ORIGINAL PLASTER MOLDS FROM THE STUDIO OF JOHN CALABRO
USED FOR MEDALLIONS AND BAS-RELIEF PORTRAITS OF
DISTINGUISHED AMERICANS AND FOREIGN LEADERS
John Calabro (1908-1994). Born in New York, John Calabro was the 7th in a generation of artists. He grew up "surrounded by stone" - his father was stonecutter and professional sculptor.According to his wife, the former Anita Esther Kaplis, Calabro was once described by the New York Times in the 1970s, as a “modern Michaelangelo.” This observation was based upon “the way he adopted Michaelangelo’s method of hacking away directly on whatever medium he was working with.” He began sculpting at the age of 12 and was a 1926 graduate of the Cooper Union School of Art. He later studied sculpture and design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Milan. His artistic talents were manifold. His works were in granite, marble, plaster and bronze; he was also a painter and even worked with metal. For the last 30 years of his life, he lived in Northvale, New Jersey, where he had his studio. Calabro was a fellow of the National Sculpture Society, a life member of the American Artist Professional League, and a member of the Leonardo da Vinci Society of Fort Lee, New Jersey. He did many busts and portrait sculptures of famous people for various organizations and churches. The pieces included Abraham Lincoln (3), Marie Curie, Arturo Toscanini, Nelson Rockefeller, Elias Boudinot, Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Christopher Columbus, John F. Kennedy, Jawaharial Nehru and Saint Peter. The Center for the Study of The Presidency has on exhibit a "larger-than-life-size" presidential bust of Lincoln. The bronze bust of Shaw was commissioned by the Shaw Society of America. His Rockefeller bust is in the hall of Vice Presidents in Washington as part of the Senate collection of its presidents. Thus Calabro joined the ranks of Daniel Chester French, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Jo Davidson and many others whose works appear in this collection. The huge Boudinot bust was made to commemorate America's Bicentennial, honoring this president of the Continental Congress from New Jersey. The statue of St. Peter is 9-feet tall and was carved out of granite in a record time of only 42 days and is located in St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Morristown, New Jersey. According to Calabro's wife, granite-carving of this magnitude would normally take about two years.. He also made a "heroic-size" sculpture of "Abraham Lincoln, Standing" for Fort Wayne, Indiana. In addition he carved a marble bas-relief of Lincoln as President.
As a medalist, he also created a number of works with coins and medallions depicting such people as Babe Ruth, Louis Armstrong (2), William C. Handy, Thomas Paine, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, Petrarch (Italian poet) as well as many other medallions created as special awards. It is said that he could “breathe life in the material” form which he chose to create. His love for music inspired him to do a bas-relief portrait of Arturo Toscanini. He also enjoyed teaching and was quoted as saying, “My greatest joy was to capture the inner soul of the person.” The following plaster models are all examples of the work of an extraordinary sculptor and medalist. They are all suitable for display. They could be colored or gilded or even cast in bronze. A exceptional collection.
85001.
(Dayan, Moshe) (1915-1981). A political and military leader who was Israel's
chief of staff during the Sinai campaign of 1956 and minister of defense during
the Six-Day War in 1967 in which Israel captured Jerusalem, the Golan Heights
and the Gulf of Suez. Plaster bas-relief portrait measuring 18" in height, 15.5"
in width and 1" in thickness. The bas-relief image of Dayan rises 2.5" above the
background. There is also a faint tan patina which the artist has added to the
plaster - perhaps a residue of varnish used when the plaster was cast. Imbedded
in the plaster on the back is a heavy wire which the artist used to hang the
piece in his studio. Calabro signed the piece, "John Calabro 1970" on the
front. Below the image he has added "Moshe Y Dayan"
spaced with a Star of David. A very attractive piece in fine condition.
$395.00
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85004.
(Churchill, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer) (1874-1965). British statesman,
soldier and author. He was Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II.
Plaster bas-relief portrait measuring 18" in height, 17" in width and 1" in
thickness. The bas-relief image of Churchill rises 1/4" above the background.
Imbedded in the plaster on the back is a heavy wire which the artist used to
hand the piece in his studio. Calabro has signed the piece, "John Calabro"
on the front. A very attractive piece in fine condition.
$450.00
85006.
(Paine, Thomas) (1735-1809). An Anglo-American theorist who immigrated to
America in 1774. Quickly wrapped up in the cause of the patriots, he wrote his
famous Common Sense, followed by a series of 16 pamphlets called The
Crisis (1776-83), which gave great impetus to the forces for independence. A
round plaster bust of Paine - a model commissioned for a medallion
commemorating America's Bicentennial. It measures 11" in diameter and is 1.5"
deep; the image projects 3/8" above the background. The medallion was offered in silver
and bronze and created by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut.
