142: CHARLES BANKS WILSON (1918-2013) RARE WWII SUBJECT LITH

Charles Banks Wilson (1918-2013)
Inquest (1942)
Signed and dated lower right, the title under the image here differs from that in Hunt's catalog raisonne of Wilson's prints where the edition is identified as being only 25 prints pulled. Unframed.

In Hunt, the title is The Interogation. There the entry reads, This small edition, printed by George Miller, gave Wilson the chance to use a finely grained stone. A light etch achieved the soft, delicate tones that would have been lost in a larger edition.

George Miller was a master lithographer who, during the golden era of America printmaking, was the primary reason for the revival of lithography during the WPA era. His workshop was the driving force behind the imagery of all the major regionalists of the 1930s and 1940s.

In Hunt, Wilson added, ''The art editor of Collier's magazine at the beginning of World War II, before G.I. helmets were changed, wanted to see how I might handle a non-Indian subject here to four I had done only western pictures for him.''

To the best of our knowledge, this marks the first appearance of this extremely rare lithograph at auction, or anywhere for sale that we can find. According to all four major art auction record databases and entries on the major online bidding platforms it has never been up for bid. This may be the only opportunity one has to obtain this important print, particularly in this condition. The sheet is unframed.


Image measures 10 x 13.75, sheet is 12.5H x 19W inches.
Very, very good condition, the full untrimmed sheet with four deckle edges, not laid down, no damage, stain, punctures, tears or repair. Three bits of tape remains along the top edge.
Provenance: A private Kansas collection, purchased directly from the artist.
$2,000 - $3,000
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