121: HOWARD NORTON COOK (1901-1980) LITHOGRAPH

Howard Norton Cook (1901-1980)
Tio Vivo #2 (1949)
The unframed lithograph is signed in the plate only with the artist's initials below the image lower right. No pencil signature.

This scarce image is rarely seen. Pencil signed examples have sold for over $2000 at auction, others can be found in museum collections. Only one example could be found offered at auction in the last 30 years.

The Tio-Vivo was a famous and favorite wood animal carousel that traveled the Rio Valley area of New Mexico until about 1920. In 1939, a few years before this lithograph, it was found in a barn and restored by the Taos Lions Club. Today it is recognized for its historical significance by the National Carousel Association and operates during the Fiestas de Taos in July of each year.

The American printmaker and muralist Howard Cook met his wife Barbara Latham, an American painter, printmaker and children's book illustrator, in Taos in 1927 and following travels in Europe and South America, they settled nearby on the Talpa Ridge in 1938.
Image measures 10.5 x 13.5, sheet is 12.75 x 20 inches.
Very good condition, the full untrimmed sheet, not laid down, no damage, punctures, tears or repair, scattered spotting in the margins as shown in the online images.
$600 - $900