September 2024 Auction Ends Thursday, September 26th, 5pm Pacific
Large lot of correspondence related to Frank Lloyd Wright's last public project, the Marin County Civic Center, begun in 1957 with groundbreaking taking place in 1960 after Wright's death. Archive consists of approximately 37 pages of letters, telegrams, schedules and memos regarding the project, most from the office of Aaron Green, Wright's representative in San Francisco who ushered the project to completion after Wright's death. Green's architectural firm, Aaron G. Green Associates Inc. still operates in San Francisco.
Several letters from Green exist in the lot, including retained copies sent to Wright which reveal Green's adept hand at diplomacy, giving Wright the information needed to manage a project remotely in such a way that softens any hiccups. Although Wright was perceived as being difficult to work for, he clearly valued his relationship with Green as he gave him a 50-50 split on the Marin County project. In a ''Congratulations'' telegram from Wright dated 11 March 1957 - shortly after Wright was chosen as the architect - he writes to Green, ''Dear Aaron This is where your career really begins. Congratulations / Frank Lloyd Wright''.
In a retained letter to Wright, Green thanks him, ''Your statement that you would wish to have a 50-50 arrangement with me for the job is more than generous and provides me with a deep sense of humility and gratitude for your faith in my efforts. However, the final decision on what this arrangement will be I leave completely in your hands. You have my best efforts as usual, in whatever way you wish to use them...''
Dozens of pages regarding the Marin County Civic Center are included here, such as status on the preliminary drawings, cost and size of the project, the fee that Wright would collect from the County, etc. In one retained letter, Green updates Wright on the project's status, including design elements, and nixes an idea for a saltwater lagoon. He goes into detail about the types of events that could take place at the Center, such as gymnastics, symphonies, vaudeville, etc. A children's playground is mentioned, reading like competition for the recently constructed Disneyland, with areas titled ''Mother Goose Land'', ''Fairy Book Land'' and ''Tom Thumb Land''. In addition to the Civic Center, document discuss other projects including the Claremont Hotel and numerous churches. Documents remain in very good condition.
Lot of Frank Lloyd Wright Correspondence Related to the Marin County Civic Center, Wright's Last Public Project -- ''...This is where your career really begins...''
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