lady behind the diptych; The depiction of the Marilyn Diptych as autobiographical for Emily Hall Tremaine. [On webpage: Andy Warhol (with EHT). Marilyn diptych, (1962): exhibitions and publications.] artdesigncafe.com. (Viewed 1 October 2021).

" ... As is widely noted, Emily Hall Tremaine (1908-87) is credited with suggesting that Andy Warhol put the two panels together to create a diptych, to which he agreed. A little known story however is that this work, depicting celebrity and media coverage, multiplication, over-exposure and tragedy, is autobiographical for Emily in the 1930s leading up to World War II..." (Excerpt from above.)


2021 - article context (clarification) - Three flags in forthcoming Johns retrospective (NY / PHL)

Mooallem, Stephen. (13 September 2021). The meaning of Jasper Johns; For decades, people have tried to get inside the mind of one of America’s most visionary, enigmatic artists. Now, they finally get their chance [with mention of Johns’s Three flags and forthcoming retrospective]. Harper’s Bazaar magazine. (Viewed 15 September 2021. Q00375).

" ... While Johns’s popularity has waxed and waned, the market for his work has not. In 1980, the Whitney purchased Johns’s Three Flags for $1 million [from Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine], then a record price for the work of a living artist.... In 1988... [White flag (1958)] was auctioned [by Burton Tremaine after Emily’s death] ... which went for $7 million..." (Excerpt from above.)


2021 - feature article

Preece, R. J. (14 September 2021). Meet the lady behind Jasper Johns’s Three flags; Emily Hall Tremaine, the American flag and "one million dollars" X 2. [On webpage: Jasper Johns. Three flags, (1958): exhibitions and publications.] artdesigncafe.com. (Viewed 1 October 2021.)

"... The sale price of "one million dollars" [by Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine to the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York] was certainly primed for wire service report headlines in 1980 for maximum and deep national media penetration, was clearly recognized as such, and reappeared from Emily’s media data bank from 40 years earlier..." (Excerpt from above.)


2021 - feature article

Preece, R. J. (16 September 2021). Meet the 1930s art lady predecessor that dove into shocking disclosure; Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe Diptych collaborator, Emily Hall Tremaine, as largely unknown predecessor of Tracey Emin’s art, artist and media approach. [On webpage: Tracey Emin. My bed, (1998): exhibitions and publications.] artdesigncafe.com. (Viewed 2 October 2021).

2021 - feature article

Preece, R. J. (16 September 2021). Meet the lady wearing millions in diamonds back in 1940; Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe Diptych collaborator, Emily Hall Tremaine, as publicity predecessor of Damien Hirst’s diamond skull. [On webpage: Damien Hirst. For the love of God, (2007): exhibitions and publications.] artdesigncafe.com. (Viewed 2 October 2021).

2021 - article

Preece, R. J. (16 September 2021). The town art lady, Warhol Marilyn diptych collaborator, Emily Hall Tremaine, teaches a thing or two about Sensation: diamonds, disclosure, danger— "sensational allegations" and publicity (1935-41) sensation. [On webpage: Sensation at the Royal Academy of Arts, London (1997): press releases, varied publications and mentions.] artdesigncafe.com. (Viewed 2 October 2021).

2021 - feature article

Preece, R. J. (19 September 2021). Meet the other lady behind Warhol’s "A boy for Meg". [On webpage: Andy Warhol. A boy for Meg (1962): exhibitions and publications.] artdesigncafe.com. (Viewed 1 October 2021).

"... Emily Hall Tremaine bought this artwork out of Warhol’s studio in 1962. Little-known is that she was a titled social-celebrity herself often in the media in the 1930s, but then dropped out. Did Emily see herself in the painting? ..." (Excerpt from above.)


2021 - feature article

Preece, R. J. (20 September 2021). Meet the "mother" of Mondrian’s Victory boogie Woogie. [On webpage: Piet Mondrian. Victory Boogie Woogie, (1942-44): exhibitions and publications.] artdesigncafe.com. (Viewed 1 October 2021).

"Was the meeting and acquisition of VBW by Emily Hall Spreckels (later Tremaine) a spiritual, contemporary art "awakening"? Given her life and pursuits before and after, it certainly looks that way..." (Excerpt from above.)



H. Regarding the Emily Hall Tremaine papers at the Smithsonian

The initial, proposed, no. 1 external action by artdesigncafe for the legacy of Emily’s work was the digitization of the Emily Hall Tremaine papers at the Smithsonian, donated in 2005. In this way, researchers would have timely, cost-effective access to the important, surviving documentation that Emily kept regarding hundreds of artworks, particularly regarding purchases and extensive lending for exhibitions and facilitating artwork inclusion in numerous and varied publications. The papers went online in c. January 2020 for the public.


Read more, see resources


However, upon review, it became clear that the organization of the papers faced several key challenges and a far more thorough finding aid was needed for far more effective, timely dissemination of important information. So, progress is halfway there. In the meantime, researchers are welcome to contact artdesigncafe for advice on where to find specific documentation. Please note, at this juncture, it can take considerable time, but surprising research jewels are in there. Also note, at times documentation was added to the papers after 1987 when Emily died and at times may require additional confirmation.


