Letter from ANDREW WYETH (American, 1917-2009) to Alice Moore
and a Letter from CAROLYN B. WYETH to Alice Moore

Sunday, January 9, 1938; mailed Monday, January 10, 1938
I am enclosing a letter of my mother's
Alice Dear:
That sounds very much like some one I know. I have been working like a demon for the past week. I did six drawings for Scribner's Magazine and I really think they turned out well. So you see I have a very good reason for not writing to you sooner.
You know I am queer that way but when I get started painting I can't do anything else, in fact, I forget every thing I shouldn't
I only hope now that they like what I did at Scribner's. Got word from Macbeth the other day that he sold two more of my water colors also. I had my painting of Charlie Ervine invited to the Pennsylvania Academy show. How much I have learned about painting in Tempera since I did that. I would like to do it over again. My pictures always look so terrible when I see them again after a long time.
I have been learning a good deal about the bone structure of the human figure which is going to be a great help in painting it. In fact, I think that's one of the worst faults of the American painter today [sketch of six skulls and heads with notes on one, " fronal bone, angle of jaw, molar bone."] and damn, I am not going to let it be my fault.
Your letter was very encouraging Alice. I am terribly sorry that I couldn't get up that weekend but I had this work to do which made it impossible. I would like very much to meet this Mr. Enos, what is he like any way. It is probably just as well that I didn't meet him though as I really make a poor impression on other artists. I have been reading a very interesting book on journal of Eugene Delacroix. Do you know his paintings. He is one of the real French masters. He lived in the eighteen hundreds. I would like you to read it. It gives you a very intimate view of the artist as he really was.
I wonder if we will get any snow this winter. It doesn't look very much like it so far.
Take care of yourself for me won't you.
Love,
Andy


Sunday, January 9, 1938; mailed Monday, January 10, 1938 [from Wyeth's mother, mailed in the same envelope as the letter above]

Dear Alice:
Please excuse me for being so remiss in not getting a word of thanks to you before this, for those lovely roses you sent, they were unusually lovely and looked so rich in my newly papered bedroom they were my special favorites.
Has Andy thanked you for the family, for the book you sent us Christmas, I have not had time to look through it carefully, but it looks specially nice. Now that Christmas is over, I am having a little leisure to look at the various books we received, so many books on artists, have you seen them?
We have been hoping for snow, for some sledding or skying, I hear you are having plenty in the north.
A happy new year to you from us all.
Thanking you again for your lovely roses and books.
Most sincerely,
Carolyn B. Wyeth

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Unless exempt by law, the purchaser will be required to pay the Massachusetts sales tax or any applicable compensating use tax of another state on the total purchase price. The rate of sales tax in Massachusetts is 6.25%. Exemption numbers from other states are not accepted in Massachusetts. For those eligible, a Massachusetts exemption number may be applied for prior to the auction by contacting the Massachusetts Department of Corporations and Taxation, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

Condition Satement

All property is sold "AS IS" and neither we nor the Consignor make any guarantees, warranties or representations, expressed or implied, with respect to the property, merchantability, or correctness of the catalogue or other description of the authenticity of authorship, physical condition, size, quality, rarity, importance, provenance, exhibitions, literature or historical relevance of the property or otherwise. No statement anywhere, whether oral or written, shall be deemed such a guarantee, warranty or representation. Prospective bidders should inspect the property before bidding to determine its condition, size and whether or not it has been repaired or restored. We and the Consignor make no representation or warranty as to whether the purchaser acquires any copyrights, including but not limited to any reproduction rights, in the property. However, if within 14 days of the sale of any lot, the purchaser gives notice in writing to us that the lot is counterfeit and within 10 days after such notice, the purchaser returns the lot to us in the same condition as when sold, and demonstrates to our satisfaction that the lot is a counterfeit, we will refund the purchase price.