Description:

20th C. Artists
various, ca. 1938-1961
20th C. Artists Amazing Content Archive: Miro, Calder, Ray, Shahn, Marini, Plus Gala Dali & Others! Ca. 1938-1961, 30 Pcs
Archive

An archive of autographed material exchanged between James Thrall Soby (1906-1979), an art critic and collector professionally affiliated with the Museum of Modern Art, and some of the most important modern artists of the 20th C. including Joan Miró, Alexander Calder, Man Ray, Ben Shahn, Marino Marini, and others, with bonus material from artist spouses Gala Dalí and Marina Marini.

The assortment of 30 pieces in English, French, and Italian dates from ca. 1938-1961 (with the majority dating from the 1940s-1950s) from various places including New York, New York; Paris, France; Milan and Venice, Italy; Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Pebble Beach, California; Hartford and Roxbury, Connecticut; and Roosevelt, New Jersey. Consisting of autograph letters signed, typed letters signed, original drawings or doodles, signed programs, vintage photographs, picture postcards, and original transmittal envelopes, the archive features outstanding artistic content relating to specific artwork and ownership; exhibitions, catalogs, and books; as well as galleries, museums, and fellow artists. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, wrinkles, toning, uneven edge darkening, isolated ink smears, scattered scuffs, partially rusted paperclip impressions, isolated closed tears, etc. Please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition, which is overall very good to near fine. The largest piece measures 8.5" x 11."

James Thrall Soby was an influential 20th C. art critic, collector, and patron. Educated at Williams College without obtaining a degree, Soby "finished" his artistic education in Europe and later worked under A. Everett "Chick" Austin at the Wadsworth Atheneum (Hartford, Connecticut.) Soby moved to 29 Mountain Spring Road in Farmington, Connecticut, a Hartford suburb, in 1935, and there later commissioned an International Art-style art gallery designed by Henry Russell-Hitchcock where he could display his personal collection. Soby was affiliated with the Museum of Modern Art in various capacities - including as department director and museum trustee - between ca. 1940 until his death in 1979. He routinely wrote art editorials and published more than a half dozen serious monographs on modern artists including "Dalí" (1941); "Rouault" (1945); "Shahn" (1947); "Modigliani" (1951); and "Miró" (1959), among others.

The archive demonstrates the extent to which Soby was enmeshed in the mid-20th C. American art scene. Soby's personal and professional connections to art galleries, art museums, art periodicals, and art publishing proved an invaluable resource to up-and-coming artists. Likewise, establishing personal relationships with these artists and their wives gave Soby cachet. The give-and-take of Soby's relationship with contemporary artists was mutually beneficial: he provided them with access, publicity, and prestige, and they provided him with insider information about their artwork, their artistic process, and fellow artists.

Signatures in the lot include, in alphabetical order:

- Eugene Berman (1899-1972), the Russian-American theatre and opera designer, as "E.B." and "E. Berman"

- Alexander Calder (1898-1976), the American sculptor, as "Sandy"

- Gala Dalí (1894-1982), the Russian-French wife of Spanish Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, as "Dalí," "Gala," and "Gala Dalí"

- Lyonel Feininger (1871-1956), the German-American painter, as "Lyonel Feininger"

- Marino Marini (1901-1980), the Italian sculptor, as "Marino" and "Marino Marini"; as well as his wife, Mercedes "Marina" Marini, as "Marina"

- Joan Miró (1893-1983), Spanish ceramicist, sculptor, and painter, as "Miró"

- Man Ray (1890-1976), the American photographer, as "Man Ray"

- Paul Strand (1890-1976), the American photographer, as "Paul Strand"

- Ben Shahn (1898-1969), the Lithuanian-American artist and art critic, as "Ben"

The lot consists of:

Joan Miró

- A French art gallery brochure, "Guillaume Apollinaire et Ses Peintres" (Paris: Galerie de Beaune, ca. June 1938), signed and inscribed by Miró with his contact information as: "Miró / 98, Bld. Auguste - / Blanqui / (13e) / tél. - Gob. 13-19." 5.375" x 8.25."

