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1. ALAJALOV, Constantin (1900-87). Signature.
Only artist to paint covers for both The New Yorker and The Saturday Evening Post! This American artist and illustrator (Russian-born) is best remembered for his famed cubist-style New Yorker watercolor front covers. Uncommon signature, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p., 1972 October 5. Trademark stylized last name, in bold bright green. With original envelope. Uncommon.
Price: $75.00
2. ALEXANDER, Franklin O. (1897-1993).
Signed Postal Cover.
Long-time "Philadelphia Evening and Sunday Bulletin" syndicated editorial cartoonist (from 1942). Signed Postal Cover, 6½" X 3½", n.p., n.y. Fine. NOT a First Day Cover, but a mint uncancelled example of the stamp designed by Alexander (3-cent "In Recognition of the Important Service Rendered Their Communities and Their Nation by America's Newspaperboys") at upper right. Near the center, in bold red fineline, Alexander signs boldly in full. Small portion of original transmittal envelope (cancelled Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, on 1969 August 19). Most unusual item.
Price: $55.00
3. ARNO, Enrico (1913-80).
Signed Postal Cover.
This noted German-born artist and illustrator illustrated 27 books between 1955 (Moliere's "The Misanthrope") and his death. Signed Postal Cover, 6½" X 3½", n.p., n.y. Fine. NOT a First Day Cover, but a mint uncancelled example of the 3-cent "Fort Ticonderoga" 1955 stamp designed by Arno is affixed at upper right. At lower left, in black fineline, Arno signs boldly in his beautiful calligraphic script. A superb example of this uncommon signature.
Price: $75.00
4. BACON, Peggy (1895-1987).
Signed Book Illustration.
Famed caricaturist whose portraits of the famous, collected in books such as "Off With Their Heads!," made her subjects cringe; she wrote and illustrated 18 books ("The Good American Witch," 1957, being the best known) and illustrated 46 books by other writers. Signed book illustration, 1p, 4" X 7", n.p., n.d. Fine. Printed sketch entitled "Westminster Abbey," depicting half a dozen faces gazing to the left, signed boldly underneath in pencil. Judging from the paper quality, this is certainly an illustration from one of the books she illustrated, and research could pinpoint which one; verso of illustration is blank. Handsome and very displayable.
Price: $100.00
5. BAILEY, Worth (?-?).
Signed Postal Cover / Autograph Letter Signed.
Noted Virginia artist-historian often associated with Mount Vernon and designer of the 1949 U.S. air mail stamp celebrating Alexandria's 200th birthday. Signed Postal Cover, 6½" X 3½", n.p., n.y. Single 6-cent "Alexandria, Virginia, Bicentennial" stamp at upper right. Fine. NOT a First Day Cover. At lower left, in bold black ink, Bailey signs. Accompanied by an ALS, 1p, 8½" X 11", Alexandria, Virginia, 1970 February 14. Addressed to Paul Johnston. Near fine. Good content concerning this stamp, reading in part: "One might safely say that the concept and substance of the stamp was a case of design by committee; that it had something to say, however, is gratifying in the way you are using graphic materials to illuminate American history. Both buildings, I am happy to report, still survive despite a brush with urban renewal...." With original envelope. Nifty bit of postal history.
Price: $75.00
6. BAKER, Robert R. (?-?).
Signed Postal Cover.
This American commercial artist (art director, New York's Kenyon & Eckhart Advertising Agency) designed, among other things, the 1959 eight-cent "World Peace Through World Trade" U.S. stamp. Signed Postal Cover, 6½" X 3½", n.p., n.y. Single mint 8-cent "World Peace Through World Trade" stamp at upper right. Fine. NOT a First Day Cover. At lower left, in brown fineline the same color as the stamp itself, Baker signs in full, large and bold. Unusual.
Price: $40.00
7. BARFORD, George (?-?).
Signed First Day Cover.
This American artist and photographer collaborated with reknowned photographer Laszlo Moholy-Nagy on a series of photograms in the 1930s before becoming a long-time Illinois State University's art professor; in 1968 he won the competition for the U.S. stamp honoring the Illinois sesquicentennial. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Shawneetown, Illinois on 1968 February 12 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Single 6-cent "Illinois 1818 1968" stamp at upper right. Fine. At lower left, the artist signs and inscribes it handsomely in blue fountain pen: "for Paul Johnston / 2/28/68 / George Barford." Small portion of original transmittal envelope also present. A perfect example of this exceptional stamp, perfectly inscribed and signed by its creator.
