I must have been about 9 or 10 when I got this framed horse print at a rummage sale. It’s one of the very few childhood purchases that I’ve actually saved all these years. Most of my doggie figurines, pink spaghetti ceramic cats, and toys were sold at family rummage sales years ago. And my Breyers went to my younger female cousins. But this print I saved.
Because it’s something vintage that I’ve actually owned a long time, it was one of the items I brought into the Trash or Treasure event to be appraised.
Susan Kime, Paintings & Prints Specialist at Ivey-Selkirk, had the pleasure of appraising the print. I was praised for keeping the label on the back of the print (if they only knew that we save everything at our house, they would know this only encourages the hoarding insanity), and from this label we learned the following:
Title: Early Speed
Artist: C.W. Anderson
Type of print: A Limited Edition Signed Original Lithograph
Print Maker: Associated American Artists
She wasn’t familiar with the artist — which only made me feel hideously old. After all, every little girl has to go through a horsey stage, so clearly her lack of familiarity with Anderson (whose books were published from the mid-30’s through the 60’s) was the result of having loved newer/younger horsey folks.
When Kime, the consumate professional, admitted she wasn’t familiar with the artist she looked him up in a magical art database for recent sales of his works. There she discovered that C was for Clarence, W was for William, and that my lithograph was worth approximately $100 to $150. Which I felt was rather generous for an artist most folks either have never heard about or have forgotten. (But it seems to be a fair estimation after all — maybe even low? Then again, as Dad says, it’s still there.)
But I won’t forget Anderson. And not because the print has been assigned a monetary value.
First of all, C.W. Anderson, artist turned author, is as much a part of my childhood years as Walter Farley. In fact, the Billy and Blaze series was read prior to Farley’s Black Stallion series. Of the few books I owned (versus those I read at the library), several were also by C.W. Anderson and I did keep those. And I add copies of his books whenever I spot them. So the lithograph is valued for sentimental reasons.
Second of all, Anderson’s work is beautiful. Many a horse lover will tell you that he was one of the foremost horse illustrators of the 20th century, so there’s artistic value in my print.
But the real joy in this lithograph by Anderson lies in what makes collecting fun for me.
When it comes to collecting, I generally don’t have a list or any other sort of scholarly approach. I sift through piles, stacks and racks of junk, until something — that elusive something — catches either my intellect or imagination. It would likely be easier to hunt if I had a list, or if like the crow that something was easily spotted by the eye, such as a sparkle in the sun, and I tracked it. But hunting that way it is rarely my style; nor it is necessarily my goal.
Truth be told, I like the sense of discovery of finding an object and the hunt comes in when I want to find out more. The best objects are the items I don’t know about and the stories I’ve yet to learn. Often I can be (nearly) satisfied with spotting something and spending hours researching it, following the trail (like Billy & Blaze!) of its connections to other persons, points and places — even to things I already own. Of course, if I had deeper pockets (which were not full of pet hair and lint from the washing process, but filled with dollar bills), I might not remain so content to live without these objects. But for now, as things are, I can be — or just have to be.
So when I took my C.W. Anderson lithograph down off the wall, carried it in to the appraisal event, and then returned home with it to tell you all about it, I once again had a reason to research Clarence William Anderson. And to do so was to discover him anew — this time, through more adult eyes.
Prior to his fine horse lithography, and his horsey books, Anderson was an illustrator who was clearly affected by, if not officially a part of, “the golden age of illustration”. This era is officially listed as having lasted from the 1880s until shortly after World War I, but as many of the great illustrators of this time continued to have or build great careers for another few decades, many consider its end to be 1960. Publications such as The New Yorker and The Saturday Evening Post are popular examples of such legendary illustrations and illustrators. Anderson himself did covers for The Saturday Evening Post. But, of course, my love of the risqué means I am more interested in The New Yorker…
From 1926-1934 Anderson had cartoons published in The New Yorker — and in 1935, Anderson published And So To Bed, presumably his first book. This work is clearly not for the kiddies. Thank goodness I’m no longer one.
