[Rarebooks] FS: Touching Rockwell Kent AUTOGRAPH LETTER to his daughter about her missing Christmas with him

[Charles Agvent]

KENT, Rockwell. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS) TO HIS DAUGHTER. New York, 
8 Dec. 1938. Superb and touching one-page letter in Kent's minuscule 
hand to his 25-year-old daughter Clara expressing his disappointment 
that she will not be spending Christmas with him. In full: "It was about 
12 years ago when, out of consideration for your mother, I gave up 
claiming my family for Christmas Day and set New Years Day as our day 
for Christmas celebration. That this gave you children two Christmases 
we hoped was doubly nice for you; and that it gave us Christmas--though 
a week later--with my children was a happiness that we planned for and 
looked forward to. Only the absence far from home of Frances [his second 
wife whom he would divorce in 1939] or me or both of us has made a New 
Years' pass uncelebrated as the family Christmas. All this you know. And 
that, knowing it, you pass up your father's Christmas for a New Year at 
a friend's is something that I will not forget nor easily forgive. That 
Frances is deeply hurt at your 'previous engagement' when after two 
years of enforced absence she is at last home again and eager to make a 
Christmas for us all, is something I have read in her face as she read 
your letter. That is all I know about it. I will now wish you both a 
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." SIGNED "Affectionately Father." 
The mixture of sadness and restrained anger is quite evident in this 
scarce and very personal autograph letter by one of the most famous 
American artists of the twentieth century. The bulk of Kent's papers 
were donated to the Smithsonian. Normal creases from folding, about 
Fine. (#012064)        $1,500.00

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