Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 99

The July 8-9, 2017 Manuscript, Space, Collectibles & Stamp Auction

Artists

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 153		Frank Lloyd Wright Autograph Letter Signed (1867-1959) American architect, interior designer, writer and educator. He believed in organic architecture: designing structures in harmony with humanity and the environment, best exemplified by Fallingwater. ALS, signed in full, 3 pages, with blind embossed stamp "Frank Lloyd Wright / Architect" at top of page 1 and printed address: "600 610 Orchestra Hall Chicago / Telephone Harrison 457" at lower left, 8¼ x 7¼", no place, no date (docket at top of first page has "Rec'd 11/13/12"). To Mr. [Darwin D.] Martin, in part: "…The notes you ask for must be in Mrs. Wright's possession!…." Much more content. The last paragraph of the letter is written at the top of page 1, followed by the signature. Boldly penned and signed. Dwight D. Martin (1865-1935) was a business executive in Buffalo, New York, who commissioned Wright to design a building for the Larkin Company (no longer standing) and to design the six-structure Martin House Complex, which is a National Historic Landmark today. The house is regarded as one of Wright's finest Prairie Houses. At the time of this letter, Wright was estranged from Catherine Lee "Kitty" Tobin Wright, whom he had married in 1889 and with whom he had six children. Estimate Value $4,000 - 6,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $4,320
Lot 154		Grandma Moses - Signed Cover Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Mother's Day (1860-1961) Although Anna Mary Robertson Moses did not begin painting until her 70s, Grandma Moses was the most acclaimed American Primitive artist of the 20th century. Largely self-taught, she created almost 2,000 paintings remarkable for their for purity of color, harmonious composition and energetic portrayals of American life. Cover signed "Grandma Moses," with a cachet of her painting "Write a Letter to Mother," to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Mother's Day (1914-1934). With a 3¢ stamp picturing Grandma Moses and a 1934 Washington, D.C. cancellation, as well as a 6¢ stamp featuring one of her paintings and a 1969 cancellation. Also, three other covers with cachets of Grandma Moses, an invitation to a 1948 exhibition, and a brochure for a series of collector's plates featuring scenes from her paintings. Estimate Value $200 - 300 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $120
Lot 155		Rare 18th Century Shunga (Japanese Erotica) possibly by Kiyonaga. Shunga is a Japanese term for erotic art and was produced between the sixteenth century and the nineteenth century by ukiyo-e artists, usually executed in woodblock prints. Shunga was enjoyed and purchase by both men and women and reached its height in the Edo period (1603 to 1867). Thanks to woodblock printing techniques, the quantity and quality increased dramatically even with governmental attempts to shut them down. Shunga may have served as sexual guidance for the sons and daughters of wealthy families. The instructional purpose has been questioned since the instructional value of shunga is limited by the impossible positions and lack of description of technique. Offered is a rare shunga book (19 p.p.) from this period. Consignor has attributed this work to Torri Kiyonaga (1752-1815) signature looks correct, but we ask interested parties to engage in their own due deligence. Book contains 18 wood block images of adventurous sexual positions and 20 pages of text in thick paper covers and bound in thread. Front and back covers exhibit considerable wear. Inside pages exhibit toning, scattered soiling, the colors muted, nevertheless illustrations remain quite vivid. 4¼ x 6½". Rare. Please contact auction house if interested in seeing other images. Estimate Value $1,800 - 2,500 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 156		Rivera, Diego - Signed Inscribed Copy of Portrait of America (1886-1957) Mexican painter and muralist. Book inscribed and signed, "To Mr. S.M. Berwald. Diego Rivera June 12, 1934" on the first end page. The book is Portrait of America by Diego Rivera, New York: Covici, Friede, Inc., 1934, 232 pages. Toned throughout; cloth covers are soiled, with some staining. The book has numerous pages of the murals Rivera painted in America. Estimate Value $200 - 300 Ex. Academy Stamp Company. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $338
Lot 157		Rockwell, Norman Collection of Four Typed Letters Signed, Four Signed Covers and a Pre-30s Chrismas Card Transparency. Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) proved one of the most popular artists of the 20th century whose popularity exploded with his covers of everyday American life for The Saturday Evening Post and most certainly his inspiring WWII posters. Offered here are four typed letters signed, all from the 1970s on his personal stationery mostly letters of thanks or answering questions about sketches or signing prints. All boast bold signatures in his hand executed in blue ball point pen. Also included in this collection are four signed commemorative first day of issue covers. One for the 50th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, Four, 4 cent stamps with Rockwell Art. 2 City Mail Delivery Centenary, one with a single 5 cent stamp, the other with four 5 cent stamps that features Rockwell art, and finally a first day of issue with four 8 cent stamps celebrating Tom Sawyer and Rockwell Art. All in very fine condition. Finally original four individual color separations for a Christmas card he designed for himself and his first wife Irene prior to 1930 with a notation to printer to make blue tones darker in his hand. Estimate Value $400 - 600 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $550