Makeup Needed

Advertisement design by June Anderson.

Monday, January 30, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

I forgot to set the alarm, my parents woke me up, and I just made the train back to the city.  I finally reached Traphagen at about 10:00 only to find there was nothing much to do.  Shirl didn’t arrive until noon.  I didn’t want to open my portfolio because it was packed with clothes, so I joined friends and talked, went to Jack’s for a snack, then wandered around like a stray lamb.

Detail from ad design.

This afternoon was a little better.  June, Joan and I (J, J, and J) decided to make up a life drawing assignment.  I thought I didn’t have enough marks for the class, but Mr. Lawrence, one of the Life teachers, interrupted my work to say that I do.  He looked me over (I had no makeup on) and said there was no reason I should have to make this work up and that I should get some rest instead.  Afterwards I decided I must have looked pretty bad, so I went out and put some lipstick on.

We stayed for quick sketch until 5:00, ate dinner, then went to a double feature.  No homework accomplished.

Shirl went on a date this past weekend but didn’t enjoy it much.  It was a triple date, which probably had something to do with it.  I told her she was growing up.

Well, Art darling, it’s started – two long weeks without you.  I counted though and it’s really only 11 long days.

Did you hear any more about Bruno’s accident?  Did he turn up at work today?  How is he?  I’m concerned about him.

You really have to be careful driving, too.  I’m not kidding you about it anymore.  Now be good and don’t pick up any stray girls,

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – More details on Bruno's accident.)

© 2011 Lee Price


"Once in Love With Amy"

On one of their New York City dates in early January, June and Art went to see Where’s Charley? at the St. James Theatre, a Broadway theater located two blocks from Times Square.

Where’s Charley? was a smash hit Broadway musical starring Ray Bolger, now primarily remembered for his role as the Scarecrow in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz.  Where’s Charley? opened in October 1948 and ran for 798 performances, closing in September 1950.  The music was by Frank Loesser, a composer of many standards (including “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” and “Heart and Soul”) as well as the later Broadway hits Guys and Dolls and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Ray Bolger in Where's Charley?

Many years later, Art remembered that Where’s Charley? was a good show, a bit unbalanced by Ray Bolger’s show-stopping performance of “Once in Love With Amy” early in Act Two.  Art said he never saw anything like the audience’s outpouring of love and enthusiasm.  The crowd went absolutely wild, giving a seemingly endless standing ovation and demanding multiple encore reprises.  Art remembered it as the single most memorable performance he ever saw on Broadway.

Here’s a YouTube clip of Ray Bolger doing “Once in Love With Amy” from the 1952 movie of Where’s Charley?  It appears to be very close in style to the original Broadway production, including the built-in reprise and sing-along.  However, Art said that much as he enjoyed the movie, it didn’t come close to capturing the incredible charisma of Bolger performing “Once in Love With Amy” live.

© 2011 Lee Price

Without You, Who Wants to Go Out?



Thursday, January 26, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

This will be just a short note since I may even see you before you get this.

I stayed home on Tuesday and finished the lesson I’ve been working on.  I’ll send it in tomorrow.  I should have gone out tonight since I can sleep tomorrow morning… but, without you, who wants to go out?



Sketch of fence by Art Price.



I sure hope you had a happy birthday yesterday.  You know I love you very much, and hope you’ll be in my arms this weekend.  If you can’t come home, I think they’d have to lock me in my room to keep me from coming into the city.

Take care of yourself, sweetheart.

Lots of love,

Art

© 2011 Lee Price

June's Birthday Cards

Celebrating June’s 21st birthday, 61 years ago…

First, Art’s birthday card to June:

And Art’s mother’s (Ada Belle’s) birthday card to June:

(Tomorrow – Weekend plans.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart

Wednesday, January 25, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

Happy birthday, sweetheart!

Before I go any further I love you very much, you know.  It will be wonderful if you can come home again this weekend.  I wonder if I can be that lucky.  I’ve been so lucky so far maybe it will keep up.

I found your watch in my ash tray today, so I decided to send it along to you.  I hope you didn’t worry about it.

