August 2021 Catalogue

Striking Original Painting, “War Orphans” By Arthur Szyk 57. SZYK, Arthur. WarOrphans. London, 1940. Original signed painting on paper, framed. $18,500. Extraordinary signed original watercolor and gouache painting of two young Jewish refugees, huddled together, by anti-Nazi caricaturist Arthur Szyk, whose portrayals of brutality, heroism and suffering strongly influenced American attitudes toward the war effort. Polish-born Arthur Szyk considered his work to be “weapons of war.” At the time of the 1939 German invasion of Poland, Syzk lived in London, and, in an effort to sway American public opinion against the Nazis, British authorities dispatched him to New York City. There he was to assume the role of unofficial propagandist for the Allied powers. In his work, Szyk focused primarily on three major themes: the brutality of the Germans, the heroism of the Poles, and the suffering of the Jews. These themes were present in his 1940 exhibition, “War and ‘Kultur’ in Poland,” which opened in London, and later in Toronto and NewYork. This striking original watercolor and gouache painting of “War Orphans,” signed by Szyk and dated “London, 1940,” was apparently among the images in that exhibition. Fine condition. A beautiful piece. Warmly Inscribed By Truman 58. TRUMAN, Harry. Photograph inscribed. No place, August 12, 1956. Black-and-whitephotographic print, measuring 13 by 10-1/2 inches; matted and framed, entire piece measures 21-1/2 by 19 inches. $12,500. Large photographic print showing Truman smiling and holding up the famous issue of the Chicago Daily Tribune in which his loss to Dewey was erroneously predicted based on incomplete returns, inscribed: “To Courteney Darber with happy memories! 8/12/56 Harry Truman.” This inscribed photograph captures Truman gleefully holding up the Chicago Daily Tribune , which erroneously announced his electoral defeat. A bit of unobtrusive creasing to photograph. Near- fine, handsomely framed. Holiday Greetings From Harry S. Truman 59. TRUMAN, Harry S. Typed note signed. Independence, Missouri, December 13, 1966. Single sheet of Truman letterhead, measuring 7-1/4 inches by 10-1/2 inches; handsomely framed with photographic portrait and original franked envelope. $1500. Typed note signed by Truman, addressed “to theHonorable andMrs. EdwardD. McKim,” handsomely framed with original photograph of Truman and original envelope. The note, dated December 13, 1966, reads: “Dear Ed and Mary: Mrs. Truman and I were delighted to receive your Christmas greetings. Your continued thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated and we wish you both the very best for the coming year. Sincerely yours, [signed] Harry Truman.” Fine condition. F r a m e d ! 2 0 2 1 B a u m a n R a r e B o o k s 49 48