Isamu Noguchi Archive of Letters Regarding Designing a Wine Label

A group of letters, a telegraph, photocopies of letters, and magazine and newspaper clippings relating to Japanese-American artist and architect Isamu Noguchi. Dating from the late 1970s, circa 1976-1979, the letters mainly concern a sketch by Noguchi being used for a wine label. *Sketch included here is not original, it is a copy.

A correspondence between Beverley Jackson of the Santa Barbara News-Press, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, and Noguchi seems to have arisen in late 1976. One of the first letters, dated November 5, 1976, is a typed letter from Jackson to Noguchi, informing him of the project. 1p, measuring 8.5" x 11", Santa Barbara, reads in part: "…As you probably know, each year the Baron Philippe de Rothschild has one of the world's foremost artists design the label for his Mouton Rothschild wine….[He] is now interested in the possibility of having a label designed by Noguchi. I have just returned from France and he asked if I would locate you upon returning to the United States and approach you on this possibility. These labels have all been done with a great love for the combination of wine and art. The Baron, and the late Baroness Pauline, have always believed in the combination of the two. This can be seen especially well in the magnificent wine museum they created at their Chateau Mouton. For the design of the label the artists received Rothschild wine in remuneration…" Jackson again wrote to Noguchi one month later. 2pp, measuring 5.75" x 7.75", no place, dated December 27, 1976. In part: "…Am so glad that I telephoned you. It had never occurred to me that you would think my letter was a joke or I certainly would have called sooner. Baron Philippe de Rothschild is indeed most sincere in his desire to have you do a label for his Chateau Mouton Rothschild wine…a man who can create such monumental sculptural masterpieces as you could certainly conquer a small bottle's label."

The sketch was completed by April 1977, and Jackson wrote the artist stating that the Baron "couldn't be more pleased…He does not want the drawing changed a bit. He said the color need only be 'some stain' or the way he spoke he meant, I think, water color." The following month, in May, Noguchi replied with a typed letter signed to Beverley Jackson, stating his pleasure at his sketch being so well received. 1p, 8.5" x 11", Long Island City, dated May 11, 1977. Signed "Isamu Noguchi" and reads in full: "I was delighted to get your letter upon returning to New York and am surprised beyond words that my little sketch could have pleased anybody. However, nothing ventured nothing gained. I'm really no colorist so perhaps someone else will have to put the blush on the cheeks. I await the next development with trepidation." He also wrote to Baron de Rothschild, a copy of which is included in the archive with pencil notations by the Baron. 1p, 8.25" x 11.625", Long Island City, dated May 19, 1977. The copy reads: "I am touched by your appreciating of my unworthy masterpiece. I did it in Hawaii in an off moment out of a kind of sense of obligation to an interest that I should do something so far out of my line, as it were, and wishing not to be lacking in courage. It is my gift to your enthusiasm and devotion to the arts. If you like it, by all means please use it - and color it to taste." At the bottom margin is a pencil notation by Rothschild that reads: "I will probably ask Alechinsky to do the coloring? You might inform Noguchi & ask if he agrees." Copies of the initial sketch are included in the archive.

The archive additionally includes an Autograph Letter Signed by Isamu Noguchi, relating to the coloring of his sketch. 2pp, measuring 6.75" x 9.25", Kagawa Ken, Japan, dated July 30, 1977. Addressed to Beverley Jackson, it reads in full: "How delighted I am to find your letter forwarded here. Alechinsky sounds great. I found him sympathetic, what with his association of Japan. Got away from the heat of N.Y. only to find myself in hotter weather here. But here the wind blows thru my Japanese house and its cool in the shade. I'm supposed to give a talk at UCLA on Oct 23 and shall probably get to LA a day or 2 earlier. So I hope I may have the pleasure of meeting you then." It is accompanied by the original envelope, hand addressed by Noguchi.

Further items in the archive include a telegraph from Baron Philippe, magazine articles about Noguchi's art and architecture, and newspaper clippings, with a June 5, 1998 issue possibly bearing a note from Noguchi that reads "Beverly, This is the article we talked about Routh." The article is titled "Art Museums Promise to Review Holdings For Seized Nazi Loot." The ALS has light toning and moderate to heavy foxing throughout. With flattened mail folds. Typed letters have flattened folds, and light edge creasing. Some have staples and light soiling at the top left corner. Varying degrees of toning and soiling to the magazine and newspaper clippings.

Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988) was a Japanese American artist and landscape architect whose artistic career spanned six decades. Best known for his sculpture and public artworks, Noguchi also designed theater sets for various Martha Graham productions. Pierre Alechinsky (b. 1927) is a Belgian artist who's art is in the style of abstract expressionism and lyrical abstraction. Philippe, Baron de Rothschild (1902-1988) came from the Rothschild banking dynasty. He became a Grand Prix race-car driver, a screenwriter and playwright, a theatrical producer, a film producer, a poet, and one of the most successful wine growers in the world.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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