1949 - 1975 Group of Correspondence Signed By Photographers Paul Strand & Hazel Kingsbury Strand
France: Not Published, 1949. F. These very personal letters & ephemeral items were written to friends of the Strands, William Golden & Cipe Pineles and after Golden's death, to Cipe & her son Tom. The friendship extended back to their mutual participation in the Group Theater in New York in the 1930s. After WWII Strand and his wife Hazel (Kingsbury) took up residence in Orgeval France and traveled extensively, often in relation to their photographic projects. Background: Cipe Pineles (1908 - 1991) Austrian-born American graphic designer & art director; William Golden (1911 - 1959) American graphic designer, especially noted for his work at CBS. Paul Strand (1890 -1976) American photo-artist; Strand and his fellow-photographer wife Hazel (Kingsbury) took up residence in Orgeval France, after moving to Europe in 1950, "…driven into self-exile, Strand later would suggest, by the repressive anti-Communist climate in America…" (John B. Rohrbach in the ANB) Group includes: Aug. 29 1949, autograph letter signed, 1 ½ pages, condolences addressed to Cipe on hearing the news of the death of her mother: "…sad news reached me yesterday evening upon my return to Paris from Switzerland. My heart felt sympathy and understanding of what this loss means to you…I remember your mother so well, just the few times we met at your house - the kind of wholeness she had of one who quietly does things and always does them beautifully and well…(signed) Paul" Approx. 8 ¼" x 10 ½" size; light cream airmail paper, old fold lines, light wear; in very good condition; with the original post-cancelled mailing envelope, return addressed Paul Strand c/o Kleinholz 25 Rue Mademoiselle Paris France; envelope opened roughly, corner torn. ALS, dated Oct. 28 1959 Orgeval, 2 page. "…On our return home we find here a telegram from Louise with the terrible news about Bill…You know what dear friends Bill and you have been and for many years…(signed) Paul" (with) and additional short note of condolence signed from Hazel, (these written on the sudden death of Bill Golden, Cipe Pineles' husband) Approx. 8 ¼" x 10 ½" size; light blue airmail paper, old fold lines, light wear; in very good condition. With the original postally cancelled mailing envelope, return addressed Paul & Hazel Strand Orgeval. ALS, dated Nov. 12 1959 Orgegal, 1 ½ pages. "…It was kind of Bernarda to have written to us and above all we were so glad to know that such good friends were with you, as Bernarda and Ben (Shahn)…You know how close Bill and I always were - how long and splendid the friendship between us - unmarred by even the slightest misunderstanding over the many years. No one could have a more wonderful friend than he was - an artist in his work and in his human relationships - both…(signed) Paul" Approx. 8 ¼" x 10 ½" size; light blue airmail paper, old fold lines, light wear; in very good condition. With the cancelled mailing envelope, return addressed Paul Strand Orgeval. ALS, dated May 12 1962 Orgeval. 3 handwritten sides, thanking Cipe for the book regarding Bill Golden, a posthumous tribute to his work and discussing her participation in the Strand Scotland book and Morocco work: "…I am happy to be part of it, with the photograph made just before coming to France - which Bill used so beautifully…plus the remarkably clear statements he made about design and designers - These complimenting each other & reveal both the man and his work…Hazel and I are reasonably well. We spent two months in Morocco, working almost every day - and driving over almost all of this remarkably beautiful country, some 6000 klms. I am in the middle of developing the negatives…can expect to receive a copy of Tir a'mhurain in the next months. It is a good job that however could have been better. I never had the opportunity of checking the cover at all, which is printed on paper much too thin for a jacket and very much different in color from what we had discussed and chosen. If one is not right there to control every part, anything can happen. In fact it does happen. Nevertheless your design stands up. Hope you will not feel badly about the inadequacy of its carrying out…Affectionately (signed) Paul & Hazel" Approx. 8 ¼" x 10 ½" size; light blue airmail paper, old fold lines, light wear; in very good condition. Miscellaneous: French Postes et Telecommunications printed 'Telegramme' form; not dated. Address: Hoffman Aperture New York. "Thanks Million Cipe Will and You All Suggestions received fully accepted stop footnote different titles Mexican Film necessary sure Cipe can solve Love Paul Paul Strand, Orgeval, Yvelines" approx. 5 ¼" x 8 ¼" size; old fold line; light wear, very good condition. Postcard, dated March 1966 Mexico. "Had sun & rain and all the diseases going - Better now - see you soon H. & P." Light wear, post-cancelled; in very good condition. Postcard, not dated, postal cancellations obscure, and circa 1959, Dakar, Afrique Occidentale Francaise. To Cipe & son Tom (probably just after Bill Golden's death) "…Sent you a painting from Caracas which we hope you like - a night watchman has been painting some pretty exciting things with crayons - We have two ourselves. The trip has been fine…P. made some photos but he said 'not seriously.' Hope the heat and humidity have not ruined them…love H & P" Light wear, in very good condition. Postcard, May 5 1958, Orgeval. "Started my semi-annual postcard correspondence on a trip to the film festival and only managed to address the things! We visited with many friends Paul swam a few times…saw a couple of films and travelled a few different roads…love from us both Hazel & Paul" Light wear, post-cancelled; in very good condition. Autograph note signed, July 8 1975. A condolence letter, to Cipe: "…Paul is always so much better than I am at expressing himself but can't write at all. We both send our deepest love…(signed) Hazel" Approx. 6" x 7 ½" size, light gray notepaper; with the original postally cancelled mailing envelope, return addressed Strand 244 E. 5th St. New York; light wear; in very good condition. Item #25006
Price: $2,500.00