Description:

Andrew Wyeth Archive Incl. Original Raccoon Sketch & 2 ANSs, 3 Pcs & 3 Signatures!

A small group of pieces related to important twentieth-century artist Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009), including an original raccoon sketch signed "AW"; a 19-word autograph note signed by Wyeth as "Andy"; and a 14-word autograph note signed by Wyeth as "Robin Hood." Provenance: From the personal collection of George & Helen Sipala, Wyeth's longtime friends and neighbors in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity dated November 2, 2020 originally signed by Helen Sipala.

The lot consists of:

1. An original sketch by Andrew Wyeth entitled "Raccoon," showing the masked animal emerging from a tree trunk. Drawn in pencil and black ink on the reverse of a promotional card inviting collectors to submit Wyeth artwork listings to Andrew Wyeth's Catalogue Raisonné. Signed by Wyeth as "AW" at lower right, and also inscribed with the work title along the center bottom. Expected wear and soiling. The top edge is heavily wrinkled, with an isolated closed tear running from the top edge, and was possibly previously exposed to moisture as the ink has become slightly discolored. Else good to very good, 4.5" x 3.5."

Andrew Wyeth is not known to have depicted raccoons in any of his major artwork, but a large tempera on oil entitled "Raccoon" (1958), now in the collection of the Brandywine Museum of Art (Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania), depicts a trio of abused raccoon-hunting dogs at Brinton's Mill which the artist had sympathetically painted.

2. A 1p autograph note signed by Wyeth as "Andy" at center, the note reading in full: "Can't wait to show / Christmas!! print / to Betsy / love / Andy / The bread a little hard / but good I / think." N.d., n.p. but "1997" has been neatly inscribed in the upper right corner, probably by Helen Sipala. On a blank piece of blue-lined paper. A few edge wrinkles, else near fine. 8.5" x 11."

3. A 1p autograph note signed by Wyeth as "Robin Hood," the note reading in its entirety: "Im [sic] here at 7:30 / This morning - / Hope you had a great time / Robin Hood." N.d., n.p. The note is written on the back of decorative birdhouse note paper, inscribed with a shopping list in another hand reading in part: "Stone ware / Salt (?) machine / Wire for picture / gifts…" Expected light wear including isolated wrinkles, else near fine. 4" x 6."

Provenance

George & Helen Sipala lived at Painter's Folly, near Route 1 (or Baltimore Pike) in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania from 1974 until 2018. Painter's Folly was an Italianate style residence built in 1857 that had served as Howard Pyle's summer art colony around the turn of the twentieth century; Wyeth's father had studied there.

In her letter of authenticity, Helen Sipala states that Andrew Wyeth's first visit to Painter's Folly occurred on March 1, 1989, after Wyeth had rambled onto the property to study a pair of mermaid statues. Wyeth's home and studio was located about 1.5 miles to the southwest of Painter's Folly. The artist was cordially received and granted full access to the house, roof line, and property. Wyeth visited regularly, sometimes almost daily, over the next 20 years until his death in 2009. Painter's Folly is depicted in Wyeth's work of the same name, from 1989 (see picture included for reference). In the end, about half a dozen Wyeth works feature either Painter's Folly or the Sipalas.

Helen wrote in part:

"When we weren't home, he [Andy] would leave us a written note on the kitchen table to let us know of his visit. At first it was any little piece of paper he could find until we realized that a pad was necessary. As you will see, the notes pertained to what he was working on, the time of the day, and with a personal sketch or two.

The notes were signed with various comical notations or signatures. Robin Hood, The Snowman, The man on the roof, Old Bones, The Spirit, etc. were just a few. Sketches might explain what he was working on or just silly thoughts in his head…Little did he know, that these simple drawings and letters would become a real part of our lives, and, hopefully, a real part of Andy's legacy…"

Wyeth and the Sipalas also socialized together in Chadds Ford, Maine, and elsewhere, and Helen Sipala also occasionally posed for him. Helen Sipala relied on recollections, diary entries, and the voluminous collection of ephemera that Andy left behind on his visits to compose her memoir, "Beyond the Marriage Bed: My Years as Friend, Model and Confidante of Andrew Wyeth" (Berkeley, California: Regent Press, 2021), edited by Bruce E. Mowbray. In 2018, Painter's Folly was purchased by Chadds Ford as part of its Historic and Open Space inventory initiatives.

Andrew Wyeth was the youngest child of nationally acclaimed illustrator Newell Convers Wyeth (1882-1945). Andrew became known for his spare, stark, monochromatic depictions of nature and rural American life. His moving work "Christina's World" (1948), showing his physically disabled neighbor Christina Olson stretched out in a field, is emblematic of Wyeth's style and tone. He typically sketched in pencil or watercolor, and his finished large-scale artwork was accomplished in either watercolor, drybrush watercolor, or egg tempera.

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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