Collection Summary

Organization of the Collection

Index Terms

Personal Papers. – 1889, 1904-1987. – 69 cm of textual records and other material.

Galerie Stern Files. – 1917-1937. – 34 cm of textual records, 118 b&w photographs, and 23 items of graphic material.

Correspondence. – 1864-1986, predominant 1916-1981. – 65 cm of textual records.

Travel Files. – 1948-1988. – 85 cm of textual records.

Art Collection Files. – 1948-1988. – 63 cm of textual records and 1,459 photographs : multiple processes.

Clipping Files. – 1946, 1951-1987. – 9 cm of textual records.

Diaries, Daily Calendars, and Address Books. – 1938-1949, 1969-1975, 1987. – 44 cm of textual records.

Art Reproductions. – [ca. 1940-ca. 1980]. – 407 items of graphic material.

Sound and Video Recordings. – 1973-1985. – 30 sound recordings (ca. 21 hr. 51 min.) and 3 video recordings (ca. 1 hr. 57 min.).

Sound and Video Recordings.

Max Stern autobiography, no. 2. – ca. 1982. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 60 min.).
Stern discusses his dissertation research, his subsequent oral examinations at the University of Bonn, the time he spent in Paris after completing his Ph.D., and an exhibition he organized at the Galerie Stern featuring works by Carl Spitzweg.

Max Stern autobiography, no. 3. – ca. 1982. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 60 min.).
Stern talks about the Galerie Stern in Düsseldorf, the founding of West's Galleries in London, his internment in England and Canada, and his first years in Montreal.

Max Stern autobiography, no. 4. – ca. 1982. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 60 min.).
Stern recalls his first years in Montreal, mentioning his initial visit to the Art Association of Montreal, early exhibitions at the Dominion Gallery of Fine Art (including an exhibition of works by Goodridge Roberts held in March 1943), early clients of the gallery, and the sale of the H.S. Southam and Robert Schon collections of European art during the early 1940s.

Max Stern autobiography, no. 5. – ca. 1982. – 1 audio microcassette (ca. 88 min. 30 sec.).
Stern speaks briefly about his life in Germany and his subsequent immigration to England in early 1938 and Canada in 1940. In discussing his early years in Montreal, Stern refers to the first exhibitions at the Dominion Gallery, his trips to western Canada in 1944 and 1951, and his association with artists such as Goodridge Roberts, Emily Carr, E.J. Hughes, and Jean Dallaire.

Max Stern autobiography, no. 6. – February 1983. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 25 min.).
Stern discusses his partnership arrangement with Rose Millman at the Dominion Gallery beginning in 1944 and his eventual purchase of the gallery in January 1947. Stern also mentions his association with Goodridge Roberts, his support of various other Canadian artists, and his interest in sculpture in the mid 1950s. Side B is blank.

Max Stern autobiography, no. 7. – ca. 1983. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 25 min.).
Stern talks about his growing interest in international sculpture during the mid 1950s, his final months in Germany in 1937, and his search after the war for paintings confiscated by the National Socialist government. Sculptors discussed in the first portion of the tape include Henry Moore, Mirko, Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi, and Mario Negri. Side B is blank.

Max Stern autobiography, no. 8. – ca. 1985. – 1 audio microcassette (ca. 58 min.).
Stern recalls his life in Germany, including his studies at various universities, his move to Canada in 1940, and his early years at the Dominion Gallery, including his association with Emily Carr. Side B consists of Stern reading from the notes he reads on Side A.
In French.

Exhibition at the Galerie Tamenaga, Tokyo and investing in art. – 28 February 1973. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 55 min.).
Stern speaks about art works from his personal collection on loan to the Galerie Tamenaga in Tokyo. Artists mentioned include Henri Fantin-Latour, Ossip Zadkine, Auguste Rodin, Pericle Fazzini, Emilio Greco, Giacomo Manzù, Marino Marini, Luciano Minguzzi, and Mario Negri. On Side B Stern discusses various aspects of investing in art.
Sound quality on Side B diminishes as the tape progesses. Stern's voice becomes inaudible within approximately 20 minutes.

Dominion Gallery lecture and tour. – 2 November 1976. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 70 min.).
Stern addresses an audience gathered at the Dominion Gallery about his life as an art dealer in Germany and Canada. The talk is followed by a tour of the Dominion Gallery, with Stern commenting on works by John Lyman, Aristide Maillol, Auguste Rodin, Jean Dallaire, E.J. Hughes, Emily Carr, and others.

