Modernism in American Art

1. The Seine Boat. Blanche Lazzell (1878-1956). White-line color woodcut, 1927.

Edition c.11. One of Blanche Lazzell’s finest images with a beautiful color palette. Signed within image, titled, and dated below image. Image size 13 15/16 x 12 1/16” (36.4 x 30.6 cm).

Very good condition and color, minor ink spots in top margin and tack holes in top margin where the paper was affixed to the block. #43139-2 $175,000.00

MODERNISM IN AMERICAN ART DIGITAL CATALOGUE 1

MARCH - APRIL 2019

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2. Through Brooklyn Bridge Cables. [Bridge Repairs; Repairing Brooklyn Bridge.]

Louis Lozowick (1892-1973). Lithograph, 1938. Edition 15+250. From the AAA edition of 250.

Edition - 15 printed by the artist; 250 circulated by Associated American Artists. Signed and dated in pencil. Image size 9 15/16 x 12 15/16” (22.4 x 32.5 cm). Very good condition. Flint #158. #11345-4 $11,000.00

3. Traffic. Louis Lozowick (1892-1973). Lithograph, 1930. Edition 20. Signed and titled in pencil, inscribed “2/20.” Image size 9 x 16” (22.8 x 40.7 cm). Very good condition. Flint #72. #88304-1 $39,500.00

DIGITAL CATALOGUE 1

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Robert K. Newman, Editor

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MODERNISM IN AMERICAN ART Modernism was the direct result of the industrialized world in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Life was changing rapidly, so too, did the arts.

Modernists sought new ways to capture the ever-changing world, its values and psychology. They wished to distance themselves from the constructs of the Victorian era. Artists discovered new techniques and materials and used them to create imagery that had never been explored before.

Modernism does not reflect any single style or ideal.

Instead, it is an umbrella term that encompasses many different art forms. Impressionism, cubism and precisionism are just a few of the branches held within the term Modernism.

Although each of these artistic movements may appear different, they all share basic principles such as innovation and experimentation: where artists played with things like color and shape to create new forms of imagery. They also share a dismissal of historical values. For centuries artists relied on religion, historical accounts, and ancient mythology to create art. Dismissing these values allowed artists to create in ways that would have never been socially acceptable beforehand.

And in many ways, they still shocked the world when they arrived.

The first major modern art and modernism show in America was the International Exhibition of Modern Art, also known as the Armory Show in 1913.

Held at the famed 69th Regiment Armory in New York City, the show helped popularize modernism in the United States. More than a thousand prints, paintings, sculptures, and other decorative works, produced by over 300 artists, were on display. John Marin was among the lineup. Ten of his watercolors were displayed at the Armory Show, four of which depicted the Woolworth Building.

While it may not have been displayed at this historic event, Marin’s etching “Woolworth Building, No. 2,” which contains many similarities to his watercolors, is on display in our modernism exhibition.

EXHIBITION MARCH 5 THROUGH APRIL 27, 2019

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4. 11:45 P.M. Letterio Calapai (1902-19930. Etching and aquatint, 1947. Edition 20. Signed, titled, and dated in pencil. Inscribed “Color proof.” Image size 19 5/8 x 11 7/8” (49.9 x 30.2 cm).

Very good condition. #91369-1 $5,500.00

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5. Counter Movements # 7. Letterio Calapai (1902-1993). Color etching and aquatint, 1946.

Edition 35. Signed, titled, and dated in pencil. Inscribed ‘”7/35.” Image size 8 13/16 x 12” (22.5 x 30.3 cm). Very good condition. #84413-1 $1,950.00

6.

Bird Dream.

Letterio Calapai (1902-1993).

Color etching and aquatint, 1952.

Edition 30. Signed, titled, and dated in pencil. Inscribed “9/30.” Image size 5 3/8 x 9 15/16” (14.4 x 25.2 cm). Good condition and color. #84433-2 $850.00

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7. Drawing, Against Nature. [Untitled.] Boris Lovet-Lorski (1899-1973). Litho-crayon drawing, c.1929. Unsigned, study for lithograph of same title and subject. Paper size 11 3/4 x 8 1/2� (29.9 x 22.4 cm). Good condition, from a scrapbook two binding holes in left. #32109-1 $2,500.00

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8. Rubber Center. Howard Cook (1901-1980). Woodcut, 1928. Edition 50. Signed in pencil.

Inscribed “imp.” and “50.” Image size 10 1/4 x 12 5/8” (26.1 x 32.2 cm). Very good condition.