And thank goodness I could discover something new. Even if this time I’m not so satisfied with just doing the research — I want to own this book. And perhaps a few of those New Yorker issues…
Hey, maybe I should start one of those collecting lists after all. Naw, like many collectors of C.W. Anderson’s works, I keep my eyes open for his name and snap up stuff when I see it… Adding the earlier non-horse items to my sifting and scanning is easy enough.
Now that I know it exists, I know what I’m looking for.
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November 13th, 2007 at 11:38 PM
When I was in elementary we had to write a letter to an author of a book we read. I read alot of C. W. Anderson’s books as I loved horses. I wrote to him and he wrote me back. I still have his card which was an Anderson print card. Do you know how I could find out its worth?
Thanks!
November 14th, 2007 at 9:00 PM
Hi Sharon, I’m so jealous! I never wrote authors & so I don’t have any neat stuff like that. :pout:
As for a value, I’m not an appraiser; but I do suggest doing searches of online auctions as that will give you some clue as to the market value. If, however, you cannot find a card like yours (or, in other cases, any item you have cannot be found), the next steps would be to contact collecting groups to see if they have any idea. In this case, both ‘horse collectors’ and ephemera groups, even book collectors, would be good places to start. In many of these cases, they won’t be able to give you an appraisal either — but they may have ball park values based on their experiences.
If you want a ‘real value’ then contact a professional appraiser or auction house with such services — such as Ivey-Selkirk http://www.iveyselkirk.com/ They do this sort of thing all the time — and are much more reliable than a (jealous) schlub like me
November 24th, 2007 at 9:56 PM
January 31st, 2008 at 8:14 AM
[...] I really, really regret giving away, & occasionally selling, (almost) all of my horse collectibles, books and figurines. You may think you’ve outgrown them, but [...]
March 14th, 2008 at 11:52 AM
I HAVE A LARGE COLLECTION OF BLACK AND WHITE AS WELL AS COLOR LITHOGRAPHS AVAILIBLE. THEY ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION STILL IN ORIGINAL JACKETS.
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Over the years, while visiting various antique shops, I have collected 98 copies and 1 original of C.W. Anderson’s works. I love his depictions of these glorious animals.He was by far te best, in my opion. And, it was not until I located a board that fetured some of his work, that I discovered who “A” was.
Most were unframed, or unattractively framed. So as I discovered each one, I did have them suitably feamed and they continue to hang on the walls of my “little house on the Prairie”. They give me constant pleasure.
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Excuse me, I must make a correction. The correct number is 9 not 98
January 2nd, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Way back in 1940 0r so when I was 13 or 14 my mother came home from a trip to NYC and brought me a lithograph of Man O’ War signed by C. W .Anderson. I was in love , passionately with horses. At that time I had a pony named Matey. I wrote to Mr. Anderson and he wrote to me . I wrote again to him and again he wrote back . We continued corresponding for many years until his death. Beside my love of horses I loved to draw and paint them which was our common bond , I guess. He became my mentor. We met and visited each other several times a year going to hunt races , museums and comparing our work . Of course his was always way beyond mine, but he was very encouraging , helpful and even admiring . I have continued painting all my life and have been successful . ( Not as successful as Andy however ). The other day my daughter-in-law asked me about a photo I have in my studio and I said it was of a famous artist (He wasn’t just a horse artist) named C. W. Anderson and I began thinking about him … it has been many years . I dug into my studio and found several portfolios he had sent me and found that I have about 45 original signed lithographs, and a large sepia drawing . But my prize is the portrait he did of me in pastel which hangs in my house. He was a very special person in my life growing up .
Sally Nelson
January 8th, 2009 at 3:40 PM
How wonderful to find others who appreciated CW Anderson also. I have the Blaze Books and other works by him. I, too, was a horse lover and that’s what got me started with his work. Sally, you must treasure the memories of his kindness and willingness to mentor you. Oh to be so lucky. I admire that you were able to have him in your life. i haven’t turned my Breyer collection over to any others yet (total of 250 models dating back to the 60’s to present). I still ride occasionally and still am in love with horses. Artist CW Anderson and Sam Savitt are my favorite horse artist’s. What a wonderful tribute to CW Anderson this blog is. Thank you
January 8th, 2009 at 6:11 PM
How wonderful to see so many CW Anderson collectors/fans! I’d love to see what you all have — you can show off your items in the Collectors’ Quest Community (yup, it’s FREE!).
