147: THOMAS HART BENTON (1889-1975) PENCIL SIGNED LITHOGRAPH

Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975)
Discussion (1969)
The lithograph published by Associated American Artists in an edition of 250 prints is signed by Benton in pencil below the image lower right and listed in the artist's catalog raisonne as Fath number 82. This is a nice dark impression and found in very good to excellent condition.

Benton's comments in Fath read: 'In the summer of 1937, Life magazine hired me to report, with drawings, on the famous 'sit down' strikes occurring in the Detroit area at the time. Some newspaper reporters had written of these strikes as if they were the beginnings of revolution. I found neither talk about or desire for revolution, only an itch for more money. The drawing from which this litho was made represents a discussion between a union recruiter and a negro worker. The Union boss sits in the background looking on.'
Image measures 9.75 x 12, sheet is 13 x 15.5, and frame is 17.5 x 21.75 inches.
Very good condition, the full untrimmed sheet with deckle edges, not laid down, no damage, stain, punctures, tears or repair. Very, very pale toning in some areas of the margin, two short lengths of brown paper tape front of the sheet upper right and left, displays very well and framed to archival standards in acid free mounts.
$2,000 - $3,000