244: JACKSON LEE NESBITT (1913-2008) PENCIL SIGNED ETCHING

Jackson Lee Nesbitt (1913-2008)
Wire Mill (1939)
The etching, numbered 60 from the edition of 60 prints, is signed by the artist in pencil below the image lower right and titled lower left.

Nesbitt described the scene as follows: ''This was the noisiest place I've ever been in all my life. You had to wear earplugs in there. The company tried to have me remove some of them, men in this piece so that their operation would look more efficient, but they finally agreed to let it stand as drawn. in Kansas City, steel is gradually getting thinner and longer. The big coils are loaded on arms, so the steel can be uncoiled as it goes through successive dies, which further reduce the diameter of the wire. The end result is the production of fence wire, bailing wire, nails, and bolts.''

Of the impetus for this series of prints documenting the industrial processes at Sheffield Steel Corporation in Kansas City, Nesbitt recalled: 'The company had called the Kansas City Art Institute to inquire about an etcher to create some images of their operations. John De Martelly and I were both recommended; but De Martelly, not wanting to spend any time on site at Sheffield, encouraged me to do it. For all the Sheffield pieces, I had to submit a finished pencil drawing to the company for approval prior to creating the etching. The original etchings were given as Christmas remembrances to VIPs both in and outside of the company and were offered for sale to the employees.'


Turns out, Nesbitt spent a great deal of time on site at Sheffield detailing their massive works in more than sixteen different complex images completed during the 1930s, plus six more during the late 40s and early 50s.
Image measures 9 x 12, sheet is11.75 x 13.75 inches.
Good condition, not laid down, wide margins though trimmed close left side, water stain lower right corner, no damage, punctures, tears or repair.
Provenance: Private collection, Lawrence, Kansas.
$400 - $600