Don Freeman (1908 – 1978)
Painter, printmaker, illustrator and author Don Freeman was born in San Diego, California. He studied at the Art Students League in New York with John Sloan, and is perhaps best remembered as the author and illustrator of numerous children's books – many of them strongly influenced by his wife Lydia. Never without a sketchbook, Freeman produced a large body of drawings and lithographs, strongly influenced by his admiration for Daumier, depicting the life of New York City in general, and the rich and colorful world of Broadway in particular. This body o work presents a compelling picture of New York City from street people to noted actors and politicians - and nearly everyone in between. In 1976, Freeman was recognized by the City of New York for his inimitable portrayals of its vibrant life during the mid-Twentieth Century. The Freemans eventually left New York and settled in Santa Barbara, California where they lived for the rest of their lives.
Casting for Character
Lithograph, 1934; edition of 184. Image size 12” x 9-7/8”; sheet size 16” x 14-3/8”. Published by Associated American Artists, New York. Titled and signed in pencil by the artist in the lower margin.
From an article in The Stage for October, 1934: “When the days begin to lengthen, the hall bedrooms of the Forties and Fifties empty. The old character man emerges to hunt for a job. There are scores of him…. The casting director pretends to be interested. The stagehand has seen him many times before.” A wonderful snapshot of 1930s Broadway behind the scenes by this avid chronicler of Depression-era New York. Faint toning in the mat aperture and adhesive residue at the top edge of the sheet well away from the sight area. McCulloch 87.
$1,200
Gray's Basement Before Showtime
Lithograph, 1932; edition fewer than 25. Image size 12¼” x 9-5/8”; sheet size 16¼” x 11¼. Titled and signed in pencil by the artist in the lower margin and signed in the stone.
The lithograph depicts The Central Ticket Agency, in the basement of Gray’s Drugstore at Broadway and 42nd Street in Manhattan. The McCulloch catalog description further notes that the agency …”operated by Joe Leblang, who saved many shows with his cut-rate ticket business.” Fine overall condition. Mcculloch 47.
$1,150
Spotlighter
Lithograph, 1931; edition of about three proofs. Image size 7½” x 10½”; sheet size 9¾” x 12”. A bold, well-inked impression in overall very good condition, with ink smudges in the margins. Titled and signed in pencil by the artist in the lower margin. McCulloch 30.
This charming image, typical of Freeman’s treatment of theatrical subjects, was an experiment by the artist in the use of razor or knife blades on the stone to enhance the tonal values of the image.
$1,100
Snow Shovelers on 14th Street
Hand colored lithograph, ca. 1936; edition size not known, but probably fewer than five proofs. Image size 9” x 11¼”; sheet size 9” x 12¼”. Very good overall condition; There is a 5/8” unobtrusive closed tear on the upper edge of the sheet extending into the image. Not in the McCulloch catalog raisonné (see below).
There is a distinct similarity between this print and the piece titled "Snow Shovelers on 14th Street" (McCulloch 110), published in an edition of ten in 1936. My guess is that Freeman took a shine to the pair of men with snow shovels slung over their soldiers, and decided to draw them separately without the distraction of the other people included in the original street scene. The result is an intimate snapshot of two chums enjoying each other's company as they walk the street in search of a chance to make enough for a cafeteria meal and a hot cup of coffee.
Freeman managed to project a jaunty dignity in his portrayals of ordinary people living through hard times. His work is entirely free of the slightest trace of condescension or pity, betraying the artist's admiration and respect for his subjects.
$750
Automat Aristocrat
Lithograph, 1934; edition of 50. Image size 8¼” x 7¼”; sheet size 15” x 11¼” Published by The Public Works Art Project, Civil Works Administration. Fine impression in overall very good condition, with faint toning in the sight area and adhesive residue on the top edge of the sheet, well away from the image area. McCulloch 85.
$1600
The Passing Show
Lithograph, 1941; edition of 250. Image size 10-5/8” x 9¼”; sheet size 16-1/8” x 12-5/8”. Published by Associated American Artists, New York. Signed in the stone and in pencil by the artist in the lower margin. Fine.
