Small Archive of Correspondence
Stockbridge, MA / Washington, DC: 1960. Very Good. Item #50099
Stockbridge, MA & Washington, DC: 1960. Small but important archive of correspondence between the beloved artist/illustrator Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) and the DC-based journalist Philip H. Love (1905-1977). Carbon copy of Love's letter toned and foxed with large loss at bottom edge not approaching text, else Very Good.
Love was the author of the popular syndicated series "Love on Life," consisting of short humorous pieces on the foibles of the times. This collection of correspondence dates from the spring and summer of 1960, when Love was putting together a series of essays called "Why Study...?" for an issue of The Evening Star's Sunday Magazine. The series comprised of short essays by authorities in their respective fields explaining the importance of studying these fields. This archive relates to Love inviting Rockwell to answer the question "Why Study Art?" The collection consists of the following:
1. Short one-paged typed letter signed by Rockwell dated Stockbridge, MA, May 19, 1960. Rockwell responds to a letter (not present) from Love inviting the artist to contribute an essay on Art for an issue of The Evening Star Sunday Magazine. "I do appreciate being asked to write an article on Art for you, but quite honestly I am no writer, and I don't have the time to do it. If you care to write something which seems appropriate to you and send it to me, I will check it and sign it if it seems OK."
2. Carbon copy of Love's response, dated May 25, 1960, in which he refers to a questionnaire he has included with his letter. "If you could jot down your answers to the attached questions in the spaces provided, and send it back, I would have a writer put something together and submit it to you for your approval."
3. Original typescript leaf of Love's questionnaire, a series of seven prompts, filled out in manuscript ink by Rockwell. The first question asks "Does a good artist just 'grow,' or does he have to work to develop his talent?" Rockwell responded "Every good artist or illustrator I ever knew or heard of had to be a hard worker. Even genius does [not] produce masterpieces or even good work automatically or easily."
4. Short undated autograph note signed by Rockwell to Love, "By my answers you will easily see why I'm no essayist."
Indeed, the meat of Rockwell's answers were cleaned up and arranged into a short essay, published in the August 21, 1960, issue of The Star Magazine. "His" piece was accompanied by contributions by President Eisenhower on "Why Study Languages?"; Edward Teller on Physics; Eugene Ormandy on Music; and Patricia McGerr on Literature.
Price: $2,500.00