HENRI de TOULOUSE-LAUTREC Signed handwritten 1893 letter in French to Gustave Geffroy, with whom he would co-author a book the following year ALS: "T-Lautrec" in French, 1 page, 4¼x5¼. Monday. No place, no date. On verso of sheet imprinted "Service Telegraphique/Telegram", postmarked Paris, 1893 October 23. To Gustave Geffroy, Paris. In full: "Forgive me for being late to meet you, but I would like to speak with you tomorrow Tuesday at 6. I will come to see you at The Justice. I hope I have not lost the opportunity meet with you." Congenitally stunted French painter and printmaker HENRI de TOULOUSE-LAUTREC (1864-1901) is renowned for his posters, lithographs and book illustrations of Parisian nightlife in the "belle époque" of the 1890s. His early painting, "The Laundress", sold for $22.4 million in 2005. Gustave Geffroy (1855-1926) was an art critic who wrote for Clemenceau's "La Justice". He was the subject of artist Paul Cezanne's painting The Unfinished Portrait of Geffroy (1896) which hangs in the Louvre today. 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...

CARTOONISTS: WALTER LANTZ, HANK KETCHAM, CHARLES SCHULZ, JIM DAVIS, STAN LEE, and many, many others Limited edition, 35½x26¾ color lithograph, a 1986 benefit poster for Voice for Children, signed in artists' pencil and ink by 63 cartoonists, below a collage of favorite comic strip characters surrounding a central drawn image of President and Mrs. Reagan. One of the largest collections of cartoon talent in the industry's history, on a single sheet! Poster signed: "Cathy Guisewite" (Cathy), "Bill/Schorr" (The Grizwells), "Aragonés 86" (MAD magazine), "Rog/Bollen" (Animal Crackers), "Larry/Wright" (Kit 'N' Carlyle), "Ketcham" (Dennis the Menace), "Jim Unger" (Herman), "Bob/Thaves" (Frank and Ernest), "Kelly Freas" (Hugo-winning science fiction art), "Jack Hannah" (Disney and Lantz studios), "Morrie/Turner" (Wee Pals), "Bill Justice" 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...

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...

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...

WESTERN ARTISTS AND WRITERS: OLAF WIEGHORST, EARL EDER, JOE BOEHLER, STAN LYNDE, J. K. RALSTON and MANY OTHERS 34x35½ buckskin, signed by an impressive collection of Western artists in the 1970s, triple matted and custom framed for display. Some of the artists have added drawings in a Native American theme. Many signers have strong connections with the State of Montana and the Blackfoot Nation. Original Art signed: Buckskin bearing nearly 100 signatures. An unknown artist has drawn a large teepee in the center of the buckskin. Many of the signers have embellished their autograph with Western-themed drawings (teepees, horse heads, cattle brands, etc.). Some have dated their signatures, with the range of dates extending from 1970 to 1977. Many of the signers have a close connection with the state of Montana. The signers include the following: OLAF WIEGHORST (1899-1988), born in Jutland, Denmark, is best known for his poignant portrayals of the American West. Wieghorst's paintings have sold for more than $450,000. and his signed Lithographs for up to $12,000. His most famous work, Native Madonna, was published as a lithograph in 1972. Sioux painter and sculptor EARL EDER (b. 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...