A Surprise Invitation

Sunday, December 18, 1949

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

June's father Theodore Anderson
working at the phone company.

How nice it was to hear you today.  I always said the telephone was a marvelous invention – and not just because Daddy works for the phone company!  You called a little earlier than I expected – but that was nice too – a very convenient time.

I was very surprised when you invited me to the Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve.  I thought you would be ushering in Southampton and I wouldn’t see you that night.

Heaven knows what we’ll do in school tomorrow.  Just say goodbye to the rest of the kids, I guess.  Two more days of school, a merry whirl with Mother in the city, then home!

Today Shirl and I went to the American Museum of Natural History to see that “From the Neck Up” exhibition.  It turns out that a lot that was donated by Traphagen.  That Ethel Traphagen has more stuff there than the Metropolitan and private collectors put together!

I’m very anxious to receive that special delivery in person.  Missing you.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – the last letter before the break.)

© 2010 Lee Price

The Gin Mills of Southampton

Sunday, December 18, 1949

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June: 

Wonderful to talk to you today but as usual I couldn’t think of all the things I wanted to say.

Last night, I went to the movies with Frank Hoffman.  Then he and I and Joe Cerullo watched wrestling at the Anchorage for awhile then went to the Polish Hall and saw the rest of the boys there.  Then to Peter’s, took Frank home, and out to Julie’s with Joe.  We stopped at Pete’s again on the way back and met Bruno, Farmer, and Singer there.  Then back to the Windmill to eat, and finished the night at the Hampton Bays Diner.  Finally got home at 4 in the morning.  I stuck to beer all night.  Today I discovered a small dent in my rear fender opposite the driver side.  That’s what I get for parking outside of gin mills!  It can be fixed easily but I hate to see it.

I thought of you all evening.  If just one other guy had decided to go to the city, I would have been with him.

I went to church twice today, regular service in the morning and Christmas music at 4:30 in the afternoon.  Otherwise I’ve done nothing all day.  Only four days and three nights till I see you.  Tomorrow will be my last letter before Christmas, as you know.

Remember me to everybody.  I hope you and your mother have a good time.  I’ll be over Thursday night as early as I can, probably around 7:30.  I hope you’ll be there by then.  If not, I’ll wait.  I miss you, but I’ll be seeing you soon.  I’m a lucky guy.

Lots of love,

Art

(Tonight – a surprise invitation to the candlelight service.)

© 2010 Lee Price

The Worst Day Not To Get Mail



Still life with glasses, pencil drawing by Art Price.


Saturday, December 17, 1949

20 Cooper St.

Southampton, NY

Dear June: 

Saturday is the worst day not to get mail.  There was no mail when I came home today for lunch but while I was eating the mailman came and there your letter was, written Thursday.  It was a nice letter but you certainly haven’t been behaving yourself:  Missing another day after all you’ve missed already!  I’ll bet you didn’t tell your folks about it either.  Still I’m glad you enjoyed the Radio City

Music Hall show.  Maybe I’ll see it next year.

I went along to pick up my sister.  I don’t know why.  I slept all the way back.

I think I’ll go to the movies tonight even though I have seen it (She Wore a Yellow Ribbon).  I’ll try and get home early afterward.

I miss you more tonight than ever. 

Lots of love

Art

(Tomorrow – out with the boys in Southampton.)

© 2010 Lee Price

Still Life with Girdle

Friday, December 16, 1949

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

About half an hour ago I began to get bored.  I took a soft pencil, a kneaded rubber eraser, and a piece of paper about 5” x 7” in hand and proceeded to do my first still life.  I got in the dirty chair, the lamp that doesn’t work and the dying ivy in the corner.  The crooked furniture of my picture didn’t quite catch the impression of this room so I added Shirl’s girdle over the arm of the chair.  Made it much more homey.  I’m not sure if she appreciated it.

Fashion sketch by
June Anderson.

Shirl did homework tonight.  In lettering class, the assignment was to make an envelope for a store – you know, the little paper bags with flaps that they put stockings, ties, etc. in?  Well, we had to make up a store name and design for our envelope.  Shirl had done it twice before and wasn’t pleased with her results.  So she sat down tonight to do it for the third and last time.  At last she finished.  Picking it up to examine it, she announced that she was pleased with the results, then all at once let out a loud groan.  She had put everything on upside down!  The flap was on the bottom.  How we laughed!  Poor Shirl.

We had life class this morning, and I did my best drawing (charcoal) of this term.  At least in my opinion.  And I finally went to that draping class this afternoon!  What’s more, I finished draping and cutting a French lining on my cute little size 14 dummy, which is bigger by far than me.  Anyway, all I have to do is baste this creation together, and I’ll do that here before Christmas.  Everybody had better get busy before I catch up with them!

