Art and Architecture Autographs and Memorabilia Gift Ideas

MARC CHAGALL Marc Chagall signs a printed image numbered 61/75. Printed Image signed: "Marc Chagall". Color, 11¼x15 overall, image 9¼x12½ (one surface). Numbered: "61/75". Magazine article with photograph of Chagall affixed to verso of framed display. In 1914, Russian-born French artist Marc Chagall (1887-1985) first exhibited two of his works, Self-Portrait with Seven Fingers and The Fiddler, at the Salon des Indépendants in Paris. In June of that year, he had his first one-man show, at the Galerie Der Sturm in Berlin. Chagall then traveled to Vitebsk, his hometown, intending to stay for a short visit, but the outbreak of WWI prevented him from returning to Paris, where he would later settle. Considered one of the most original and eminent figures in 20th century art, Chagall was influenced by Cubism, Fauvism and Surrealism. His works, executed in a wide variety of media, from oils to stained glass, often featured subjects drawn from Russian village life, Jewish folklore and Hasidic mysticism. Mat slightly soiled at lower margin. Tape remnants on verso of framed display. Fine condition. Framed, not in Gallery of History style: 22½x26½. read more...

THEODOR GEISEL (DR. SEUSS) He draws the Cat in the Hat and signs it for a fan on this FDC honoring Wildlife Concervation Inscribed Original Art Signed: "To Gregg/~ Dr. Seuss", 6½x3½. First Day Cover in the 1956 Conservation Series, 3-cent Wildlife Conservation stamp affixed, postmarked Gunnison, Colorado, June 22, 1956, FIRST DAY OF ISSUE. To the left of his signature, Theodor Suess Geisel (1904-1991), who wrote under the pen name "Dr. Seuss", has drawn and colored in one of his most popular characters, The Cat in the Hat. Geisel had started a primary reader series with The Cat in the Hat (1957), published by his firm Beginner Books, which became a division of Random House in 1960. His first juvenile book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street (1937), written and illustrated by Geisel, was followed by such other favorites as Horton Hears a Who (1954, television 1970), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1957, film 1966, new release in 2000) and Green Eggs and Ham (1960). The Cat in the Hat was released as a feature film, starring Mike Myers in the title role, in November 2003. Lightly soiled. Fine condition. 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...

CARL BARKS Numbered 56/313 and signed 23¼x20 lithograph of his color cartoon Student Witch Lithograph Signed: "Carl Barks". Color, 23¼x20 overall, image 17¾x14 (one surface). Titled: "Student Witch". Limited edition lithograph, published in 1997, numbered "56/313". The Student Witch, Barks' 1974 oil painting, was created for the cover of Funnyworld 16.  Animator Barks (1901-2000) is best known for his work at the Disney Studios where he worked for 24 years (1942-1966), creating some 6,371 pages of cartoons in 450 comic books featuring Donald Duck (introduced in 1934) and the characters that Barks created such as Uncle Scrooge McDuck. Lightly creased at corners. Lightly soiled at blank margins. Fine condition. read more...

JAMES MONTGOMERY FLAGG His 17x23 signed charcoal on board, "Portrait of a Gentleman" Original Art signed: "J M F", 17x23. His original charcoal on board, "Portrait of a Gentlemen," signed on the portrait in charcoal. Framed to an overall size of 18½x24½. When the U.S. entered WWI, American artist and illustrator James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960) created the "I Want You" U.S. Army recruiting poster, which featured an Uncle Sam based on his own likeness. The poster was revived in 1940, and as official New York state militia artist, Flagg created a number of stirring posters, including a sleeping Miss Liberty captioned with the admonition: "Wake Up, America". His work also includes posters for the American Red Cross and illustrations of buxom girls in popular periodicals (from 1892). From the estate of Charles Martignette (1950-2008), a noted authority on American illustrative art whose collection merited a special exhibit at the Smithsonian. Multiple white chalk marks on drawing. Otherwise, fine condition. Not framed in the Gallery of History style. read more...

