Ray Johnson Mail Art collage to Poet Michael McClure (collage insert & envelope)

Description: Original unmailed Mail Art collage with original envelope by the artist Ray Johnson (1927-1995). From the Estate of Producer and Screenwriter Gerald Ayres. The collage insert consists of a vermilion/orange colored stubbed tipped eyebrow pencil with (original to the pencil) "Maybelline Dark Brown USA" written in silver/gold as well as a silver/gold band at the top of the pencil (original to the pencil). Additionally there is a smudge of dark blue/purple on the verso of the pencil. Measures 4 3/8" x 1/4" The envelopes original return address (Purchases & Sales Tabulating Division of Wall Street) has been altered with purple ink by Ray Johnson who has then manually typed his own return address " Ray Johnson 176 Suffolk St. New York City 2". Dating the correspondence to late 1950 to early 1960's (predates the more often seen later address Locust Valley address). Measures 3 1/2" x 6 1/2". The hand typed addressee is "Michael McClure 264 Downey St. San Francisco, California". The poet, playwright, songwriter, and novelist Michael McClure was part of Ray Johnson's circle of friends and the avant-garde movement in New York City in the late 1950's to early 1960's. Ray Johnson began compiling a list of fellow creative friends for his Mail Art. Ray became acquainted with Michael McClure in New York before Michael moved to San Francisco. This creative circle of creative friends were like Ray immersed in discovering new form of creative Abstract Expressionism that were emerging at the time, eventually evolved into and influenced Pop Art. The condition is in very good. The collage element/insert does show prior use, but that is indicative of Ray Johnson employing found or acquired items in his Mail Art collages/artworks. Please review the photos closely. The envelope also shows natural aging and handling with a slight yellowing more so on the verso; additionally there is with a slight tear center front and slightly more so on the verso. The handling wrinkles are probably original as Ray Johnson was not adverse to making such elements part of his collages. The envelope also shows an indent where the eyebrow pencil was. All in all this artwork is in remarkable condition given the age, undoubtedly due to the fact that it was packed away for decades. Remarkable that this Mail Art collage is even in existence given that many of Ray Johnson's collages/envelopes have been lost over time. Please look at the photos and contact me if you have any questions. Provenance: This Mail Art collage is from the collection/estate of the Producer and Screenwriter Gerald Ayres who was a friend and collector of Ray Johnsons artworks/collages. Ray and Gerald became friends in the late 1950's in New York and remained so throughout Ray's life. I am discovering a number of these uncommon Mail Art collage artworks addressed to many of the avant-garde artists, writers, poets, theatre performers, and composers of the time. Additionally I will be listing some Mail Art collages (without envelopes) from Ray Johnson's "Lucky" series which have an exhibition history, and other Ray Johnson's collages which also lack envelopes. I encourage you to browse my other listings..

Price: 1200 USD

Location: La Fargeville, New York

End Time: 2024-10-14T18:01:27.000Z

Shipping Cost: 10.4 USD