Beautifully-penned ALS signed “Georgia,” four pages, 8.5 x 11, May 16, 1960. O’Keefe writes from Abiquiu to her sister’s husband, Robert Young. In part: “Anita writes me that you are to be off for a trip of some time and I have been wondering if you would like to be relieved of tending to my affairs. I do not know how much bother I am to you so I wish you would be frank about it.
So get my Stieglitz Estate affairs settled as easily as possible. I have agreed to take the advice from that of the man who handles other finances inherited by Alfred’s grandson. As I may have told you his grandson inherits Alfred’s estate at my death so settle things with his lawyer as easily as possible. I agreed to take the advice of William Howard Schubart - from Wall Street who is a nephew of Alfred Stieglitz. He handles other money inherited by the grandson from an uncle on his mother’s side.
I have known Howard Schubart since 1918 - seen him move from a boy with nothing to a very well to do person …
If I am a bother to you and you would rather have me off your mind I could get him to handle my affairs and pay him the usual fee…Will you write me how you feel about this frankly.” In fine condition. Accompanied by an unrelated mailing envelope, addressed in O’Keeffe’s hand to Young, but postmarked January 15, 1968.
A unique partnership developed between O'Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz, a pioneer in the art of photography who became her most avid supporter—and eventually her husband. Her works were made famous in his art gallery in 1916 and 1917, creating a partnership that, despite a 23 year age gap, developed into a relationship and, some maintain, an obsession as Stieglitz captured more than 300 portraits of her between 1918 and 1937, with many erotic poses taken in the first few years of their marriage.
In the summer of 1946. fourteen years before this letter was written, Stieglitz suffered a fatal stroke. O'Keeffe then began the monumental task of assembling all of Stieglitz's estate, including more than 3,000 photographs of his own, 850 works of art mostly by artists he represented, 580 prints by other photographers, an enormous collection of books and writings, plus nearly 50,000 pieces of correspondence. She was given the sole authority over his belongings, and took three years to personally sort through every piece. Judging by this correspondence, years later she was still involved in settling his estate, employing her brother-in-law to assist her and expressing her desire to finally close the matter. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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