Is That What You Think I Do?

The 41 De Soto.

Friday, March 3, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

I just got home from the Methodist Church Men’s Club.  We had a good meeting.  Your father would have been interested in the talk on the telephone

company and television.  On the way home, I saw the

car Bruno’s getting in front of the Anchorage so I stopped to look closer look at it.  A 41 De Soto is a very nice looking car.  I wonder what it will look like a year from now.

I went in the Anchorage and saw a little of the “Bonny Maid Variety Show” on television there, but I didn’t stay long.  When I go out, I want to go out with you, my darling.

Imagine forgetting to call your family till Wednesday!  I’m ashamed of you.  I know how they must feel because I love you, too.

Now in your letter you say “and don’t drink too much.”  Is that what you think I do when you’re not home?  I don’t think I’ll even go out.  That’ll show you!

Seriously, I do miss you very much, my darling sweetheart.  I’m thinking of you always.  Be good and do lots of homework this weekend because I won’t let you do much next week.  Call you Sunday!

Lots of love,

Art

Spring Is Just Around the Corner

Thursday, March 2, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

March is finally here, and that means winter’s over and spring is coming.  And I don’t care how cold it is out or want to hear you and Shirl keep insisting that March is the worst part of winter!  Spring is just around the corner and I can feel it.

Besides, I have spring fever.  Spring means birds coming back, warm beautiful weather, buds popping out, and love love love.  And I have so much of the latter – all for you, darling.

Watercolor by June Anderson.

I’m glad to hear Bruno’s got another car.  I can’t imagine him without one.  I wonder why Joe doesn’t get a car?  He’s another you’d just naturally expect to have one.  Of course, he doesn’t need it.  He seems to get around more than most people who do own cars.

You certainly must have felt lost and with nothing to do if you went to see Battleground again so soon!  I don’t blame you for enjoying it the second

time, though.  I would, too – it was a good picture.

Well, guess what?  I finally got down to work.  I worked in school today and even did about half an hour’s homework here tonight.  I know it doesn’t sound like much, dear, but at least it means I’m making some headway – pretty soon I should be able to sit down and accomplish a stack of homework.  I hope.

We think Shirl’s sister Evie is coming out Tuesday.  I hope I come through the experience alright.  She’s only staying for a couple of days.

Well, Art darling, it’s late already, so I’m going right to bed.  Please keep writing.  I enjoy your letters so much.  Don’t go too wild on the weekend nights.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – Bruno's new car.)
 

© 2011 Lee Price

Bell Telephone Presents "Television"

Thursday, March 2, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

I’m glad to hear your cold is better.  It’s too bad the play wasn’t as good as you hoped.  I imagine you enjoyed it anyway.

Well I had a usual day today, not too busy.  I stayed home tonight and sprayed some of my paintings with varnish.  I did a little painting, too.  I’m really going to take it easy Saturday night.  Maybe I won’t even go out at all.

Tomorrow I go to the Methodist Church Men’s Club dinner.  It’s another Bell Telephone presentation, this time on television.  I just remembered I have to get up at 6:00 on Sunday and go to a Men’s Communion Breakfast so I guess I’d better get to bed early Saturday.

I just counted the days.  It’s 8 days and 7 evenings till I see you again, my darling.  I’ll phone Sunday afternoon at 12:30 as usual.  At least I can talk to you and tell you I love you, and maybe send you a kiss by phone.

I enjoy your letters so much so keep them coming, won’t you, darling?  I miss you, sweetheart.

Lots of love,

Art

(Later today – June has spring fever.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Was Shirl in an Accident?

Large watercolor fashion illustration by June Anderson.

Wednesday, March 2, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

Oh, it’s so hot in this room.  I just took a shower and now it feels like I’m in a Turkish bath.  We have the window open, too.  Oh well, I’ll grin and bear it.  Or, better, I’ll sit here and complain!  Ha!

I came back here at 4:00 this afternoon and to my surprise Shirl hadn’t come home yet.  She’s usually here before I am.  I waited till 5:00 and then I began to worry.  What in the world was she doing?  Why didn’t she at least call?  Was she in an accident?  The 6:00 came and my mind was in a complete state of confusion, being both angry at her for keeping me waiting and worrying about what might have happened.  I listened to the news to see if there had been any bad accidents, then went down to the corner drugstore to get a bite to eat.  I thought if she wasn’t back when I was finished I’d have to call her mother or something.  Anyway, I met her on the way to the store.  She had gone window shopping on Fifth Avenue and had lost track of the time.  She was so sorry and I was so mad, but we’re friends again now.

