Item 1: Graham Aldis (1895–1966) as a boy. Photographer’s signature illegible. Graham Aldis was a partner in the real estate firm, Aldis and Company, and was on the board of trustees at the University of Chicago.
Item 2: Henry Tureman Allen (1859–1930). "Cordial regards of Henry T. Allen, Com'd'g General A.F. in G, Coblenz 1921." "Henry T. Allen, Commanding General A.F. in G." Photograph by Lindstedt and Zimmermann. Henry T. Allen was a United States Officer known for exploring the Copper River in Alaska in 1885. He graduated from West Point in 1882 and served on the staff of General Nelson Miles. He later served as a military attaché to Russia (1890–1895) and Germany (1897–1898). Allen served in the Spanish-American War and the Battle of El Caney. He was promoted to the rank of major general in 1923 and retired that same year. Following his retirement he resided in Washington DC.
Item 3: Arthur James Balfour (1848–1930). "Ar James Balfour;" "To the kindest of hostesses, with the very best wishes of [illegible text], Washington, Feb. 1922" [on back]. Photograph by Vandyk, London.
Item 4: Samuel Westray Battle (1854–1927). "Dr. Battle" [on back]. Photograph by N. Brock, 1906 [Ignatius (“Nace”) Wadsworth Brock].
Item 5: Tasker Howard Bliss (1853–1930). "To my dear friends Mr. and Mrs. Robt. W. Bliss, this Xmas season, 1918, Tasker H. Bliss." Tasker H. Bliss was the Chief of Staff of the United States Army (1917–1918).
Item 6: Elisa Alvear de Bosch [Mrs. Ernesto Bosch]. Signed by sitter. Photograph by Adolf Eckstein’s Verlag, Berlin-Charlottenburg; Fot: Boissonnas et Coponier Paris.
Item 7: Ernesto Bosch (1863–1951). Signed by sitter. Bosch was an Argentine lawyer and diplomat who served as first President of the Central Bank of Argentina. Through Robert Woods Bliss, Bosch sold his house in Buenos Aires to the United States government to create the U.S. Embassy and Residency. Photograph by A.S. Witcomb, Buenos Aires.
Item 8: Wollmar Boström (1878–1956). "To Robert and Mildred Bliss from their devoted friend, Wollmar Boström." Wollmar Boström was a Swedish diplomat and tennis player. Boström won a bronze medal in the 1908 Summer Olympics in London in the men’s indoor doubles tournament alongside Gunnar Setterwall, and also competed at the 1912 Summer Olympics. He was the Swedish minister in Washington from 1925–1945. Photograph by D'Arlene, New York.
Item 9: Ann Chilton. "Ann Chilton" [on back]. Photograph by Lenare, 28 George Street, Hanover Square, London.
Item 10: John Gardner Coolidge (1863–1936). "Yours sincerely, John Gardner Coolidge." Photograph by J.E. Purdy and Co. Boston. John G. Coolidge was an American diplomat, art collector, and author.
Item 11: Royal Cortissoz (1869–1948). "To Mildred and Robert Bliss, with love from their ever devoted friend, Royal Cortissoz, January, 1940." Photograph of a painting by Louis Betts. Photograph accompanied by a typed-letter signed, January 5th, 1939. Photograph by Juley & Son, New York City. Royal Cortissoz was an American art historian and critic. He served as the art critic for the New York Herald Tribune (1891–1948).
Item 12: Franklin W. M. Cutcheon (1864–1936). “For my dear friend, William H. Bliss, Franklin W.M. Cutcheon.” Franklin W.M. Cutcheon was a member of the New York law firm Byrne, Cutcheon and Taylor. He served as secretary general of the American Red Cross in 1917.
Item 13: De Bory. “Á Mrs. Bliss, avec tout ses hommages respectueux et reconnaisants de son amiable accueil, Washington, 25 Jan., 22.” Photographer’s signature illegible. Photograph taken in Paris. Possibly a photograph of a French naval officer who attended the Washington Naval Conference (1921–1922).