Price: $50.00
8. BARRY, Charles (1795-1860).
Autograph Letter Signed.
English architect whose most reknowned creation is the Houses of Parliament (Palace of Westminster), a massive project completed between 1840 and 1860. ALS, 2pp (recto and verso), 4½" X 7¼", Foley Place, London, 1841 May 5. Addressed to Mr. Eversfield. Very good. Mounting trace along leftmost ½" of first page, touching almost no text; couple of minor foxing spots. Interesting and cryptic financial matters: "I shall be glad to be informed when I may expect another remittance on account of the Sale of the Old Materials of [Bredperaton?] House and when it is likely you will forward to me a Marked Catalogue the Balance Sheet and the Balance.... I am not sure whether I acknowledged the receipt of the first remittance of L 800...." There was an auctioneer by the name of Eversfield active around this time in Kent County, but what Barry's connection may have been to an auction and what the "old Materials" may have been remains to be verified. Nicely penned in brown ink. A nice example.
Price: $295.00
9. BASKIN, Leonard (1922-2000).
Signed First Day Cover.
This versatile American "artist's artist" excelled as an illustrator, print maker and sculptor; in 1952 he founded the reknowned Gehenna Press, producer of fine limited editions. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Concord, Massachusetts on 1967 July 12 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Single 5-cent "Thoreau" stamp at upper right. Fine. At lower left, Baskin signs large and bold in blue ballpoint -- his usual fabulous calligraphic signature. Small portion of original transmittal envelope also present. Baskin's eerie portrait of a disarming-looking Thoreau graces this unusual stamp.
Price: $75.00
10. BEALL, Lester (1903-69).
Signed First Day Cover.
Pioneering, prolific and legendary self-taught American graphic designer whose work spans the commercial, editorial corporate identity and advertising art worlds and who incorporated such disparate elements as bold new typefaces, Dada and 19th century American wood types; among his designs is the U.S. 10-cent stamp honoring Andrew Jackson; one authority calls Beall "the conscience of American design," while another maintains he "almost single-handedly launching the Modern movement in American design." Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Hermitage, Tennessee on 1967 March 15 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Single 10-cent "Andrew Jackson" stamp at upper right. Fine. At lower left, in black ballpoint, Beall signs large and bold. With small portion of original transmittal envelope.
Price: $75.00
11. BENTON, Thomas Hart (1889-1975).
Signed First Day Cover.
American painter and muralist; grandnephew of the Missouri senator. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Independence, Missouri on 8 May 1971 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Single 8-cent "Missouri 1821-1971" stamp at upper right. Fine. Near the center, Benton signs large and bold in blue ballpoint. With small portion of original transmittal envelope. Accompanied by a modern 8¼" X 11" black and white book reproduction of Nickolas Muray's well-known portrait of an intense young Benton.
Price: $150.00
12. BENTON, Thomas Hart (1889-1975).
Autograph Letter Signed.
American painter and muralist; grandnephew of the Missouri senator. ALS "Tom," 1p, 7¼" X 10½", Kansas City, MO, 1968 February 20. Addressed to Bill, apparently a cousin. Fine. Benton writes of his wife's health: "Rita has suffered a coronary attack and has been hospitalized for nearly three weeks. She is out of danger having made a much better recovery than I did two years ago. But we have no time now to think about pictures...." Talks of travel plans, suggests meeting in Martha's Vineyard. Comes with a modern print of a striking 8" X 10" portrait of a young Benton.
Price: $500.00
13. BILLINGS, Henry (?-?).
Original ink and wash drawing.
Original ink and wash drawing (unsigned), heavy stock 12" X 12", n.p., n.d. Near fine. Very slight soiling. Illustration from his 1940 book "Diesel-Electric 4030," a classy scene depicting a small town railroad station tucked into a hillside (the station plaque identifies the city as Hudson, New York), a couple of idle porters sitting around with carts awaiting the next train, some buildings in the background, etc. Very evocative.
Price: $350.00
14. BLOCK, Herbert L. (1909-2001).
Signed First Day Cover.
