Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5
Stephen LongstreetRagtime Piano1969
1969
About the Item
Ragtime Piano
Collage, 1969
Signed and dated '69 lower right
Address stamp verso
Provenance:
Acquired from the artist
Joseph M. Erdelac, friend and patron of the artist
Stephen Longstreet (1907-2002)
The artist’s own grandchildren attempt to fathom the real life and nature of Stephen Longstreet, prolific author, artist, screenplay writer, and jazz aficionado.
Born Chauncy Weiner (sometimes spelled Wiener) in New York City in 1907, Longstreet reinvented himself on a regular basis. Changing his name first to “Henry,” then “Henri,” he started his career as a commercial artist for a department store. In various public biographies he claimed to have studied in New York, London, and Paris, and said he was a student of cartoonist Ralph Barton (1891-1931). Facts that can be documented are that he was art editor for Golfer and Sportsman magazines, and was a contributor to various other magazines including The New Yorker, Saturday Evening Post, Colliers, Life, and Hooey, among others. He wrote sketches for NBC radio and the Rudy Vallee Show.
In the 1930s, Longstreet worked and wrote under the names Thomas Burton, David Ormsbee, and Paul Haggard before settling on the name Stephen Longstreet in 1939. He wrote 12 novels under this name as well as numerous screen plays, most notably The Jolson Story, The Greatest Show on Earth, and The Helen Morgan Story.
Longstreet claimed to have been introduced to ragtime and jazz by no less a legend than singer Paul Robeson while Robeson was an All-American football player at Rutgers University. However it happened, the world of jazz was a constant theme throughout Longstreet’s life. He drew and painted such notables as Count Basie, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and Duke Ellington. His media included collage, watercolors, and ink drawings. In 1989 Longstreet published his 100th book, Jazz from A to Z: a Graphic Dictionary.
One of the more curious aspects of Longstreet’s art is his method of dating his material. He dated his works by the year depicted, not by the date of actual execution. Art signed “Longstreet” and dated before 1939 was actually done much later, as Stephen Longstreet did not exist prior to that! Early works from the late 1920s and 1930s will be signed “Henri” or “He” since Longstreet was still Weiner in those days. Later he often signed his work SL inside a circle. His collages dated in the 1950s or earlier were most likely done in the 1970s or 1980s.
Longstreet spent most of his life in the Los Angeles area with his wife and oft-times collaborator, Ethel Longstreet. The artist remained active and prolific into his 90s. He died in Los Angeles in 2002 at the age of 94.
Courtesy: Stephen Longstreet
- Creator:
- Creation Year:1969
- Dimensions:Height: 22.94 in (58.27 cm)Width: 15.75 in (40.01 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Fairlawn, OH
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1978
1stDibs seller since 2013
710 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
Associations
International Fine Print Dealers Association
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Fairlawn, OH
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 10 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- untitled (Nude)By Peter MarksLocated in Fairlawn, OHPhotograph, gold leaf and magazine mixed media collage Unsigned Provenance: Estate of the artist Sheet: 16 x 14" Peter Marks (1935 -2010) was born in New York City on January 18...Category
Early 2000s Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
- UntitledBy Peter MarksLocated in Fairlawn, OHUntitled Collage of small oil on canvas fragments, c. 2006 Unsigned Provenance: Estate of the artist Image size: 15 x 9 7/16 inches Sheet size:: 17 x 14 inches Peter Marks (1935 -2...Category
Early 2000s Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
- untitledBy Peter MarksLocated in Fairlawn, OHUntitled Abstraction Collage with 22K gold leaf Unsigned Provenance: Estate of the artist Metal foil collage on paper Sheet: 14 x 17" (35.56 x 43.18 cm), Image: 8 x 10" (20.32 x 25.4...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
- Taos SeriesBy Harry NadlerLocated in Fairlawn, OHMixed media on handmade paper Signed and dated by the artist lower right Archival framing with Conversation Glass Regarding the artist: Select Exhibition: 1991 Franz Bader Gallery, ...Category
1980s Abstract Paintings
MaterialsMixed Media
- Untitled (The Number with Rainbow lines)By James Spencer RussellLocated in Fairlawn, OHColored paper collage, c. 1960 Signed lower right. Provenance: Estate of the artist Distinguished Private Collection, Indianapolis, Indiana Sight dimension...Category
1960s Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
- UntitledBy Ray H. FrenchLocated in Fairlawn, OHSigned and dated lower left Created in 1964 while the artist was living in Florence, Italy Collage with tissue paper and printed images and text From the Estate of the ArtistCategory
1960s Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
You May Also Like
- Bird to BirdBy Sandi NeimanLocated in Austin, TXSANDI NEIMAN (b. 1959) Title: Bird to Bird Medium: Mixed Media; Cold Wax and Oil Pigments on cradled board Measurements: 12 x 24 inCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
- Torso IIBy Fritz BultmanLocated in New Orleans, LAFritz Bultman set himself apart from other Abstract Expressionists with his meticulously organized abstract compositions, use of sculpture, and the adoption of collage as a core prac...Category
1970s Abstract Expressionist Mixed Media
MaterialsMixed Media
- Dreaming in MarbleBy Scott AndresenLocated in New Orleans, LAAndresen’s work focuses on the art of repair; more specifically how such actions have consequences both intended and unintended. Using a variety of materially driven processes the wo...Category
2010s Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsCanvas, Silk, Thread, Mixed Media, Acrylic
- SearchingBy Scott AndresenLocated in New Orleans, LAAndresen’s work focuses on the art of repair; more specifically how such actions have consequences both intended and unintended. Using a variety of materially driven processes the wo...Category
2010s Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsCanvas, Silk, Thread, Mixed Media, Acrylic
- Distant HillBy Scott AndresenLocated in New Orleans, LAAndresen’s work focuses on the art of repair; more specifically how such actions have consequences both intended and unintended. Using a variety of materially driven processes the wo...Category
2010s Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsCanvas, Silk, Thread, Mixed Media, Acrylic
- Sifting My Purest AffectionsBy Scott AndresenLocated in New Orleans, LAAndresen’s work focuses on the art of repair; more specifically how such actions have consequences both intended and unintended. Using a variety of materially driven processes the wo...Category
2010s Abstract Mixed Media
MaterialsCanvas, Silk, Thread, Mixed Media, Acrylic