- Original pencil sketch attributed to Miró found on the back of a Stanhope Gate concert program for guitarist Fernando Sirvent. Consisting of a central figure plus five additional circular figures, with color-coded captions in red, yellow, black, white, gray, green, and orange. N.d., n.p. Pencil-inscribed "Miro" at lower right. 7.25" x 7.5."

Alexander Calder

- A postcard signed by Calder as "Sandy" verso, with engrossed address front. September 15, 1950. [Roxbury, CT.] Hand-stamped and postmarked. 5.5" x 3.25."

Man Ray

- A 1p typed letter signed by Ray as "Man Ray." November 13, 1947. [Hollywood, CA.] 7.25" x 10.125." In part: "I found all my belongings in Paris; paintings, photos, house in the country, and the trip was very successful and exciting. I exhibited, gave interviews, saw most of the old guard, and dined and wined extremely well." Paper-clipped to three other pieces.

- A 1p typed letter signed by Hartford National Bank and Trust Company Trust Officer Phillip H. Graham on watermarked stationery with letterhead. December 19, 1947. [Hartford, CT.] Regarding the difficulties of drawing on Ray's 60,000 francs. 8.5" x 11." Paper-clipped to three other pieces.

- A 1p autograph letter signed by Ray as "Man Ray." January 21, 1948. [Hollywood, CA.] Regarding financial matters including accounts in Paris bank and conversion from francs. 7.25" x 10.125." Paper-clipped to three other pieces.

- An art gallery catalog brochure, "Man Ray paintings, watercolors, drawings, photographic compositions" (Hollywood: Frank Perls Gallery, Inc., ca. March 1-26, 1941). 6" x 9.625."

Ben Shahn

- A 1p typed letter signed by Shahn as "Ben" with an asterisked postscript endorsement as "Please return for my vanity file." March 11, 1953. Roosevelt, NJ. Typed on watermarked onion skin. Regarding McCarthyism, Senator Langer, Emergency Civil Liberties, being dubbed "red," and the "onslaught of the Troglodytes." 8.5" x 10.625." Accompanied by an enclosed German press clipping dated December 1952 contained in the original transmittal envelope.

- A 1p typed letter signed by Shahn as "Ben" with an additional postscript endorsement as "Poor poor wandering liberation." April 5, 1954. Roosevelt, NJ. Typed on watermarked onion skin. 8.5" x 10.625." With original transmittal envelope.

In part: "Your request for a 'credo' in 50 to 100 words poses something of a problem… I have tried to burrow down far enough to find some sort of primary impulse which I know to be true of me when I paint, and which I assume may be true of any other artist - whatever his eruptions may look like when they finally come to rest on a canvas…"

- A 1p typed letter signed by Shahn as "Ben" above his typed signature as "Ben Shahn." One manuscript edit in the second paragraph. June 24, 1954. Roosevelt, NJ. Typed on watermarked onion skin. 8.5" x 10.625." With original transmittal envelope.

In part: "Of course I have here a wonderful-looking cable, naming the impressive sum of cinquementomila [sp] lire of which some young Shahn (with growing cynicism about rates of exchange) said, 'wonder if that would buy a couple of sandwiches?'"

Marino Marini and Marina Marini

- A 1p autograph letter in French signed by Marini and his wife as "Marina & Marino." December 16, 1948. N.p. Translated in part: "…so happy that the portrait pleased you…" 5.75" x 8.25."

- A 1p typed letter in French signed as "Marino Marini" and as "Marina." February 27, 1949. Milan, Italy. Translated in part: "I am very happy to give you Carrà's portrait and the 15 drawings which you requested for the exposition…" 8.125" x 11.75."

- A 1p typed letter in French signed as "Marino Marini." January 12, 1950. Milan, Italy. Regarding placement of a sculpture entitled "La Danseuse" in Soby's garden. 5.75" x 8.25." Accompanied by its original transmittal envelope.