I’ve been home all evening reading True Magazine.  It’s very good.  There's an article on Joseph Dunninger*, the mind reader.  Have you seen him on television?  I’ll have to introduce him to you, along with wrestling.

Don’t get all tired out doing homework this week.  Take breaks like you used to.  Remember

me to Shirl.  I hope she lets you come home next week but I’m not getting my hopes up too much.  I’d better sign off now.  I’m beginning to get drowsy.  I love you, darling.

Love,

Art

* Nice clip of Joseph Dunninger exposing spiritualism tricks of the trade.  The Dunninger clip comprises only the first four minutes of the video.

(This afternoon – June's birthday cards.)

© 2011 Lee Price

A Birthday Present, A Day Early

Tuesday, January 24, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

Does the writing look any different to you?  It’s my new pen!  Yes, I know, I should have waited until my birthday tomorrow but, gee, it got here today and how could I wait?  Oh, it writes so nice and easy – I don’t need to press at all – it just glides along.  Do you realize this is the first time I’ve even written you with my own pen?  I’ve always used Shirl’s and you have to dip it into the ink constantly.  Thank you so much!

Gee, I kind of wish it would go dry again.  It’s fun filling it – you press it three times – I wonder what kind of material that thing is made out of that you press?  It’s transparent.

Shirl and I decided to postpone going out on my birthday tomorrow – too much homework for both of us.  I’m trying to finish everything possible so I won’t have too much to do while home this weekend.

I left my pocketbook on a bench in the subway station today and didn’t discover it until I was on the train.  We got off at 59th Street ran upstairs, then around and down, and caught the next subway back to 50th Street.  I ran to the bench and it wasn’t there, but the man sitting there said he just gave it to a station master who had gone upstairs.  He advised me to go to the change booth to ask about it.  So I raced up four flights of stairs to the change booth where the man told me to go back downstairs.  So down four flights I ran again.  And there at last was the man with my pocketbook.  What luck!  When he asked me to identify it I told him I had letters in there from you to me.  It was about the most tiring half hour I’ve ever spent!

Two more nights of homework and then you.  What a welcome relief.  I love you till then.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – Birthday greetings!)

© 2011 Lee Price

Lonesome in the Big City

Monday, January 23, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City

Dear Art,

Detail of watercolor
below.

I’m here in the room, all by myself and so lonesome.  Too bad you couldn’t be here.  Shirl won’t be back until tomorrow.  Her sister Evie called me this morning to say Shirl had an attack of laziness – she worked hard all weekend and then slept all morning.  She was still in bed when Evie called.  Her mother thinks Shirl looks worn-out, undernourished, and exhausted.  She should see me!

I don’t think I could live in the city without a roommate.  It’s terrible, being here by yourself.  When Shirl’s here we can talk and liven things up a bit, so I can pass the time faster.  In high school I used to enjoy being by myself but since college I no longer like being alone.  Well, tomorrow Shirl will be here.  Then I’ll see if I can arrange to come home this weekend.

Did you work hard today?  I hope not too hard.  I didn’t work at all.  Of course, that means I’ll have to make up for it over the next couple of days.  Maybe it’s just as well Shirl didn’t come.  I’ll catch up on some sleep tonight and perhaps – I say this with incredible optimism – I’ll get a new spurt of energy for tomorrow.

In school today I just loafed and talked to everyone in range – more talking than loafing.  When anyone asked if I had a nice weekend I just smiled into space and said “Wonderful.”  But they couldn’t know how wonderful.

Evening Gown watercolor
by June Anderson.

All my love,

June

P.S.  Art, my darling – guess what time it is.  It’s after 1 a.m.!  I decided to do some homework after all.  I drew a figure with an evening gown on, transferred it, colored it, etc. – anyway, it’s all finished.  That means I’ve completed everything for watercolor class.  And do you know why I did it?  Because I’ve decided to come home this weekend.  Wouldn’t that be nice?

Love and kisses,

June

(Tomorrow – June's birthday present.)

© 2011 Lee Price

June Turning 21

June returned home this weekend, 61 years ago, and her impending 21^st birthday was certainly on her mind.  Born in Patchogue, Long Island on January 25, 1929, she had grown to be a charming young woman, artistically talented and very in love.