"Herblock," American three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist, starting with the "Chicago Daily News" in 1929 and appearing in syndication until his death. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Miami Beach, Florida on 1966 July 1 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Single 5-cent "The United States Bill of Rights 175th Anniversary " stamp at upper right. Fine. At lower left, large and bold, Block signs in blue fineline. Block's stamp design shows one hand pushing an oppressive hand, captioned "The rights of the people shall not be violated." With original transmittal envelope, signed again by Block and bearing return address in his hand.
Price: $50.00
15. BLOSSOM, David J. (1927-95).
Signed First Day Cover.
This American commercial artist (art director, Young & Rubicam) built a following for his acrylic artwork for romance paperback covers. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in York, Pennsylvania on 1977 September 30 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Single 13-cent "Drafting the Articles of Confederation" stamp at upper right. Fine. Near the center, in black ballpoint, Blossom signs in black fineline. With small portion of original transmittal envelope. Blossom's classy stamp depicts several colonial legislators hashing out the agreement.
Price: $40.00
16. BOBERTZ, Carl (?-?).
Signed Postal Cover / Typed Letter Signed.
This past president of the Society of Illustrators (1965-67) specialized in artwork for illustrated paperback covers, creating scintillating covers ranging from mainstream to mysteries. Signed Postal Cover, 6½" X 3½", n.p., n.y. NOT a First Day Cover, but a mint example of Bobertz's 4-cent "Employ the Handicapped" postage stamp is affixed at upper right. At lower left, in black ballpoint, Bobertz signs large and bold. Accompanied by a TLS, 1p, 7¼" X 10½", New York, NY, 1969 October 28. Addressed to Paul Johnston. Near fine. Good content in which the artist discusses his 1960 stamp design. In part: "For quite a time, the Employ the Handicapped stamp was used in this area in rehabilitation work and I am happy to see... that it is still useful. I have no idea of how many of these stamps were issued but the Post Office Department reprinted them twice...." Small portion of original transmittal envelope present. A nice piece of postal history.
Price: $75.00
17. BORGLUM, Lincoln (1912-86).
Signed Postal Cover.
The son of famed Mount Rushmore sculptor Gutzon Borglum was himself a noteworthy sculptor, and took over and completed Mount Rushmore after his father's death in 1941. Signed Postal Cover, 6½" X 3½", n.p., n.y. Single 3-cent 3-cent "Mount Rush National Memorial 1927-1952" stamp at upper right. NOT a First Day Cover, but Borglum has signed it large and bold in black fineline near the center. With small portion of original transmittal envelope also present.
Price: $75.00
18. BOSWORTH, Welles (1868-1966).
Typed Letter Signed.
The reknowned American Beaux-Arts architect famed for New York City's AT & T Building, MIT's Cambridge campus, Theodore N. Vail's mansion (Morristown, NJ) and much of the noted Rockefeller family estate Kykuit (Tarrytown, NY) spent much of the 1920s and '30s in France, where patron John D. Rockefeller Jr. placed him in charge of the restoration of the Palace of Versailles and Notre-Dame de Reims. TLS, 1p, 8½" X 9", New York, NY, 1924 July 2. Addressed to Dr. Samuel W. Stratton, president of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1861-1931, noted University of Chicago physicist who created the Bureau of Standards). Near fine. Just a few years after completing MIT's campus, its creator writes to MIT's president, "It is a great pleasure to hear from you and to know that you are going to be accessible all summer. I am, of course, involved just now in clearing up accumulations during my long absence, but look forward to an early date when I can come over to Boston to see you...." Handsomely signed. Bosworth was an MIT graduate, by the way -- class of 1889. A quite uncommon autograph.
Price: $275.00
19. BOYLE, Neil (1931-2006).
Signed First Day Cover.
This popular Canadian artist is remembered for impressionistic figure oil paintings and magazine illustrations. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Cambridge, Massachusetts on 1975 March 25 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Complete set of four different 10-cent "Contributors To the Cause..." stamps affixed. At bottom center, in black ballpoint, Boyle signs large and bold. With small portion of original transmittal envelope present. Boyle's powerful images on these stamps represent "Sybil Ludington Youthful Heroine," "Peter Francisco Fighter Extraordinary," "Salem Poor Gallant Soldier" and "Haym Salomon Financial Hero."
Price: $50.00
20. BRACKETT, Ward (1914-?).
Signed First Day Cover.
