• Identification00066425
  • TitleDescriptive inventory for the Marshall M. Holleb papers, 1943-2004, bulk 1950-1998
  • PublisherChicago Historical Society
  • Language
    • English.
    • English
  • RepositoryChicago History Museum Research Center 1601 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60614-6038
  • OriginationHolleb, Marshall M. Richard J. Durbin Walter Mondale Paul Simon Adlai Stevenson Chicago Fund on Aging and Disability Chicago Theater Democratic National Committee Hull House Association Illinois Council on Aging
  • Date
    • 1943-2004
    • 1950-1998
  • Physical Description
    • 26 linear ft. (63 boxes)
    • 1 oversized folder
  • Location
    • MSS Lot H
    • MSS Oversize H

Processed with funding provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

This collection is open for research use.

All rights owned by the donor, including copyright, were deeded to Chicago Historical Society. Copyright may be retained by the creators of items, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law, unless otherwise noted.

Gift of Marshall M. Holleb (accession #: 1992.0354, 2000.0161, 2005.0109).

Marshall M. Holleb papers (Chicago History Museum) plus a detailed description, date, and box/folder number of a specific item.

Correspondence, memoranda, press releases, meeting minutes, scholarly articles, reports, publications, newspaper clippings, and administrative, legal, and financial documents of Marshall M. Holleb, a Chicago lawyer and real estate developer active in politics and philanthropy. The majority of the collection relates to Holleb’s work with various civic, cultural, political, and professional organizations, including the Democratic National Committee, Hull House Association, Illinois Council on Aging, and the National Citizens Committee for Broadcasting. Also present is material concerning various political campaigns in Illinois for Democratic candidates for senator and president, including Walter Mondale and Adlai Stevenson III; and papers relating to real estate projects, such as the 1986 restoration of the Chicago Theater. Also in the collection is correspondence, etc. pertaining to Holleb’s personal life and businesses.

Marshall M. Holleb was a Chicago lawyer, real estate developer, and philanthropist who was active in the Democratic Party. In addition, Holleb was a founding trustee of the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, chairman of the Illinois State Council on Aging, president of the Hull House Association, and led a movement to restore and preserve the Chicago Theater. Holleb was also a member of the Democratic National Committee and worked on election campaigns for several politicians, including Adlai Stevenson and Walter Mondale. He was a partner in the law firms named Holleb and Yates and Holleb & Coff, and a senior counsel (beginning in 2000) with Wildman Harrold.

$aRelated materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the Marshall M. Holleb photograph collection (2000.0161); Chicago Theater Restoration Associates records (1997.0066); the Chicago Theater Restoration Associates collection of visual materials (1997.0066); and the Marshall M. Holleb legal files on Saul Bellow (2010.0034.1).

  • Names
    • Holleb, Marshall M., 1916-2008--Archives
    • Stevenson, Adlai E. (Adlai Ewing), 1930-
    • Hory, Elmyr de
    • Chicago Theater Restoration Associates
    • Democratic National Committee (U.S.)
    • Democratic Policy Council (U.S.)
    • Holleb & Coff (Law firm : Chicago, Ill.)
    • Hull House Association
    • Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago, Ill.)
    • National Building Museum (U.S.)
    • National Citizens Committee for Broadcasting
    • United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
    • Democratic National Convention (1984 : San Francisco, Calif.)
  • Subject
    • Civic improvement--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
    • Elections--Illinois--20th century
    • Landlord and tenant--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
    • Lawyers--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
    • Legislators--United States--20th century
    • Politicians--Illinois--20th century
    • Presidents--United States--Election--1952
    • Presidents--United States--Election--1956
    • Presidents--United States--Election--1968
    • Presidents--United States--Election--1976
    • Presidents--United States--Election--1984
    • Presidents--United States--Election--1996
    • Real estate developers--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
    • Theaters--Conservation and restoration--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
    • Chicago (Ill.)--Social conditions--20th century
    • United States--Politics and government--20th century.

The collection is arranged into eleven series.

Series 1. Personal correspondence, 1951-1998 (box 1-12)

Series 1 consists of correspondence between Marshall M. Holleb and his friends and family, as well as various businesses and services used by Holleb in his personal life. The papers are arranged chronologically.

Series 2. Personal files, 1943-2004 (box 13-17)

Series 2 contains legal documents, newspaper clippings, correspondence, notes, articles, brochures, publications, itineraries, photos, awards, certificates, and other materials. Much of the series concerns various trips and vacations taken by Holleb to both domestic and international locations, including the original draft of an article written by Holleb: “Growing Old in China.” Also present are personal legal and financial documents as well as materials pertaining to Holleb's service in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant in General MacArthur’s Headquarters in the Philippines and Japan.