Dominion Gallery lecture and CBC Nightcap episode with Dal Corran. – 9 November 1976-ca. 1978. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 88 min.).
Stern speaks to an audience at the Dominion Gallery about Georges Mathieu, abstract art, the pitfalls of buying prints as an investment, art forgery, art theft, and investing in art. On the topic of art theft, Stern refers to six Dominion Gallery sculptures stolen from the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. Prior to the completion of Stern's talk, the tape switches to a CBC Nightcap episode on the subject of art forgery.

Instructions to Dominion Gallery staff, discussion of Emily Carr, discussion of "schlock" art, and telephone conversations. – ca. November 1976-ca. January 1979. – 2 audio cassettes (ca. 109 min.).
Side A consists of Stern dictating instructions to Dominion Gallery staff (14 min.) and an interview with Stern on Emily Carr (ca. 35 min.). In the Carr interview, Stern recalls meeting the artist in 1944 and also talks about organizing an exhibition of her work later the same year. Stern concludes his discussion of Carr by pointing out the similarity of the artist's painting to the work of Ferdinand Hodler, Lovis Corinth, and Edvard Munch. Side B consists of a segment from an unidentified CBC program on "schlock" art (ca. 4 min.), followed by telephone conversations between Stern and Dominion Gallery staff. The last segment consists mostly of reports from staff regarding sales and client inquiries.

Max Stern interviewed by Dal Corran, CBC, no. 1. – 1 May 1978. – 2 audio reels (ca. 60 min.).
Stern speaks about his life as an art dealer, touching upon his years in Germany, London, and Montreal. Stern also comments on investing in art.

Max Stern interviewed by Dal Corran, CBC, no. 2. – 8 May 1978. – 2 audio reels (ca. 60 min.).
Stern speaks about the role Iris Stern played in the development of the Dominion Gallery and also discusses his parents' interest in art.

CBC Nightcap with Dal Corran ("Larceny and Old Masters"). – ca. 1978. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 20 min.).
An episode from CBC Nightcap that treats the issue of art forgery, including the career of the Jan Vermeer forger, Han van Meegeran. Persons interviewed for the program include Max Stern, Lord John Kilbracken (a biographer of van Meegeran), and Nathan Stolow (a special advisor on conservation for the National Museums Board). Side B is blank.

CBC Nightcap with Dal Corran ("Taste and Money in the Canadian Art Market"). – ca. 1978. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 20 min.).
Stern refers his years in Germany, early exhibitions at the Dominion Gallery, and his association with artists such as Goodridge Roberts, Paul-Emile Borduas, and Emily Carr. The interview concludes with Stern discussing various aspects of investing in art.

CBC Nightcap with Dal Corran ("Taste and Money in the Canadian Art Market") and Dominion Gallery tour. – ca. 1978. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 43 min.).
Side A is a copy of the preceding Max Stern interview for the CBC program Nightcap. Side B consists of Stern leading a tour of the Dominion Gallery.
Tape is abruptly cut off.

Max Stern discusses the career of Jean Dallaire. – 1980. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 47 min. 30 sec.).
Stern speaks to an unidentified interviewer about his association with Jean Dallaire, noting that he became Dallaire's agent in the 1950s and organized a solo exhibition of the artist's work in 1954. On Side B Stern continues his discussion of Dallaire and also comments on Jori Smith, Simone Marie Bouchard, and the art market.

Max Stern rehearsing lecture. – ca. 1980. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 29 min.).
Rehearsing for an unidentified lecture, Stern recalls his exposure to art as a child, his studies at universities in Cologne, Berlin, and Vienna, his dissertation on the artist Johann Peter von Langer, his experiences at the Galerie Stern, and his early years in Canada. Following this biographical overview, Stern explains why he believes there are too many artists but too few art historians in Canada. Side B is blank.

Max Stern interviewed by Ninon Gauthier and instructions to Dominion Gallery staff. – 9 December 1982. – 1 audio microcassette (ca. 34 min.).
Stern speaks to Ninon Gauthier about the peculiarities of the art market and offers advice for the art collector. Also discussed in the difference between the art markets of Canada and the United States and Stern's interest in the work of Henry Moore. Side B consists of Stern dictating notes to himself and to Dominion Gallery staff.

