Fine Books & Manuscripts

Wickey, Harry (1892—1968). Bronze Bust of his Father. Circa 1941. Signed by sculptor. Depicted on page 285 of his 1942 autobiography, “Thus Far”, published by the American Artists Group, in which Wickey states: “…While working on this bust of my father a relative happened to drop into the studio. After he had looked over my shoulder for ten minutes or so, my father asked, “Do you know what he’s making?” The answer came immediately, “Sure, Vic, it’s Lincoln, hain’t it?” ….I have had this bust around for nearly a year now, and I am convinced that it is notnly a good likeness of my father, but that it has the sense of him to a full degree.” Bronze, life size, mounted on 7” x 6” x 4” walnut base. Height 19”. Very good. Together with cabinet photo of the subject and a studio photograph of sculptor. Harry Wickey was a noted illustrator, etcher and sculptor, born in Stryker, Ohio. Turning away from etching in the mid nineteen thirties due to eye damage from exposure to etching acids, he found his artistic expression in sculpture. The recipient of multiple honors and prizes for his work, his etchings found their place in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institution, The Whitney Museum of Modern Art, the National Academy of Design and many others. He devoted many years as a teacher at the Art Student League in New York. Many of his printed works depict Hudson River Valley Scenes.