- A 1p autograph letter in French signed as "Marina & Marino" at bottom. "Mardi soir." [New York, NY.] On watermarked "Gladstone" stationery. Expressing pleasure at a recent visit. 7.25" x 10.5."

- Two vintage black and white gelatin silver prints of Marini artwork including "Cavaliere" (1948) and "Portrait del Dottor Schmidt" (1945), both 6.875" x 9.25." Slight curling.

- Six picture postcards, ca. 1949-1961, sent to the Sobys by the Marinis from Paris, Milan, and Venice, some with original drawings. Signed variously as "Marina," "Marino," and "Marino Marini." Average size 4.25" x 6."

Gala Dalí

- A 2pp autograph letter in French signed five times by Gala Dalí: signed twice as "Gala" on page 1 and in postscript; signed twice within the text as "Dalí" when mentioning her husband; and signed as "G. Dalí" on the envelope. [June 16, 1941.] [New York, NY.] On watermarked "Hotel St. Regis" hotel stationery. 5.625" x 9.25." Accompanied by its original transmittal envelope.

Translated in part: "P.S. Will you not be able to send a letter in an official capacity speaking of Dalí's exposition at the Museum of Modern Art next winter season, and of the great necessity of his personal presence…"

- A 2pp autograph letter in French signed five times by Gala Dalí: signed as "your Gala" on page 2; signed twice within the text as "Dalí" when mentioning her husband; signed as "Dalí" above the address letterhead; and signed as "Gala Dalí" on the envelope back. On custom laid stationery. 6" x 8." Accompanied by its original transmittal envelope.

Answering Soby's questions about the ownership of "The Spectre of Sex Appeal" and "Two Pieces of Bread" owned by Dalí; and the "Family of Marsupial Centaurs" owned by Alphonso Gonzales. Also pertaining to Dalí's exhibition history in the United States in the 1920s; Dalí one-man shows at Galerie Dalman and other places, ca. 1925-1927.

- A 4pp autograph letter in French signed three times by Gala Dalí: signed as "Gala Dalí" on the last page; and signed twice within the text as "Dalí" when mentioning her husband. April 18, 1947. [Pebble Beach, CA.] On "Del Monte Lodge" stationery. 5.25" x 6.875." Accompanied by its original transmittal envelope.

Translated in part: "Dear friend, finally we have stopped after loads of trips, disruptions. José and Dalí have begun work preparing his next exhibition of which… he wanted to show you several projects and paintings half-finished…"

Miscellaneous

- A 2pp autograph letter signed by Strand as "Paul Strand" on the second page, as well as "Paul Strand" above the return address. December 16, 1952. Paris, France. On pale blue lightweight paper. 8.125" x 10.5." Accompanied by its original transmittal envelope.

In part: "The Fullbright [sp] did not happen, but I have been able to do a considerable body of work these past few years, of which the book is an indication… I hope you find it good, both picture and text… I continue to be interested in this text plus picture problem, as being potentially more interesting and alive than the simple picture book…"

- A 7pp autograph letter signed by Berman as "E.B." on page 7, and also signed as "E. Berman" above the return address. January 17, 1949. Los Angeles, CA. Mentioning artists and art-related creatives including: Jean Cocteau, Louis Jouvet, Yves Tanguy, René Magritte, Max Ernst, Frank Perls, Alexander Iolas, Billy Brice, Howard Warshaw, Christian "Bebè" Bernard, etc.

- A 1p typed letter signed by Feininger as "Lyonel Feininger" above his printed name as "Lyonel Feininger." May 29, 1949. [New York, NY.] On watermarked stationery with embossed letterhead. Regarding "American art and the problem of the American artist's relation to Europe." 7.25" x 10.375."

- Airmail envelope sent from Soby to his second wife Nellie in Venice, with two ink drawings of horses, July 26, 1951. New York, NY. 9.5" x 4.25."

- Reverse-printed Christmas card on textured orange paper from "Ray and Yves." Ca. 1947, n.p. 6.375" x 3.125."

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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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