Archive of Eugene Berman Letters to James Leong (Feb. 23, 1960 to Feb. 1, 1971)
The Author, 1960. Unknown. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. Very Good / No Jacket. Item #00548519
The James Leong Archive of Eugene Berman: Letters, correspondences, Art & etc. This content-rich collection of letters & etc., to James Leong (and Leong’s partners), includes: 49 Autograph Letters Signed; 9 Autograph Postcards signed; 1 sketchbook (with 6 original sketches); 2 expense books entirely in Berman’s hand; and a small collection of original art and ephemera Eugene Berman (1899-1972), Russian-born artist, illustrator, and designer of sets for ballets and operas. Berman lived in Rome for many years (1955-1972), where he became close friends with noted Chinese-American artist James (Jimmy) Leong. James Leong (1929-2011), Chinese-American artist known for his work exploring racial identity and discrimination, lived in exile for decades. I. Letters: 49 ALS from Eugene Berman to James Leong (Feb. 23, 1960 - Feb. 1, 1971) [in process] Feb. 23, 1960; 2 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) E.B. recommending different Galleries that Leong could approach, after leaving the Barone Gallery Feb. 25, 1960; 1 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Brief letter mentioning letters E.B. sent to various people on Leong’s behalf and a mention of ‘good luck’ on Leong’s upcoming exhibition May 23, 1960; 2 page letter (6 x 8.5” monogrammed stationery) Regards E.B. hospitalization; discussion regarding the offer of a painting from Leong to Berman; the material failure of Leong’s Obelisco show May 30, 1960; 2 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Regarding E.B. arrival and pick up at the airport in Rome Apr. 2, 1961; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Regards an invite to get together in the evening (on Thursday the 6th); mentions his accommodations at Princess Doria-Pamphilj; Leong’s difficulties with the Barone’s Gallery; and general travel to Rome Aug. 23, 1961; 4 page letter (5 x 7” Hotel des Trois Rois Bale stationery (au Rhin, Suisse) Mentions Carmen’s health and recovery; trip to Switzerland Aug. 26, 1961; 1 page letter (Airmail letter from Switzerland) Mentions Carmen’s improvement in health and that she may be able to leave the clinic in Switzerland Aug. 31, 1962; 6 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Mentions Leong’s trip to Norway in a joking manner; Berman's progress on the his work on “Otello” (Othello; costumes, architecture, painting); a brief mention in having his apartment, studio, and collection photographed; address to Karen regarding a lost/missing sketch pad (1937-39 sketches) Sep. 7, 1962; 2 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Questions Leong for not responding to his previous letter (in regards to his stay in Norway); having to redo a sketch for Life, which they objected to “because of an erroneous interpretation of the character of Prometheus, and the the remake nearly drove me crazy” Sep. 8, 1962; 5 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Mentions receipt of Leong’s “long good letter”, and joking about Leong’s stay in Norway; mentions the lost sketchpad (see above) which Karen did have Sep. 18, 1962; 2 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Brief mention about the progress of his work on the Otello production Sep. 24, 1962; 2 page letter (A4 stationery) Oct. 4, 1962; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Oct. 31, 1962; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Nov. 24, 1962; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Nov. 25, 1962; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Nov. 25, 1962 (to Karen); 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Dec. 1, 1962; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Dec. 14, 1962; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) May 17, 1963; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Feb. 27, 1964; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Mar. 1, 1966; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Mar. 21, 1966; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Mar. 24, 1966; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Mar. 25, 1966; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Mar. 27, 1966; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Mar. 31, 1966; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Apr. 7, 1966; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Jul. 18, 1966; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Aug. 20, 1966; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Apr. 18, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Apr. 20, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Apr. 22, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Apr. 25, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Apr. 28, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) May 1, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) May 5, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) May 6, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) May 11, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) May 12, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) May 15, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) May 19, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) May 21, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) May 27, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) May 29, 1967; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Apr. 25, 1969; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) Feb. 1, 1971; 4 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) [undated] 4 page letter (on a single leaf of monogrammed stationery). Has some partial legibility issues due to dampstaining. undated - ‘Saturday’] 2 page letter on a single leaf. Postscript mentions Berman seeing a dress rehearsal of Maria Callas in Medea. Cards, postcards, etc. 1961(date illegible). Autograph postcard signed from Switzerland, written on both sides with a tiny drawing, discussing travels, some project, and a Stravinsky event. Feb. 10, 1961. Autograph postcard signed, discusses travels in Italy, etc. Nov. 4, 1962. In essence an ALS on the back of an oversized postcard (from the Metropolitan Opera), discussing Carmen, some personal turmoil, etc. 1962. Just over a 2 page autograph note on a card, discussing a performance of Otello in Rome, Jimmy Leong’s birthday, continuing briefly on rear with a note and added photograph of a recent Berman art purchase (a small 2nd/3rd century Roman polychrome). 1963 (date illegible). Autograph postcard signed, discussing a purchase, travels in Italy. 1964 (date illegible). Autograph postcard signed from Egypt, discussing Luxor, travels. 1964 (date illegible). Autograph postcard signed from Egypt, discussing travels, Cairo. Aug. 22, 1964. Autograph postcard signed, discussing a visit to Circeo, Italy, etc. [undated] Autograph postcard signed, discussing a visit to Venice, a Crivelli show, et al. Additional material: “Eugene Berman: Biographical Data”. 8 pages holograph manuscript in red ink on violet paper in Berman’s hand, outlines his life, exhibit history, and bibliography, 1899-1960. A great resource. Berman’s expense book from 1958. Cover reads: “... New York to Rome. Rome & Italy Expenses 1958. E.B.” [ca. 80 pages], every page in this small disbound ledger details Berman’s daily expenses in pencil, March 23 to August 31, 1958. Berman’s expense book from 1959. Cover reads: “Expenses E.B. 1959 Rome. Every page in this small disbound ledger details Berman’s daily expenses in pencil, March 25 to December 31, 1959. Small pocket sketchbook from 1964-1965, features 6 pages of pencil sketches, as well as his pencil notes on his own art collection, as well as museums and collectors purchasing or interested in his work. Dark red boards, signed “E.B” and dated at front. II: Art 4 x 5 inch untitled portrait painting of a woman on paper, mounted on painted wood and painted swiveling base. Signed and dated by Berman with initials on recto (1961), also signed and inscribed as a gift to noted Chinese-American artist James Leong on verso: “To Jimmy Leong EB (in a circle) 19 61 Rome Jan. 16, 1961”. “Eugene Berman 1959-1961”. Exhibition catalog from Galleria Dell’O’Bellisco, 1961. 4 pages, with 2 page original large drawing in red ink of an elaborate coiled snake and an owl on a tree by Berman, inscribed “To Caroline & Jimmy”, and signed “E.B. 1961” Card featuring (on the interior) what is essentially a diptych, red ink portraits of James Leong and Karen, on the occasions of New Year’s, 1962 (1/1/1962), signed. 6 x 9 inch drawing of James Leong Rome menage in red ink, signed and dated “E.B. 1962”, on the occasion of the New Year. 4 x 5 inch drawing, on a small printed postcard where Berman has modified the existing halftone image with red ink and gouache to make it his own. Inscribed on recto as a holiday gift, signed “E.B. 1962.” Pencil sketch of an antique chair by Berman, unsigned but dated [19]63. Fine watercolor painting of figures escaping signed lower left “EB 1967”, mounted on heavy white sheet, mount inscribed “To Susan (Leong) con affetto E.B. Roma 19 Agosto 1970.” [undated] image of a Roman portrait sculpture, upon which Berman has sketched a caricature of James Leong. III: Miscellaneous 1964. Telegram from James Leong to Berman. [undated] Sender’s copy of a telegram from Leong to Berman on the occasion of his Paris show at Knoedler Gallery. House Beautiful, April 1963. Includes a photo spread on Berman’s home and collection. Eugene Berman 1929-1969: Retrospettiva. Galleria Dell’Accademia Americana, Rome, 1970. 6 page folding gallery announcement. A folder of clippings, periodical appearances, etc.
Price: $17,500.00