Duffy #93. #40264-2 $7,500.00

9. (Left) Downtown, New York. Howard Cook (1901-1980). Etching, 1928. Edition 50.

Signed and titled “Downtown N.Y.” in pencil. Inscribed “imp.” Image size 8 7/8 x 5 15/16” (22.6 x 151. cm). Very good condition. Duffy #80. #1864-2 $6,750.00 10. (Right) The Bremen. [Bremen #1.] Howard Cook (1901-1980). Wood engraving, 1931.

Edition 75. Howard Cook was commissioned by North American Lloyd in 1930 to make a drawing or a woodcut to be reproduced in the company’s calendar. However, it was too late in the year to meet the printing deadline for the 1931 calendar, so the commission was completed in April 1931 and the wood engraving was reproduced in the 1932 calendar. Signed, dated, and titled in pencil. Inscribed “75” in circle, edition size. Image size 10 x 6” (25.4 x 15.2 cm). Very good condition. Checkerboard #108. Duffy #149. #94111-2 $11,000.00

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11. The Homecoming. Benton Murdoch Spruance (1904-1967). Lithograph, 1935. Edition 30. Signed and titled in pencil. Printed by Cuno. In the collection of The Philadelphia Museum of Art. Inscribed “15/30.” Image size 9 x 13 13/16” (22.9 x 35.1 cm). Good condition, full margins, slight discoloration in the outer margins. Fine & Looney #122. #2043-1 $9,500.00

12. American Pattern-Barn. Benton Murdoch Spruance (1904-1967). Two-color lithograph, 1940. Edition 45. A striking modernist image – one of the great images that Spruance created.

Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed “Ed. 45.” Image size 7 9/16 x 13 7/8” (19.2 x 35.2 cm).

Very good condition. Fine & Looney #84. #2286-2 $50,000.00

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13. Precipice. Rockwell Kent (1882-1971). Wood engraving, 1927. Edition 150. Signed in pencil. Image size 8 x 5 1/2” (20.3 x 14 cm). Very good condition. Burne Jones #15. #23473-2 $3,800.00

14. The Lovers. Rockwell Kent (1882-1971). Wood engraving, 1928. Edition 100. Signed in pencil. Image size 6 1/2 x 10 1/16” (16.5 x 25.5 cm). Very good condition. Burne Jones #23. #31400-4 $17,500.00

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15. Sailboat. Ferol Sibley Warthen (1890-1986). White-line woodcut printed in color. Cut 1953, printed 1960. Signed, titled, and dated in blue ink. The artist has written on verso: “Block IX cut - 1953. Print 9 - Aug. - 1960. Watercolor one block method.” Inscribed “9-1960.”

Image size 6 15/16 x 7 3/16” (17.4 x 18.2 cm). Good condition, save for faint mat line. #69434-1 $5,000.00

16. Three Boats. Ferol Sibley Warthen (1890-1986). White line-woodcut printed in color, 1979. Edition unknown. Signed, titled, and dated in pencil. Initialed “FW” in print. Inscribed “40.” Image size 6 13/16 x 5 1/4” (17.6 x 13.3 cm). Very good condition. #90956-1 $5,000.00

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17. Reverse Movement. Morris Blackburn (1902-1979). Screenprint, 1947. Edition 35.

Signed, titled, and dated in pencil. Image size 10 1/2 x 8” (26.5 x 19 cm). Very good condition. #83452-1 $1,300.00

18. Subtractive. Morris Blackburn (1902-1979). Serigraph, c.1950. Edition unknown.

Estate signed in (2) directions “Morris Blackburn – “EJB.” Image size 7 1/8 x 12 3/8” (18.2 x 31.2 cm). Very good condition. #83451-1 $975.00

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19. Man Running. Louis Schanker (1903-1981). Color woodcut, 1935-43. Edition 25. Signed and titled in pencil. Stamped lower left “New York City WPA Art Project.” Image size 7 3/4 x 14” (19.6 x 35.2 cm). Good condition and color. #96156-1 $2,750.00

20. Jai-Alai. Louis Schanker (1903-1981). Woodcut, 1939. Edition 34 plus 15 trial proofs.

Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed “9/34.” Image size 9 15/16 x 13 7/8” (25.4 x 35.5 cm).

Good condition and color. #94996-1 $2,750.00

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21.

Head of a Traveller.

Adja Yunkers (1900-1984).

Color woodcut, 1952.