Sarah, I sure hope you have written down the story of your relationship with the artist — not only for provenance, but for your family. I’m pee-green with envy (not a typo, a pun-ny lol)
February 1st, 2009 at 6:37 PM
I have a small poster size book full of many CW Anderson prints with signatures, the copy right date is 1958, does anyone know or can guess the value or know anything about them. The title on the poster book is called: Accent on Youth by CW Anderson and the other prints are named:
The Look Of A Thoroughbred. Copy right 1963. Let me know if anyone knows anything about them etc… Thank You!!
February 6th, 2009 at 11:03 AM
[...] Savitt and CW Anderson (I love the TB [...]
March 17th, 2009 at 10:26 PM
I’m new to this forum – - I grew reading my cousins Billy and Blaze books over and over. . . oh, how I loved those books. Now, as an adult, I’m hoping to find those books and put together my own small collection. (smile!) I know I’ll never be fortunate enough to own one of his lithographs, etc., but the drawings in his books are good enough for me!!
June 15th, 2009 at 3:02 AM
I also just found this forum, searching for C.W. Anderson books. It very cool to read all these posts – stories very much like mine.
(Walter Farley was also one of my favorites way back then!)
Needless to say I was heartbroken and helpless to do anything about it at the time – his word against mine. They meant much more to me than just a $$ collector’s items and I have never forgotten this sad injustice.
I grew up with my mom’s handed down collection of C.W. Anderson books and prized them with all my heart. I too loved horses, art and writing; his books inspired and awed me – C.W.’s artwork literally taught me how to draw! And my English school teacher was amazed at my stories about horses and asked me how I knew so much about horse racing – I told her that I read!
Unfortunately, a man I met many years later in life, believed to be a friend, learned of my C.W. Anderson books (through general conversation) and asked to borrow them for his young visiting grandaughter, who was also a horse lover. I did oblige him, not realizing the value as much as he and his intentions. When I later asked for them back he claimed he did not have them and I was mistaken that he had borrowed them.
So here I am some 20 years later – now just beginning to search and replace these cherished lost books through the internet! I am shocked at some of the prices people are asking for these books but do find very good deals now and then.
I appreciate your page Deanna and have enjoyed it very much.
June 15th, 2009 at 6:24 PM
I loved reading all of this about C.W. Anderson as I have collected horse prints for years. I love all horse stuff! Especially like Anderson art. I have a personal original collection TO SELL entitled Before the Bugle by C.W. Anderson 1968 which contains 7 prints;should have been 8.The one called Young Filly is missing.The others are Dinner Time,Knee Deep in June,Spring Again,On His Way,Coming Storm,Words of Wisdom and The Outlaw. Has writings about each one much like a book with a writing entitled The Medium. These were published by The MacMillan Company, New York and Collier-MacMillan LTD,London. All of the prints are signed except I do not find a signature on the one called Dinner Time. The one called On his way is dated ‘66.I would like to sell these as a group. You may email me at info@bjtreasuresstore.com if interested. These will be listed on my website at bjtreasuresstore.com. Thanks
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:29 PM
I purchased a leather painting of a horse & foal. It is signed by CWAnderson & after searching for his signature, I do believe it is authentic. I was wondering how much it would be worth, or who I could take it too, to be appraised. I live in Illinois.Thank You.
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Dee, how horrible that someone would take your collection like that. There’s a special place in heck for folks like that (or at least there ought to be).
Marlene, I visited your site but didn’t see anything by C.W. Anderson…
Gina, you’d be surprised by how available Anderson’s works can be. Many a young horse lover grows up, gives her pretty horsies away to younger cousins, nieces, etc., and then, when that girl grows up, she in turn sells them at a garage sale — or, as a young adult who doesn’t want to take all the stuff mom & dad gave her from the basement, dumps it at a thrift store. So keep your eyes open — you may find a signed print or book for a dollar. Honest! Plus, as you can see from the other comments, people are willing to sell their prints.
Carol Burnett (wow, what a great name — and it made me wonder, for a few seconds, if The Carol Burnett loves/collects C.W. Anderson stuff?!). I don’t know any appraisers in Illinois; aside from asking at local galleries &/or antique shops, you can try the ASA. I’d also love to see the paining!
