BASKIN, LEONARD. Three Autograph Letters Signed, "Lennie" or "Leonard," to "Dear Dick [Sisson]" or "Dear Grace [Borgenicht]" of Grace Borgenicht Gallery. The first, expressing satisfaction at his having sold a copy of his book, [Horned Beetles and Other Insects (1958)], reporting no familiarity with Dr. A. Roos, requesting confirmation that he sold a work [at 'ART : USA : 59' exhibition held at the New York Coliseum beginning April 5, 1959], and reporting completion of a wood carving entitled "Man with the Owl." The second, to Grace, sending photographs of an unidentified sculpture [not present], and hoping that the buyer would allow Boris [Mirski Gallery] to show it. The third, sending a bill for moving an unnamed work to New York [not present], and complaining that the move interrupted his Boston exhibition [likely at Boris Mirski Gallery]. Each 1 page, 8vo, "Gehenna Press" letterhead or pale blue paper or "Smith College" letterhead; horizontal folds. Vp, 27 April 1959; 30 October; 20 November 1960
27 April 1959: "I had hoped that if you sold the insect book that we might arrive at a lesser commission, but since you sold it for $50 more than the published price, I am content. Don't feel contrite about your high price however, since the book is now virtually out of print, only 2 left, & they are sort of bespoke. . . . "I hear humbly that something of mine sold at the ART 59 USA. True? What? Tell grace I enjoyed her piece in the cat[alogue?]. "I finished the woodcarving of the 'Man with the Owl' & am loth to part with it. If you would like to have it in N.Y.C. tell me." 30 October 1960: ". . . [T]he world's worst photos . . . give a notion of the sculpture. If the very dark ones are held against a very strong light, much more is revealed. "I certainly hope that Mrs. [Albert A.] List, if she buys the piece, will let Boris show it. Tell her it would be a bigger mitzvah than the a.f.a. visiting her pad." 20 November 1960: ". . . I think this properly is Mrs. List's affair, since the piece was brought to NYC at her convenience. ". . . I am in no mood to be sporting . . . with her. Her capricious desire for her new bauble for her reception knocked the genitals so to speak out of my Boston show. . . ."
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