Description:

Rare Diane Arbus ALS and Related SHOW Magazine, ca. 1965

An extremely rare autograph letter signed by photographer Diane Arbus, together with a related issue of "SHOW" magazine featuring Mae West. Arbus' autograph is almost unobtainable in any form, especially within a fully-signed, handwritten letter. The letter has expected flattened mail folds, else very fine. The magazine has worn edges and corners, with minor toning to internal pages and covers. In 45 years in business we have seen only a no content postcard signed with 1st name only (Realized $3000). No other Arbus letter has hit the market to our knowledge.

The letter is 1p, measuring 8.5" x 11", New York, n.d. [ca. 1964-1965]. Written on Show Magazine letterhead, the letter is signed "Diane Arbus" and addressed to Marion (presumably Marion Magid Hoagland, art critic for Arts Magazine). Arbus thanks Marion for her "sweetness and understanding" in aiding with the magazine and relates recent travels and her impression of Mae West - "one of the most superb people I have ever met."

Accompanying the letter is the January 1965 issue of "SHOW" magazine, Vol. V, No. 1, which has Arbus' article on West, entitled "Mae West: Seventy-one and out of this world." 

Diane Arbus (1923-1971) was an American photographer noted for expanding prior notions of acceptable subject matter and for her unique relationship with her subjects, which included strippers, carnival performers, nudists, people with dwarfism, children, mothers, couples, elderly people, and middle-class families. By humanizing and not belittling her subjects, she was able to capture a rare intimacy and intensity within her work. Throughout her career, she also photographed such icons as Mae West, Norman Mailer, billionaire H. L. Hunt, Anderson Cooper (as a baby), Coretta Scott King, and Marguerite Oswald (Lee Harvey Oswald's mother).

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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February 21, 2024 10:30 AM EST
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$100 $299 $20
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$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
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$50,000 + $5,000