June at two months, 1929.

June in Patchogue, circa 1934.

“I used to play with toys and dolls, but my favorite thing was using my imagination.  Things like being the Jungle Princess.  That was half my young life.  I used to love to climb trees.  There was one tree that we called the Candy Factory Tree.  It was in the back of the factory yard right near my house, and it was this beautiful big tree that I could climb.  While all the kids enjoyed climbing it, I was up near the top nearly all the time.  And I just loved it.  Of course, I wanted to rule the roost and so I was the Jungle Princess.”

-- from June’s recordings of family stories, 2003

June with her brother Ted, circa 1939.

June, circa 1941.

June (sixth from right) played cello in the Riverhead
High School orchestra, photo taken circa 1945.

June in her late teens, circa 1947.

(On Monday, lonesome in the city.)

© 2011 Lee Price

On Good Behavior

Thursday, January 19, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

This will just be a short note.  I hope you’ll get this early tomorrow.

Homework for Partida School of Arts
by Art Price.  (Detail of textures at
top of today's entry.)

I was in Riverhead yesterday to get my new license plates.  I didn’t stop at your house though.  It was getting late and I wanted to get home and get the plates on before dark.  I went to Partida’s Art School last night, had a pretty good lesson, and came home right after.  I’m certainly on good behavior, aren’t I?

Tonight I’ll see the new Mickey Rooney movie.  And tomorrow night you’ll be in my arms and I’ll be in heaven.

Take care of yourself.  I love you.

Lots of love,

Art

(On Saturday, celebrating June turning 21.) 

© 2011 Lee Price

Heavy Reading

Sketch of a book by Art Price.

Wednesday, January 18, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dearest June:

Good morning.  It’s cloudy and windy outside but a beautiful day for me because I just got a letter from you.  You had me worried at the start of the letter but it had a happy (P.S.) ending.  I’m looking forward to Friday night and don’t you disappoint me.

I stayed home again last night while my folks went to see a Danny Kaye movie.  I started and finished the third assignment in my current lesson.  Then I read a book till after midnight.  Heavy reading, too – Modern Arms and Free Men by Vannevar Bush.  Tonight I plan to go to the Partida Art School for the first time since last fall.

About Bruno:  He was over Mary’s house on Friday, took her out on Saturday night, took her to the train station – but still insists it’s all through.  I honestly think it really is, too.

Take care of yourself and be careful in those subways.  I love you, darling.

Love

Art

(Tomorrow – back to the art school grind.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Asleep in my Chair

Charcoal sketch of Art's father by Art Price.

Tuesday, January 17, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dearest June:

I slipped up and didn’t write last night but you should get this just as early anyway.  I tried to do some artwork last night but was too sleepy, then I tried to read and fell sound asleep in my chair.  So I gave up and went to bed before 10 without having written to you.  I hope you’ll forgive me.  Yesterday was a pretty busy day but today has been quiet so far.  I’m home for lunch now.  I’ll mail this on my way back to Roulston’s.

I’m thinking of you and eagerly waiting for Friday night.  I love you.  I’m expecting a letter tomorrow – I hope I won’t be disappointed.  I hope you weren’t too late to school.

Are you getting lots of work done?  If you felt like I did last night, I guess you didn’t get much done.  I’m going to try and accomplish something tonight.

I’ll keep this short as I’ll be writing again tonight.  I should have more to say then.  For now, I’ll just say I love you again and so long for now, sweetheart,

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – heavy reading.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Negotiating Weekends and Vacations

Monday, January 16, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B
New York City

Dear Art,

I don’t feel like doing a darn thing.  Today at school I found out that there are three more weeks of school until our next vacation instead of two like I thought.  I’m very unhappy.  I also found out I have more work to do.  Since there are three more weeks of school I really should wait until the weekend after this to go home.  But I guess I won’t.

Portrait (unknown subject)
by June Anderson.

I had such a good time over the weekend that I hated to leave.  I enjoyed myself so much – I hope you did the same.  Has Bruno seen Mary again?

