A Whirlwind Trip to the City

Sunday, December 11, 1949

20 Cooper St.

Southampton, NY

Dear June:

Statue of Liberty charcoal
sketch by Art Price.

This will be short.  I can hardly keep my eyes open.  But I feel kind of guilty about my trip to New York.  While I had such a swell time, Bruno and Joe had such a mess of it.

I got home okay in spite of the Long Island Rail Road.  What a railroad!  I’m glad I usually take the car.  Bruno and Joe were not on the train.  I looked from one end to the other.  Either something came up, or they found the car, or else they simply missed the train.  I wonder when they’ll get back.

I had a wonderful weekend, unexpected though it was.  Be good and take care yourself.  Remember me to Shirl.

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – weekend's over, back to homework.)

© 2010 Lee Price

June among the Van Gogh

Undated letter, later hand-delivered

Written Saturday, December 10, 1949

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

This will be a short letter as I am too gloomy to write.  I just got your nice letter and even that failed to cheer me up.  I’m about to lose reason, grab the paper, and tear it to shreds.  I can’t stand this room any longer.  As soon as I finish this I’m getting out – anywhere!  God knows what I’ll do!  I sure am in a terrible mood, aren’t I?  I didn’t realize it was that bad.

Dear Art,

It is now 9:30 p.m.  I feel much better as you might guess.  Shirl says I look happy sitting here – which isn’t too unusual when I’m writing to you.

We went shopping this afternoon.  Shirl bought a new skirt, blouse and hat.

Then we walked across Central Park to the Metropolitan Museum to see Van Gogh’s work.  The fresh air revived me.  At the Met, I saw Roman statues, an Indian temple, Indian jewelry, Chinese vases, knight’s armor, and

oh – everything was wonderful!  I could have wandered there for ages – not studying things closely but wandering around and stopping at things that caught my eye.

Oh yes.  Van Gogh.  I don’t know.  I looked at 95 of his pictures and I still don’t know whether I like his work or not.  At the risk of sounding old fashioned and very non-sophisticated, I don’t think I did.  However, I enjoyed looking.

When the museum closed down at 5, we went to the movies – saw “All the King’s Men” – a

Paintings by
Vincent Van Gogh.

very good movie.  Now I am home and happy.

Tomorrow, I’m planning to go out again.  This time to the American Museum of Natural History.

I must be a very musty character, liking museums like this.

I’m going to miss you tomorrow.  Even the Museum of Natural History isn’t as nice as you.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow night – a surprise visit.)

© 2010 Lee Price

Please No More Postponements!

Saturday, December 10, 1949

20 Cooper St.

Southampton, NY

Dear June:

Sometimes I wonder what kind of school this Traphagen is!  One morning you’re late, then you’re reading “Look” Magazine in class and painting Picassos when you should be drawing fashion.

Please no more postponements.  I couldn’t take another one.  You know what my plans for Thursday night are!

Still life by Art Price.

Smitty (of “Smitty’s”) was in the store today and I asked him about New Years at his restaurant.  I’m sorry to say the whole place has been hired for a private party.  He’s guaranteed 90 dinners and 80 quarts of champagne whether anyone comes or not so you can’t blame him.  Last year, he had 90 reservations.  Because of bad weather, only 50 showed up – so he lost his shirt.  We’ll just have to make some other plans I guess.  With you, I know I’ll have a swell time anywhere.

I went to the movies last night and then saw a good fight on television.  All the boys were out – Joe, Bruno, Farmer, and Singer.  Bruno told me he talked to Jane on the telephone when he called Mary.  Apparently, Jane has really arrived, with three trunks.  Sounds just like her.  I had a few beers at the Anchorage and was home about one.

Do you realize I’m going almost three weeks without you?  I miss you more and more all the time.  In fact, don’t be too surprised if I pop up someday.  You never can tell.

Love and Kisses,

Art

(Tonight – Van Gogh at the Met.)

© 2010 Lee Price

Don't Walk in the Rain Without Me

Friday, December 9, 1949

20 Cooper St.

Southampton, NY

Dear June:

No mail from you today but I didn’t expect any because of the Wednesday phone call.

I think I’m going to the movies again tonight, Chicago Deadline and a Roy Rogers picture Yippie.  I might go watch a fight on television afterward but don’t worry.  I’ll be home early (I hope).

I don’t dare think about coming in to see you.  If I did I’d be there in a cloud of dust.  I just hope the next two weeks fly by.  You know I’m missing you and thinking of you.

This will be a short letter.  Nothing much more to say.  Keep in out of this cold weather and don’t walk in the rain without me.

Lots of Love,

Art

(Tomorrow – thinking ahead for New Year's Eve.)

© 2010 Lee Price

A Fashion Lesson on Tissue Paper



Tissue paper with sketches and commentary by June Anderson.
Look below the letter for closeups of the art and June's comments.


Friday, December 9, 1949

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

Since I have nothing to write today, I believe I shall supplement this letter.  You have always asked to see my work.  This will teach you to shut up when you are well off.  Of course, it really isn’t my official schoolwork – it’s more on the doodling side.  You see, I had nothing to do this afternoon except loads of homework so I decided to fool around and enjoy myself.  That’s exactly what I did.  Now I’m passing it on to you – you should be able to get some humor out of it.