H.1: Emily Hall Tremaine papers, 1890-2000, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

H.2: Emily Hall Tremaine Papers at the Smithsonian, reproduction permissions section: Shortlisted guide to artworks. (In development; this guide will save some researchers significant time.)



Emily Hall Tremaine

Cropped view of page in Emily Hall Tremaine’s 1930s scrapbook showing multiple media coverage on her and her work at Aperitif magazine. In August 1935, about the age of 27, Emily (von Romberg, previously) was threatened with a defamation claim; in response she staged—or agreed to— a photo-op, in which she scratched out the complaintant’s name and photo on remaining magazine copies. This was then reported by multiple media outlets. (Note the white slips; she appears to have hired a clipping agency to gather her press coverage.) Was Emily’s work a little-known predecessor to Andy’s Warhol’s interest in multiple media coverage? How familiar was Warhol with news photos and reports about Emily c. 1940 in the Pittsburgh newspapers— and others— via wire services? What did Warhol know about Emily when he met her— and knew her?


I. Mystery, danger & misunderstandings: Emily Hall Tremaine in the 1930s

artdesigncafe.com maintains a growing offline archive of materials, over 4000 sources to date, related to the work and life of Emily Hall von Romberg - Spreckels (then Tremaine) prior to 1945, based in Southern California. Please note there are many factual errors in her history, absence of important contexts, and a number of misunderstandings as shown in the accumulated documentation.


Read more, see resources


Two books in 2001 & 2019 showed sensation finds and raised legitimate questions about Emily’s stance in the Nazi / anti-Nazi battle in California, 1935-40. First she publicly looks anti-Nazi, then less so with questions, then fiercely anti-Nazi publicly again. What happened? Was she threatened by Germany? See the 2019+ research project looking into this with newly found sources showing her defense.

In 1940, Emily Hall Spreckels (later Tremaine) filed for divorce and courageously stood up and publicly blasted her second husband after a turbulent year-long marriage: "no" to his alleged, extreme spousal violence and "no" to his support for Nazi Germany. Three months after she filed, her husband slammed back with his own pro-Nazi allegations against Emily. As they were two famous socialities, this was reported in almost every media markets across the United States, if not all of them, over five months.


Key sources:

[1] Previously unknown, a number of articles show Emily’s in small group gatherings with the US Pacific navy head of SoCal intelligence, the famous Ellis M. Zacharias, the main recipient of SoCal Nazi intelligence. He was known to send his intelligence on Nazi and Japanese activity to Washington. Emily may have indeed been an informant and occasional spy. Her brother-in-law worked for Zacharias as his second-in-command. This is currently being more closely examined via declassified intelligence. (Found March 2023.)

[2] There are numerous news reports on the case in historical newspaper databases in libraries. As with any historical case, best practice is to pull the court record, as it is often a primary source and contains important information. This was pulled by artdesigncafe in July 2021. Inside was a once-thought secret deposition and details regarding Emily’s defense, which presumably Emily put there in consultation with her lawyer.

See the court record with Emily’s deposition. (Emily is finally enabled to speak for herself on these matters!)

[3] See: Associated Press (Santa Barbara, Feb. 15). (16 February 1941). Spreckels’ charge wife is pro-Nazi stricken out. San Francisco Examiner, p. Section I, p. B. (Found August 2023.)

"Adolph Spreckels’ charge that his wife, Emily von Romberg Spreckels, was pro-Nazi was stricken from his answer to her divorce complaint by Superior Judge Ernest D. Wagner today." (Excerpt from above.)

[4] Looking at complicated history in a climate of danger and threats means that not everyone is able to speak directly. Some people, in fact, feel that way regarding certain topics today. This can also affect news coverage.

Reviewing 1935-39 newspapers in America, one quickly sees (a) threats of forced repatriation for German passport holders (like Max and Emily); (b) threats of asset seizure; (c) threats to family and friends in Germany; (d) those taking US citizenship considered to be "traitors"; (e) "traitors" against Nazi Germany beheaded in the country, etc.

In short, this is just the start of a complicated history during a complicated time.

Also refer to the following:

I.1: Essay: Emily Hall Tremaine’s 1930: In danger, madness, decadence and publicity. (The essay is very detailed.)

I.2: Research project: Historians v. Emily Spreckels (later Tremaine) & her associates, including Philip Johnson: Were they Nazi sympathizers, or anti-Nazi, and spies? (scheduled 2026; fyi, at this juncture, Emily looks like an occasional anti-Nazi and informant / spy to US military intelligence prior to 1945; Max appears to likely be threatened by Nazi agents from Germany in 1936+; Philip and Elza appear anti-Nazi, and Spreckels and Johnson admitted some level of support.).

I.3: Apéritif magazine (1934-36) - issues, contents, media coverage & shocking context.

I.4: New discoveries: Emily Spreckels, Adolph B. Spreckels, Jr., Brünninghausen and more.

