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...

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...

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...

ALFRED STIEGLITZ Signed autograph letter to a biographer concerning photographic plates missing from his collection Autograph Letter signed: "Alfred Stieglitz", 2 pages, 8½x11, front and verso (hinged to show both sides). New York City, 1933 December 18. To his friend (and author) Grace E. Titus, who was working a book about the innovative photographer. In full, as written: "Every number of Camera Work was published complete when issued. The way it happens that Plates are missing is that frequently Camera Work came out of the Bindery with Plates to be inserted by me personally after binding. Some years ago many of the Insets were either destroyed or mislaid. Hence the impossibility of completing many issues at present I know of no way of acquiring missing plates except in keeping one's eyes open for numbers of Camera Work as they may appear in the market Absolutely complete sets of Camera Work are very, very rare & are priceless. No I have no reproductions either There are none The Plates in Camera Work for the major part are photo gravures made directly from original negatives & were made under my direction as were the prints. read more...

HENRI MATISSE He signs this 10¼x14 color print, Abstract Figure (Blue Series) Printed Art signed in Pencil: "H.M." Color, 10¼x14. The print is titled Abstract Figure (Blue Series). From Proof, Pre Publication Edition, Verve. French painter, sculptor, and printmaker Henri Matisse (1869-1954), who was influenced by Post-Impressionism, revolted against Pointillism and became a leader of the Fauvist school, although his later work moved in other directions. He was a master in the use of form and color to convey emotion. A lifelong friend and rival of Pablo Picasso, Matisse shared many similarities with his contemporary. However, he differed from Picasso in that Matisse usually painted from nature. Slightly soiled at blank left edge. Otherwise, fine condition. 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...

NORMAN ROCKWELL This piece of original art was drawn and signed by the artist; the image was featured on the cover of an edition of The Saturday Evening Post, and both items are framed! Original Art Signed: “NR” in pencil. 14½x19 pencil sketch. Framed to a size of 26x30½. Fine condition. Accompanied by a magazine cover unsigned: The Saturday Evening Post, November 5, 1960 edition. 10¼x13 visible. Framed to a size of 19x22. Dated three days before the 1960 election, when the Nixon/Lodge ticket squared off against the Kennedy/Johnson ticket. Two years later, Nixon ran for Governor of California and lost to Pat Brown. Nixon went on to win the Oval Office six years later, only to resign due to the Watergate Scandal. Cover lightly worn and creased. Otherwise, fine condition. NORMAN ROCKWELL (1894-1978) captured scenes from American life in his magazine covers and illustrations, often noted for their humorous and accurate depictions of 1940's and 1950's life. Rockwell's drawings, read more...

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...

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...