Edward Merrin and the Origins of the Gallery

Edward Merrin's destiny changed on his honeymoon. Taking his bride, Vivian, to Mexico, Edward was introduced to the wonders of pre-Columbian art. At first, he utilized ancient figurines as display props in his family's jewelry store showroom, but eventually, the Edward H. Merrin Gallery was born as an independent business in the mid-1960s. Edward's voracity, his appreciation for pre-Columbian aesthetics, and his “eye” led to his status as a true connoisseur.

Roman statue of Diana, the goddess of the hunt,
equatable to the Greek goddess Artemis.

In time, his business came to encompass the ancient art of the Old World, including that of Egypt, the Near East, Greece, Rome, and Western Europe. Working with scholars and curators, Edward Merrin became one of the preeminent dealers in the field. He acquired individual objects and entire collections through outright purchase or consignment. There is scarcely a major museum in this country (and many throughout the world) that has not acquired works at the gallery (now known simply as the Merrin Gallery).

Private collectors in these fields, as well, have been nurtured. The personal connection between dealer and client is a special one. Responding to a client's interests and passions, the dealer is called upon to find that perfect object that will become a part of the client's life. Often, this exploration occurred over a long period of time, as the collector was exposed to myriad choices and came to trust Mr. Merrin's taste and expertise.

In addition to being a dealer of renown, Edward also became an expert in the field of appraisals and indemnifications. He advised the IRS on art evaluations and provided assessments for museum indemnifications that facilitated major exhibitions.

Edward Merrin is a past president and founding member of the American Association of Dealers in Ancient, Oriental and Primitive Art. Under his leadership, the Edward H. Merrin Gallery exhibited at the prestigious Winter Antiques Show and the International Art and Antique Dealers Show.

E. Merrin's Call to Support Tufts University

Walnut Hill at Tufts in 1910, Credit: Haines Photo Co.

Tufts University is a school with a long history of world-class academia. With it's mind set on the future, Tufts welcomes and thanks donors like Edward Merrin to support it's faculty development, research, as well as financial aid programs for students.

The Merrin family has had a long history at Tufts, and recently Edward Merrin and his wife Vivian also committed a gift hoping to "change the world in some way, even save lives".

Universities have been hard-hit by the recession, as gifts to Tufts' decreased in 2010. Gifts from alumni are important at this time, learn more about and support the 'Beyond Boundaries' campaign for Tufts.

Short History of Edward H. Merrin and Gallery

Ancient Greek, Roman & Egyptian Masterpieces
by Ed Merrin's gallery.

The story of the Merrin Gallery starts in the '60s when Ed Merrin was first introduced to ancient South American art. Enticed by it's vivid and imaginative forms and colors, Edward began acquiring and selling these pre-Columbian artworks. In due time, he established the Edward H. Merrin Gallery, and broadened the scope to include ancient art from the rest of the world.

Ed's gallery boasted objects from Classical civilizations such ancient Greece and Rome, as well as Egypt and the Near East.

Regarded by museums and collectors as an expert in these fields, Ed Merrin was frequently asked to identify and classify works for the collections and exhibitions of other museums and institutions. He was at the forefront of the gallery's success.

Today, and since 1987, the legacy of the Merrin Gallery continues as it is lead by Samuel Merrin, an authority in ancient and pre-Columbian art much like his father, and owned together with Moshe Bronstein.