Versatile American artist who, along with wife Dolli, designed numerous U.S. stamps. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Washington, DC on 1968 May 17 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Single 6-cent "Law and Order" stamp at upper right. At lower left, in blue ballpoint, Brackett signs large and bold. With small portion of original transmittal envelope. Brackett's stamp design depicts a police officer walking hand in hand with a small boy.
Price: $40.00
21. BRAGDON, Claude (1866-1946).
Autograph Letter Signed.
This unusual American architect worked mostly in the Rochester, New York area, where his Chamber of Commerce Building and First Universalist Church may still be viewed; after 1923 he moved to stage design and a second career as an occultist and spiritual writer; his architecture books include "The Beautiful Necessity" (1910), "Architecture and Democracy" (1918) and "The Frozen Fountain" (1938), while his spiritual books include "New Lamps for Old" (1925), "The Eternal Poles" (1931), "Four Dimensional Vistas" (1930) and "An Introduction to Yoga" (1933). ALS, 1p, 5 3/4" X 9½", New York, NY, 1937 October 2. Addressed to Chicago musician and music school founder John G. Leiser. Fine. On blind-embossed "Shelton Hotel" letterhead, Bragdon chats cordially with this spiritualism enthusiast. In part: "You may be interested to know that... I speak at the Biosophical Institute... on Reflections on the Life and Personality of Nicholas Roerich. The occasion being the 50th anniversary of the artistic, scientific and literary activities of Prof. Roerich. Course, if you're in town and have nothing else to do, for this group of Young Jews might interest you. They read my books as though they were the Holy Bible...." (Roerich, 1874-1947, was a Russian theosophist, philosopher and painter.) Boldly penned in black fountain pen. With original envelope, addressed in Bragdon's hand. A superb example of this uncommon autograph.
Price: $195.00
22. Briggs, Austin (1909-73).
Signed Postal Cover.
This popular American cartoonist and illustrator trained under "Flash Gordon" cartoonist Alex Raymond before taking over that strip briefly and also the "Secret Agent X-9" strip; co-founded the Famous Artists School; in 1969 he was elected to the Society of Illustrators' Hall of Fame. Signed Postal Cover, 6½" X 3½", n.p., n.y. NOT a First Day Cover, but a mint example of Briggs' 1959 7-cent "Jupiter" balloon stamp is affixed at upper right. At lower left, in black ballpoint, Briggs signs large and bold, adding "(Designer)." With original transmittal envelope (Paris, 1970). A superb example.
Price: $75.00
23. BRINDLE, Melbourne (1904-95).
Signed First Day Cover.
This Australian-born American artist and illustrator illustrated "Saturday Evening Post" covers, World War Two war bond posters and a number of U.S. stamps and cards, including the 1975 "World Peace Through Law" stamp. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in San Diego, California on 1971 October 29 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Set of four "Historic Preservation" stamps at upper right. Near the bottom, running almost the full length of the envelope, Brindle signs large and bold in black ballpoint, adding "Designer" afterward. Small portion of original transmittal envelope also present.
Price: $75.00
24. BRITTON, John (1771-1857).
Autograph Letter Signed.
One of England's most memorable antiquaries and its foremost architectural critic and historian, who practically created the genre, authoring and editing such large multi-volume works as "Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain" (1805-14), "Cathedral Antiquities of England" (1814-35), "Architectural Antiquities of Normandy" (1825-27), "Picturesque Antiquities of English Cities" (1830) and others. ALS, 2pp (recto and verso), 4" X 6¼", n.p., n.y. ("Wed[nesda]y Morn[in]g"). Very good. Ever-so-slightly age toned and lightly soiled. Addressed to his old friend, William Jerdan (1782-1869), Scottish author and journalist, long-time editor of "The Literary Gazette" (1817-51). Certainly writing to Jerdan during his "Literary Gazette" editorship, Britton notes in part: "I inclose the first copy of a pamphlet for your acceptance hope you will have an opportunity to read parts of it before your next publication. It is the first prose productions of a young Gentleman, who has shewn first rate talents in [ ? ] composition, & therefore owe you will be pleased to know more of, & I shall have much pleasure to introduce him to you. I am persuaded you will approve of the tone and sentiments of this pamphlet...." One wonders what the "prose productions" were and who this "young Gentleman" may have been. Accompanied by an outstanding steel-engraved portrait of Britton, 4¼" X 6½", London, England, 1820. Published by J. Asperne for the 1 April 1820 edition of the "European Magazine," this heavy stock portrait depicts Britton seated at a desk, drawing architectural plans with a quill pen as he gazes at the viewer; two volumes of his "Cathedral Antiquities of England" may be seen on the table, and rows of books and literary busts fill the background. A nice example of this uncommon autograph and a superb portrait.
