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Silhouettes of George and Carrie Sterling, and Charmian London.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 500.00 USD
Silhouettes of George and Carrie Sterling, and Charmian London.
Artist: Xavier Martinez (1869-1943). Title/Description: Large silhouettes: George Sterling; and Carrie Sterling, with Charmian London verso (3 works on two sheets of paper). Signature: Unsigned. Date Created: c. 1900s-1910s. Medium/Ground: Charcoal/watercolor wash on paper. Size: 16in diam; and 24 1/2in x 19in. Condition: Sterling with some fading, pinholes at margins, some waviness to the paper at perimeter. London with foxing, toning, edge tears/losses. Charmian Kittredge London (1871-1955). London was a writer, outdoorswoman, and second wife of author Jack London. She grew up in Oakland, attended Mills College, and was a part of the local artistic, literary, and intellectual circles, which included Jack London, George Sterling, Xavier Martinez and other members of the Crowd. George Sterling (1869-1926). Sterling was a Bay Area and Carmel poet and playwright. He was mentored by Ambrose Bierce and Ina Coolbrith, and became a central member of the artistic and literary Crowd, along with his wife Caroline "Carrie" Rand Sterling,  a group that included Xavier Martinez, Joaquin Miller, Gelette Burgess, James Hopper, Henry A. Lafler, and Perry H. Newberry. He became a pivotal member of the Bohemian Club, on the premises of which he eventually took his own life. Sterling is known for describing San Francisco in his poem on the city as "the cool, grey city of love". From the Family of Xavier Martinez (1869-1943), Elsie Whitaker Martinez (1890-1984), and Micaela Martinez DuCasse (1913-1989).