CAMILLE PISSARRO The painter signs a richly detailed, 4-page handwritten letter to his wife Julie (1892), discussing business and family affairs, and expressing frustration at mail delays Autograph Letter signed: "C. Pissarro", 4 pages (front and verso), 4½x7. Eragny (France), 1892 December 27. To"My dear Julie". In French, translated in full: "One cannot rely on the punctuality of the mail these days; would you believe that your letter to Lise only arrived here yesterday, thus too late to be communicated in time; I hope that you were nevertheless on time at your aunt's. Something else even more extraordinary, I received yesterday the letter that you sent to Lucien on Saturday, the imbeciles at the Hotel who know my name, even though Lucien is staying with them, still sent the letter to me; I thought it would be useless to send it back because it would have come back to me, and besides it was too late. The 2 p.m. train just came by, nobody. Lucien wrote that he would perhaps miss it and would be on the 3:45. I enclose herewith a letter from Mrs. Mirbeau that must be answered. read more...

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT CALLS HIS WORK "THE ONLY TRULY AMERICAN EXPRESSION IN THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE"   FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT. Extremely rare Partly Printed DS: "Frank Lloyd Wright Architect", 1p, 5½x8½. No date, no place. An application for information to be published in a directory. Headed: "Business or Professional Record". In the upper portion, which asks for "data to enable the editor to do complete justice to your business or professional record", Wright has written, in full: "Work characterized as 'New School of Middle West' in America -- Abroad, as the architecture of the 'Prairie Dimension' -- the only truly American expression in the art of Architecture. Many foreign publications of distinction publish the work and European architects manifest increasing interest in it." Wright has also written "None" twice in columns asking for information on being an officer or director of a corporation and the office or position occupied. At the bottom of the form is a line that reads "Please enclose your business card or other printed matter in order that spelling of names may be verified. read more...

NORMAN ROCKWELL Limited edition set of seven lithographs based on Rockwell paintings used to illustrate Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack. Each 25½x19½ lithograph in the set has been signed in pencil by Rockwell and is numbered. Lithograph Set signed: "Norman Rockwell" in pencil. Set of seven color lithographs, each 25½x19½. Each one is numbered (111 of 200) and signed by the artist. Loose sheets of handmade Velin d'Arches paper. Pulled at Atelier Mourlot, Paris. The 7 lithographs, based on Rockwell's paintings for the Heritage Press edition of Poor Richard's Almanack (1964) are titled: "Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia", "The Drunkard", "Ben's Belles", "The Village Smithy", "Ye Olde Print Shoppe", "The Golden Age" and "The Royal Crown". The set is laid into a gilt-stamped, brown cloth clamshell box. Noted American artist/illustrator Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) is best known for his realistic and humorous scenes of small town life in America. He painted over 300 covers for the "Saturday Evening Post" (1916-1965) after beginning his career at age 18 as an illustrator for "Boy's Life". Rockwell also painted politically significant works, such as his cover illustration of Franklin D. read more...

MARY CASSATT In a handwritten letter to a friend in Paris, Cassatt explains that her art keeps her too busy to reply to most letters, but that she would welcome a visit in the Spring. ALS: "Mary Cassatt", 6 pages, 5¼x7, front and verso. Mesnil-Beaufresne, Mesnil-Theribus (Oise), France, no date. On imprinted stationery to Miss Mary Gardner Swift. Begins: "My Dear Mary". In full: "Of course I had your letter but I never thought of answering it. If you knew what my life was you would [five words illegible] than in the [illegible] If you would love to write to me anything that you think I would I shall always be glad to know [two words illegible] I am a very busy woman. Most of my correspondence is done in French through my [illegible] Is French, she has been with us 43 years Ever since my Mothers (sic) death thirty years ago I have been alone, carrying on this place & working here. Ah my art. Of course I have been better known as an artist in France [illegible] is a member of the family In the meantime I send you my kindest regards & hope that next Spring if I am well enough you will come out and see me I had my three nephews and one niece here this last summer. read more...

CHESTER GOULD He signs an original mechanical art for camera-ready set-up of a "Dick Tracy" comic strip published on Sunday, February 14, 1971 Original Art signed: "Chester/Gould," two 23x12½  sheets attached to form one 23x25 sheet. Original mechanical art for camera-ready set-up. "Dick Tracy" for Valentine's Day, Sunday, February 14, 1971. Tracy thinks he has cornered the Chameleon, one of the bizarre criminals created by Gould. In the "Crimestoppers Textbook" note at top right: "st. valentine's day massacre - seven gangsters gunned down in garage 42 years ago!" Chester Gould (1900-1985) introduced crime and violence into the comics with his creation of "Dick Tracy", the first non-humorous comic strip, which debuted in the "Detroit Mirror" on October 4, 1931. Gould drew the strip, which was praised for its realism, for 46 years, two months and 21 days before retiring on Christmas Day in 1977. Dick Tracy was a modern deductive investigator who cleverly for hunted clues, fingerprints and even footprints. read more...

GRANDMA MOSES In the book Grandma Moses: American Primitive, Moses has drawn a country scene on the flyleaf, and signed the book opposite the title page, inscribing it to columnist Leonard Lyons. Original Art in an inscribed and signed book: "April 27, 1948./To Mr. Leonard Lyons./with best regards./Grandma Moses." beneath printed photograph facing the title page, 146 pages, 8½x11¼, hardcover. Grandma Moses American Primitive, Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, New York: 1947. From the title page: "Forty Paintings with Comments/By Grandma Moses - Together with/Her Life's History/Introduction by Louis Bromfield/Edited by Otto Kallir". 87-YEARS-OLD AT THE TIME, GRANDMA MOSES HAS DRAWN A COUNTRY SCENE IN INK ON THE FIRST BLANK FLYLEAF. Self-taught, ANNA MARY ROBERTSON "GRANDMA" MOSES (1860-1961) and her paintings first came to public attention in 1940, when she was 80 years old, with a one-woman show, "What A Farm Wife Painted", in OTTO KALLIR's Galerie St. Etienne in New York City. The Galerie St. Etienne officially represented Grandma Moses and has represented her estate since her death. read more...

HENRI TOULOUSE-LAUTREC He signs an autograph letter thanking a fellow artist for his "articles against the critics." Autograph letter signed: "T-Lautrec", 1 page, 4½x7. No place, no date. To "My dear Marty". In French, translated. In full: "We remain open next week, so you may let it be known. I don't know if I asked you to do it yesterday. Thanks for the articles against the jurists. Cordially" Congenitally stunted French painter and printmaker Henri Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) is famous for his posters and other images of Parisian nightlife in the "belle époque" of the 1890s. His early painting, "The Laundress", sold for $22.4 million in 2005. The letter is written to young fellow artist Andre Edouard Marty, later a leader of the Art Deco movement. Slightly creased. Ink transference at upper blank margin from folding the letter before ink had dried. Fine condition. read more...

PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR Unsigned aquatint "Tourne à Gauche" portrait of Pierre Auguste Renoir's son, Claude Renoir, circa 1904. Aquatint, unsigned. B/w, 11x13¼ overall, image 9¾x12 (two surfaces). Aquatint "Tourne à Gauche" portrait of his son, Claude Renoir, circa 1904. Facsimile of Renoir's signature, produced by the same process, appears below the image. Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841-1919), a leader among the Impressionists, is best known for his landscapes and paintings of figures and flowers. Renoir, who also enjoyed painting his children, also painted Claude, the youngest of his three sons (born in 1901 when the artist was 60), at his easel (1907) and dressed in a clown costume (1909). Dry mounted. Edges slightly soiled. Mounting remnants on verso (no show through). Overall, fine condition. Mounted, not in Gallery of History style. Not reviewed by us for conservation integrity. "As is" mounting purchase. read more...

NORMAN ROCKWELL Saturday Evening Post illustrator Norman Rockwell drew an original blue ink picture of a dog on this typed letter, which he signed in 1970. Interestingly, this letter, on his personalized stationery, is an apology that he can't send the recipient a sketch or drawing! With original mailing envelope. Original art on typed letter signed "Norman/Rockwell" in blue ink. 1 page, 6x7¾, on Rockwell's personalized stationery. With 4¾x1½ blue ink drawing near bottom edge. March 10, 1970. In full: "Dear Lachie MacLachlan: Thank you for your letter and for all the nice things you said about my paintings. I am really sorry but I just don't have any sketches or drawings that I could send you, so I am returning your check. Again, than you for your interest in writing to me. Cordially,". Lightly toned and creased. Paper clip impressions near top and bottom edges, which touch drawing but not signature. Light ink smudges in body of letter. Rust stain near bottom edge. Lightly discolored on verso (no show-through). Folded in half and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition. read more...