I called up daddy;  told him I wanted a dress for Christmas.  Poor daddy.  The family’s fine.

The washing machine is still out of order.  I have no guilty conscience, however.

If you ever mention these drawings to me, I’ll plead temporary insanity.  I’m sure that’s what it is.  Now I really have to do some work.

Love,

June



"I guess she's going downstairs.  I can't
think of anything else."




"This girl is wearing some kind of short slacks.
Her head is too big and out of joint, I think...
Yes, definitely rubber necked."




"This one's playing some game on
board ship."




"That's all right (indecipherable) ...
9 1/2 heads just (indecipherable) ...
for the heck of it, I never do when I sketch."



"This is my feeble attempt at a haughty,
disdainful portrait."



"I started out practicing -- I don't understand how people can make
fashion (pretty) faces looking up."




"As you can see, I gave up practicing.  This comes under the
category of fun.  I think I should have her holding a pole to
balance herself."




"This was a bathing suit -- I got tired of filling it
in -- she's holding onto something."



"(indecipherable) ... sick and told her I am
out right now.  I feel real proud of myself.
Bet she's surprised to hear from me."

"Now that you have finished, please throw this away.  And try not to
have too many nightmares over it.
Love, June"

(Tonight – a short love letter from Art.)

© 2010 Lee Price

A Present in the Mail

Thursday, December 8, 1949

20 Cooper St.

Southampton, NY

Dear June:

I got a little present in the mail today from a very sweet young lady.  Of course, you shouldn’t have done it, but I can use it though all right – my old wallet was in pretty bad shape, as I guess you knew.

Dogs, a charcoal sketch by Art Price.

It doesn’t sound like you’re doing much homework.  Don’t save it all for Christmas.  You’re going to be busy then!

Well let’s see what have I been doing, rode most of yesterday as you know, west to Patchogue from Riverhead.  Saw a movie last night.  They Live By Night, a regular melodrama.  It was so-so.  I’m writing this early tonight.  Since I haven’t done any art work yet this week, this will be a good night for it.

I saw your mother yesterday.  We had a nice little visit.  Be sure and write to her or telephone. 
She asked me to tell you to, so I’m telling you.

Well I’ll say good night now.  Take good care of yourself and be sure and write.  I’ll phone you Sunday.

Lots of love,

Art

P.S.  Thanks again for the wallet!

(Tomorrow – June teaches Art about fashion illustration.)

© 2010 Lee Price

June's Picasso Phase

Thursday, December 8, 1949

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

Every time I write you it seems to be to postpone my vacation a little longer.  This time it’s for one more day.  I called up Mother after I talked to you last night.  She said that she thought it would be better if she came in Wed., then we both would go home Thursday.  I agreed with her.  I told you how she loves the city – so I feel as if it’s her best present to come into the city for a couple of days.  It’s the most I can do for her.

I got your letter this morning!  Shirl and I were waiting for a subway at 81st Street when who popped up behind us but Mr. Kantor!  With a great big smile on his face, he passed out the mail.  Just like Santa Claus.  You know, you’re absolutely right.  He looks just like a typical musician.

Morning classes were boring today.  I was reading Look magazine in class.  Did you know that the Methodist Church is the largest Protestant denomination in this land?  That’s what it said.

Fashion sketch by
June Anderson.

This afternoon we had sketching from a model.  She would pose for ten minutes and we would render her in watercolor outlined or shadowed.  The last pose I got tired of working.  She was giving a ballet pose wearing the tights and so on.  Usually I draw in very vaguely in pencil.  Well I started, but two lines and I gave it up.  For the heck of it, I grabbed my largest brush, dunked it in grey paint and started at the head – I just swung all around the outline of the figure.  After finishing that (loads of fun!), I was just about to put it away for the waste basket.  There was a voice right behind me – my teacher!  And what was she shouting?  “Well, well, a Picasso right in our room!”  I swear – those are the very words!  I’m still laughing at it.  You realize, these are supposed to be fashion drawings and not modern art.  I don’t know how to take it, but it tickles me.

Jewelry drawing by
June Anderson.

I did my jewelry thumbnail layout in school today.  I’ll need to get it approved, then blow it up to a larger size and finish it in pen and ink.

Tomorrow Shirl and I plan to go to the movies – probably All the King’s Men, unless we find a good revival.  On Saturday Shirl wants to go shopping so I’ll probably tag along.  I’ve decided I want to see the Vincent Van Gogh exhibit at the Met over the weekend – it’s only there till Jan. 15^th.  If I put it off too long, I’ll never see it.

I don’t see how I can fill a letter so full of nothing.  Would you call it talent?  For heaven’s sake!  “Blondie” just came on the radio!

If you don’t write me a letter tonight, we’re not on speaking terms.  I want a letter Saturday!  I’m going to miss you – in fact, I do already.

All my love,

June

(Tonight – Art gets a birthday present.)

© 2010 Lee Price