Edition 225. Signed, titled, and dated in pencil. Inscribed “184/225.” Image size 13 1/2 x 9 1/2” (34.4 x 24.1 cm). Very good condition and color. #68893-1 $1,200.00

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22. Canyons, New York. Howard Cook (1901-1980). Woodcut, 1928. Edition 50.

Selected for “Fifty Prints of the Year” by the American Institute of Graphic Arts, 1929. Signed, titled, and dated in pencil. Inscribed “imp.” and “50” in a circle. Image size 12 x 5” (30.4 x 12.7 cm).

Good condition, save for tape stain in lower part of margin. Duffy #76. #1850-3 $12,000.00

DIGITAL CATALOGUE. 1

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23. East River. Howard Cook (1901-1980). Etching, 1928. Edition 50. Signed in pencil, inscribed “imp.” Image size 5 x 6 15/16” (12.7 x 17.6 cm). Good condition. Duffy #81. #96028-1 $7,500.00

24. (Left) Downtown Synthesis. John Marin (1870-1953). Engraving with tonal areas, 1925.

Edition c.20. Plate signed and dated lower right “Marin 25.” The original copper plate is in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The tonal areas were added by hand to the plate so each impression is slightly different. Signed in pencil lower left and titled lower right “Downtown N.Y.” Image size 9 1/2 x 7 5/8” (24.2 x 19.5 cm). Good condition.

Zigrosser #140. #44948-1 $14,000.00 25. (Right) Skyscrapers. [New York.] Jolan Gross Bettelheim (1900-1970). Drypoint, 1950.

Edition unknown. Signed in pencil. Signed in pencil on verso. Image size 11 7/8 x 9 7/8” (30.2 x 24.9 cm). Very good condition. #91085-1 $3,000.00

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26. Night City. Hildegarde Haas (1926-2002). Color woodcut, 1953. Edition 25. Signed, titled and dated in pencil. Inscribed “10/25.” Image size 11 1/2 x 14 1/2” (29.3 x 37 cm).

Good condition. #93394-1 $550.00

27. (Left) The Mountain. [Red proof]. Hildegarde Haas (1926-2002). Color woodcut, 1950.

Signed, titled, and dated in pencil. Inscribed “Proof.” Image size 18 1/16 x 11 3/8” (45.5 x 28.8 cm). Good condition. #93343-1 $925.00 28. (Right) Canyon Walls - Noon. Hildegarde Haas (1926-2002). Color woodcut, 1953.

Edition 16. Signed, titled, and dated in pencil. Inscribed “15/16.” Image size 16 3/4 x 11 3/4” (42.5 x 29.8 cm). Good condition. Beautiful impression. #93391-2 $750.00

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29.

Mist and Mountains.

Hildegarde Haas (1926-2002).

Color woodcut, 1950.

Edition 15. Signed, titled, and dated in pencil. Inscribed “12/15.” Image size 16 1/4 x 24” (41.3 x 61 cm). Good condition. Gentle paper crease in the right paper margin - outside of the image. #93340-1 $1,300.00

30. (Left) October. Hildegarde Haas (1926-2002). Color wood cut, 1949. Edition 50.

Distributed by the Collectors of American Art, Inc. Signed, titled, and dated in pencil. Image size 8 3/8 x 6 1/8” (21.3 x 15.5 cm). Good condition. Holes in the upper margin (outside of image) from registration block. #61404-2 $675.00 31. (Right) Desolation. Hildegarde Haas (1926-2002). Color woodcut, 1948. Edition 16.

Signed, titled, and dated in pencil. Inscribed “5/16.” Image size 15 7/8 x 9 1/2” (40.4 x 24.1 cm).

Good condition, minor remains of old mat line. #38316-1 $750.00

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32. Still Life. [Untitled.] Werner Drewes (1899-1985). Gouache, 1942. Painted on green paper. Signed and dated. Inscribed “A-133.” Image size 12 3/8 x 17” (31.4 x 43.3 cm).

Very good condition. #80070-1 $3,800.00

33. Dancing Forms. [Untitled.] Werner Drewes (1899-1985). Goauche, 1945. Image size 12 x 18” (30.5 x 45.7 cm). Very good condition. #80073-1 $2,500.00

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34. Grass and Sun. [Dream in the Grass.] Werner Drewes (1899-1985). Woodcut, 1932. Edition 30. Signed and dated in pencil. Inscribed “I-XXX.” Printed on a cream sheet of Japanese handmade paper. Image size 11 1/2 x 16 1/16” (29.3 x 40.8 cm). Very good condition. Rose III-77. #38284-1 $7,500.00

35. (Left) Skyscrapers. Werner Drewes (1899-1985). Woodcut, 1930. Edition 20. Signed and dated in pencil. Inscribed “I-XXX.” Image size 13 5/8 x 8 7/16” (34 x 21.4 cm). Very good condition. Rose III-48. #68861-1 $4,000.00 36. (Right) New York. Werner Drewes (1899-1985). Woodcut, 1982-83. Edition 70.

