Benjamin K. Smith Papers

As a young man, Benjamin Smith worked for several manufacturers of upholstery, furniture, and undertakers’ supplies in Wisconsin and Illinois. Continuing in sales, he worked for W.K. Cowan and Co., Chicago antique dealers and furniture restorers. Smith left that firm in 1907 to work with several art, fine silver and china dealers. In 1924, he opened his own business, providing appraisal and authentication services to many of Chicago’s society families. The bulk of the collection consists of appraisals and related correspondence, organized by client name. Personal correspondence, memorabilia, and miscellaneous publications complete the collection. View finding aid. Collection access:Collections may be accessed in the Franke Reading Room of the Research Center at The Art Institute of Chicago, by appointment only. For further information, consult the FAQ. Finding aids by subjectBrowse all finding aidsBrowse images and mediaOral histories Contact the Ryerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives:archives@artic.edu