Artist Letters, Notes and Sketches: A Guide to Letters, Ephemera, Watercolors, Drawings, Etchings and Ink Washes in the Katlan Collection by Alexander W. Katlan

During his many years as a painting conservator, Alexander Katlan has not only dedicated over thirty years of his life to preserving artworks but has been a private collector of artists' letters, drawings and watercolors. Now, for the first time this unknown and very personal collection is available to the public. From the artists of yesteryear such as Benjamin West and William Merritt Chase to the Salmagundi artists of today, these sometimes intimate writings, illustrations and artwork introduce us to rarely glimpsed aspects of the artists' lives.

This hard cover edition includes a preface by Claudia Seymour, President of the Salmagundi Club, an introduction to how the collection was formed by the author and an alphabetical listing of letters by artists and artwork included.

“The catalogue of materials included herein contain sketches, little paintings, and envelopes and letters, many (but not all) … contain drawings, doodles and sketches. It is largely these illustrative additions that give…a feeling of unique connection to the (artist) letter writer, and it is these totally personal additions to their communication that reveal something extra and purely personal of each of these artist correspondents’ personalities.” Claudia Seymour, President Salmagundi Club

This presentation will begin at 6:30pm on Thursday, May 17.  It is open to the public and admission is free. Books will be available at the event but can be ordered now by contacting the author. The cost is $65.00 plus shipping and sales tax for this limited quantity hard cover edition.