169

The Story of Coffee is included in the N. C. Wyeth Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings as number 825.

According to members of the Wyeth family, the model for the middle figure was the artist’s son, Andrew Wyeth.

The 1941 calendar, Romance of Commerce, was a complete calendar for 1941. Each page contained a color plate of a Wyeth painting depicting a field of commerce with a monthly calendar below. They were titled, ‘The Story of,’ followed by Furs, Coffee, Whaling, Glass, Salt, Silk, Perfume, Tin, Cattle, Gold, Rugs, and Jewelry. A paragraph describing the industry was printed below each image.

An original 1941 Romance of Commerce calendar (images only - calendar portion has been cut off) and a brass plate inscribed with The Story of Coffee from the 1941 calendar accompany the lot.

PROVENANCE
John Morrell & Company, Ottumwa, IA, gifted to
The University of South Dakota, 1941
[Frank E. Fowler, Lookout Mountain, TN]
Robert and Carole Findlay, 1984
Private Collection, CA, 2003

LITERATURE
Calendar, The Romance of Commerce (Ottumwa, IA: John Morrell & Company, Feb 1941), illustrated
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York, NY: Crown Publishers, 1972), pages 156, 291
Milo Dailey, “Given to University by John Morrell & Co. Collection of N. C. Wyeth Paintings Hanging in USD School of Business” (Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, Sept. 13, 1972), page 19
Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), C.135, pages 682-683, illustrated

Condition ReportSurface condition is excellent. Slight hairline cracks in bottom-center portion of painting. Three slight hairline cracks in upper-right quadrant. Small spot of inpainting in upper-left corner, at edge of frame. Several specks of inpainting under table. Small spot of inpainting on cuff of man with pipe.

Important Notice: Statements of condition are provided as a service to potential bidders; such statements are educated opinions and should not be regarded as facts. The Coeur d’Alene Art Auction has no responsibility for any errors or omissions.