We were surprised to see this 1979 invoice from Charles H. Beckley, Inc. for two reasons. First, the letterhead has a vintage feel to it that suggests the 1950s. Second, the Millers purchased the house’s original mattresses from the same company!

Invoice from Charles H. Beckley, Inc., 22 March 1979, 10/95, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ib_B010_f095_044)

Georg Jensen’s Milton Monas wrote to Mr. Miller about the missing salt shakers from a shipment of what was supposed to be 24 salt and pepper shakers. 

Milton Monas to J. Irwin Miller, 26 November 1956, 1/4, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f004_018)

As this letter makes clear, the Steinway piano was custom made for the Millers, and it fullfilled Mr. Miller’s wish “to have a bigger tone piano than a fellow feels he can have.” Although the Steinway Contemporary (designed by Walter Dorwin Teague) was manufactured as a Medium Grand piano, the Millers’ piano is a Music Room Grand piano.

Frank O. Wilking to J. Irwin Miller, 11 May 1956, 1/3, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f003_031)

When the Millers were not available to accompany Girard shopping, Girard went on scouting trips for them. Here Girard writes that he has found decorative items and furniture at Sheba Taylor’s and at French Company.

Alexander H. Girard to J. Irwin Miller, 6 October 1956, 1/4, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f004_078-080)

There are a few mentions in the Miller House and Garden Collection of Alexander Girard designing letterhead for Xenia Miller. We cannot be positive, but are almost certain this is an example of something “Sandro” did for Xenia, or XSM.

Xenia S. Miller letterhead designed possibly by Alexander H. Girard, 1970s, 5/40, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ib_B005_f040_049)

When Ezra Stoller photographed the Miller Garden the first week of April, 1958, the trees were not yet in bloom. He was not able to return to Columbus to photograph them for the article in Architectural Forum.

Ezra Stoller to George Newlin, 19 April 1958, 2/11, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B002_f011_004)

In 1966, Martha Vander Linde of Herman Miller Textiles wrote to Mrs. Miller (at Girard’s request) and sent her wallpaper samples. Girard designed both textiles and wallpaper for Herman Miller. 

Martha Vander Linde to Xenia S. Miller, 2 February 1966, 6/54, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ib_B006_f054_061)