ALS as first lady, four pages, 5.5 x 6.75, The Carlyle (Madison Avenue, New York) letterhead, no date (circa February 1963). Handwritten letter to Robert C. Graham of the esteemed James Graham & Sons art gallery, in full: “I just received your letter this morning, and alas, this is my one day in New York, filled with deadly errands to do from morning till evening. I will really try to come to your gallery but I have a terrible fear I will be so behind schedule all day, having crowded more things than are possible into one day here. I am so touched and cannot believe that Mr. Anshutz has presented me with a watercolor. With my two treasures, that is really the final undreamed of joy. Could you let me know his first name and where I can write to thank him? I cannot wait to see the watercolor. I love all Thomas Anshutz’ so much I know I will adore this one, and it is too kind of him to do such a thing. May 29th is my husband’s birthday when I will give them to him, so just try and imagine his delight that day. He will probably hang them in his office where I will never see them! - but later on in our own house they will be in the room I love most. Thank you again for all your kindness.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original envelope hand-addressed by Kennedy.
A prominent student of Thomas Eakins, Thomas Anshutz (1851-1912) was an American painter known for his portraiture and genre scenes, and as the patient teacher of some of America’s finest artists, such as Stirling Calder, William Glackens, and Robert Henri. His popularity received a considerable spike in late February and early March of 1963 when First Lady Jackie Kennedy purchased two Anshutz watercolors from the Graham Galleries and had them hung in the White House.
Per an article from Time on March 22, 1963: ‘Paintings were scattered all over the floor, ready to be hung, that day last month when Jacqueline Kennedy unexpectedly walked into Manhattan's Graham Galleries. With a trained eye and an eager appetite, the First Lady examined them, chose two (but left them behind for the show), went out the door and up Madison Avenue. Word traveled fast, and when the show opened, viewers thronged into the gallery. The artist: Thomas Anshutz, a nearly unknown turn-of-the-century American remembered more as a teacher of painters than as a painter himself.’
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