Item 14: Madame de Galarza. "Mme de Galarza" [on back].Photograph by Reutlinger.
Item 15: Victorino de la Plaza (1840–1919). “Al Señor Bliss Con mis sentimentos de estimación, 28-2-912, V. dela Plaza.” Photograph by A.S. Witcomb, Buenos Aires. Victorino de la Plaza was president of Argentina (1914–1916).
Item 16: Gerard De Geer (1858–1943[?]). Signed by sitter. Photograph by Atelier Jaeger, Stockholm. This is most likely a photograph of the famed Swedish geologist known for his discovery of varves.
Item 17: Paul Deschanel (1855–1922). “À Monsieur Robert Woods Bliss, Cordial Souvenir, Paul Deschanel.” Paul Deschanel served as president of France from February 18 to September 21, 1920.
Item 18: Ángel Gallardo (1867–1934). “Á S.E. el Señor Roberto Woods Bliss, Embajador Estraordinario y Plenipotenniario de los Estados Unidos de America, Angel Gallardo.” Photograph by G.L. Manuel Freres, Paris. Ángel Gallardo was a civil engineer and Argentinian politician. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs in Argentina (1922–1928) under Marcelo T. de Alvear. He also held a doctorate in Natural Sciences and was devoted to the study of insects, in particular ants. Gallardo was in charge of the National Council of Education (1916–1921), and was ambassador to Italy in 1921. He chaired the National Academy of Sciences, taught botany and natural history at the National College, and was a professor of zoology at the University of Buenos Aires.
Item 19: Doreen Gibert, “To ‘Marraine’, with affection and thanks, Doreen, 1937.” Photograph by Genia Reinberg Studio, Paris.
Item 20: Doreen Gibert and Jacques Taillepied De Bondy. Inscribed with their names on the back. Wedding photograph accompanied by a letter from Doreen Gibert, dated August 9, 1938.
Item 21: Frederick H. Gillett (1851–1935). “To Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Bliss, from their devoted friend, Fred H. Gillett, Washington 1923.” Photograph by Edmonston, Washington, D.C. Frederick H. Gillett was an American politician who served as United States Senator of Massachusetts (1925–1931) and was the 42nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (1919–1935). Gillett was a graduate of the Harvard Law School.
Item 22: Lucrezia Bori (1887–1960). “To Mildred and Robert whose friendship has always brought me great happiness, April 20, 1959, Lucrezia.” Lucrezia Bori was a Spanish operatic soprano. (This photograph is housed separately: 058: SUA4: Box.52.)
Item 23: Indalecio Gomez (1850–1920). “A Mr. y Mrs. Wood Bliss, recuerdo amistoso, Buenos Aires, Marzo de 1912.” Photograph by Ernst Sandau, Berlin. Indalecio Gomez was an Argentine jurist and politician who became Minister of the Interior under president Roque Sáenz Peña.
Item 24: Joseph Clark Grew (1880–1965). “To Bob and Mildred Bliss, with lifelong affection, from Joseph C. Grew.” Photograph by Yousaf Karsh, Ottawa. Joseph Clark Grew was an American diplomat and Foreign Service Officer.
Item 25: Gustaf V of Sweden, Oscar Gustaf Adolf (1858–1950). “Gustaf R, Stockholm, 1927.” Gustaf V was King of Sweden (1907–1950).
Item 26: Philip Leslie Hale (1865–1931). “To Mr. William H. Bliss, from his friend, Philip Hale.” Philip Hales was an American Impressionist artist, writer and teacher.
Item 27: Frederick A. Holmer. “To Mr. Robert Woods Bliss from his sincere friend, Major Frederick A. Holmes, March 15, 1927.”
Item 28: Esine Howard. Signed by sitter. Photograph of a drawing signed “F.M., 1925.”