Signed in pencil. Image size 9 3/4 x 7 1/2” (24.7 x 19 cm). Very good condition. Rose # 403. #72143-2 $950.00

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37. [Set of 12.] Woodcuts by Lyonel Feininger. Lyonel Feininger (1871-1956).

Woodcuts, various dates.

This set of 12 woodcuts was printed posthumously in collaboration with the artist’s estate by Associated American Artists in 1964. The blocks chosen were never printed in a formal edition by the artist and exist in lifetime impressions in proofs only. The set includes “The Departure,” “Cathedral,” “The Harbor (War ship in the Harbor),” “The Yacht Race,” “In the Offing,” “Topsail Ketches, 1,” “Ships & Stairs,” “Tahiti,” “Harbor (with Boats & Anglers),” “Ships, Waves, and Sun,” “Eight Men in Cylinder Hats and a Dog,” and “The Virtuoso.” Unsigned, as usual. Each is blind stamped in the lower right corner and inscribed “90/100”. Image sizes range from 3 3/16 x 5 11/16” (8.2 x 14.4 cm) to 12 x 7 7/16” (30.4 x 18.9 cm). Very good condition. #95875-1 $4,000.00

Individual impressions Prasse #W8.

Prasse #W119.

Prasse #W127.

Prasse #W178.

Prasse #W271.

Prasse #W144.

The Yacht Race. .............................................................. $450.00 In the Offing. .......................................................................$425.00 Eight Men in Cylinder Hats and a Dog. ............................$375.00 Ships & Stairs. ................................................................... $400.00 Topsail Ketches, 1. .............................................................$400.00 Cathedral. .......................................................................... $400.00

DIGITAL CATALOGUE. 1

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38. Sunrise. Lyonel Feininger (1871-1956). Etching, c.1911. Edition unknown. Signed and titled in pencil. Inscribed “only 4 prints existing” and “4. Druck (von Reuiger [sic] Probedruden).” This is a very rare and possibly unique print. Feininger inscribed it “only 4 known proofs”; however, it was unknown to Prasse when he wrote the catalogue raisonne. Image size 3 1/2 x 5 3/16” (9 x 13.2 cm). Very good condition. Not in Prasse. #33125-1 $12,000.00

39. Cruising Sailing Ships # 2. Lyonel Feininger (1871-1956). Woodcut, 1955. Edition 150. Signed “Edition of 150” on Zanders laid cream paper. Signed in pencil. Image size 6 11/16 x 8 13/16” (17 x 22.4 cm).

Very good condition. Prasse, #W175. #43519-1 $9,500.00

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40. Breakfast. Louis Lozowick (1892-1973). Lithograph, 1929. Edition 50. Signed and dated in pencil. Inscribed “47/50.” Image size 10 3/8 x 7 15/16” (26.3 x 20.2 cm). Good condition, save for faint mat line and original hinges in top margin. Flint #17. #6620-2 $3,750.00

41. Design in Wire. Louis Lozowick (1892-1973). Lithograph, 1948. Edition 15. Signed and titled in pencil. Image size 8 5/8 x 11 3/8” (22 x 29 cm). Very good condition. Flint #227 #84578-1 $2,000.00

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42. Granaries to Babylon. (Babylon to Omaha; Railroad Yards.) Louis Lozowick (1892-1973).

Lithograph, 1933. Edition 50. Signed and dated in pencil. Inscribed “12/50.” Image size 12 11/16 x 8 1/8” (32.3 x 20.7 cm). Very good condition. Flint #112. #84755-2 $12,500.00

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43. Woolworth Building, No. 2. John Marin (1870-1953). Etching, 1913. Edition c.10.

Annotated “printed by John Marin sent out by 291.” Signed in pencil lower right. Image size 10 3/4 x 8 3/8” (27.4 x 21.2 cm); plate size 12 13/16 x 10 3/8” (32.5 x 26.3 cm) plus full margins. Very good condition, an elegantly printed impression. Zigrosser #114. #7415-2 $150,000.00.