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

Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975)
Morning Train (a.k.a. The Station) (1929)
Benton's first lithograph, circulated by Delphic Studios in an edition of only 110 prints or fewer, is signed by the artist in pencil lower right, and titled lower left near an entry stating that it is number 51 of 100. Printed on BFK watermark paper.

Listed as lithograph number 1 in the Creekmore Fath catalog raisonne with the alternate titles of Oklahoma, Edge of the Plains and Train in the Station.


The number of prints pulled for this edition has been listed at 100 by some sources and 110 by others (including Creekmore Fath). Whatever the number, there is some speculation that the edition may not have been fully realized. Online records document fewer than 10 examples of this image at auction since 1988, compared to Benton's other top, most sought after images also said to be in editions of 100 which have appeared more than twenty times in this same period.

This example is by far the best to be offered by this firm. The condition is exceptional, complete, very clean, not laid down, and the impression is dark with nice subtleties.

Benton's remarks: First lithograph. From a drawing made at Enid Oklahoma in 1926 when I made a trip in a Model T Ford from Springfield, MO. to Taos, N.M. stopping on the way at the new oil towns of the Texas panhandle.
Image measures 5.75 x 6, sheet is 10.75 x 16, and frame is 18.25 x 19 inches.
Very, very good condition, very clean - noting a pencil mark lower margin, the full untrimmed sheet with deckle edges, not laid down, no damage, stain, punctures, tears or repair; framed to archival standards in acid free mounts. There are some minor very light creases in the margin above the image.
An Overland Park collection, purchased from Benton family friend, dealer Ann Constable with provenance to T.P. Benton.
$7,000 - $9,000