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California Bohemian Crowd Caricatures.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 700.00 USD
California Bohemian Crowd Caricatures.
XAVIER MARTINEZ, 1869-1943; [BAY AREA BOHEMIAN CROWD]. A collection of twenty caricatures (including Martinez self-portrait, Beniamino Bufano, and Porter Garnett), that were saved together with a "title" card in Xavier Martinez's hand: "The Order of the Bath".  It appears to have been a humorous "club" of friends from the San Francisco/East Bay/Carmel crowd, c. 1905-1923, where Xavier Martinez (and possibly others) drew character sketches of members. Most if not all appear to be in Martinez's style, and two are signed with his monogram, some dated. In charcoal/Conte crayon, watercolor, ink. Ranging in size from approx. 5in x 4 3/4in to 10in x 6in. Condition: Some spotting/staining, tears/losses, creases, at least one with tape repair. IDENTIFIED/POSSIBLE: 1.) "Beniamino Bufano" (1890-1970). 2.) "Isabel"; possibly Isabel Fraser, or Carmel friend Isabel Hunter? 3.) "Jean-o, 1916"; likely Gene Frances McComas, 1886-1982, journalist/artist and wife of artist Francis McComas.  4). "P.G. 1902": Porter Garnett (1871-1951), Bohemian Club member, writer (plays, The Lark), and assistant curator at the Bancroft Library. 5.) A self-caricature by Xavier Martinez, signed with monogram, 1907. 6.) "Tolmie"; Robert Tolmie, a pianist who lived in the Oakland Hills. TO BE IDENTIFIED: 7.) "The Alberts". 8.) "Billy"; signed with Martinez monogram; on Oakland Art Gallery invitation dated 1926. 9.) "Basket, 1905-1908". 10.) "Dr. Betty, 1906". 11.) "Charley & Pearl, 1916-1920". 12.) "Eleanor". 13.) "J". 14.) "Juno". 15.) "Looney"; In a 1913 journal of an Arizona trip (see Lot), Martinez refers to Looney as being part of his "harem" with wife Elsie Whitaker. 16.) "Lionel, 1905". 17.) "Louis". 18) "Paulina". 19.) "Rud". 20.) "Suzanne, July 9, 1921". From the Family of Xavier Martinez (1869-1943), Elsie Whitaker Martinez (1890-1984), and Micaela Martinez DuCasse (1913-1989).