Item 29: Charles E. Hughes (1862–1948). “The Honorable Robert Woods Bliss, with friendship and high esteem, Charles E. Hughes, May 23, 1923.” Photograph by Harris and Ewing, Washington, D.C. Charles E. Hughes was an American statesman, lawyer, and Republican politician from New York. Hughes was the Republican candidate in the 1916 U.S. Presidential election, losing narrowly to Woodrow Wilson.
Item 30: James Hazen Hyde (1876–1959) and Martha Leishman (1882–1944). Names inscribed on the back. James Hazen Hyde was the son of Henry Baldwin Hyde, founder of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. James Hyde was part of the first great Wall Street scandal of the twentieth century, which resulted in his loss of the vice-presidency of The Equitable, and his removal to France.
Item 31: Robert Underwood Johnson (1853–1937). “To dear Mr. and Mrs. Bliss, from their affectionate friend, Robert Underwood Johnson.” Photograph by Pirie MacDonald, New York. Robert Underwood Johnson was an author, conservationist, and diplomat. In 1920–1921, he served as Ambassador to Italy and represented the United States at the San Remo Conference. For more than forty years he was associated with The Century Magazine and was the editor (1909–1913).
Item 32: Agustín Pedro Justo (1876–1943). “Al señor Embajador de los Estados Unidos de América y señora de Bliss, con afectuosa simpatía, Agustín P. Justo, 26 Abril, 33.” Photograph by Zuretti-Fiorini, Buenos Aires. Justo was president of Argentina (1932–1938). He was a military officer, diplomat, and politician who served as president during the “Infamous Decade.”
Item 33: Charles L. Kagey (1852–1910). “To my friend, Robert Woods Bliss, with kindest regards, March 26, 1925.” Photograph by Atelier Rembrandt. Charles Kagey was US Ambassador to Finland (1922–1925).
Item 34: Kentaro Kaneko (1853–1942). “To Mr. R.W. Bliss, with the regards of his friend, Kentaro Kaneko, New York, June 3, 1905.” Kaneko was a statesman and diplomat in Meiji period Japan.
Item 35: William John Locke (1863–1930). Inscribed in the photograph of a drawing: “To Mr. Locke, from J.M. Flagg, Nov. 19/01.” Photographic print of an ink drawing. William Locke was a British novelist and playwright. James Montgomery Flagg (1877–1960) was and American artist and illustrator.
Item 36: Alice Lusk Webster, née Alice Kussler Lusk (1880–1953). Name (Alice Lusk) inscribed on back. Photograph by Floride Green, New York.
Item 37: Dr. Lyman. Name inscribed on back.
Item 38: Tina Mantilla. Photograph by Chandler and dated 1911.
Item 39: Edwin Vernon Morgan (1865–1934). Signed by sitter. Photograph by Reutlinger, Paris. Morgan was an American diplomat. In 1912, he was appointed Ambassador to Brazil, where he remained until 1933.
Item 40: Lewis Nixon (1861–1940). “To Robert Woods Bliss, with the best wishes of Lewis Nixon, September 29, 1910.” Photograph by Garro y Merlino, Buenos Aires. Lewis Nixon was a naval architect and political activist. He is credited with designing the United States’ first modern battleships and for overseeing the construction of its first modern submarines.
Item 41: Frank Lyon Polk (1871–1943). “To Robert W. Bliss with sincere regards of his friend, Frank L. Polk.” Photograph by Clinedinst Studio, Washington, D.C. Polk was a lawyer with the firm known today as Davis, Polk and Wardwell. Polk held the political offices of Secretary of State (Acting), Under Secretary of State, and President of the National Municipal League.
Item 42: Bertil Gustaf Oscar Carl Eugén, Prince Bertil of Sweden (1912–1997). “Bertil, 1938.” Photograph by [Johannes] Jaeger Hovfotograf, Stockholm.
Item 43: Gladys Lloyd Robinson (1895–1971). “To Mildred and Robert Bliss with keenest appreciation of a great friendship and cordial good wishes, always faithful, Gladys Lloyd Robinson.” Photograph by Floyd Faxon, Los Angeles. Photograph is after an unsigned painting. Gladys Lloyd Robinson was an actress and art collector and was married to the actor, Edward G. Robinson.
