Western and Wildlife Art, including Contemporary Native American Art

Provenance:

Stephen Bonsal (1865-1951), Washington, D.C.

Phillip Bonsal (1903-1995), Washington, D.C., by descent from the above.

Acquired from the above by the present owner.

Lot Essay:

Stephen Bonsal, the subject of this sketch, was a war correspondent for the New York Herald, covering various conflicts including the Spanish American War. As a Lt. Colonel in the AEF American Expeditionary Forces during World War I he was associated with the forerunner of the “Psychological Warfare” unit. During the negotiations leading up to the Treaty of Versailles he served as private interpreter for both President Woodrow Wilson and Colonel Edward M. House. Wilson ordered Bonsal to keep a diary of secret meetings they attended during the negotiations. In 1944 he turned this diary into book form titled: “Unfinished Business, Paris Versailles 1919.” For this work he was awarded the 1945 Pulitzer Prize in History. His son, Philip Bonsal, served as U.S. Ambassador to various countries, including the last U.S. Ambassador to Cuba from 1959-60. This sketch was found among Philip Bonsal’s estate papers and has never been on the market.

The sketch was completed in early June 1898, likely at the Tampa Bay Hotel, where Bonsal, Remington, and fellow war correspondents Richard Harding Davis, and Caspar Whitney were staying until troop transports could take them and U.S. Volunteers, including Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, to Cuba to engage the Spanish. Remington was working for the New York Journal as a special war correspondent and illustrator to cover the conflict. In the images for this lot, a photograph depicting all four men sitting together on a porch in Tampa with Bonsal wearing the same hat as depicted in this sketch.

This work is sold unframed.

The sheet is flat and there are a few small tears and losses to the left and right edge and dog ear losses to the corners. There is are three 3 1/2 inch horizontal creases extending into the sheet plane from the left edge. The sheet is toned overall with a few small spots of foxing and surface staining. Additional images available upon request.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.