For either item, I can accept payment through PayPal -- which offers you up to $2,000 in buyer protection -- and will ship USPS Priority Insured FREE to any U.S. address.
 

---

R. C. Gorman Autographed Magazine Cover

DATELINE ALBUQUERQUE: Famous Navajo Artist Defaces Ann-Margret for His "Drinking Buddy"

Watermark only on web image. Larger scans readily available on request.

This unusual item offers the autograph of the late Navajo artist R. C. Gorman (1931-2005). The magazine cover is signed twice, and inscribed to the late artist Martha Slaymaker as “my drinking buddy”.

Watermark only on web image. Larger scans readily available on request.

The magazine is People Weekly, the issue date is December 18, 1978, and Gorman scrawled his name across Ann-Margret’s nose!

Watermark only on web image. Larger scans readily available on request.

About R. C. Gorman ...

Excerpted from Gorman's obituary written by Rick Romancito and Virginia L. Clark for the Taos News (November 3, 2005)

"The New York Times once called R. C. Gorman the 'Picasso of American Indian art'. His work and personality exerted an indelible presence on the Taos and Northern New Mexico arts scenes. Internationally, he was one of the foremost Native American artists working today.

Gorman carved new pathways for Indian artists, who, prior to the late 1960s, often were forced into unrealistic definitions by collectors -- and by a market that relied upon a stereotype of stoic portraits and colorful dancers rooted in the Santa Fe Indian School style.

An Indian who painted strong abstracts and elegant figure studies, and who defied being pigeon-holed, wasn't easy to sell. That might be one of the reasons Gorman decided to take a bold step and open the first Indian-owned fine-art gallery in 1968 on the same street where Taos Society of Artists founder E.L. Blumenschein once lived.

He was born Rudolph Carl Gorman on July 26, 1931, in Chinle, Ariz., the son of the late Carl Gorman -- also a famed Navajo painter and a member of the World War II Code Talkers."

About Martha Slaymaker ...

Gorman signed the autograph for the late artist Martha Slaymaker, and the magazine came from her husband's estate in the North Valley area of Albuquerque.

I've had less luck researching her biographical data, but it seems she was originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, and at some point moved to Albuquerque.

(She's included in the book on Indiana's women artists shown at left, but I don't have a copy yet!)

In 1956, she founded Slaymaker Fine Art Ltd., a corporation specializing in selling original works of fine art wholesale to the trade. Since 1979, the company has been run by her son, Woody Slaymaker.

I found numerous examples of her artwork on eBay:

            

Item Description:

R. C. Gorman autograph x 2 on cover of People magazine issue dated December 18, 1978. Autograph inscribed to "my drinking buddy", Martha Slaymaker. Magazine cover measures approximately 8-1/4 by 10-3/4 inches. Both signatures and inscription are clearly legible, small ink smear under 1st signature. Magazine in fair condition, with damage to upper right corner and far right edge; cover is loosening from issue. Color evaluation scans available on request.

Asking Price, OBO: $300.00

For this item, I can accept payment through PayPal, which offers you up to $2,000 in buyer protection, or Moneybookers. I will ship USPS Priority Insured FREE to any U.S. address. For international shipping, I will give you a custom quote.

---

Willie Nelson Autographed Photo

This is a wonderful old black-and-white publicity-type photo of Willie Nelson, which he signed to "Mary", presumably in 1985.

The photo is enclosed in an inexpensive wooden frame with fronting glass, which made photographing it a little tricky!

The inscription at the bottom of the photograph, handwritten in black ink, reads:

To Mary ...
"Flying too close to
the Ground"

Love
Willie

The photograph is marked with the logo of Columbia Records and stock number #8310, with a photo credit to Norman Seeff.

The back of the framing cardboard (not the photo itself) is also inscribed, from a different musician. This backing is covered with clear tape, which I did not attempt to remove!

This inscription reads:

To Mary Gasser

Who befriended me from the beginning (10-25-78!). Thanks for your kindnesses.

Sorry it took me so long to get the picture back. My "connection" was out of town.

I hope you enjoy him -- I surely do!

Ellen
3/19/85
of: The Canton Clan

I was not able to find any info on "Ellen" or The Canton Clan. I assume it's the name of a band ... I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who does know about them!  me directly via email.

Item Description:

Willie Nelson's autograph in black ink on a Columbia Records publicity photograph, black and white, with light brown stains around margin (spilled beer?). Presumably the photograph measures 8x10 inches, but I have not removed it from the frame to see. The inexpensive wooden frame, original, measures 9x11 inches. Backing cardboard is signed by "Ellen" of The Canton Clan, frame backing board is covered & sealed with clear tape.

Asking Price, OBO: $75

For this item, I can accept payment through PayPal, which offers you up to $2,000 in buyer protection, or Moneybookers. I will ship USPS Priority Insured FREE to any U.S. address. For international shipping, I will be happy to give you a custom quote.

---