signed first edition
by Roosevelt Eleanor
[ROOSEVELT, Eleanor] Henry Mcbride. Florine Stettheimer Exhibition Catalog. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1946. First Edition from the Collection of Eleanor Roosevelt complete with her personal library plate. Signed by her son John A. Roosevelt. In original pink dustjacket, not price clipped. 36 black & white plates and 4 colored plates. 7.75" x 10.25" inches. 56 pages. Florine Stettheimer was an ardent supporter of the Roosevelts. Her 1939 painting the Cathedrals of Wall Street (recreated on page 48) is an homage to Eleanor Roosevelt, who is positioned elegantly in the center of the piece in a blue gown. Like the first lady, Stettheimer was known for her progressive politics, including equality for women, support for African Americans and for immigrants escaping war, and the need for government-sponsored social programs. Like many artists of her time, she was also known for her acceptance of all varieties of sexual preference and a sense of playfulness about her own gender presentation. We can imagine how Stettheimer's joyful, spirited paintings of New York spoke to the First Lady, whose ardent affection for her citizens is still remarkable to this day. Dustjacket chipped and shows a 1.5" in. tear on spine. bumping to corners and tail of spine. Sunning to spine, though not very noticeable given the pinkness of the dustjacket. Pages clean and bright. Eleanor's Ex-Libris bookplate has come loose from the adhesive, the marks of which are on the front free endpaper. Small sticker on front free endpaper denotes "Estate of Eleanor Roosevelt No. 2943, Hyde Park, NY". Overall a lovely piece in very good condition that speaks both to Eleanor Roosevelt's sense of values as well as her taste in contemporary art.
(Inventory #: 17221)