Victor J. Hammer was a businessman, founder and owner of Hammer Galleries in New York City, and philanthropist.
Background
Hammer was born in New York City, to Ukrainian-born Jewish immigrants Julius and Rose (Lipshitz) Hammer. His father came to the United States from Odessa in the Russian Empire (today Ukraine) in 1875, and settled in The Bronx, where he ran a general medical practice and five drugstores.
Education
Victor Hammer attended Princeton University, where he graduated in 1921 with a degree in Art History.
Career
At one point, British Intelligence believed Hammer Galleries was a front for Soviet Intelligence. The Hammer brothers had been in contact with Soviet authorities for a number of reasons, such as famine relief as well as when the Soviets sought a buyer for the treasures of the Hermitage Museum as a way to earn hard currency. Victor was responsible for acquisitions for Hammer Galleries, including the so-called Romanov Treasures and Fabergé eggs.
He was a prolific philanthropist.