KUSAMA YAYOI: (1929- ) Japanese Contemporary Artist who has struggled for much of her life with mental illness and, since the mid-1970s, has lived in a mental hospital in Tokyo by her own choice. A scarce T.L.S., Yayoi Kusama, one page, 4to, New York, 18th January 1962, to Baldwin Bass. The artist thanks her correspondent for his wonderful photographs, in which she was very much interested, remarking 'I am happy that you are active in many ways and at the same time I have a great expectation in your future' and further adding that she would like to meet Bass when she has a chance to visit Germany and will send some of her portraits soon. Kusama also acknowledges having received a cheque for $74, commenting 'Since I believe this is the money for my painting, I will send you one pretty soon. I will try hard to meet your expectation on this matter…..'. Accompanied by the original envelope addressed to Bass in Hamburg, Germany. One very small, extremely minor split to the edge of a fold, not affecting the text or signature, VG An investment of $75 for a painting by Kusama in 1962 would appear to have been a sound one. On 12th November 2008 Christie's in New York sold a work by Kusama for $5.1 million, a record figure for a living female artist.