1893 Maynard Dixon Pen & Ink Christmas Card
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GUEST:
I received it from my aunt. It's a Maynard Dixon pen and ink. I understand it was from very early in his career. He was about 18 years of age when he did this, and he was self-taught. I don't know how she acquired it or what she would have even paid for it.
APPRAISER:
Well, it's a Christmas card.
GUEST:
Really?
APPRAISER:
So small pen and ink, and not a typical example of his work, because it was more personal for him. On the back is actually a handwritten note to his uncle, and, and saying Merry Christmas. So it's a really neat, personal, sentimental gift that Dixon would have given to a family member. Maynard Dixon is one of the most important early-20th-century artists of the American West. He was really highly regarded for spiriting along modernist movements, especially in Arizona. So his work is, is very much sought-after among collectors of that period of time. And while it's not a large oil, it has all the bells and whistles that one might want to see with his work. There's an encampment. It's very loose and innovative and modern. And it's signed on the front and also has that personal letter on the back. So, it's a fabulous, small example from his early period. And today, an auction value for it would be $2,000 to $3,000.
GUEST:
Oh, that's wonderful! Oh, that's great, yay!
APPRAISER:
I'm so glad you brought it.
GUEST:
Yes, thank you, my aunt. And Maynard, great job! (laughing)
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