Art, darling, I’m so sleepy I can’t even write in my normal low-intelligent way.  All I can think of is that I’m tired and I have so much homework and I don’t want to do any of it and I shouldn’t go home this weekend but I want to.  Maybe after a good night’s sleep I’ll be able to write you a nicer letter tomorrow.

Until then,

Love (all of it),

June

P.S.  It is 11:30 and I feel much better now.  I worked on homework and couldn’t actually accomplish a thing.  It was Shirl who finally cheered me up.  She announced out of the blue sky that she’s going home this weekend.  How my spirits soared!  I don’t know why she decided to and I’m not going to ask – she might think it over and change her mind.  I’ll leave well enough alone.  I hate to have the feeling of chasing her home every weekend.  You know how I feel about you, so take good care of yourself.

Love,

June

(Tomorrow – Art's charcoal sketch of home life.)

© 2011 Lee Price

A Fight Broke Out

Art in uniform, circa 1945.

While Art’s attendance at the Partida School of Arts in Southampton was somewhat erratic, his work appears to have been appreciated by his teacher Elena Partida.  Two of Art's pictures from this time may give some indication as to the influence of the Partida School on his work.


Art watched a fight break out about ship while in the Navy and it made a lasting impression on him.  We don’t know when he attempted to capture the fight in his art the first time.  He may have sketched it minutes afterward, while taking a break from his work as Quartermaster, Third Class, on a minesweeper in the South Pacific.  Or this first version that we have – dated September 21, 1949 – may have been his first, done entirely from memory.

The fight, first version by Art Price.

Art returned to this image again while still at the Partida School.  With the second picture, Art has significantly changed his approach, aiming to capture the color and feel of the moment.  The sudden violence is emphasized.  The people are more varied in their responses (in fact, they're different people!) and the action more brutal.  I love the breaking table!

The fight, second version, watercolor by Art Price.

Art continued attending art classes at the Partida School of Arts throughout his courtship with June.

(On Monday, negotiating weekends and vacations.)

© 2011 Lee Price

A Date Mid-Week

Bird sketch by Art Price.

Thursday, January 12, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dearest June:

As you can see I got home all right.  I left the city about 9 this morning and got home at noon.  I stopped in Riverhead for a minute on the way through.  Your mother was hoping I’d call to let her know how you were.  I told her you didn’t think you’d be home this week.

I’ve had a wonderful time these last two trips into the city.  Just being with you is wonderful.  In fact, I think you’re pretty wonderful yourself.  I miss you already.  I’ll count the days till your home again.

I went to work at one and worked pretty hard all afternoon.  After missing so much time, I felt that I really should.  Tonight, I went to the movies to see Tell It to the Judge with Roz Russell and Robert Cummings.  It was a comedy, quite good but it would have been much better with you.  I came right home afterward.

Just like I told you, after the holidays the boys slow down.  Bruno’s been home by 10 every night this week (so far).  He’s been in pretty bad shape the last few weeks, and I’m a little concerned because I hear Mary’s coming home this weekend.

Don’t worry about me this weekend.  I’ll take it easy.  In fact, maybe I won’t go out at all.  All the time I’m out I think of you and wish you were here.  I love you very much.

Good night for now, sweetheart,

Lots of love,

Art

(On Saturday, a memorable fight remembered.)

© 2011 Lee Price

And I Love You

It’s right in the middle of June’s letter from this past Wednesday.

“Shirl has been very lonesome.  I cheered her up.  I can’t figure out how but she says I did cheer her up – and I love you.  I know that’s an odd place to put that statement, but it looks so lonesome starting off a paragraph.  And I do love you.”  (Italics added.)

This is from the first letter of the correspondence following the two-week Christmas break and it appears to suggest that June and Art have moved forward in their relationship.  Granted there have been some very sweet declarations of pretty intense fondness (“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 don’t think I’ll send kisses.  I’m saving them for delivery in person.”  “I like you sweet as you are.”  “Oh! for a good night kiss.”  “Even the Museum of Natural History isn’t as nice as you.”)