I.5: New discoveries: Emily von Romberg, Max von Romberg, Brünninghausen and more.

I.6: Rachel Maddow’s "Ultra" (2022) & Emily Spreckels (later Tremaine).

I.7: "Hitler in Los Angeles: How Jews foiled Nazi plots against Hollywood and America" (2017) & Emily Spreckels (later Tremaine).


Additionally, the following mentions / contexts may be of interest:

I.8: Essay: "The depiction of Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych as autobiographical for Emily Hall Tremaine". (Scroll down to the essay. It is very detailed.)

I.9. Slingshot to contemporary #1: Emily to Sensation (1997): The show that got people talking. (Scroll down to the essay.)

I.10. Slingshot to contemporary #2: Emily to Damien Hirst’s diamond skull (2007). (Scroll down to the essay.)

I.11. Slingshot to contemporary #3: Emily to Tracey Emin’s art, artist and media coverage (Focus on My bed). (Scroll down to the essay.)

For more information, please contact artdesigncafe.com.


emily hall tremaine

New archival research has found that Emily Spreckels (later Tremaine) was in close contact with Ellis M. Zacharias (right), head of Pacific US Naval Intelligence regarding Nazi & Japanese threats to California and the US around 1940-41. Zacharias sent his intelligence to FBI director J. Edgar Hoover in Washington, DC (center).



Emily Hall Tremaine

Emily Spreckels (later Tremaine) in Town & Country (March 1941), p. 18.


J. Emily and fashion design over the years

Another area under historical dust concerns Emily’s interest in fashion design over six decades. Numerous designs were donated to the Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT, but it is understood that most of the designs have yet to be fully processed. Additional donated designs have been identified in the collections of the Phoenix Art Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Some of the designs have been featured in fashion exhibitions at museums.


Read more


Emily and fashion over the years is a completely unexplored research area— and another research opportunity. Some designs in museums are listed below in the extensive art and design compilation. (Search "fashion" on the page.) Please note that the very limited number of photos of known designs, and photos of Emily in the fashion press and society news in the 1930s, were informally reviewed by a fashion design historian colleague at artdesigncafe in 2019. The assessment was that the designs were "solid Vogue wear", in other words, designs that would have been seen in Vogue over the years.



K. Developing list of artworks in the former collection and related designs

The number of artworks and designs relating to the former Tremaine Collection and Miller Company Collection of Abstract Art is extensive. In total, the number of works of art was over 700, including those related to the Tremaines in some way, and the number of designs has not yet been determined. By c. 2019, artdesigncafe created a working list of the Tremaine work; a definitive list is still in development.)


"Throughout history the same historical circumstances that have produced great artists have also produced great patrons and collectors, and the Tremaine Collection— taken as a whole— can in itself be seen as an artistic creation of the first magnitude." [Gregory Hedberg in "The history of the Tremaine Collection", p. 23. In The Tremaine Collection: 20th century masters: The spirit of Modernism (1984). Catalogue accompanying the exhibition.]


Spotlighted artists’ and designers’ work with Tremaine contexts:

K.1. Theo van Doesburg. Space-time construction #3, (1923).

K.2. Jasper Johns. Three flags, (1958).

K.3. Piet Mondrian. Victory Boogie Woogie (1942-44).

K.4. Oscar Niemeyer. Beach House for Mr. and Mrs. Burton Tremaine, project, Carpinteria, California (maquette, drawings, and collage with Burle Marx), (1947-48). (Unbuilt).

K.5. Andy Warhol. A boy for Meg, (1962).

K.6. Andy Warhol (with EHT). Marilyn Monroe diptych, (1962).

K.7. Frank Lloyd Wright. Architectural design (drawings) for Meteor Crater, AZ (1947-49; unbuilt).


UPDATE, July 2022: The full, precise list of artworks and associated designs (product design, architecture, interior design and fashion design) is certainly not yet known, and with current projection, this mystery may continue for decades.

A handful of further spotlighted works are below.

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However there are the following (in-process) lists that contribute to a definitive list: (a) Emily’s list of artworks in her "black book" in her Smithsonian papers, (c. 1980), noting that this is a c. 1980 snapshot of the collection roughly at / after that time; (b) works listed and mentioned in the Tremaine Collection catalogue (1984), noting there are errors with occasional works listed that are recorded as not received by at least two collections. So, anything should be confirmed. (Emily’s health may have deteriorated into the 1980s); (c) works at times were traded for others and that scope not fully known, especially before 1980; (d) one artwork shown in a Wadsworth Atheneum installation of Painting toward architecture is unidentified. It looks like maybe a (third) Van Doesburg, but unable to confirm; (e) the full range of artworks that Emily owned prior to 1945 are not fully known; (f) a copy of a working list in an Excel sheet was developed and done, and a reference copy donated to Emily’s foundation c. 2019 with a number of works indicated as unconfirmed or problematic in some way.

Further, it is essential to note that all listed titles, precise sizes of artworks, and materials, should be confirmed with current standards.

The most comprehensive, in-process list is held offline at artdesigncafe.com. Contact ADC for further more information.