257: CHARLES BANKS WILSON (1918-2013) WWII SUBJECT LITHO

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 Interrogation. 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 particular print is the first from the edition of only 25 impressions to appear at auction, or anywhere for sale that we can find. We offered this same print on June 27, 2025 where it went unsold. It is re-offered here with a lower opening bid.

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: Living estate, Overland Park, Kansas.
$800 - $1,200