And they have consistently signed their letters with the “love” word:

“All my love,”

“Lots of love,”

“Loads of love,”

“Love and kisses,”

“Love, (even a kiss or two)”

“Love (lots),”

“Love,”

Nevertheless, June’s letter on January 4 may well represent a turning point – the first time that June wrote “I love you” to Art.  It’s another sign of the deepening of their relationship.

Thanks to my wife Lisa for pointing out that this was the first “I love you” in the letters.  I had missed it!

© 2011 Lee Price

Meet the Boys

The boys at Agawam Park in Southampton, circa 1945-1949, possibly
Memorial Day.  Front row, left to right:  Frank "Farmer" Stachecki,
Bruno Marcincuk, and Joe Cerullo.  Back row, left to right:  Francis Lavinio,
Walter "Singer" Hoinski, Stanley Swiderski, and unidentified, possibly
Jack Raynor.  Photo courtesy of Christine Marcincuk and Kathryn Boutcher.

In the letters, Art frequently refers to evenings with “the boys,” a group of young men approximately his own age.  Most (perhaps all) had served in the military during World War II.  As Art entered the service late, he was also one of the last to return home to Southampton.  When the above picture was taken (probably mid- to late-1940s), Art may have been on the other side of the world, serving on a minesweeper stationed in Shanghai or the Philippines.

December 13, 1949

Art to June:

Bruno Marcincuk



Poor Bruno!  He and Joe went to see the girls on Saturday night and you know Bruno was hoping to see Mary.  Well Mary was out, so he and Joe visited with Jane, Helen, and Lorraine till about 3 in the morning.  When Bruno opened the door to leave, there was Mary with her other boyfriend saying good night.  Poor Mary had no idea Bruno was in the city.  What a situation!  Everybody kept calm though, I guess.

December 15, 1949

June to Art:

Poor Bruno but, as Shirl says, what else could he have expected if he knew Mary was dating?

October 3, 1949

June to Art:

Joe Cerullo



We don’t have a radio yet and never buy a newspaper, but from what I gather from passing people in the street, the Dodgers and Yankees will play the series.  Did you and Joe celebrate?

December 7, 1949

Art to June:

Tonight I went to the first show at the movies – then met Joe and went with him to the school to see the town basketball team beat Center Moriches 53 to 38.

December 11, 1949

Art to June:

Frank "Farmer"
Stachecki

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.

December 19, 1949

Art to June:

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.

Walter "Singer"
Hoinski

Then back to the Windmill to eat, and finished the night at the Hampton Bays Diner.  Finally got home at 4 in the morning.

October 2, 1949

Art to June:

Bruno goes to the city tomorrow to march in the Columbus Day parade.  Why don’t you go over to Fifth Avenue tomorrow afternoon?  You’ll probably see some of the boys from here marching.

Special thanks to Christine Marcincuk and Kathryn Boutcher for sharing this wonderful photo of the boys!

© 2011 Lee Price

Everything Was Just Perfect

Art and June on a date in New York City, early 1950s but later than
the letters.

Sixty-one years ago, June and Art wrote letters that were filled with anticipation of their upcoming date on Saturday night in New York City.  When visiting the city, Art would often find an inexpensive hotel to spend the night and then meet up with June again on Sunday morning.  He would return to Southampton on Sunday evening.

The romance in these letters is all in the anticipation.  They are always building up toward that moment when June and Art will be together – but, of course, there’s no letter writing when they’re together.

It’s always a treat when the letters offer even a brief glimpse of the nature of a June and Art date in the big city:

Undated

June to Art:

“By the way, did I tell you I had a lovely evening with you?  The dinner, the play, the Plantation bar, and you – everything was just perfect.”

December 5, 1949

June to Art:

“How I enjoyed yesterday!  Walking through Central Park, down Fifth Avenue, the ice show, Times Square – even walking in the rain.  I only hope you had half as good a time.”

December 1, 1949

Art to June:

“My car is all set, raring to go.  I got it greased, oil changed, tanks filled, etc. today.  I haven’t had a drink since our Saturday date and you know I don’t drive fast.  As for the beautiful girls, I hope to see a real special one this weekend.”

© 2011 Lee Price