Series 3. Holleb & Coff firm and other law practice files, 1957-2000 (box 17-18)

Series 3 consists of correspondence, memoranda, court and other legal documents, case files, annual reviews, newspaper clippings, and administrative documents. Some of the materials deal with one of Holleb’s legal cases against the infamous art forger, Elmyr de Hory. Also included are materials from the Holleb & Coff law firm, including documents regarding the closure and liquidation of the firm in 2000.

Series 4. Real estate materials, 1970-2000 (box 18-23, oversize folder)

Series 4 contains appraisal reports, correspondence, memoranda, meeting minutes, scholarly articles and papers, legal, financial, and administrative documents, brochures, posters, newspaper clippings, books and other publications. A significant portion of the series consists of materials relating to the 1986 restoration of the Chicago Theater, an effort in which Holleb played a significant role. Also present are materials documenting Holleb’s work on behalf of tenants’ rights to tax equality. Boxes 22 and 23 contain books and publications relating to these topics. Posters, photos, awards, and newspaper clippings of the Chicago Theater are located in an oversize folder.

Series 5. Democratic National Committee files, 1969-1997 (box 24-26)

Series 5 contains correspondence, memoranda, scholarly articles and papers, press releases, newspaper clippings, publications, and administrative documents concerning Holleb’s work within the Democratic National Committee as well as various campaigns by Democratic leaders for elected political offices. The campaigns include the 1976 Presidential Campaign for Jimmy Carter, the 1996 Senatorial campaign for Dick Durbin, and the 1996 Presidential Campaign for Bill Clinton. Also present are materials pertaining to councils and task forces Holleb served on within the DNC, such as the Domestic Affairs Task Force and the Policy Council on Human Environment. Included within the series is personal correspondence between Holleb and Senator Walter Mondale, Senator Paul Simon, Senator Dick Durbin, and various other U.S. Congressional Representatives and Senators.

Series 6. Hull House Association files, 1965-1998 (box 26-30)

Series 6 consists of correspondence, newspaper clippings, press releases, memoranda, meeting minutes, member lists, reports, publications, and legal, financial, and administrative documents relating to Holleb’s work on the Hull House Association's board of trustees, including his time as president of the board. Included are materials regarding affiliate relations, dinners and other events, and normal operations of the board.

Series 7. Illinois State Council on Aging files, 1965-1983 (box 30-37)

Series 7 contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, articles, memoranda, press releases, reports, publications, and administrative documents pertaining to the work of Holleb while he was a member of the state's Illinois Council on Aging, including the period in which he was the chairman (1980-1982). Topics include housing for the elderly, age discrimination legislation, other legislation efforts, and everyday operations of the council. Also present are materials from the National Advisory Committee for the White House Conference on Aging and reference and research materials covering various issues on aging and the elderly.

Series 8. Mondale for President files, 1981-1988 (box 37-38)

Series 8 consists of correspondence, newspaper clippings, event programs, publications, and administrative and financial documents regarding Holleb’s efforts in Walter Mondale’s 1984 campaign for President of the United States. Included are fundraising documents, materials from the 1984 Democratic Convention, and Illinois Lawyers for Mondale files. Also present is personal correspondence between Holleb and Walter Mondale.

Series 9. National Citizens Committee for Broadcasting files, 1968-1974 (box 39-41)

Series 9 contains correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, reports and papers, press releases, and administrative documents concerning Holleb’s work with the National Citizens Committee for Broadcasting, of which he was a board member.

Series 10. Stevenson materials, 1952-1982 (box 41-44)

Series 10 consists of correspondence, memoranda, reports, mailing lists, notes, newspaper clippings, publications, and administrative and financial documents. The bulk of the series pertains to Adlai Stevenson III’s political campaigns. These include his unsuccessful campaigns for Illinois Governor in 1982 and 1986 as well as his successful campaigns for U.S. Senator in 1970 and re-election in 1974. Also present are materials relating to Adlai Stevenson II’s unsuccessful campaigns for President in 1952 and 1956 as the Democratic candidate. Included within the series is personal correspondence between Holleb and Stevenson III.

Series 11. Other activities and organizations files, 1950-1998 (box 45-63)

Series 11 contains correspondence, memoranda, press releases, scholarly articles and papers, reports, speeches, meeting minutes, notes, mailing lists, publications, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, photos, and administrative and legal documents regarding Holleb’s work with various organizations and associations. Included in the many and various groups covered are the Chicago Museum Group, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Hubert Humphrey 1968 Presidential campaign, National Building Museum, Public Members Association, and the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.