(ART.) Sister Gertrude Morgan. Her original painting and inscription in a copy of the book "God's Greatest Hits." [55] pages including numerous color reproductions of Morgan's work. Octavo, 7¼ x 4¼ inches, publisher's illustrated boards, minimal wear; original watercolor painting by Morgan on verso of half-title, with her lengthy signed inscription on the facing title page. With illustrated dust jacket, very light toning. [Los Angeles, CA]: Stanyan Books, [1970]
Sister Gertrude Morgan (1900-1970) was a New Orleans preacher who began painting in 1956 and became a nationally recognized folk artist by the 1970s. The popular poet Rod McKuen was a collector of her work. This book was published through his imprint, Stanyan Books, in conjunction with Random House, featuring Bible verses selected by Wade Alexander juxtaposed with Morgan's art. A small number of these books were illustrated and inscribed by Morgan. One was exhibited at the Hood Museum of Art (Valley News of West Lebanon, NH, 28 January 1989, page 27).
This second printing of God's Greatest Hits features her original painting titled "Lord, I'm Wading, Deep Water," which fills the blank page facing the title. The blank spaces of the title page are filled with her long evangelical inscription: "water trying to get home are you expecting to go in the Kingdom, new Jerusalem come on you don't mind suffering a little tribulation. Rom 5:3, 1:Thess 3:4, Sister Gertrude Morgan missionary . . . read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation on through Jesus didn't come to destroy the law or the prophets but to fulfil what I'm telling you his wife."
