The Big Kiss

Tuesday, April 18, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

Fashion illustration by June Anderson.

I’m still thinking about the dance.  I kind of shocked myself after the dance, kissing you in front of everybody like I did.  I never thought I would do anything like that.  But I wasn’t going to see you for such a long time.  And darling, I’m glad I did.  I had a wonderful time – I really did. 

Are you sure there were other people with us?  It seems like I just saw you.  But maybe that’s because you’re all I cared about seeing.  That must mean I’m really in love with you, mustn’t it?  And if you don’t believe it – well, darling, just come up and see me sometime.

We had a swell time at Jane’s house last night.  I love that living room of hers.  It’s so nice and cozy.  (Wouldn’t it be nice to have one like that all to ourselves?)  Anyway, while we were there, Shirl and I and June and Betty decided to take an apartment together this summer.  Their other roommate doesn’t finish school until June 18, so that means that Shirl and I will keep this place until that time and then we’ll all move together.  We ought to be able to

afford quite a nice place (or at least almost a nice place) with the money we chip in.  So there’ll be no room hunting this weekend.  I guess I’ll have to do some homework instead.

I still don’t like Mary though.  Helen seems very nice, but I couldn’t ever room with someone like Mary.  After you left, she came in and bawled us out for making so much noise.  Then when she woke us up in the morning, she scolded Jane again for the same thing.  Jane didn’t say anything but I wish she had.  I think she should have acted more courteous since we were guests.  By the way, Jane thinks Mary will marry within a year.  On the other hand, she doesn’t expect Helen to.

By the way, you were slightly right about Jane.  She had a (as she puts it) mad crush on Singer last year, but got over it during the summer.  When she came back to Southampton, she hadn’t seen Joe for so long that she developed a crush on him.  But it’s definitely gone now.  The dance ended that.

I’ll miss you this weekend, dear.  Take good care of yourself when it comes rolling around.  Don’t go off on too much of a rampage with the boys.  Darling, I love you.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – so much news.)

© 2011 Lee Price

A Lovely Time at the Dance

Tuesday, April 18, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

June Anderson, circa 1950.

Just a short note, darling, because it’s already after midnight.  June O’Neal, Betty Neverling, Shirl, and I visited Jane tonight.  Now it’s late and I still have to get washed, dressed for bed and so on.

I had such a lovely time at the dance.  I loved just to sit there and be near you, but best I loved dancing with you.  That was wonderful.  I won’t mention the stage show because you know I enjoyed that.  Words can’t express how much I love you.

There’s a lot I could tell you – different things that happened today.  But I’m so sleepy now...  So I’ll just say thank you for taking me to the dance, thank you very much for being as nice as you are, and I love you so much.  I’ll write a longer letter tomorrow.

All my love,

June

P.S.  It’s about 9:30 Tuesday morning now.  I’m in school.  Do you realize that I’ve had a total of about eight hours sleep in the last two nights?  Wait till tonight, though!  I’ll sure make up for that.

I’m not going room hunting this weekend, but I am staying in the city.  For Shirl’s sake.

Tonight I’ll write you about the room situation and Jane and more, etc. – if I don’t forget about them.

Sometime when I’m home I’ll tell you about Shirl and her boyfriend, too.

Till then,

Love,

June

(Later today – June and the girls.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Safely Home from Brooklyn

Monday, April 17, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

As you can see, I had no trouble getting out of Brooklyn.  I stopped for breakfast in Smithtown and was home before 8:00 this morning.  Then I slept till noon.



I hope everything went all right with you today and hope Shirl wasn’t too mad at you.  I guess I’m the one she should be mad at.  When I walked into work

this afternoon, Bruno

Main Street, Southampton, from a period postcard.

already knew what time I’d gotten home and all about the trip.  (Not quite everything though.)  I couldn’t figure out how he knew but then found out he had talked to Carol in the drugstore that morning.  She went to work at 10.

Everybody down here seems to have survived all right.  I saw Jimmy this afternoon and Joe Cerullo for a minute tonight when I went for the paper.

I’m about ready to head for bed now.  I can’t imagine why I should be tired, can you?