Item 44: Roque Sáenz Peña, (1851–1914). “Al Señor Robert Woods Bliss, con mis mejores afectos y recuerdos, Roque Sáenz Peña Bs As, Febraio 21/912.” Photograph by Zuretti-Fiorini, Buenos Aires. Roque Sáenz Peña was President of Argentina (1910–1914).
Item 45: Juglio Sanchez Elia. Names inscribed on back. Photograph by Zuretti-Fiorini, Buenos Aires.
Item 46: William Graves Sharp (1859–1922). “To my esteemed friend and co-worker, Robert Woods Bliss, with my compliments and best wishes for the new year, William G. Sharp, Paris, January 1, 1918.” Photograph by the Edmonston Studio, Washington, D.C. Sharp was an American lawyer, manufacturer, congressman, and diplomat.
Item 47: William Graves Sharp (1859–1922). “To my friend and associate at Paris, Mr. Robert Bliss, with my compliments and best wishes, William G. Sharp, Paris, April 9, 1919.” Photograph by Edmonston Studio, Washington, D.C. Sharp was an American lawyer, manufacturer, congressman, and diplomat.
Item 48: Victor Stanley (1867–1934). Signed by sitter and dated 1910. The Honorable Sir Victor Albert Stanley was a Vice-Admiral in the British Royal Navy.
Item 49: Nell Tracy. Name inscribed on back.
Item 50: United States Polo Team, 1932. “To the Ambassador and Mrs. Bliss, with the sincere affection of the United States Polo Team, 1932.” Photograph signed by the manager of the team, Carleton F. Burke and team members Michael Phipps, Winston Guest, Elmer Boeske, Jr., and William Post. The US Polo team won the 1932 Cup of the Americas in Palermo, Buenos Aires.
Item 51: José Félix Uriburu (1868–1932). “Testimonio de mi alto apricio y consideración por el Roberto Woods Bliss Embajador de Estados Unidos. José Uriburu, 5-11-31.” Uriburu led a military coup making him the first de facto President of Argentina. He was in office in 1930–1932.
Item 52: Herman Adriaan van Karnebeek (1874–1942). Signed by sitter. Inscribed on back: “V. Karnebeek, M.F.A. of Netherlands, 1922, Limitation of Arms Conference.”
Item 53: Hugh Campbell Wallace (1864–1931). “For my friend, Robert Woods Bliss Esq., with affectionate regards, Paris, Sept. 30, 1919, Hugh C. Wallace.” Hugh Campbell Wallace was an American business man, political activist, and diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to France (1919–1921).
Item 54: Washington Naval Conference (November 12, 1921–February 6, 1922). [Also known as the Washington Arms Conference and the Washington Disarmament Conference.] Photograph signed by Chung-Hui Wang, Jusserand, Charles E. Hughes, Elihu Root, Henry Cabot Lodge, Oscar W. Underwood, R. L. Borden, Ar. James Balfour, Lee of Fareham, A. Geddes, Carlo Schanzer, Luigi Albertini, G. F. Pearce, John Salmond, Ari Briand, and E de Cartie. Photograph by Underwood & Underwood Studio, Washington, D.C.
Item 55: John Campbell White (1884–1967). “Grandissimos recuerdos, 1928–1933, John Campbell White.” White served in the U.S. Foreign Service (1914–1945) and was U.S. ambassador to Haiti (1941–1944) and Peru (1944–1945).
Item 56: Kate Wilson. “To Mildred with love, Kate, 1938.” Photograph by Harris & Ewing, Washington, D.C.
Item 57: Almroth Edward Wright (1861–1947). “Affectionately yours, Almroth Wright.” Photograph of an oil painting by Sir Gerald Kelly. Almroth Edward Wright was a British bacteriologist and immunologist who developed a system of anti-typhoid fever inoculation.
