Peruvian-born American illustrator (1896–1982) best remembered for his colorful, sensuous renderings of pinup-style nudes. ALS signed “Alberto,” one page, lightly-lined both sides, 8.5 x 11, no date. Letter to Bill. In part: “I received your very touching letter…we artists are trying as hard as we can to carve our way to the top of the mountain come Hell or High Water. The trouble is that there are too many Big Names, already clogging the road ahead of you. In my case…there were Leyendecker, Harrison Fisher…John La Gatta, etc…The corps d'elite raised an Iron Curtain of Dust…I thought I better drop art and become a musician, anything! Then I asked myself the question: 'are you a man or a mouse? You've seen and drooled viewing the fantastic works of Fragonard…Bouche, Watteau. Have you forgotten how you stood glued to the spot in front of Ingres' section in the Louvre? It was there that I realized that everyone of them had to begin sometime, from the bottom up, take the first step, using the tools Mother Nature had endowed them with, and their journey began with a single step!…Please yourself first, remember your critics don't know the difference between a square and a circle! As for the Girls, Ah! is there anything most delightful than our American girls!…You should have seen the one I was lucky to marry-she had oodles of Class! With her at my side I stormed the top of the mountain, where there is room for only The Numero Uno!” Vargas also adds a short postscript, signed “A” at the conclusion. Scattered light edge creases and toning and several cross outs and corrections by Vargas, otherwise fine condition. A lengthy letter illustrating Vargas‘s struggle and self-doubt as he made his way up the ranks. RRAuction COA.
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