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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

modern art, is considering a gift to his collection of works of art including sculpture [[sculpture]] to the Smithsonian Institution. The collection includes outstanding works representative of art over the span of the past century, with particular emphasis on American painters and sculptors. The Secretary recalled that this is the kind of collection contemplated by the 1938 legislation for the National Collection of Fine Arts.

It is reported that Mr. Hirshhorn has been steadily increasing his collection, spending about $1 million annually for the past 4 years. This collection is said to be worth millions, possibly as much as $40 million. An appraisal will be necessary to substantiate the evaluation but it has been said that Hirshhorn's represents the finest art collection in America now in private ownership.

The Hirshhorn gift, if it is consummated, will be one of the three outstanding cultural events in the City of Washington in this Century. The two earlier events are the acquisition of the works of Andrew Mellon which made possible the National Gallery of Art and the gift of the late Charles Lang Freer.

Mr. Hirshhorn has the collection, largely in storage, in New York City and in his residence in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson has become intensely interested in this potential gift and has invited Mr. Hirshhorn to the White House for discussions.

The following letter sets forth Mr. Hirshhorn's formal offer of gift of his entire collection. 

May 17, 1965

President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson
The White House
Washington, D.C. 

Dear President and Mrs. Johnson: