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Selected: Gustave L. Levy

Summary | Biography | Scope and Content Note | Subjects | Container List

Summary

Creator: Gustave L. Levy
Title: Memorabilia, Awards
Dates: 1956-1976
Volume: 6 boxes + 1 oversize item; 72 inches

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Gustave L. Levy

Biography

Gustave Lehmann Levy became a trustee of The Mount Sinai Hospital in 1960. At his death on November 3, 1976, he was Chairman of the Boards of the Mount Sinai Medical Center, The Mount Sinai Hospital, and Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Gustave Levy was born in New Orleans on May 23, 1910. He was educated at Tulane University and took his first job on Wall Street in 1928. He spent the rest of his life working in the financial district of New York. He became a partner at Goldman, Sachs and Company in 1946 and was still with that firm at his death. In 1934 he married Janet Wolf. They had two children: Peter A. and Betty Levy Hess.

Mr. Levy was very involved in philanthropic activities. The list of organizations he worked with, or was an officer of, is tremendous. Of note here is his work with the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, beginning in 1954, and the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York, Inc., from 1968.

During his years at Mount Sinai Mr. Levy oversaw the most intense period of change in the institution's history. When he became a trustee in 1960, the planning for the medical school was in its initial stages. The ensuing years, with Levy as President and then Chairman, saw the establishment of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, the achievement of a university affiliation, the $154 million fundraising effort for the medical school building and endowment, the planning and erection of the Annenberg Building (in recognition of Mr. Levy's contributions the library was named after him and his wife), the purchase and renovation of the Cummings Basic Science Building, the recruitment of faculty including the first Dean of the medical school, and the graduation of the first classes of medical students.

On October 26, 1976 Gustave Levy suffered a stroke while attending a meeting of the Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He died at Mount Sinai Hospital on November 3. He was 66 years old.

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Scope and Content Note

This collection consists primarily of artifacts and memorabilia from the collection of Gustave Levy which commemorate achievements in his financial career and his philanthropic efforts. It includes medals, certificates, paperweights, photographs and an assortment of other memorabilia.

The majority of this material came to the Mount Sinai Archives from the Levy Library, where it was removed from display during the renovation of the Library in 2009. Additional material was received from the Development Office, where it had been in storage. The origin of each item has been noted in the container list.

To ensure preservation, framed items have been removed from their frames and stored according to standard archival procedure. Of note is the fact that some of the framed items had Goldman, Sachs and Co. labels on the back, indicating that they had once hung in Mr. Levy's office there.

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Subjects

  • Awards
  • Memorabilia

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Container List

Box 1

  1. Brass plate, 6" x 4", inscribed "Presented on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies to Gustave L. Levy, President 1957 to 1960," 1967 [Display Panel 2]
  2. Ceremonial gavel, 10", engraved: "Gustave L. Levy - with appreciation - Religion in American Life - Anniversary Dinner March 10, 1970." [Display Panel 6]
  3. China plate, 4.5" diameter. Insignia reads "50 - 1969." [Display Panel 2]
  4. Excellence Council of Mount Sinai - .75" x .75" cufflinks (2) and clip-on pin, letter opener (7" long in plastic sheath.) [Development Office?]
  5. Fiorello LaGuardia Award for Distinguished Service to New York City presented to Gustave L. Levy by the Center for New York City Affairs, New School for Social Research, May 31, 1973. Metal, 4" x 4". [Display Panel 3]
  6. Marble paperweight with attached plaque, 5" x 4" x 1": "Presented to the Honorable Gustave Levy on the Occasion of the Dedication of the World Trade Center, April 4, 1973 in recognition of his efforts toward the development of the World Trade Center." [Note: Due to deterioration of binding glue the plaque and marble base have become separated.] [Display Panel 2]
  7. Medal: "The Albert Gallatin Award, New York University." Obverse: "For Distinguished Service to Society." N.d., approx. 4" x 4". [Display Panel 2]
  8. Medal: "American Revolution Bicentennial 1776-1976." 3" diameter on 4.25" x 4.25" velvet mounting. [Display Panel 2.]
  9. Medal: Fordham University President's Club, 1975-76. 1.25" diameter medal in 2.5" x 2.5" Lucite block. [Development Office]
  10. Medal: "From the Medical Board of the Mount Sinai Hospital in Grateful Recognition of Your Vision, Generosity and Enthusiastic Leadership in Founding the Mount Sinai School of Medicine." Obverse: "Gustave L. Levy, Trustee - Dedication Day, October 20, 1968." 3" diameter bronze(?) medal. [Development Office?]
  11. Medal: "The Hundred Year Assocn. of N.Y." Obverse: "Awarded to Gustave L. Levy in Recognition of Outstanding Achievement for the Advancement of New York, 1968." 2" diameter on 3.25" x 3.25" velvet mounting. [Display Panel 2.]
  12. Medal: Jacobi Medallion. "For Conspicuous Service to the Alumni and the Hospital, 1965." Obverse: "The Associated Alumni of the Mount Sinai Hospital - Presented to Gustave L. Levy." 3.125" diameter gold medallion. [Development Office?]
  13. Medal: Odyssey House Award, 6/5/1975. 4" diameter medal inscribed "Second Annual Odyssey of the Year Award Presented to Gustave Lehmann Levy, June 5, 1975." Attached ribbon. [Development Office]
  14. Medal: Republican National Convention - Miami Beach, Florida - August 1972 - Finance Committee Co-Chairman (medal & ribbon, 2" x 4.25") [Display Panel 1]
  15. Medal: "Richard M. Nixon, November 1960." Obverse: "With appreciation to our fellow campaigners." 2" diameter medal. [Development Office]
  16. Medal: "The Southland Corporation - Our 5000th 7-Eleven," August 1974. 3" diameter medal. [Development Office]
  17. Medal: "To Sustain One Life Is To Sustain the World - Peace and Humanitarianism," n.d. 2.5" diameter on 2.75" x 3.5" velvet mounting.[Display Panel 2]
  18. Pin: Republican National Committee "RN '72" (.75" x .5", diamond inset, in plastic box) [Display Panel 1]
  19. Pin: Republican National Committee "RN '72" (.75" x 5", no diamond inset, in plastic box) [Display Panel 1]
  20. Pin: Republican National Committee - Eagle with "RNC" caption, n.d. (.5" x .5", in velvet-lined case) [Display Panel 1]
  21. Pin: Seal of the President of the United States, n.d. (1" diameter in plastic box) [Display Panel 1]
  22. Pin: "U.S. Ski Team Club," .5" x .5" in plastic box, n.d. [Display Panel 2]
  23. Plaque: "Gustave L. Levy: A Link In Freedom's Cause," Joint Defense Appeal of the American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, 6/21/1961. 7" x 10" wooden plaque with bronze panels. [Display Panel 4]
  24. Science Fellow Award presented by Belfer Graduate School of Science, Yeshiva University, 1965. Approximately 8" tall on 4" x 6.25" base. [Development Office]
  25. Statue, 8.5" high on 3.5" diameter base, Boy Scouts of America award, n.d. [Note: the base of the statue was cut to fit into the exhibit case and its edges are extremely sharp. These were taped over 12/2010 to prevent accidental injury.] [Display Panel 2]

Box 2

  1. Check and caption card encased in 5" x 7.25" Lucite block: "$300,000,000 - The Proctor & Gamble Company - 8 1/4% Sinking Fund Debentures Due March 1, 2005," 1975. [Display Panel 6]
  2. Cigarette lighter (brass?), 2.25" x 1.25" x 2.5", engraved: "Gustave L. Levy, Chairman of the Board, New York Stock Exchange, with Affection and Esteem from the Floor Governors, May 19, 1969." [Display Panel 6]
  3. Hourglass and inscription in 3" x 3" x 1" Lucite block: "American Jewish Committee Appeal for Human Relations 1973 Leadership Citation Presented to Gustave L. Levy." [Display Panel 2]
  4. Medal: "The Dedication of Leidesdorf Garden in Memory of Samuel D. Leidesdorf." 2.5" diameter medal in 4.25" x 6.75" wooden display case with clear plastic panel and velvet backing. [Development Office]
  5. Medal: "Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York." Obverse: "The President's Dinner, Presented to Gustave L. Levy, Mount Sinai Hospital, October 14, 1962." 2.5" diameter in 3.25" x 3.25" x 1" Lucite block. [Display Panel 2]
  6. Medal: "Harvard Business School Club of New York." Obverse: "An Indication of the Grateful Appreciation of the Harvard Business School Club of New York." 2" diameter in 3" x 4" x .75" Lucite block. Engraved in block: "Gustave L. Levy, October 22, 1968." [Display Panel 2]
  7. Medal: "Harvard Business School Club of New York." Obverse: "An Indication of the Grateful Appreciation of the Harvard Business School Club of New York." 2" diameter in 3" x 4" x .75" Lucite block. Engraved in block: "Gustave L. Levy, November 19, 1974." [Display Panel 2]
  8. Medal: "In Appreciation to Gustave L. Levy, President's Advisory Council, [New York University] College of Business and Public Administration," n.d. 3" diameter in 4.5" x 4.5" x 1.25" Lucite block. [Display Panel 2]
  9. Medal: Jewish Publication Society of America. Inscribed: "Presented to Gustave L. Levy in Appreciation of His Distinguished Service as Vice President, 1969-1972, by the members of the JPS at the 84th Annual Meeting, April 30, 1972." 2.5" diameter medal in 3" x 3" storage box. [Development Office]
  10. Medal: "John T. Madden Memorial Medal." Obverse: "...School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance, New York University. Awarded to a distinguished alumnus, Gustave L. Levy '32, 1967." 2.75" diameter medal in 2" x 4" x 6" Lucite block. [Development Office]
  11. Paperweight (marble) with attached emblem, 2" x 2" x 2", celebrating the 70th anniversary of the American Jewish Committee, 1976 [Display Panel 2]
  12. Paperweight (marble) with attached plaque, 3" x 3" x .75": "Graduate School of Management UCLA - Gustave L. Levy," n.d. [Display Panel 2]
  13. Paperweight (wooden) with inset medallions, 2" x 2" x 2"; medallions read "In Appreciation, Tulane University" and "Tulane Forward Fund 1964-1967: The Medallion Club," [1967?] [Display Panel 2]
  14. Replica merger announcements (2) encased in 6" x 4" Lucite block: Heublein, Inc. and Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation, 1971. [Display Panel 6]
  15. Replica stock prospectus: "Ford International Capital Corporation," 1969. In 1.75" x 2.25" x 2.5" Lucite block. [Display Panel 6]
  16. Replica stock prospectus: "Ford Motor Company," 1970. In 1.75" x 1.75" x 2.5" Lucite block. [Display Panel 6]
  17. Replica stock prospectus: "Ridder Publications, Inc.," 1969. In 2" x 2" x 2.5" Lucite block. [Display Panel 6]
  18. Replica stock prospectus: "STP Corporation," 1969. In 2" x 2" x 2.5" Lucite block. [Display Panel 6]
  19. Replica stock prospectus: "Technicon Corporation," 1969. In 2" x 2" x 2.25" Lucite block. [Display Panel 6]
  20. Statue (bronze) of running greyhound, 5" x 1.75" x 2". [Development Office]
  21. Telegram and stock ticker tape encased in 8.25" x 5.75" Lucite block: "A Block of 627 600 Shares of Aetna Life & Casualty...," November 6, 1968. [Display Panel 6]
  22. University of Virginia Business Forum Jefferson Cup inscribed to Gustave L. Levy, January 31, 1973. 3.25" diameter x 2.5" high silver cup. Includes pamphlet from Keller & George Jewelers, Charlottesville, Virginia on the history of the Jefferson Cup. [Development Office]

Box 3

  1. Beta Gamma Sigma: Membership certificate, April 28, 1971. [Development Office]
  2. Booklet on Board of Governors of NY Stock Exchange, 1967-68. [Development Office]
  3. Cartoon by A.S. Habbick depicting G.L. Levy, with cover letter. [Development Office]
  4. Clippings, 1968. [Development Office]
  5. Clippings: 2 pages from Fortune, May 1968 on NY Stock Exchange & Cover Article from Finance, May 1968 on Levy sent by Irwin Belk [?] [Development Office]
  6. Golden shovel in wooden display case: Science Center groundbreaking, Belfer Graduate School of Science, Yeshiva University, 10/31/1965. [Display Panel 4]
  7. Herbert H. Lehman Human Relations Award, American Jewish Committee, April 23, 1968. (framed, mounted in blue velvet) [Development Office]
  8. International Pro Deo Conference scrapbook, June 22-24 1967. Photographs (B&W and color) show an audience with the Pope and working groups. [Development Office]
  9. Madden Memorial Award Citation, 5/3/1967 [Development Office]
  10. Menu from dinner commemorating the 100th anniversary of Goldman, Sachs & Company, December 15, 1969. [Development Office]
  11. New York University, Whitman House Fellowship, November 2, 1967. [Development Office]
  12. Orden de Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Gran Cruz Award, October 15, 1970. [Development Office]
  13. Photograph: Nelson Rockefeller, unidentified individual, Gustave Levy; inscribed "To Gus from his old friend with deep affection and warm regards, Nelson Rockefeller." [Display Panel 1]
  14. Plaque: Buttonwood Club, 1973: "Gustave L. Levy admitted to the New York Stock Exchange December 7, 1950." Silver plaque on wood. [Display Panel 5]
  15. Plaque: First Harlem Securities Corp.: "To Gus Levy our lasting appreciation for your personal involvement in helping to make First Harlem Securities Corp. a reality." Brass(?) plaque on wood. [Display Panel 5]
  16. Plaque: New School for Social Research for Outstanding Participation in the 7th annual Conference on Wall Street and the Economy, 1/27/1973 (Mounted on Plexiglas) [Display Panel 4]
  17. Plaque: United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York Award of Honor, 5/7/1972 [Display Panel 4]
  18. Real Estate Research Corp. report on land in Salt Lake City, Utah, 1968. [Development Office]
  19. Talcott National Corporation, Resolution on GLL's death, November 23, 1976. [Development Office]
  20. Tulane University, Citation at presentation of Doctor of Laws degree, n.d. [Development Office]

Box 4

  1. Good Scout Award from the Greater NY Councils of Boy Scouts of America, 1/1974. (Note: backing paper is extremely brittle.) [Display Panel 3]
  2. Photograph: Gustave L. Levy with President Gerald Ford and Governor Nelson Rockefeller; matted. [Display Panel 1]
  3. Photograph: Gustave L. Levy with President Lyndon B. Johnson; inscribed "With best wishes, Lyndon Johnson"; matted. [Display Panel 1]
  4. Photograph: Gustave L. Levy with President Richard M. Nixon and two other men in Oval Office of White House. [Development Office]
  5. Photograph: Portrait of President Gerald Ford inscribed "To Gus Levy with best wishes, Jerry Ford"; matted. [Display Panel 1]
  6. Photograph: Witco Chemical Corporation Board of Directors meeting, June 21, 1968. Matted with identification card. [Development Office]
  7. State of New York Certificate of Outstanding Public Service in Moreland Commission on Welfare, 3/1/1963 (paper; matted) [Display Panel 4]

Box 5

  1. Plaque: American-Israel Chamber of Commerce and Industry Man of the Year Award, 5/22/1973. 12" x 15" wooden plaque with 9" x 11" engraved brass scroll and 2nd century Jewish coin (approx. 0.75" circumference) under plexiglass cover. Surface of scroll was damaged by cleaning liquid while on display. Also includes separate document on American-Israel Chamber of Commerce and Industry letterhead giving numismatic and historical information about the coin. [Display Panel 3]
  2. Plaque: Federation of Jewish Philanthropies Award of Honor, 12/4/1967. 15" x 18" metal frame containing 8.5" x 12" gold plaque on purple velvet mounting. Plaque includes inscription and engraved signatures. [Display Panel 2]
  3. Plaque: Phi Alpha Kappa. 13" x 16" wooden plaque: "This is to certify that Gustave L. Levy has been elected to membership in Phi Alpha Kappa, the Finance Honorary Fraternity for Scholarship in Banking and Finance in the College of Business and Public Administration of New York University this twelfth day of May, 1972." [Display Panel 2]

