Ten years ago, Swann Galleries sold an autograph letter signed from Ronald Searle giving thanks to columnist and press agent Irving Hoffman. The letter, which is from 1958 and not 1948--Swann would not be the first to be tripped up by Searle's unique handwriting--is delightful enough to have been matted and framed, most likely by its recipient. And no wonder! What Swann describes as a large illustration of a man holding a balloon is actually a full-length self-portrait of the grateful artist.
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| Ronald Searle, Illustrated ALS on his Newtown Road stationery "27 September 1958 Dear Irving Comma Thanks! Thanks! Delighted to get the Eliot cutting not only because of the cutting but because it tells us that the Hoffman Eagle Eye hasn't forgotten us. I was thinking--almost exactly to your letter arrived (smeared in the fish bamboo shoots) that it seemed a long time Since we heard from you. Kaye was thinking of sending a dove out to look for you instead of dry land. It's rained more than human memory can bear to recall here all 'summer' Love from us both Ronald." |
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| Swann Auction Galleries, May 12, 20015 Sale 2043, Lot 273 Hammer Price $300 |
Smeared in the fish bamboo shoots?
Note: There's a lot more great illustration by Ronald Searle on this blog. Would I steer you wrong?
A letter from Irving Hoffman is in the Kaye Webb Collection if any British scholar would like to check it out and report back:
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A letter from Irving Hoffman is in the Kaye Webb Collection if any British scholar would like to check it out and report back:
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| http://www.archiveshub.ac.uk/data/gb1840-kw.html?page=15 |
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