So long now, sweetheart, and remember me to everybody.  I love you so much.  ’night for now, my darling.

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – thinking about the dance.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Unusual Artwork for Art

Although Art rarely expressed any criticisms in his letters to June, he seems to have been somewhat frustrated with his evening art lessons at the Partida School of Arts, located at 18 Cameron Street in Southampton.  His natural style was realistic and his palette tended to be muted.  His favorite subjects were landscapes and seascapes.

It appears that his teachers at the Partida School of Arts pushed him to try new approaches in his art.  Today’s entry highlights two artworks that are unlike any of his other surviving pieces.

The first is this allegorical oil painting that comments upon war and culture.

Oil painting by Art Price.

The second is this dramatic pencil sketch that suggests a man’s death at sea.

Pencil sketch by Art Price, homework for the Partida School of Art.

Both may indeed be personal reflections upon Art’s Navy experiences as a quartermaster third class on minesweepers in the South Pacific.  But they represent styles and approaches that he tried once, and never returned to.

(For Monday – safely home from Brooklyn.)
 

© 2011 Lee Price

Blame the Post Office

Thursday, April 13, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

I waited until now to write in hopes I could tell you how the picture turned out and answer your morning letter.  Well, I didn’t get a letter this morning and the picture won’t be finished till this afternoon.

I’ll blame not getting a letter on the post office department for now.  I’d better get one this afternoon though!  If you don’t write to me ---- !!!!

Anyway I still love you very much, darling.  This has been my morning off.  I slept late then went out and got a haircut.  Yesterday, I put the car in the garage to get tuned up, greased etc. – all ready for this weekend.  I finished John Hersey’s The Wall last night then went to bed fairly early.

Pencil sketch by Art Price.

As far as I know Joe hasn’t made that phone call yet.  If I see him tonight maybe I’ll drag him into the phone booth.

I think I’ll go across the street now and see how the baby is.  Remember me to Shirl.  See you Friday night, sweetheart.  Till then I love you very much.

Lots of love,

Art

(For Monday – safely home from Brooklyn.)
 

© 2011 Lee Price

We're in Love

Wednesday, April 12, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

Fashion illustrations by June Anderson.



When I think about it, that must have been some awful letter I wrote you Monday night!  But I’m sure you’ll excuse it on sleepiness grounds.  I went to bed as soon as I finished it.

I wonder if Joe’s asked Jane yet, or if he will at all?  I’m dying to know.

Shirl’s out on a date with Ted tonight.  She just left about fifteen minutes ago.  So darling, I’m all by myself.  I plan to stay up and do homework until Shirl comes home.

I accomplished quite a bit of work in school today, too.  That makes

me feel good, but I’m still way behind.  I don’t understand how I can fall so far behind.

- - - - -

Darling, it’s four hours later now – 1:15 a.m.  I put up the letter and did some homework.  Shirl’s home.  She came in about 45 minutes ago and says she had a very nice time.  Ted’s going home with her on Friday and will bring her back Sunday.  They have a nice weekend planned out.

But no matter how well they plan they won’t have near as nice a time as we will.  How could they?  We’re in love – aren’t we, dear?  I am, anyway.

I hope you’ve rested up some.  This is my last letter before the weekend.  I’ll be waiting for yours tomorrow.

Didn’t we have a nice time on my vacation?  The only trouble was it ended too soon.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – everything's behind schedule.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Looking Back on a Wonderful Week

Watercolor by Art Price.

Tuesday, April 11, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

Darling, it was a wonderful week, wasn’t it?  I do love you so very much.  One evening gone already, just a few more till I see you again.  Be sure and get lots of sleep this week and don’t forget to write to me.

No news to tell you.  I got to work before the boss this morning (that wasn’t very early).  Joe came in the store just before 6.  He hasn’t phoned Jane yet.  I hope he does it tonight.  Bruno was in bad shape today.  He had a tough day yesterday, I guess.  I started reading The Wall again early in the evening and now I’ve almost finished it.  Nothing more to tell you, darling, except that I miss you more than ever tonight.  I love you, I love you, I love you, my sweetheart.

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – June's alone while Shirl's out with Ted)

© 2011 Lee Price