American “primitive” painter (1860–1961) who takes a place among the most popular and beloved folk artists of the twentieth century. Remarkable and important ALS, signed “Mrs. Anna M. Moses,” three pages, 4.75 x 7.5, June 27 [envelope postmarked 1938]. Moses writes to Louis J. Caldor, the collector who first spied her works in the window of a drugstore in Hoosick Falls, New York only weeks earlier and who would become her most trusted confidant in the art world. In full (her spellings, capitalization, and punctuation retained): “I’m sending a dollar for some paints If it is convenient for you to get them. Send ivory Black, Raw umber, ultramarine turquoise, and oxide of chromium, if they are not to expensive, and the price of each. Sorry to say, but I don’t think that I can paint your Mothers and the Babys pictures, have tried, but don’t understanding shading, never tried faces before. and now I have a call for some of the worsted [i.e., needlework] pictures, and you say you do not want them, shall I let them go? I’m not pleased with the maple orchard, and if I have the time will try another, Have just been requested to paint a penorama of a childhood home, will have to go up on the Hills. A beautifull vew. I have used two of the canvases find them very nice. am waiting untill I can do a little better before spoiling the other three. I have the church and burying ground on one, and the famaly grup on the other. Have did one of the covered Bridge one of late autom and one of an old mill they call good. now I doupt if you will want them all, so you can take what you like when you come. no hurry will keep them till you see them. may be you will like one of the panoramic when I get them painted, I have twelve or fifteen painted, such as they are. am hoping you survived this hot weather it has been fierce. cool and rainy today, wishing you good luck and prosperity….” Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in Moses’ hand. In very fine condition. Without doubt one of the very finest and most significant Moses letters extant! R&R COA.
