Description

Description: In this pair of chatty letters, Mott-Smith writes from his vacation home in Maine to his close friend Mabel [Mrs. Walter] Reagles. In four dense pages he mostly discusses the full house of adults and children he constantly entertains. In the 1946 letter though, he writes: “The painting opportunity has been wonderful and I have been using it constantly. Please thank Walter for obtaining the napthaline for me. It has saved my life. May [his sister and also a notable artist] & I have been off on several sketching trips. She has been working like a beaver. Has sketched me playing chess, playing the cello and otherwise.” Similarly, in the 1947 letter he mentions his art: “I brought only 5 small panels. They have all been painted and for days I have been without art materials. He signs both of these letters: “Motty”.

Harold Meade Mott-Smith (1872-1948) was born in Honolulu and as a young man moved to Paris to study art at the Academie Julian with J. P. Laurens and Benjamin Constant. His work was exhibited at the Paris Salon along with fellow Hawaiian artist Howard Hitchcock. Upon returning to Hawaii, both artists held leadership roles in the Kilohana Art League. After numerous forays into other careers he settled in New York. His artistic output for General Electric in Schenectady (illustrating calendars, painting portraits of Thomas Edison, etc.) led to a long friendship with the Reagles (Walter was the Director of the GE Art Department), recipients of these letters.

Sizes: 10 1/2″ x 7 1/4″ and 11″ x 8 1/2″. Item #A01338

Condition: Mailing folds otherwise fine condition. Both include transmittal envelopes.