Frank Crowninshield's Copy of The Prince of Wales and Other Famous Americans by Miguel Covarrubias

Caricaturist Miguel Covarrubias inscribed Vanity Fair editor Frank Crowninshield's copy of The Prince of Wales and Other Famous Americans in 1925, the year of publication. He credited Crowninshield with making the book possible, and included a caricature of himself in profile, alert and forward-leaning. In 1943, the 71-year-old Crowninshield, now retired, sold 1019 works of modern art from his collection at the Parke-Bernet Galleries in New York. His copy of the Covarrubias book may have been included in the sale, or else sold separately around the same time. It was purchased by one Jean B. Webster, who somehow found the author that year and had the book inscribed by him a second time with an updated self-caricature. Covarrubias has drawn himself older, heavier, and wearier. This extraordinary copy of the book today is in the library of collagist and illustrator Stephen Kroninger.

The Prince of Wales and Other Famous Americans, 1925
Inscribed "To Frank Crowninshield
who made this book possible
His friend
Miguel Covarrubias
New York Nov. 2 1925" with a self-portrait
and "For Jean B. Webster
Miguel Covarrubias
N.Y. Oct. 19, 1943" with a self-portrait

Photograph by Stephen Kroninger

Inscribed "To Frank Crowninshield
who made this book possible
His friend
Miguel Covarrubias
New York Nov. 2 1925"
with a self-portrait

Photograph by Stephen Kroninger

Inscribed "For Jean B. Webster
Miguel Covarrubias
N.Y. Oct. 19, 1943"
with a self-portrait

Photograph by Stephen Kroninger

Note:  I am grateful once more to Stephen Kroninger for photographing this gem from his library for Attempted Bloggery.

Miguel Covarrubias is recognized today as an outstanding caricaturist and artist. Images of original works of his are sought from readers for inclusion on this blog.


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