Howard Cook (1901-1980)
SKU:
$0.00
per item
"Grand Canyon" 1927, Woodcut. Edition size: Although the print states 50 in the lower left corner, according to Duffy and Duffy (1984), only 36 prints were produced (see commentary below). Signed in soft pencil, Howard Cook imp., lower right. A date using a hard pencil was subsequently added, stating, 1927. Original edition size statement but not met, 50, lower left. Titled, in hard pencil, Grand Canyon, lower left (see images). Comment, for those unfamiliar with the abbreviation imp. it means "impressit," latin for "printed by."
Image: 12 x 15 inches (305 x 381 mm). Sheet: 12.5 x 17.5 inches (318 x 445 mm.)
Reference: Duffy and Duffy 1984.
Image: 12 x 15 inches (305 x 381 mm). Sheet: 12.5 x 17.5 inches (318 x 445 mm.)
Reference: Duffy and Duffy 1984.
Inventory ID: 1216
Sold out
COMMENTS:
Excellent condition. Printed on cream wove paper. Perhaps one of Cook's earliest large prints. We have had two of these prints (this is the superior one). The first came from the Barbara Latham (1896-1989) estate in Santa Fe. That print showed that the printing block had split from the upper right block edge (about 4-5 inches from the top) with the crack migrating into the image about the same distance. The crack would have made future prints impossible. As an aside, that print was in near pristine condition, Latham had been using it, and many of Howard's other prints to line her dresser drawers.
An extremely fine print with no condition issues. This print, as well as the first one acquired, and long ago sold, has very narrow margins top and bottom, less than 1/4 inches, this was as issued by the artist. The size of the large woodblock (12 x 15 inches) must have made printing the image quite difficult. Duffy and Duffy (1984:18) comment that following the marriage of Cook and Latham they were invited to move into "a small outbuilding on the grounds of the Harwood home in Taos (now the Harwood Foundation)." They describe Howard as continuing to work on his prints and having "a small etching press bolted to a table and operated by a crank handle which, he complained, frequently broke." This print would associate with that.
Excellent condition. Printed on cream wove paper. Perhaps one of Cook's earliest large prints. We have had two of these prints (this is the superior one). The first came from the Barbara Latham (1896-1989) estate in Santa Fe. That print showed that the printing block had split from the upper right block edge (about 4-5 inches from the top) with the crack migrating into the image about the same distance. The crack would have made future prints impossible. As an aside, that print was in near pristine condition, Latham had been using it, and many of Howard's other prints to line her dresser drawers.
An extremely fine print with no condition issues. This print, as well as the first one acquired, and long ago sold, has very narrow margins top and bottom, less than 1/4 inches, this was as issued by the artist. The size of the large woodblock (12 x 15 inches) must have made printing the image quite difficult. Duffy and Duffy (1984:18) comment that following the marriage of Cook and Latham they were invited to move into "a small outbuilding on the grounds of the Harwood home in Taos (now the Harwood Foundation)." They describe Howard as continuing to work on his prints and having "a small etching press bolted to a table and operated by a crank handle which, he complained, frequently broke." This print would associate with that.
Click below for larger image.
