Eilshemius, Louis M. (1864-1941) Eccentric American artist esteemed as an early progenitor of American Avante Garde art.
Autograph Letter Signed with Original Sketch. One page, Quarto, on flamboyant imprinted letterhead which proclaims him the "Mightiest Mind and Wonder of the Worlds. Supreme Parnassian and Grand Transcendant Eagle of Art." N.d. [circa 1932], New York, N.Y. To Marie Gallagher, a newspaper reporter who apparently had just written a portrait of the artist which lay stalled on an editor's desk. He writes:
"Dear Marie Gallagher Well, I wonder how you fared at the mirror. Will it be in Sunday or not, is the riddle for the day. I hope Valentine Gallery gave you [the] photo. In all events if the article is in the paper - come up and rec. a small gem pkg. (your choice) as present & souvenir. It is awfully lonesome here. I am a hero to bear this my sad accident. And I notice no recovery is possible. One limb is shorter than the other. That tells all. Au Revoir LM Eilshemius."
In an histrionic postscript, written vertically along the left side of the page, the artist has added: "P.S. I could earn $ and cents by selling the frames & drawings as you see here. But I have no acquaintances at any store or dealer. Sad, Sad!"
The drawing, which appears at the top of the letter above the text, depicts a landscape with stream, and has a drawn frame around it - a motif found in many of Eilshemius' works. It is titled "Lonely Land" by the artist, who has initialed the sketch. This drawing is reproduced in Charles Hamilton's famous book on autographs, The Signature of America, where he studies the erratic letters of this curious artist.
Eilshemius struggled many years for recognition. He was taken up by noted artists such as Marcel Duchamp, Charles Demuth, and Joseph Stella. In 1979 Eilshemius was the subject of a major retrospective at the Hirshhorn Museum, and of a published monograph. He is now considered one of the important early leaders of American Avante Garde art.
Fine.
Estimated Value $600-800.