ANDREW WYETH Extremely rare letter written by Andrew Wyeth at his winter home in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania in 1947 about a painting of the Battle of the Nile. Letters from Wyeth that discuss works in progress and include diagrams drawn by him are rarely encountered in the public market and are highly desirable. Autograph letter signed "Andrew". 2 pages, 7¼x10¼, single-sided sheets. March 16, 1947, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. In full: "Dear Mr. Fisher: Thank you for your letter of the 14th also the prints and material reguarding (sic) the French ship Guerrier. I don't think we need worry ourselves about the figure-head on the ship as the smoke from the foremast quite does away with it. I have followed the prints of the Guerrier very closely when you return this working drawing you might tell me what color the Guerrier was painted. I was most happy to receive the Mavel (sic) Academy Museum pamphlets for my files, more Thanks. The position of Nelson's ship Vanguard in my drawing to the French ship Guerrier. I really think I can make a better water color with this change. read more...

DIEGO RIVERA and PAULETTE GODDARD The famed Mexican artist sells his painting "Calla Lillies" to the actress. This collection includes the original invoice, signed twice by Rivera, and a customs document also signed by him, as well as two pieces signed by Goddard, who experiences frustrating delays and damages to the painting as it transits US customs. Some of this archive references Charlie Chaplin, from whom Goddard was getting divorced. Rivera and Goddard may have numbered each other among their many romances. Collection includes: 1) Document signed twice: "Diego Rivera", 2 pages (front and verso), 8x10½. Mexico Federal District, 1942 February 19. Invoice of Purchased Material, attesting that the oil and tempera painting "Calla Lillies," painted by Rivera in Mexico, has been sold to Paulette Goddard of Beverly Hills, California for $1,000, plus $20.50 for packing, shipping, insurance, and customs clearance. The document has also been signed by a US consular officer. Staple holes at top left corner. Two filing holes at top. Otherwise, fine condition. 2) Document signed: "Diego Rivera", 8x10½. Mexico City, 1942 February 19. Declaration on a US Foreign Service form, attesting that Rivera was the original painter of this artwork. read more...

WALTER LANTZ His signed drawing of Woody Woodpecker and Chilly Willy, framed in the Gallery of History style to 15x21 Original Art inscribed and signed: "To Patty/Merry Christmas/Walter Lantz 1988" in pencil, 1 page, 9½x7½. Lantz has drawn two of his most popular characters: Woody Woodpecker and Chilly Willy. Walter Lantz (1900-1994), who was working in film animation from age 16, took over Universal Film's animation department in 1926. In 1935, the organization separated from Universal and became Walter Lantz Studios. Lantz was already producing popular movie cartoons, including Oswald Rabbit and Andy Pandy, when a noisy woodpecker at his wooded honeymoon cottage inspired him to produce his most popular character. Woody first appeared in 1940 in the Andy Panda cartoon, "Knock, Knock". Lantz produced Woody Woodpecker shorts - never a feature film - until 1975. The woodpecker's unforgettable laugh, originated by Mel Blanc, was furnished by Lantz's wife, Grace Stafford (who had auditioned anonymously), after 1950. Chilly Willy, a penguin who hates the cold, debuted on December 21, 1953. read more...

JAMES MCNEILL WHISTLER Famed Gilded Age artist signs print of his painting Blue and Silver: Blue Wave Biarritz with his name and customary butterfly signature Photograph Mount signed twice: "Whistler" in pencil below image and with his ornate "butterfly" signature. B/w, 21x15½ overall, image 10x7¼ (two surfaces). Photograph of his well-known painting, Blue and Silver: Blue Wave Biarritz. The original of Blue Wave, an oil on canvas, is from 1862, and is in the collection of the Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington, Connecticut. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) was a prominent artist during America's Gilded Age; critical of sentimentality and morality in painting, he became a famous proponent of the philosophy "art for art's sake". His recognizable signature was a stylized butterfly possessing a large stinger for a tail, purportedly combining both aspects of his personality: his delicate art style and his combative public image. Whistler is known to combine his art with music, titling them "arrangements", "harmonies", and "nocturnes". read more...