“There seem to be many accounts of my life” 554. Maxfield Parrish. American art-
ist (1870–1966) best known for his luminous, often fantastic landscapes and romantic illustrations of nudes. ALS, one page, 5.5 x 4.5, April 28, 1931. Brief letter to a woman. In full: “There seem to be many accounts of my life: The latest in ‘The American Magazine’ for Mar ‘30.” A uniform block of light toning over text and signature from previous display, and a horizontal fold passing through signature, otherwise fine condition. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $200)
555. Norman Vincent Peale. Two items:
glossy 6.5 x 8 photo of Peale at a podium, signed and inscribed, “To Ed Clark Ford, with best wishes, Norman Vincent Peale”; and a one-page TLS, signed “Norman V. Peale,” dated June 1, 1956 and written to Ford regarding a eulogy he gave with a handwritten postscript at the bottom. Photo with scattered marks and impressions, and letter with expected horizontal folds and scattered wrinkling, otherwise fine condition. RRAuction COA.…(MB $100)
The Ship of Fools author locates her personal correspondence at Yale 557. Katherine Anne Porter. Pulitzer Prize–
winning American writer (1890–1980) best known for such enduring stories as ‘The Jilting of Granny Weatherall’ and the novel Ship of Fools. TLS, one onionskin page, 8.25 x 11, June 7, 1965. Letter to Vida Vliet at American Institutional College. In part: “It is true that I had two near fatal attacks of pneumonia twice within ten months…Of course you may have permission to read my letters in the Beinecke Library at Yale. I had no notion that so many of my letters were there; I was much distressed to learn that a dear friend of mine, now dead, had been in such povery [sic] he was forced to sell my letters—I suppose along with other letters from friends—to the Yale collection. I am told there are about twenty five of mine there to this one friend…I would be so grateful if you could have my letters copied…for me, as I need them very badly for my own memoirs and personal history. It is very painful to me to have them disappear into libraries and I am not even told where they are.” In fine condition, with some scattered light wrinkling and toning and a trivial tear to left edge. The year after writing this letter, Porter would be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for The Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter. RRAuction COA.…(MB $100)
“I must go! The flowers will disappear.” The impressionist summons a doctor for a house call before leaving to paint 556. Camille Pissarro. Highly regarded French painter (1830–1903),
one of the leading figures of the impressionist movement, best known for his distinctive pointillist style. ALS in French, signed “C. Pissarro,” on a selfcontained addressed 4.75 x 5 mailing sheet, April 15, 1902. Letter to his physician, Dr. Parenteau. In full (translated): “I am congested yet again. Right at the time when I am ready to pack my trunk, please kindly come by to see me. I managed to avoid a crisis all these days…Anyway! That is it!” Under his signature, Pissarro adds a brief postscript, “And yet I must go! The flowers will disappear.” In very good condition, with central horizontal and vertical fold, a bit of mild toning, rusty paperclip mark along top edge, adhesive residue along left edge, and show-through from postmarks and printing on reverse. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $300)
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Art & Literature