Evita, the little baby, came in to visit us tonight.  She had on clean clothes and shoes, and was very cute.  Her mother wasn’t around so she let me take her by the hand and lead her around.  For the first time I saw her walk!!  She kept toppling over with a smile on her face that would change to one of amazement.

Study of children's growth
by June Anderson.

Evita found our red rug, sat down on it and talked her head off.  She was fascinated by the rug.  Guess it takes a child to appreciate it!  For someone who doesn’t like children, I act pretty silly, don’t I?

We have classes Monday and Tuesday but the few kids who are planning to stay expect to do nothing.  Sit around, gossip, say goodbye as they leave, maybe have a party.

What do you think about Bruno?  Do you think he forgot where he parked the car?

Remember the story about the Chinese girl whose lover was sent away in the Army?  She missed him so she wrote him a letter so long it was a book?  He broke the engagement because she must talk too much.  Reminds me of me!  But I’m in the mood to write today.

The days are creeping by, but soon it will be Thursday night and I’ll be in your car or, even better, in your arms.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – the worst day not to get mail.)

© 2010 Lee Price

Off to Patchogue

Friday, December 16, 1949

20 Cooper St.

Southampton, NY

Dear June: 

Glad to hear you finally wrote your mother a letter!  I hope you both have a good time next week.  But don’t have such a good time that you decide to stay another day.  That I couldn’t stand.

Art's father Arthur N. Price
out by the car.

It was very busy at Roulston’s today – people buying for Christmas, I guess.  I’m home now but I think I’ll ride up to Patchogue when my parents leave to get my sister.  If I don’t go, I’ll probably take a spin downtown and you know what that means.  There’s a good fight on television tonight.

Six long days and five even longer evenings till you’re in my arms again.  I didn’t know I could miss anyone this much.  I’m almost glad I hadn’t met you while I was in the Navy.  I probably would have gone over the hill.

Well, I’ll say so long now and head for Patchogue to get Sis.  Be good and see you soon.

Lots of love,

Art

(Tonight – still life with girdle.)

© 2010 Lee Price

Great Grandfather's Portrait

Thursday, December 15, 1949

20 Cooper St.

Southampton, NY

Dear June: 

Just think, a week from tonight at this time you’ll be in my arms.  I hope I can wait till then.  I guess I’ll just have to.

Art's portrait of his great grandfather
George Werner in his Civil War uniform.

I had a fairly busy day today.  I went out early this evening with my father and helped him set up the big tree at church.  Then I came home and got quite a bit accomplished on my course.  My next free night I really have to do some work on my great grandfather.  I wonder if that last sentence sounded strange to you?  I mean work on his portrait.

I’m going to take it easy this Saturday.  If I go out, I’ll stick to beer and get home early.  If anyone mentions New York, I know three guys that are going to start throwing things.  Only seven days left.  I miss you.  I don’t think I’ll send kisses.  I’m saving them for delivery in person.

Loads of love,

Art

Special thanks to Rick Scholl for sending me this image of Art's portrait of his  great grandfather!

(Tomorrow – off to Patchogue.)

© 2010 Lee Price

You Lazy Bum!

Unsent letter from the collection.



Thursday, December 15, 1949

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

You don’t know how lucky you are.  If I had started this letter earlier you would be in the middle of a scolding right now.  It would have started out – “You lazy bum!”  All because I came home to no letter.  It was very disappointing.  However, about 8 this evening Mr. Kanter wandered in with a letter.  What a late time to distribute mail!

I was a very naughty girl today.  You see, it’s this way.  Last week, Dot saw the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall with the movie On the Town.  Well, ever since, she’s been telling Shirl and I how wonderful it was.  But Shirl and I have been strong willed.  We held out and concentrated on our work.  Then this morning, we wandered merrily into class about 9:10.  Then this morning, we had nothing to do at school so we wandered out for a smoke (I use the term loosely – I have never smoked in school).  Anyway, we saw Mel and Irv outside and they started telling us right away that they had seen the show and oh! how outstanding it was.  We couldn’t stand it any longer.  Two o’clock found us watching the Nativity scene.  And it was beautiful, and the picture was swell, too.

You mention artwork every once in awhile.  What are you working on?

Don’t worry about my work.  All my assignments have been checked and corrected and just need to be finished on good paper.  I can work nicely at home.  I’ll sleep till 10, do homework in the afternoon, and have my nights free?

I’m sitting here whiling time away.  Three schooldays, the weekend, and mother’s visit to go.

All my love,

June

(Tonight – great grandfather's portrait.)

© 2010 Lee Price