Description:

Chaim Gross
n.p., November 10, 1962
1st Ed. "Chaim Gross: Sculptor" 2x Signed Presentation Copy With Original Drawing of Dancing Woman
SB with original drawing

A first edition hardcover copy of the first biography of American sculptor Chaim Gross (1902-1991), by Josef Vincent Lombardo, "Chaim Gross: Sculptor" (New York: Dalton House, Inc., 1949). The volume was double-signed (with name and artist's monogram), November 10, 1962. N.p. The volume also features an original drawing by Gross of a dancing woman measuring approximately 6.5" x 11" alone. With dark blue publisher's cloth as issued, with gilt-embossed front cover and spine, and including 142 glossy black and white illustrations, both full-page and double-spread. Expected wear including toning and isolated smudges within. Isolated water stains to the front cover bottom edge. The original dust jacket with unclipped $12.50 retail price on the left flap shows considerable weathering and wear, including scattered repairs, closed tears, chipped edges, and splits, with the left flap almost completely detached. Else very good. Acknowledgements and Contents: v-vii; 1-222; List of Illustrations; Catalogue Raisonné, 1926-1949; Bibliography; and Index: 223-247. 9.375" x 12.325" x 1.25."

Inscribed, and dated by its subject, Chaim Gross, as: "To my dear friend / Hyman Cohen - / with my best / wishes -. / Nov. 10. 1962 / Chaim Gross / ? HC" on the dedication page. Thus the book has been signed by the artist twice, once as "Chaim Gross" and once with the artist's monogram "? HC," which he referred to as "The Dog".

Chaim Gross dedicated this copy of his biography to Hyman Cohen, a New York City attorney who is mentioned in the book on p. 100 and in the Catalogue Raisonné on p. 227. Cohen purchased a 14" lignum vitae sculpture by Gross called "Crouching Figure" (Plate 5, p. 42) in 1928, when Gross was believed to have committed suicide but in reality was temporarily working as a hotel dishwasher in Atlantic City!

Chaim Gross was an American sculptor of Hungarian-Jewish origin who emigrated to the United States and the early 1920s. He is known for his sculptural depictions of full-bodied women with exaggeratedly wide hips and thighs. Gross had a long-term affiliation with The Educational Alliance in lower Manhattan, and worked for the predecessor agency of the Works Progress Administration in the early 1930s.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 9.375" x 12.325" x 1.25"
  • Medium: SB with original drawing

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