Offered here is the obverse of the model of the medallion used in making this
medal. It is signed "JOHN CALABRO", SC" and has been painted bronze for
display in his studio. Fine condition. $325.00
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Richard M. Nixon "Resignation" Medal
85007.
(Nixon, Richard M.) President of the United States who resigned on August 8,
1974. The original model in plaster of the Richard M. Nixon resignation
medal. It measures 12.5" in diameter , 1" in depth; the bust of Nixon extends
3/4" above the background. The sculptor has signed the piece "JOHN CALABRO,
SC." At the top of the plaster is written "RICHARD M. NIXON ANNOUNCES
RESIGNATION." At the bottom in raised letters is "AUG. 8, 1974."
Offered here is the obverse of the model used in making this medal. The
piece is supplied with an imbedded wire on the back for hanging. Very fine
condition. An unusual commemorative piece. $275.00
85008.
(Handy, William Christopher)
(1873-1958). A self-taught composer and bandleader. He considered himself the
"Father of the Blues," the title of his autobiography. He wrote
"Memphis Blues," St. Louis Blues," "Beale Street Blues," and many more. The
original plaster model of the medallion of Handy, measuring 10.25" in
diameter and 1"in depth. The sculptor has signed the piece, "JOHN CALABRO."
At the top are the raised letters, WILLIAM C. HANDY / COMPOSER."
Straddling his image are his dates of birth and death. This is the obverse
of the model used in creating the memorial medallion. Very fine condition.
$275.00
85009.
(Armstrong, Louis "Satchmo") (1900-71). Legendary jazz trumpet virtuoso,
singer and bandleader. An original plaster model for a medallion of
Armstrong measuring 10.25" in diameter and 1" in depth. The sculptor has not
signed the piece but it is unquestionably Calabro's and came from his
studio. Surrounding the image of Armstrong playing his trumpet are the raised
letters, "THE KING OF JAZZ AND CITIZEN OF THE WORLD." This is the obverse
of the model used in creating the medallion. Fine condition. There is a light
tan patina A wire is imbedded in the back for hanging this piece. There is
a tiny chip in the plaster on the back edge where the wire is attached., which
can easily be repaired. Fine for display. $425.00
85010.
(Armstrong, Louis "Satchmo") (1900-71). An original plaster model for the
obverse side of a medallion of Armstrong, measuring 10.25" in diameter and 1" in
depth. The sculptor has signed the piece "JOHN CALABRO, SC." In raised
letters at the top is written "LOUIS 'SATCHMO' ARMSTRONG." Straddling
his smiling image are his dates of birth and death. There are two narrow chips
of the plaster on the edge of the model, easily repaired. Fine for display.
$425.00
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WHALE TOOTH SCRIMSHAW
107141. Whale
Tooth Ashtray. An ashtray carved out of a sperm whale tooth. It weight 7.3
ounces and measures 4" in length. The concave surface of the tooth has a smooth
carved bowl with three shallow grooves at the ends for holding the cigarettes. The
marrow end is plugged with a piece of carved wood. All the surfaces are polished
and smooth. The bowl revels the intricate structure of the tooth. A very unusual
piece of scrimshaw, perhaps unique, probably dating from the early 20th century.
$125.00
107143. Dagger. A 16" long dagger, probably of North African origin. The handle is made of carved bone measuring 4.5". Both sides of the blade are intricately engraved with complex geometric designs. It is in fine condition except for a small 3/8" missing chip in the bone at the base of the handle. It probably dates to the 19th century. $175.00
Persian Battle Scene. Two leaves from a Persian book probably dating from the 17th or 18th century or earlier. They came from a disbound text handwritten in black in ink in Persian. Each leaf measures 15"x9". The edges are irregular and worn and there is moderate age-toning. The text is on both sides of each leaf. On one leaf, illustrated here, there is a hand painted battle scene with 6 warriors looking down on the slaying of one of their members by a dagger through the heart. The attire of the slayer appears to that of royalty. The painting measures 6.5"x6" and is in fine condition. 2 pieces. $350.00
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108087. Eastlake, Sir Charles L. 1793-1865). An English historical painter and art critic. It was he who painted a portrait of Napoleon while he was in exile. ALS, 1p, 6”x4”, London, 1849 May 17. Very fine. It concerns an engagement for a social visit. $250.00
10777.
Epstein, Sir Jacob.
