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Alexander Calder

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:18,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
Alexander Calder

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Auction Date:2017 Sep 13 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Fantastic archive of correspondence from Calder to his friend and banker Mr. Beverly Iszard, comprised of 19 ALSs, all signed “Sandy” except for one signed “Sandy Calder,” dated 1953 to 1970. The letters amount to a total of 16 pages plus four postcards, all four depicting Calder’s artwork on the front; one postcard features a drawing of a wine glass and mentions gallery owner Klaus Perls. Three additional letters feature sketches of wine glasses as well, and all letters primarily consist of general content regarding finances and directing Iszard to deposit checks, with a few also mentioning Calder’s shows and exhibitions. A letter of November 28, 1953, in part: "I have just spent 3 weeks in Paris following my Circus. I think the results will be good—but haven't seen them as yet." A letter of October 7, 1963, in part: "We are all fine. And I will have an exhibition in Paris—Galerie Maeght—about Nov. 15." One month later, on November 14, 1963, he writes, in part: "I will have a show in Paris in 8 days or so—I wish I could show you our wine cellar here—it would warm your heart, & your belly." A letter of December 18, 1968, in part: “I am sorry not to have seen your gentle visage this trip, and to have [his sketch of clinking glasses] with you!” This letter is accompanied by the original mailing envelope, which is addressed in Calder’s hand and includes a sketch of a dancing woman. All together, there are ten original mailing envelopes addressed in Calder’s hand, nine of which include his handwritten surname, “Calder,” in the return address area. In overall fine condition.

An intriguing collection that includes a number of sketches and a mention of one of his most famous works, his “Circus” (commonly called the ‘Cirque Calder’). He worked on the whimsical collection of wire models and sculptures using of practically any material he desired—the Whitney lists wire, wood, metal, cloth, yarn, paper, cardboard, leather, string, rubber tubing, corks, buttons, rhinestones, pipe cleaners, and bottle caps as his medium. During his time in Paris, Calder gave more than 200 live ‘performances’ with the kinetic sculptural series. An exceptional archive of material with an abundance of immensely desirable sketches.