NORMAN ROCKWELL - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 03/16/1971 - HFSID 271108

NORMAN ROCKWELL
A letter in response to several questions, mentioning the Saturday Evening Post wanting to his a photograph of him for one of their covers, and speaking of his 1960 Nixon Portrait
Typed letter signed: "Norman/Rockwell", 1p, 5¾x7¾. Stockbridge, Massachusetts, 1971 March 16. On his imprinted letterhead to "Dear Mr. Richards". In full: "Thank you for your kind letter, and I will try to answer your questions. The new owners of THE SATURDAY EVENING POST are considering using a colored photograph of me and a little boy selling the POST for their first cover. No, I did not do a portrait of Al Jolson. To my knowledge there are no copies of the 1960 President Nixon painting. There were figurines, but I have no idea whether they are available, or, if so, where. I am sending a bookplate for your copy of the big book, and thank you for writing. Sincerely". Enclosure not present. The Richard Nixon portrait mentioned in this letter was done by Rockwell in 1968. The artist said he intentionally "flattered" Nixon as the President's appearance was "troublesomely elusive" and if he had to err, he wanted it to be in a direction that would please his subject. The Nixon painting is housed at the National Portrait Gallery in the Smithsonian Institution. American artist and 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 published his autobiography, Norman Rockwell, My Adventures as an Illustrator, in 1960. Lightly creased with fold, not at signature. Paper clip impression at upper left blank margin. Fine condition.