Price: $175.00
25. BROWN, John Carter (1934-2002).
Signed First Day Cover.
This American museum director oversaw the U.S. National Gallery of Art from 1969 to 1992 and made it the reknowned institution it is today. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania on 2 August 1971 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Single 8-cent "John Sloan American Artist" stamp at upper right. Fine. At lower left, Sloan signs his usual small stylized signature in black fountain pen. With original envelope. Choice example of this influential figure's signature on an appropriate cover.
Price: $50.00
26. BRUSSEL-SMITH, Bernard (1914-89).
Signed First Day Cover.
One of America's leading wood engravers, known for his scenes of the urban working classes in the 1940s and '50s. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Buffalo, New York on 1977 August 4 and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Single 13-cent "United States & Canada Peace Bridge 1927-77" stamp at upper right and handsome ArtCraft engraved cachet at left. Near the center, in blck ballpoint, Brussel-Smith signs. A classy example of this artist's virtuoso wood engraving technique -- and an uncommon autograph.
Price: $75.00
27. CADMUS, Paul (1904-99).
Signature.
This American artist's unorthodox WPA tempera murals ("The Fleet's In!" hints at homosexuality) in a style that came to be known as "magic realism" catapulted him to fame and controversy; male nudes were a favorite subject. Large, bold signature in blue ballpoint, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p., 1976 June 1. Fine. With original envelope. A handsome example in Cadmus's superb script.
Price: $50.00
28. CAMPBELL, Edmund S. (1884-1950).
Autograph Letter Signed.
This American architect, painter and educator taught at the Carnegie Institute of Technology, the Armour Institute of Technology, the Beaux Art Institute of Design in New York, and from 1927 to 1950 served as head of the School of Architecture and curator of the Bayly Museum of Fine Arts at the University of Virginia. ALS, 1p, 8½" X 11", Chicago, IL, 1922 September 23. Addressed to A.D. Sheridan (of Evanston, Illinois, owner of a noteworthy Prairie School residence designed by George W. Maher). Very good. Two-punched at left margin, not affecting text. On "Armour Institute of Technology" letterhead, Campbell discusses "your interest in my water-colors and that you might be interested in the purchase of one" and suggests a meeting at the Art Institute. "The Italian Shop... have a few for sale and I still have ten in storage at the University Club... I am enclosing a catalogue of my exhibition in Saint Louis last winter...." Attractively penned.
Price: $125.00
29. CHABOT, Lucille Gloria (1908-2005).
Signed First Day Cover / Autograph Note Signed.
In 1965 this Works Progress Administration artist, later a commercial and technical artist, gained fame when a watercolor she had painted in 1939 depicting an Angel Gabriel weathervane atop a church steeple in Newburyport was chosen as the country's Christmas stamp. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", Silver Bell, Arizona, 1965 November 2. Single 5-cent "Christmas" stamp at upper right. At the center, in bold blue ballpoint, the artist signs and inscribes it "Inscribed to Paul Johnston with / best wishes, / Lucille Gloria Chabot." Accompanied by a brief ANS, heavy stock 6" X 3½" card, n.p., 1974 August 19. Addressed to Paul Johnston. Fine. Gracious note to an admirer. With small portion of original transmittal envelope present.
Price: $50.00
30. COX, Palmer (1840-1924).
Signature and Sketch.
This pioneering Canadian illustrator and author appeared in "St. Nicholas Magazine" often, where his "Brownies" often appeared; they debuted in book form in "The Brownies, Their Book" in 1887, appearing in a dozen volumes with titles such as "The Brownies Abroad" and "The Brownies Around the World." Delightful ink sketch of a typical brownie head-and-shoulders portrait within a 3/4" diameter circle in black ink at upper left of a heavy stock 3½" X 2" card, and Cox's large handsome signature in brown ink at center. Fine. Accompanied by a 7" X 9" glossy book portrait of Cox (with facsimile signature and "Yours in Brownieland" inscription below), a leaf from the June 1894 "Book News Portraits" (No. 97, Volume 12). Fine. An outstanding pair, ideal for display.
Price: $350.00
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