Box 6

  1. Certificate: Federation of Jewish Philanthropies Wall Street Division Scroll of Honor, 12/8/1958. Approx. 10" x 13" hand-calligraphed and illuminated certificate in 13.5" x 17" white matte. [Display Panel 3]
  2. Certificate: Gustave Levy Educational Opportunity Fund at Tulane University. 13" x 17" hand-calligraphed and illuminated certificate signed by partners of Goldman Sachs. [Display Panel 6]
  3. Certificate: Institute of Judicial Administration Membership, September 1969. Certificate on heavy paper stock, approx. 12.5" x 16". [Development Office]
  4. Diploma: Syracuse University Honorary Doctor of Laws, June 5, 1966. 13" x 17.5" vellum diploma signed by University Chancellor William Pearson Tolley. (Back of diploma is sticky from mounting tape. Acid-free manila has been used to separate it from other items in box.) [Display Panel 2]
  5. Invitation[?] to Family of Man Awards Dinner, 1970, held by The Council of Churches of the City of New York. Gold foil seal on paper stock; 7" x 10" paper on 12.5" x 13.5" black matte. [Display Panel 2]
  6. New York Times article, 7/11/1971: "Goldman Sachs: Investment Banker Expands Into New Markets." 8" x 20" article reprint mounted on cardboard. Includes photograph of Gustave Levy. [Display Panel 5]
  7. Photograph: Gustave Levy and Margaret Trudeau. Inscribed "To Mr. Gustave Levy with our best wishes, Margaret Trudeau, P. Trudeau," n.d. John Evans of Ottawa, photographer. Approx. 8" x 10" photograph on white matte in 13" x 14" folder. [Development Office]
  8. Photograph: Gustave Levy and Terence Cardinal Cooke, Archbishop of New York; matted with separate visiting card inscribed "To Gus Levy - Blessings - +Terence Cardinal Cooke." Approx. 8" x 10" photograph in 12" x 16" white matte. Photograph is partially torn along center line of mounting tape. [Display Panel 1]
  9. Photograph: New York Stock Exchange Board of Governors, 1967-1968 (matted). 10" x 15.5" photograph in 16" x 20" hinged white matte. [Display Panel 6]
  10. Photograph: New York Stock Exchange Board of Governors, 1968-1969. Approx. 10" x 16" photograph in 14.5" x 18.5" hinged white matte. [Display Panel 6]
  11. Photograph: New York Stock Exchange Board of Directors, 1973-1974. 10" x 14" photograph in 15" x 19" hinged white matte. [Display Panel 5]
  12. Photograph: New York Stock Exchange Board of Directors, 1975-1976. 12.5" x 15" photograph in 14" x 19" white matte. Front and back panels of matte have become separated due to the drying out of glue; front panel of matte is torn at bottom right corner. [Display Panel 5]
  13. Photograph: Pierre Trudeau with others ( Mrs. Gustave Levy?) at function. Inscribed "to Mrs. Gustave Levy with best wishes, P. Trudeau," n.d. John Evans of Ottawa, photographer . Approx. 8" x 10" photograph on white matte in 13" x 14" folder. [Development Office]
  14. Proclamation granting honorary citizenship of the City of New Orleans to Gustave Levy, July 20, 1950. Approx. 9" x 13" certificate in 12" x 16" cardboard matte. Signed by Mayor DeLesseps S. Morrison. [Display Panel 2]
  15. Text of Syracuse University commencement speech conferring honorary Doctor of Laws on Gustave Levy, June 5, 1966; 8" x 10.5" paper in 12" x 14" white matte. Signed by University Chancellor William Pearson Tolley. [Display Panel 2]
  16. Tulane University honorary Doctor of Laws degree, June 2, 1969. Approx. 9" x 12" vellum diploma in 14" x 16" white matte. [Development Office]

Map Case (Drawer 3, Group 9)

  1. Certificate appointing Gustave L. Levy a Commissioner of the Port of New York Authority. 14" x 17" certificate in 18" x 21" white matte. Signed by New York State Governor Nelson Rockefeller. [Display Panel 4]

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