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ROBERT CARLEN 
APPRAISER 
323 SOUTH 16th STREET / PHILADELPHIA, PA. 19102 / KI5-1723

Nov. 15, 1977

Editor, 
Newsweek, Inc.,
444 Madison Ave., 
New York City, N.Y. 10022

Dear Sir:

I have just read your August 22nd copy with the article on Horace Pippin. The copy was sent to me by my very good friend Herb Fried, President of the Chas. Levy Circulating Co. of Chicago, Ill. 

I am enclosing for your attention a copy of my catalogue covering Horace Pippin's first one man show given by me. For your further information I was Pippin's dealer and was the only one who had him under contract, I being his exclusive agent. 

You might find very interesting the forword I had written by Dr. Albert O. Barnes of Merion, Penna, in this catalogue. 

I also wish to call your attention to the fact that it was not Christian Brinton who discovered Pippin. Pippin's paintings were called to Christian Brinton's attention by N.C. Wyeth of Chadds Ford. N.C. Wyeth was the illustrator and the father of Andy Wyeth, whose work I am sure you are very full acquainted. As to the paintings of Edward Hicks it was I who showed the earliest interest in his work and over a period of time owned a large number of his canvases. It was in my living room that Pippin first saw one of Hicks' "PEACEABLE KINGDOM" and I suggested to him that he try and painting his interpretation of Isaaih ll, Chapters 6, 7 and 8, which he subsequently did and called his version, of which he made several copies, "THE HOLY MOUNTAIN". 

Arnold Gingrich of Esquire whose widow was a very close friend of mine for a great number of years, acquired from me a number of examples of Pippin's work. Mrs. Gingrich is still alive and can confirm the truth of these statements.  I resent the fact that there is not one work or mention about the part I played in the career and the building of his reputation. 

Yours truly,

P.S. Two of the finest examples of 
Hicks' paintings are on loan by me to the State Department, Washington D.C. My wife and I also presented to the Philadelphia Art Museum for their collection, manyyears ago, The painting is one of his earliest works. It is titled "THE END OF THE WAR STARTING HOME"

Member: The Art and Antique Dealers League of America, Inc. American Society of Appraisers