Haskell, Mrs. J. Amory, Middletown, NJ, and New York, NY, 1926–1932

Margaret Riker Haskell, who died in 1942 at the age of 78, was a legendary collector of Americana. Edna Netter first met her while employed in 1924 and 1925 by Louis Richmond, a leading Freehold antiques dealer. The two maintained a close relationship from the time that Netter set up her own business in 1926 until Mrs. Haskell’s death. Haskell became Netter’s principal client, especially for things with Monmouth County and/or New Jersey histories. Many of those objects, manuscripts, and rare books, were subsequently donated by Haskell to the Monmouth County Historical Association. The contents of this folder, and the three that follow, are believed to be the most comprehensive documentation that survives for the collecting life of Mrs. Haskell. Many of the letters exchanged with Netter include personal and family information, as well as dealer/client insight.

Items discussed in this folder include the Robert Rhea wainscot armchair dated 1695; and the monumental desk and bookcase once owned by James Wilson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence from Pennsylvania; both now at the Monmouth County Historical Association.