Lot 401: AUTOGRAPHS: BARTON RALPH: (1891-1931) American

AUTOGRAPHS: BARTON RALPH: (1891-1931) American Artist and Caricaturist. Rare illustrated A.L.S., Ralph Barton, one page, 8vo, Paris, 23rd June 1926, to Mr. Blodgett. Barton writes a brief, ironic letter, in full, 'Awfully nice of you to ask me, but I never, under any circumstances, send my autograph or draw one of these [arrow inserted] things of myself. Regretfully yours, Ralph Barton' Barton's arrow points downwards to a good original profile self caricature, drawn in dark fountain pen ink, which fills the lower half of the page. Autographs of Barton are rare in any form following his untimely suicide at the age of 39 and this is a particularly attractive letter, enhanced by the caricature. VG