$525
I'm Sorry, But Marc Is Out Sketching Tonight
Offset lithograph in the manner of Marc Chagall, 1973; edition unknown. Printed by Lynton Kistler, Los Angeles, California. Overall size 20-1/8” x 26”. Signed by Freeman in the original matrix. A vibrant homage to the great painter, illustrator, and muralist. Near fine condition with an inconspicuous crease in the upper right corner of the sheet. The matrix for this image is the original gouache in our possession.
$120
Quick Change Understage
Lithograph, 1932; edition fewer than 35. Image size 12” x 10-3/8”; sheet size 15-5/8” x 11¼”. Titled Quick Change and signed by the artist in pencil in the lower margin. A fine impression in overall fine condition, excepting a small spot at the left edge of the sheet, well away from the sight area. McCulloch 55.
$1,200
Filming "A Tale of Two Cities"
Lithograph, 1935; edition less than 25. Image size 13” x 9-1/8”; sheet size 15½” x 11½”. Titled “Filming The Tale of Two Cities” (sic) and signed in pencil by the artist in the lower margin; also signed in the stone.
The McCulloch catalog states “A Tale of Two Cities, adapted from Charles Dickens’s novel, a David Selznick, Metro Goldwyn Mayer production, directed by Jack Conway, was released in 1935. In the cast were Ronald Colman, Elizabeth Allan, Edna May Oliver, Blanche Yurka, and Basil Rathbone.”
A fine impression, printed by Lynton Kistler in Los Angeles, in overall fine condition. McCulloch 104.
$1,100
Ed Wynn From The Rear
Lithograph, 1932; edition less than 25. Image size 7½” x 9¾”; sheet size 10½” x 12¾”. Titled and signed in pencil by the artist in the lower margin; signed in the stone.
The McCulloch catalog states “Ed Wynn is seen performing in The Laugh Parade, a revue in two acts by Ed Wynn and Ed Preble with music by Harry Warren. The show opened in November 1931 at the Imperial Theatre and ran for 231 performances.”
A fine impression with a trace of mat burn. The sheet bears marks of printer’s ink along its left edge and a small spot on the right edge, both of which are well away from the sight area. McCulloch 42.
$ 575
Life With Father
Lithograph, 1939; edition less than 25. Image size 13” x 7¾”; sheet size 16” x 11¾”. Titled and signed by the artist in the lower margin and signed in the stone.
The three-act play adapted by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crous from Clarence Day’s reminiscences opened in 1939 at the Empire Theater and ran for 3,224 performances.
A fine impression in overall fine condition, with small stains in the upper corners from an earlier mounting. McCulloch 123.
$750
The Queen and the Stagehand
Lithograph, 1933; edition fewer than 35. Image size 9” x 6½”; sheet size 11½” x 8½”. Titled and signed in pencil by the artist in the lower margin and signed in the stone.
From the McCulloch catalog: “Mary of Scotland, a historical drama by Maxwell Anderson, opened at the Alvin Theatre in November 1933 and ran for 248 performances. In the cast were Helen Hayes, Helen Mencken, Moroni Olsen, Philip Merivale, and Leonard Willley.” A fine impression in overall fine condition. McCulloch 76.
$750
B Girl
Lithograph, ca. 1945; edition of 10. Image size 7¾” x 11”; sheet size 11-5/8” x 15-5/8”. Printed by Lynton Kistler in Los Angeles. Numbered 9/10 and signed in pencil by the artist. Titled and Initialed in the stone. This print is accompanied by a preliminary pencil sketch by the artist. Fine overall condition. McCulloch 130.
$750
Deep In Hollywood
Lithograph, 1936; image size 12-1/8” x 9½”; sheet size 16” x 11½”. Published by American Artists Group, New York in a non-limited unsigned edition. Faint stains from mount hinges in upper corners, else fine.
$850
The Clown's Story
Lithograph, 1937; image size 12-1/8” x 9½”; sheet size 16” x 11½”. Published by American Artists Group, New York in a non-limited unsigned edition. Faint stains from mount hinges in upper corners, else fine.
$775
Icy Street
Lithograph, 1934; edition of 50. Image size 6-7/8” x 9-7/8”; sheet size 10½” x 12¾”. Signed in the stone, and signed and titled in pencil by the artist in the lower margin. Published by the WPA Federal Arts Project. Very good condition.
$1,200