Description: In this c. 1893 autograph letter signed Will H. Low thanks Mr. [Carey] about edits to his Monvel article. [The Monvel article was published in The Century, 1894.] The letter reads, “I return proof of the Monvel article. I had made reference to several drawings which have not been reproduced and of these I have only marked in the proof one to be omitted. The drawings reproduced serve to explain themselves and the mention made of the other may stimulate curiosity to know more of the books. It would seem better in the arrangement of the pages to have my portrait of Monvel nearer the first pages of the article and substitute his portrait of a young girl in the place you have given mine. I have left as you will see much of your improvements in my grammar and construction—for which I thank you.” Letter is signed Faithfully Yours, Will H. Low.

 

Written on 7” x 9” light blue laid paper bearing the address: “42 West Fifteenth Street”. Item #A01095.

 

Will Hicok Low (1853-1932) was an American artist, illustrator, muralist, and art critic for Scribner’s and The Century magazines. He studied in the atelier of Jean-Léon Gérôme in Paris. After his return to the United States, he became active as a muralist, illustrator, and decorative painter, performing prominent commissions such as the ceiling murals and decorations of New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel and the New York State Department of Education rotunda in Albany, NY. His recognition as an artist was heightened when he decorated and illustrated a deluxe edition of John Keats’ Lamia (1885). He also taught at the Cooper Union, New York (1882-1885), and at the School of the National Academy of Design (1889-1892).

Louis-Maurice Boutet de Monvel (1881-1949) was a major 19th century French children’s book illustrator and friend of Low’s.

 

Condition: Tipped to an album page along the left blank margin, otherwise in very good condition.