June 28th, 2009 at 4:38 PM
I have just purchased a group of prints entitled “Accents on Youth” by CW Anderson. It is a lovely collection of colts. Can anyone tell me anything about this collection?
Rita
August 2nd, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Help!!! I have been left seven first adition books as well as “Post Parade”" complete with all the Pictures. The books I have are “Sketchbook”, Tomorrow’s Champion”‘ “Blackbay and chestnut”. Deep through the heart”‘ A touch of greatness”‘. “thoroughbreds”‘ ‘Big Red’”, I would like to get some bids on the entire collection. It is in very good condition with even cover jackets on two of them. My grandfather owned and raced his quarter horses and loved his collection. hope to get some intrested parties.
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:17 AM
Debra,
If you list your items in the Collectors’ Quest Marketplace, then we can see them & you could sell them.
August 17th, 2009 at 2:01 AM
I have 5 original drawings of CW Anderson. These are not prints. Any idea on the value of these. I’m in the process of getting them photographed and will post the links up here.
Email: Robert.alexander.klein@gmail.com
Here is the story from my dad who acquired them:
Research done by the seller (my freind) discovered that the artist sold no drawings during his lifetime although a few were gifted to freinds, or at least that was the story and that is borne out by the scarcity of originals. He made his living selling to the press, not unlike editorial cartoonists and later developed a series of childrens books.
These passed into the hands of a friend who passed while living in the building managed by my friend. They were thrown out by the executors and salvaged by my friend. I bought them from him in 1982 or so.
Since we own the originals we have a free hand to make prints from these and sell them.
dad
August 17th, 2009 at 4:05 AM
Hello Robert,
I’m not a licensed appraiser but I do highly recommend that you find one — especially for original artworks by Anderson or anyone else.
I do, however, strongly caution you against your belief that owning the originals of any work (sketch, manuscript, painting, mold/model, etc.) means that you have the rights to the work. Intellectual property law as well as copyright protections make it quite clear that anyone owning an “original” has no rights to make or sell copies of any kind. You may own the original, but you do not own the rights to the work; the creator, their estate, &/or an entity which has purchased rights (and can show legal proof of such ownership) are the only ones who may make or sell copies, prints, etc.
Please contact a specialist in intellectual property before you make a large and very expensive mistake!
September 12th, 2009 at 5:52 PM
I have a Portfolio by C.W. Anderson that is signed. It contains Lithographs of Thoroughbreds and the stories behind the pictures (lithographs).
Anyone have an idea what the value of this might be? I am getting ready to list it for sale on a local sale forum
October 2nd, 2009 at 5:41 PM
I ran across this site while looking up something about C.W. Anderson for a friend… Delighted to see you must have “The Blind Connemara”, which was his last book! It was about my own pony. I’ll have to tell you that “Andy” was just as wonderful a person as one always imagines from reading his books–I’ll strongly suggest that you get a copy of “Andy as I Knew Him”, by Charles Emil Ruckstuhl, Anderson’s stepson. It even includes many of the little daily poems Andy wrote for his wife Madeleine during her last illness (I firmly believe that he died of a broken heart just a few months after she died). He also illustrated several books for her–some children’s books, and at least one book of poetry, “Silverpoint.”
December 24th, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Hi,
I recently found this link. I’ve had little luck researching C.W. Anderson prints. However, I have a set of 12 of his Man O War prints. These are in their original case and have the accompanying paperwork explaining each print. They have never been framed either.
I was given them almost 30 years ago by a long since departed friend. I am not looking to sell them, but, would be interested in find out more about Mr. Anderson and his prints and their values.
Thank you. BTW I enjoyed ALL of his horse books in both names as a kid. I never collected them, but, may do so now to add to my other books in my collections.
December 28th, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Anderson’s prints do not seem to have the large values that make for exciting news and reports on programs like Roadshow, but I suspect that as even more time passes they will increase in value. The combination of dwindling number of prints and continuing generations of horse lovers who read his books might one day reach that point where desire drives prices to the heights that Anderson & his works deserve. Meanwhile, continue to cherish your prints for the right reasons: for the love of horses! That’s why Anderson made them.
