Rumors about Roulston's

Monday, May 22, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

We’re still waiting to hear more about Roulston’s closing.  I haven’t heard any definite news yet so I shouldn’t say anything more.  I could fill two pages with rumors, theories, and suggestions but you wouldn’t really know any more about it.

I went to see a Betty Grable movie tonight.  It was pretty good – just about what you’d expect.  I’ll be going to painting class both tomorrow and Wednesday.  Then I’ll spend a lonely Thursday night before I’m in heaven again with you on Friday. 

Should I keep these letters short so you can read them between 63rd and 52nd Streets?  (Those are the correct numbers, right?)

I guess I’ll go to bed now, darling.  I hope you’re writing tonight, too.  Don’t stay up too late doing

homework.  Good night for now my love.

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – Evie goes clothes shopping.)

© 2011 Lee Price

A Mystery Fashion Illustration

This fashion illustration by June was packed into storage along with all the Traphagen drawings from 1948-50.  Judging from the style, it’s almost certainly from the late 1960s or early to mid-70s.  But there are no other fashion illustrations from the 1960s forward in the collection so the origins of this particular piece remain a mystery.

(For Monday – rumors about Roulston's.)
 

© 2011 Lee Price

Long Distance Kisses

Thursday, May 18, 1950

112 West 86th Street

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

It’s awful to go several days without hearing from you.  I’ll certainly be looking for a letter tonight.  I hope you get my first letter soon.  I didn’t mail it till noon yesterday.  I had it in my pocketbook all morning, but had forgotten stamps for it.

They played “If I loved You”* over the radio earlier tonight.  It was a beautiful arrangement and put me in a romantic mood.  Darling, I do love you – and I guess that’s all that really matters.  If you were with me tonight, you might have to fight to tear yourself away from me!  Woof!!!

Shirl’s out with Ted and I’ve been doing homework all evening.  And that’s after working a long day at school, too.  I’m trying very hard to finish in time, but gee, I didn’t realize how much I had to do!  I’m afraid I may not be able to go out with you on Sunday afternoon, darling.  I may have too much to do.

Letterings by June Anderson.

I have to go back to work again now.  There’s nothing new to tell you anyway.  Just the same old thing – I love you and miss you very much.  Now I must go back to lettering.  I’ll be waiting for you Friday.  So, with long distance kisses I say –

All my love,

June

*The arrangement of "If I loved You" that June heard was probably the one released in May 1950 by Dinah Washington with Teddy Stewart's Orchestra.  I don't have a link to that, but here's Dinah Washington singing "What a Difference a Day Makes," her first top 10 pop hit from 1959.

(For Saturday – a mysterious picture by June.)
 

© 2011 Lee Price

A Painting for the Metropolitan

Oil painting by Art Price.  There is no record of which of his paintings
he did in preparation for the Metropolitan contest.

Wednesday, May 17, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

Just two more evenings till I see you, darling.  I miss you, even if it’s only a few days between visits.

I’ve been quite busy today.  I worked in the morning and had the afternoon off.  I went out in the woods and painted for the Metropolitan Museum contest.  Then I came home and finished rotating my tires, washed the windows, and put on the screens for summer.

My folks went to the movies tonight.  I stayed home and put the finishing touches on my painting.  I think it’s finished now.  Soon I’ll head for bed.  I’m looking forward to your letter tomorrow.

I’ll say good night now darling.  I love you so much, sweetheart.  See you Friday.

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – homework overload.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Pearls in the Ash Tray

Tuesday, May 16, 1950

112 West 86th Street

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

Fashion illustration by
June Anderson.

Before I say anything else, darling, please take care of your car.  And don’t let anyone use the ash trays in the back seat.  I left my pearls there.  Remember?

Art, the school has decided there will be no class on Wednesday, the last day in May.  That means I’ll stay here the weekend before that and plan on going home on Monday night.  I hope I get all my homework done in time.  Right now it looks kind of hopeless.  There are only 11 more days of school and I have at least that many assignments – big ones, too.  I’ve been working right up till now and I’ll do some more as soon as I finish your letter.  I’ll need to work hard every night this week and next week.

What’s new in Southampton, darling?  I hope you’re being good.  Shirl just said that you’re probably out drinking with the boys tonight.  I said you weren’t.  I am right – aren’t I, darling?

Oh, sweetheart, I had such a nice time with you this weekend.  Why do they have to go by so fast?  It gets harder and harder to leave you.  My, I’m getting torrid, darling!  Maybe you had better tear this letter up.

I had such a wonderful time with you, darling.  I miss you, already.  Only three more nights without you, but, oh, such long ones.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – painting in the woods.)

© 2011 Lee Price

I'd Rather See You Than Write

Monday, May 15, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

Darling, I love you.  I’ve been sitting here, half listening to the radio, and trying to start this letter.  I think I’ve fallen out of the writing habit.  I’d rather see you than write.

I have tomorrow afternoon off so I’m going to try and paint.  I feel I should get to work on a really good painting.  I received a whole lot of forms and literature from the Metropolitan Museum of Art about the big contest they’re having.

Sketch by Art Price.

We had a busy day at work.  Afterwards, I worked till dark rotating my tires.  I’m a little sleepy tonight. 

I love you so very much, sweetheart.  Take care of yourself.  See you Friday night, darling.

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – pearls in the ash tray.)

© 2011 Lee Price

I Only Know I Love You

Horses, an oil painting by Art Price.

Thursday, May 11, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

I’m so glad I’ll be seeing you this weekend.  I love you so much, darling.

I’m glad to hear your move went smoothly or should I say that Shirl moved you okay?  It sounds like you’re really setting up housekeeping.  I’ll bet you’re going to enjoy that apartment.

I didn’t do much of anything last night.  I was planning to do some work on my car this morning but it rained – as it always does on my day off.

Thanks for the phone number, darling, but I hope I won’t have to use it before I see you again.  All I’ve done this morning was get a haircut.  When I got home, your letter was here and so here I am writing.  Tonight I’ll go to art class and then on Friday night I’ll be in heaven with you.

Take good care of yourself my precious sweetheart.  So long for now.  They’re singing, “I only know I love you” on the radio.  I know I do.

Lots of love,

Art

© 2011 Lee Price