Noted American sculptor who spent many of his later years in England. He was one
of the leading sculptors of the 20th century, creating many notable pieces. In
1953 he was commissioned to make a statue of Sir Stafford Cripps, British
statesman serving in Parliament as well as Chancellor of the Exchequer and
Minister to Russia (1940-42). When completed, the statue was installed in St.
Paul's Cathedral. ALS, 2pp, 7"x6", Kensington, 1954 Jan. 11. Fine. He writes to
David Hardman, the person responsible for commissioning the statue,
"...The bust of Sir Stafford is now at the bronze moulders & I would like you to
see it there when it is finished, which will be shortly. Lady Cripps saw the
bust in plaster at my studio...When I get the work finally completed in bronze
at my studio, perhaps the committee would like to come & see it; but I leave any
arrangement for that to you..."
Plus a 3"x5" photo of Epstein
at the dedication of the statue. 2 pieces. $235.00
108101. Landseer, Sir Edwin. Extraordinary English landscaper
and animal painter. ALS, 1p, 7”x4½”, n.p., n.d. Fine. Tipped to a larger sheet.
He is unable to accept an invitation because of a prior engagement. $175.00
108136.
Watts, George Frederick (1817-1904). An English
painter and sculptor with many portraits of the famous. His works hang in the
White House, House of Lords, Tate Gallery, Metropolitan Museum of Art in N.Y.,
&c. 1. ALS “Signor” on mourning stationery, 2pp, 7”x4½,”
Guildford, 1901 June 10. Fine. He writes to a friend, “I am sorry if
necessity obliges you to part with the drawing & would gladly purchase it for a
good price for it is…the very best drawing I ever made, but I am not making an
income…I am unable to do so…” 2. ALS “Signor,” 1p, 8”x5” n.p.,
n.d. Very good. Slight ink transfer from premature folding of the letter. After
discussing illness in a friend’s family, he writes, “Today I have put the
first three lines upon the wall at Lincoln…hitherto my largest one; who knows
whether I may ever put the last!” 3. ALS with initials + “Signor,”
2pp, n.p., n.d., There is faint soiling of the first page. The bland
integral leaf is torn with a piece missing. He writes at great length concerning
a gift of a book. 3 pieces. $450.00
108137.
Weir, J. Alden. A leading American impressionist
painter and the son of artist Robert Weir. In recent years his home and land on
Nod Hill in Wilton and Ridgefield, Connecticut were preserved as a National
Historic Site, the first National Park to be created in Connecticut. ALS on
mourning stationery, 2pp, 7”x4½,” Branchville (part of Ridgefield), 1891 July
26. Good. There are some smoke stains and one paper repair affecting one word.
The two leaves are separated. Writing to “Max,”
“I send you at the same time as this note some recent etchings, eight in number. One, the portrait of Dr.Weir I send as a present to Mr. Basaldi…the prices are at the lowest corner of each except of the Dr. Weir, which is $35, already having sold one. This I mention in case he should want it for his book. We are having beastly weather & hope you are keeping cool in dear old Paris…I have put etchings aside for the present & have some twenty canvasses under way. I hope to make a big showing in N.Y. this winter…We hare having terrible weather for haying. I have now four tons out rained on three times, besides three loads of fine rye. – so you see, the life of a farmer is not a happy one…”
Weir was often the host at his farm to his contemporaries, John Henry Twachtman, Emil Carlson, Albert Pinkham Ryder, Childe Hassam, and John Singer Sargent. A very scarce autograph with excellent content. $230.00
108138.
(Weir, J. Alden). For further reading on Weir, his
family, home and the National Historic Site honoring him, we offer the
following: NOD HILL, WILTON CONNECTICUT, Reminiscences, by Norman F.
Boas, 202pp, privately printed, 1996. New. $20.00
108141.
Wilkie, Sir David
(1785-1841). He was an artist who hailed from Scotland and became the originator
of British genre painting. In 1830 he was appointed painter-in-ordinary to King
George IV. His works hang in the National Gallery in London, at Buckingham
Palace and at Windsor Castle. ALS, 1p, Kensington, London, 1829 Aug. 9. Fine.
He writes to Mr. Vogle, “Principal Painter to His Majesty, The King of
Saxony...This will be delivered to you by Mr. Charles McGrigor...If you will
be pleased to show him the works your are now engaged upon, and inform him of
what he should see in Dresden, you will greatly oblige yours...” $115.00
108142. Wilkie, Sir David
(1785-1841). ALS, 1p, 7"x4½", Kensington, 1832 Aug. 2. Fine. It is letter of
introduction for a gentleman from Edinburgh.
$100.00
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