12: JACKSON LEE NESBITT (1913-2008) PENCIL SIGNED ETCHING

Jackson Lee Nesbitt (1913-2008)
Goin' to Town (1941)
The drypoint etching signed by the artist in pencil below the image lower right, titled lower left, signed and dated in the plate lower left.

Probably the rarest of all pencil signed etchings by Jackson Lee Nesbitt, this image was initially published as an edition of 100 prints. But only about 10 were sold before a wealthy patron bought the remaining prints and closed out the edition.

Nesbitt describes this Kansas City streetcar scene as occurring naturally while he and his wife Elaine (those are her legs far left) were aboard the Troost Avenue trolley (Troost Trolley is the alternate title of this composition). In the moment, the gentleman depicted holding a flower actually had a small dog that was not included in the final composition.

Capturing the atmosphere inside the trolley and contrasting it with the buzz of the city streets through the trolley glass is one of 20th century American printmaking's great achievements. This particular example is a fine and strong impression.
Image measures 9.75 x 12.75 with a framed size of 19.5 x 22 inches.
Very good to fine condition, the full untrimmed sheet, not laid down, no damage, stain, puncture or repair; framed to archival standards in acid free mounts.
$2,000 - $3,000