Investing in art interview. – ca. 1982. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 60 min.).
Stern speaks to an unidentified student about the art market and investing in art. Subjects touched upon include the importance of buying art as a long-range investment, the necessity of seeking the advice of experts when buying art, pitfalls to avoid when buying prints, and the importance of buying art works by artists recognized as innovators. Artists mentioned in the course of the interview include Lyonel Feininger, Wassily Kandinsky, and Cornelius Krieghoff.

Max Stern eightieth birthday list. – 1984. – 1 audio microcassette (ca. 18 min. 30 sec.).
Stern identifies the individuals to be invited to his eightieth birthday party, adding brief remarks on most of the thirty-nine persons mentioned. Side B is blank.

Max Stern eightieth birthday speech and Henry Moore. – 1984. – 1 audio cassette (21 min. 30 sec.).
Stern rehearses his eightieth birthday speech, in which he acknowledges important individuals in his life, including Tancred Borenius, William Birks, Maurice Gagnon, Père Couturier, and others (11 min. 30 sec.). On Side B Stern reminisces about his association with Henry Moore (10 min.).

Max Stern rehearsing E.J. Hughes lecture. – 1984. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 14 min.).
Stern rehearses a lecture for the opening of an E.J. Hughes retrospective exhibition at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, New Brunswick (23 November 1984). Side B is blank.

Max Stern interviewed by Lynn Henderson. CBC, Saturday Spotlight. – 5 January 1985. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 53 min.).
Stern discusses his life in Germany, his early years at the Dominion Gallery in Montreal, his association with Emily Carr, and investing in art.

Max Stern and Ann Garrould interview. – October 1985. – 1 audio cassette (ca. 17 min.).
Recorded on the occasion of a Henry Moore retrospective exhibition at the Dominion Gallery, Stern discusses his interest in sculpture and his long standing association with Henry Moore. Following the interview with Stern, Ann Garrould, Henry Moore's niece, comments on Moore's life and art. Remainder of Side A and all of Side B are inaudible.

Max Stern interviewed by Normand Biron. – 1986. – 2 audio microcassettes (ca. 34 min.).
Stern recalls his early years in Germany, mentioning his father's gallery in Düsseldorf, the Galerie Stern, his decision to study art history, his subsequent dissertation research on Johann Peter von Langer, and his oral examinations at the University of Bonn. The interview closes with Stern commenting on the rise of National Socialism in Germany.
In French.

Consumerscope with Kathy Keefler. – 1980. – 1 video cassette (ca. 30 min.).
CBC program examines the issue of art as investment and includes interviews with financial journalist Jacques Forget, art critic Catherine Bates, art dealers Bernard Desroches, Walter Klinkhoff, Leon Lippel, Max Stern, and Sam Lallouz, and art collector Bernard Nantel. Comments made by Stern relate to investing in international art.

Today from Quebec with Lynn Allison. – 1980. – 1 video cassette (ca. 57 min. 30 sec.).
CBC program that includes a 10 minute interview with Max Stern on the subject of buying art. Stern recommends buying works by undiscovered artists, by great forgotten artists, and by both international and Canadian artists. Artist mentioned include Anna Noeh, Emily Carr, Eric Goldberg, the Group of Seven, Jean-Paul Riopelle, Marc-Aurèle de Foy Suzor-Côte, Clarence Gagnon, and Jules Herve.
The segment featuring Stern starts approximately 34 minutes into the program.

Steppin' Out with Wayne Grigsby and Katie Malloch. – 25 November 1982. – 1 video cassette (ca. 29 min. 30 sec.).
CBC broadcast that includes an interview with Stern at the opening of a Dominion Gallery exhibition of paintings by Paul Soulikias. Stern explains why he decided to organize the Soulikias exhibition and briefly mentions Emily Carr and Goodridge Roberts. The program also includes a short segment on an A.Y. Jackson exhibition at the Château Ramezay in Montreal.

Series 1 - Personal Papers

Series 2 - Galerie Stern Files

Series 3 - Correspondence

Series 4 - Travel Files

Series 5 - Art Collection Files

Series 6 - Clipping Files

Series 7 - Diaries, Daily Calendars, and Address Books

Series 8 - Art Reproductions

Series - Sound and Video Recordings