Description:

Benton Thomas 1889 - 1975 Thomas Benton ALS with postcard depicting one of his murals

Single page ALS, 7.25" x 10.5", on Thomas Benton Stationary, scripted both recto and verso. Signed and dated twice by Benton as "Tom", and then below the postscript as "T". Dated "Aug 29 - '66". Near fine with residual paper clip mark to upper margin. Accompanied by the original post marked mailing envelope, 7.5" x 4", stamped and post marked Aug 29, 1966. Near fine with small tear to envelope flap. Accompanied by a postmarked postcard, 5.5" x 3.5", depicting one of Benton's Mural paintings "Independence and the Opening of the West". Scripted note on verso most likely in the hand of his wife saying "Greetings from Tom and Rita". Near fine condition.


A lovely ALS penned by Benton to Leonard Lyons of the New York Post. Lyons used to write the gossip column in the New York Post in the 1960's. This fantastic letter by Benton notes his interest in buying back some of his earlier paintings but had to weigh the his decision to do so with the elements of estate taxes.

"A couple of years ago I had my eye on that Billy Rose picture "Cotton Weighing", as you know. At that time we had bought back a couple of earlier things. However, from what I now know of the estate tax situation, coupled with the close shave I had last winter, we feel we have more than enough pictures "in stock". So let "Weighing Cotton" find its own way.

In addition Benton's letter meanders to a book he was writing at the time "Artist In America", noting he was finishing up and expected it to be republished with a "New and final chapter", and was continually referring to his "close shave" but "doing O.K. and am back at work", and letter noting "Doctors won't let him attend (his shows)

It is however his fantastic post script which would intrigue art lovers as his notes he has a "large retrospective show, 30 paintings, 24 drawings, 40 lithographs opening at the Bloomfield-Birmingham Art Center at Detroit the end of this Sept ... Times are sure changing when Presidents, judges, Treasury Dept officials, Senators and Governors pay attention to artists." In hind sight, playing Monday night quarterback, he was more accurate than he would know.

A fantastic revealing letter, wonderful to read as you can clearly see that Benton's art had been in high regard and coveted long before his death. Today in the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art sits a full 4 wall mural which surrounds the entire room. One can clearly say that today Benton's art will have now a permanent "New York" showing and will be on exhibit at one of the most widely recognized museums worldwide.

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June 14, 2017 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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