ALFRED STIEGLITZ - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/22/1931 - HFSID 131688

ALFRED STIEGLITZ. ALS: "Ever your old/Alf", 3p, 8½x11. Lake George, New York 1931 August 22. To "Dear Sime". In full: "Naturally I was glad to hear from you so fully. I would have written at once but you know about the best of intentions, etc., even tho (sic) in the life led here one is supposed to have nothing but leisure somehow I have been in all sorts of things up to my neck. But I must not delay any longer as you sail on the 27th. It was a surprise to hear of your intention to sail but I can understand why. - As for Neumann showing your paintings. That's good news. - He is at least an enthusiast about the people he shows. - What I hope is that he'll do something for you as well as for himself. He is having a devil's own time. But there are not many who aren't in the same boat or at least a similar kind of tub. - Your show ought to be way ahead of what Babcock had for you have certainly developed amazingly since that time. I as one look forward to your show. As for the choice between late autumn this year & Spring 1932 - it's 6 of one & half a dozen of the other. Neumann ought to know best what his ideas are as far as you are concerned. I am doing a little work. Have no end of trouble with it - paper, etc. - Georgia is fine. Has not done much here as yet Auto'd to Maine, etc. - she, not I. She drives well. - Sel is in Glens Falls, Comes to The Hill daily. Ag is here. The Davidsons have been here - are coming back. Their children are here. So much of the family is in The Hill. But this particular house is very peaceful. K[illegible] is here - but leaves to-morrow. not many visitors - very few in fact. Well, Sime, this is a stupid letter, But I feel stupid these days. - My love to the girls especially to Eva. - And love to you from Georgia & me. Au revoir." Written from the photographer's summer home in Lake George. ALFRED STIEGLITZ (1864-1946), who was known as "the father of American photography", was the first photographer recognized as an artist by American museums (1924). Stieglitz also owned "291", a New York gallery that hosted the works of a number of artists, including Picasso's first solo exhibition in 1911. In 1916, Stieglitz met painter GEORGIA O'KEEFFE, a modernist painter whom he championed, featured in many of his photographs and married (1924). "Sime" was FRANK SIMON "SIME" HERRMANN (1866-1942), an old friend from Stieglitz' school days in New York and a correspondent with Stieglitz for nearly 60 years. He was an artist known for his landscapes and abstractions. Herrmann, who was also associated with Paul Klee, was best known in Germany, where he spent most of his career. He had returned to the U.S. after WWI, but allowed his work only limited exposure in America. "Neumann" is likely J.B. NEUMANN, who owned the New Art Circle gallery in New York City. There was also a J.B. Neumann gallery in Berlin. Lightly creased. Folds, not at signature. Fine condition.