January 4th, 2010 at 6:33 PM
Hello all. I found this site while searching CW Anderson. My grandmother who passed away left me 2 full sets of prints (still in cardboard packaging with). The first is ACCENT ON YOUTH – this has 13 prints and was published in 1958. The next is COLTS AND CHAMPIONS – this has 11 prints and was puclished in 1955. These are both in MINT condition. I have no plans on selling them but was wondering if anyone might have an inkling as to what if any value they might have? Any help would be appreciated.
January 28th, 2010 at 10:25 PM
I have found an old, hand-sketched artist’s drawing on the back of a piece of old letterhead from Camp Dix, New Jersey. The drawing is a bust of a young, adult female, wearing a hat and neckscarf, circa early 1900’s. Interestingly, it is signed C.W.Anderson, HDQ.Co. 50th Infantry. How could I verify its authenticity?
March 28th, 2010 at 11:26 AM
The C. W. Anderson of this forum was in the Navy, according to his biography, ANDY AS I KNEW HIM.
March 30th, 2010 at 4:49 AM
Hi,
Guess what?
I just bought 2 old framed lithos/prints by CW Anderson today at Goodwill thrift store for only $4.99 each! Both feature a mare and foal. You just never know where they’ll pop up next.
I too loved all his books as a kid, reading voraciously evrything I could borrow from the the elementary school’s library.
June 20th, 2010 at 11:57 AM
I have a very unusual Original signed drawing in a 22″x22″ format done and signed by C. W. Anderson. My grandfather owned a very high class and well know restaurant in NYC in the 1930’s. It was frequented by well known people of that era such as Eddie Cantor,Al Jolson, Ronald Coleman, Antonio Scotti, and C. W. Anderson was the artist. It was one of his favorite haunts. On February 15th, 1933 C. W. Anderson was commissioned to memorialize what all called the heart of the restaurant, which was the unique 360 degree oval bar where all the celebrities like to hang out. He drew a drawing of the bar which appeared on page #4 in a publication called Manhattan: A weekly for Wakeful New Yorkers under the Title: Zani’s: “Behind the Brownstone Front”. It is his original signed drawing of that bar that was printed in the publication that I still have. I would like to get in contact with the C.W. Anderson family to see if they are aware of this article and the drawing but have been unable to find a contact for them. If anyone can give me a lead I would appreciate it. I can email a photo of the drawing to anyone who can help.
July 30th, 2010 at 8:43 AM
8 Horse of the Century Man O’ War and 8 Before the Bugle
Hi, I have a total of 16 lithographs by C.W. Anderson, and was wondering on how many he made. “The Horse of the Century (Man O’ War)”, which includes 8 of the following: 1). Horse of the Century: Man O’ War and Mahubah; 2). As A Yearling; 3). The Twenty-eight Foot Stride; 4). The Champion: Man O’ War at Three; 5). Man O’War: The Stallion; 6). Man O’ War Rearing; 7). The Look of Eagles; and 8). Thoroughbred Rhythm. “Before the Bugle (The Medium)”, which includes 8 of the following: 1). Dinner Time; 2). Knee Deep In June; 3). Spring Again; 4). Young Filly; 5). On His Way; 6). Coming Storm; 7). Words of Wisdom; and 8). The Outlaw. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I can take pictures of the ones I have, if you want to see them. Thank you very much, Naomi
September 4th, 2010 at 12:28 AM
For some reason today I remembered C.W. Anderson books I had as a child. I loved horses and the movie National Velvet, and somewhere along the line had several of Mr. Anderson’s horse books given to me as Christmas and birthday gifts. They were not the Blaze books, as I remember, for I did not read them so much as admired and tried to copy the drawings. I’m now 77 years old….a widow and I suppose I am getting sentimental in my old age, remembering some of the very special influences in my life. I do some sketching myself and recently drew some horses all of the time thinking that I had a long way to go and recalling the beautiful drawings from those Anderson books. Tonight I decided to Google his name and found this interesting website. What lucky collectors you are. I have only memories of his excellent work, but just wanted someone to know that he had admirers even as far South as Mississippi where I grew up. Dee in Arkansas