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Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200
(ART.) Early sketchbook and later sketches by Masood Ali Wilbert Warren. Sketchbook: 120 pages of pencil sketches. Octavo, 6¾ x 5 inches, disbound with worn original cloth boards present; early paper tape fragments on a few pages, a few leaves chipped, otherwise minor wear; signed "Wilbert Warren" on front free endpaper and titled "Volume 2 Sketch Book, December 13, 1932 Art Students League, New York City."
Also 62 loose sketches of nude models, each about 12 x 9 inches; minor wear; 1968-1981 and undated, most dated February-March 1981. New York, 1932-1981 and undated
Masood Ali Wilbert Warren (1907-1995) of New York attended the Art Students League in the 1930s, graduated from New York University in 1939, served in the United States Army for many years as a quartermaster sergeant, and received a Master of Arts from Temple University in 1961. His work was exhibited at the National Academy of Design, the American Watercolor Society, and the National Arts Club.
The early sketchbook dates from his time in the Art Students League, a period when Thomas Hart Benton was an instructor. Almost all are figural sketches: posed models, seated groups, heads. Most are in pencil, with a few in colored pencil. Only a handful have dates, ranging from December 1932 to March 1933. One reclining woman is captioned "Sketch for my first oil painting at the League, 1932"; another version of the same pose is given a full color pencil treatment. Three sketches were done at the International House of New York, including one of Japanese card players. A self-portrait is helpfully titled "self."
