Three Letters from ANDREW WYETH (American, 1917-2009) to Alice Moore

Mailed Tuesday, November 30, 1937, South Carolina
Dearest Alice,
Well here I am in the South what a change it is from Maine everything is so sleepy here I never expected it to be so warm.
The color of the oaks with the Spanish moss is really beautiful, I expect to do some water colors of them later.
I have been hunting most of the time since I arrived. I really hate like hell to kill things though. I have shot four ducks. I hope you will forgive me although I won't blame you if you don't, it's hard for me to forgive my self.
I am writing you this note from a duck blind do you know what that is here is what it looks like [sketch with notations: I got up at four o'clock this morning and went with a negro guide in a small boat through the rice field. It took us about an hour [sketch, captioned "My Guide"] before we reached the duck blind. It was a very effective trip, I wish you could have been there. The Negros are swell down here. I would love to paint some of them. Of course the only way to paint this place would be to live here which I will never do but this is a great chance for some artist.
This is quite a plantation that has about fifty Negros on it. The little buildings they live in are interesting. They look so small under the large oaks.
I am going on a deer drive tomorrow, hope we don't get any. [Full sheet skethc of houses under a tree with figure in foreground.]
I want to tell you how swell it was having you at Chadds Ford. You must certainly come down again or I will be damn mad . I only wish it was possible for you to be down here with me instead of working in that terrible place you are. You have been on my mind ever since you left me Friday and when I think how far I am from you I feel terrible. Alice, I hope the time goes quickly till I see you again.
Please excuse this paper but my sketch book was the only thing I had with me this morning to write on and standing here alone I can't help thinking about you when I think about you I wonder why the hell we have to be kept apart so long then I wonder does she love me and that's the way my mind works.
My address here is Cat Island Plantation, South Carolina, c/o Mrs. Wm. G. Ramsay
I am thinking of you my dear and you try to think of me.
Love, Andy


Mailed Sunday, December 19, 1937
My Dearest,
I am terribly sorry my letter seemed cold. I truly didn't mean it believe me-Please.
I am coming to New York Thursday and will call you some time in the afternoon.
My letters may seem cold but you can't call me cool when I am with you, can you?
Love
Andy
[Along left margin] Ann McCoy's engagement is broken off


Sunday, December, 1937; mailed December 18, 1937
My Dearest,
Well here I am back on the job again and I must say that I am rather glad. The visit South though was worthwhile and an experience I won't forget. I met some very nice people in Charlestown and went to some really swell parties I will tell you about the when I see you.
I can't tell you how badly I felt down there and how often I wished I was with you. Your letter was lovely and filled with so much pep after I received it I went out and did three water colors two of which are pretty good, one of them was of a large Spanish oak with a little Negro boy sitting at the foot of it. I think it has very much the feeling of the South in it. I would like you to see it.
I am planning to come to New York this Thursday to talk over some business with Macbeth and was wondering whether we could get together Friday night. Would it be possible for you and Peggy to come into New York Friday night. Jim Balano and I could meet you both at the train.
I think we could have a swell time of it, don't you? We could arrange to stay at Jim's place. I have to be back here Saturday night for a dinner party which I can't get out of.
But I wish you could arrange this with Peggy and let me know soon.
Love,
Andy

Conditions of Sale

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY AS YOU WILL BE BOUND BY THEM IF YOU BID AT AUCTION. The auction catalogue, if any, and the terms hereinafter set forth, as amended by any posted notices or oral announcements during the sale, is Grogan & Company's (herein referred to as "we", "us", or "our") and the Consignor's entire agreement with the purchaser relative to the property listed in our catalogue or otherwise offered for sale.

1. 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.

2. A buyer's premium will be added to the successful purchase price and is payable by the purchaser as part of the total purchase price. The buyer's premium is 27% of the successful bid price.

3. We reserve the right to withdraw any property before the sale.

4. We reserve the right to reject any bid. The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer will be the purchaser. In the event of the dispute between bidders, or in the event of doubt on our part as to the validity of any bid, the auctioneer will have the final discretion either to determine the successful bidder or to reoffer and resell the article in dispute. If any dispute arises after the sale, our sale record in conclusive. Although in our discretion we will execute order bids or accept telephone bids as a convenience to clients who are not present at auctions, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions in connection therewith.

5. If the auctioneer decides that any bid is below the value of the article offered, he may reject the same and withdraw the article from sale, and if, having acknowledged an opening bid, he decides that any advance thereafter is insufficient; he may reject the advance and may thereafter withdraw the property.

6. On the fall of the auctioneer's hammer, title to the offered lot will pass to the highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer, (subject to fulfillment by such bidder of all of the conditions set forth herein), and such bidder thereupon assumes full risk and responsibility therefore.

7. Acceptable forms of payment include: Cash, checks or wire transfer. For checks over $3,000, property will not be released until the check clears, prior credit has been established, us a bank letter has been received prior to the sale guaranteeing said personal check. All property must be paid for and removed from our premises by the purchaser at his or her expense not later than 5 business days following its sale. If not so paid for and removed, we may send the purchased property to a public warehouse for the account of, and at the risk and expense of the purchaser. At our option, payment will not be deemed to have been made in full until we have collected funds represented by checks, or, in case of bank or cashier's checks, we have confirmed authenticity.

8. If any applicable conditions herein are not complied with the purchaser, in addition to other remedies available to us and the consignor by law, including without limitation the right to hold the purchaser liable for the total purchase price, we at our option may either (a) cancel the sale, retaining as liquidated damages all payments made by the purchaser or (b) resell the property at public auction without reserve, and the purchaser will be liable for any deficiency, as well as costs, including handling charges, the expense of both sales, our commission on both sales at our regular rates, all other charges due hereunder and incidental damages.

9. 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.

10. There Conditions of Sale as well as the purchaser's and our respective rights and obligation hereunder shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. By bidding at an auction whether present in person or by agent, order bid, telephone or other means, the purchaser shall be deemed to have consented to the jurisdiction of the state courts, and the federal courts sitting in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

11. We are not responsible for the acts or omissions of carriers or packers of purchased lots, whether or not recommended by us. Packing and handling of purchased lots by us is at the entire risk of the purchaser. In no event will we be liable for damage to glass or frames, regardless of the cause.

12. In no event will our liability to a purchaser exceed the purchase price actually paid.

13. No invalidity or partial invalidity or unenforceability of any provision provided herein shall effect or impair the validity of enforceability of any other provision hereof.

14. BIDDING AT AN AUCTION WHETHER PRESENT OR IN PERSON OR BY AGENT, ORDER, BID TELEPHONE OR OTHER MEANS, CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS.

Payment Terms

Acceptable forms of payment include check, bank check or money order, cash or wire transfer. If you pay by check, property will not be released until the funds have cleared unless credit has been previously established with us or if a bank letter has been received prior to the sale guaranteeing said personal check.

All property must be paid for and removed from our premises by the purchaser at his or her expense not later than 5 business days following its sale. If not so paid for and removed, we may send the purchased property to a public warehouse for the account of, and at the risk and expense of the purchaser.

Shipping Information

A list of recommended shippers can be found on our website. Please contact the shipper directly to get quotes and to make arrangements for them to pick up your items at our gallery. The shipper should contact us to make an appointment to pick up the items and purchasers should also call the gallery to authorize release of the items to the shipper.

Buyer's Premium

Please note that a buyer's premium of 27% will be added to the hammer price as part of the total purchase price.

Taxes on your purchase

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.