As you probably have realized by now, we have definitely decided that I’m not going home this weekend.  Art, darling, I’m going to miss you terribly.  In fact, why say that?  I miss you terribly already and the weekend hasn’t even come yet.  Shall I expect your call Sunday?

Oh, Art, I do miss you.  You’ll be careful this weekend, won’t you?  And don’t drink too much.  I love you, so goodnight and…

All my love,

June

 (Tomorrow – counting the days.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Too Bad I'm Not an Artist

 

Still life of Navy items:  an old painting by Art, a machete,  and a shell,
oil painting by Art Price.

 

Wednesday, March 1, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

I got a letter today from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  They wanted me to fill out a filing card for them as an American artist.  Also they’re sending me information on a special exhibit and contest that they’re conducting next summer and fall.  I don’t know where in the world they got my name as being an artist.  It made me feel real important.  Too bad I’m not an artist (I don’t think I am).

A neighborhood dog, oil painting by Art Price.

I went to my usual art class tonight and had a very enjoyable lesson.  Mr. Secunda is far superior to Partida as a teacher as far as I’m concerned.

Besides that, I’ve done little except sleep and, most important of all, read your letter.  Of course, I went to work this afternoon but I didn’t do much work.

Maybe this will cheer you up about the cold weather – we got a letter from my sister today and she says it’s 30 degrees below zero
with a foot of snow on the ground in Plattsburg.

Be careful and take good care of yourself, my precious darling.  I love you, you know that I do.  I’m missing you very much, too.

Lots of love,

Art

(Later today – window shopping on Fifth Avenue.)

© 2011 Lee Price

The Devil's Disciple on Broadway

                                                           Tuesday, February 28, 1950

                                                           46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

                                                           New York City, NY



Sketch by June Anderson.

Dear Art,

You know, I’m afraid maybe I’ll start getting boring to my friends.  I’ve noticed lately it’s been “When Art and I went etc.” or “My boyfriend says this” – I’m afraid they’ll start getting tired of hearing you mentioned all the time.  However, you are on my mind so often, and I’ve done so many things with you, it’s hard to talk without dragging you into the conversation.

Oh, did I tell you?  Shirl and I are going to a play tonight.  “The Devil’s Disciple.”  You remember when they bought tickets to it, don’t you?  Well, darling, I thought I’d better write early, because heaven knows how tired I’ll be when I get back tonight.

Shirl just came in.  She worked hard in school today.  Well, it’s about time – she was only there one day last week!

I feel much better today, though still fantastically lazy.  I’m not over tired as I was yesterday, and my cold is improving.  I didn’t do much in school again today.  We sketched each other this morning and I just more or less fooled the afternoon away.  Tomorrow night I must do some homework.

Well, I have to get washed and dressed so we can go out to eat.

Love,

June

P.S.  It’s nearly one at night, darling, and I’m ready for bed.  The show was good, but nothing outstanding.  It starred Maurice Evans, Victor Jory and Marsha Hunt.  One actor, who only played a bit part, stole the whole show.

Shirl and I are both very tired now, Art, so this is just a note to tell you that I love you.  I hope you stayed in tonight while it was sleeting and snowing.  Take care of yourself, darling.

All my love,

June

 (Tomorrow – an invitation from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Art's Jealous Nature

Tuesday, February 28, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

It was wonderful to hear from you tonight.  I’m sorry about your cold.  Take good care of yourself now, my precious.  I’m glad your teacher took pity on you and let you go home.

Are you and Shirl going to see “The Devil’s Disciple” tonight?  I hope it’s good.  I see it got good notices in the papers.  I didn’t realize it was a comedy.  I thought it was a drama.

If you really want to go out with Shirl’s friend I guess maybe it’s okay but I will be jealous.  I think I have a very jealous nature, darling.  You know I love you very very much.

Now I’ve thought it over again and maybe I don’t want you to go out, after all.  (I can be possessive, too.)  By the way, tell Shirl I don’t think there can be such a thing as a cousin by marriage.

Well guess what I did?  I went to the movies with my folks and saw Battleground again.  They thought it was very good, too.

I think I’m going to leave this envelope open so if there’s anything important in your letter tomorrow I can answer it.  (Like if you’re coming home.)  I guess I’ll go to bed early.  What’s there to stay up for when you’re not here, my darling?

Lots of love,

Art

P.S.  It’s Wednesday morning and I just got your letter.  Sorry you’re not coming home this weekend.  I love you and miss you, darling.  I’ll mail this now.

Love,

Art

(Later today – The Devil's Disciple.)

© 2011 Lee Price