Saturday, August 7, 2010

Pink Saturday!

Happy PINK Saturday Dear Bloggy Friends!
Please stop by How Sweet The Sound and say HI to our host Beverly!
Last week, as part of Pink Saturday I stopped by the Vintage Nest for the first time.  Lynn shared one of her  amazing creations, an Altered party hat. I will definitely be visiting Lynn again to see more of her artwork!
For my PINK post today, I want to share something very special. My love affair with Bessie Pease Gutmann (or should I say her artwork) started some thirty years ago. I was at an auction when this beautiful antique print came up for bid and my heart skipped a beat. I wanted that print so bad but being a poor college student, I set my limit at $20.00. The bidding started and with every bid I made, there came a counter bid. When the bidding reached $15.00 I thought surely my treasure was going to slip through my fingers. I remember bidding $18.00 and waiting but there was silence. Then I heard the auctioneer say "going once, going twice ........SOLD to the young lady in the back"! I WON!!!! I was so excited and could not believe the bidding ended at $18.00! And THIS is my treasure:

I don't know how old it is or it's true value but I feel certain it is worth more than $18.00. It could possibly be a first edition print and it is in the original frame with the original glass. and measures about 18"x24". Here's a shot of the back.

The original paper backing has long since crumbled and fallen away but I have never removed the original cardboard to see what is underneath.
Several years later, a dear friend gave Hubby and me this print for a Wedding Gift. Today, it hangs in my dds' bedroom.

This print was almost prophetic, because even though we could not imagine what our future children would look like at the time of our wedding, our oldest dd looked so much like this little girl as a toddler, she could have been the model!
I have since collected calenders and cards with Bessie Pease Gutmann's wonderful images and I think she truly is an American treasure. If you would like to read more about her, here is a link to the Wikipedia article:
And of course you can find scads of places online to buy her prints. Have a great weekend everyone! Hugs and Blessings, Nan
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26 comments:

  1. CindyAugust 7, 2010 at 9:48 AM

    I too had a daughter who favored her prints. I collected small prints for many a year..last year none of my kiddos wanted them ..so I sold them. I did keep one tho..lol

    Hugs..Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham

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  2. Jeanne DowningAugust 7, 2010 at 9:49 AM

    These are real treasures! Perfect for a Pink Saturday. Thank you for taking a moment to visit my blog and welcome me to my first Pink Saturday.

    Jeanne
    http://jeannedowning.blogspot.com

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  3. apinkdreamerAugust 7, 2010 at 10:11 AM

    wonderful tresures! thanks for sharing!

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  4. JacquelineAugust 7, 2010 at 10:58 AM

    Oh what treasured prints and then to have your daughter look just like the one that was a gift. I think it is just adorable and I am sure she was too. So nice of you to visit me and make my first Pink Saturday so welcoming. I didn't think anyone would even get that far down the list. Thanks so much and have a wonderful Pink Saturday.

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  5. Rebecca NelsonAugust 7, 2010 at 11:22 AM

    Happy Pink Saturday, Nan! Thanks for visiting!

    I LOVE Miss Bessie's work! Timeless and forever!

    xoRebecca

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  6. UnknownAugust 7, 2010 at 12:31 PM

    Bessie was a beautiful artist, I collected some of her prints & loved them all! So sweet & loving.

    Have a lovely PINK weekend.
    TTFN ~ Marydon

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  7. Suzie ButtonAugust 7, 2010 at 1:59 PM

    How beautiful! These artists' pieces are just timeless! Happy PS! Suzie

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  8. UnknownAugust 7, 2010 at 3:57 PM

    Wonderful pictures and they are my favorites, such sweet treasures! Happy Pink Saturday! I'm so glad I stopped by! Pink Hugs!

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  9. Susan Nowell @ My Place to YoursAugust 7, 2010 at 5:01 PM

    Nan, I hope you're burning that cream-colored candle! So glad you stopped by my blog today ... so I could find yours! Beautiful prints -- and fun auction memories. I love auctions and could probably write a book about the times I've held my breath waiting for the auctioneer to say, "SOLD!" Instead, I'm adding a section to my blog. :-)

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  10. Jennifer ScullAugust 7, 2010 at 6:10 PM

    what beautiful prints! I have only one of hers, a baby, and I treasure it dearly.
    happy PS! :)

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  11. ElaineAugust 7, 2010 at 6:33 PM

    At one time we had prints of these hanging in our daughter's bedroom..oh so long ago.

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  12. AnonymousAugust 7, 2010 at 7:43 PM

    She is one of my favs too getting hard to find!
    Beautiful pink treasures Thank you for sharing..Happy Pink Saturday!

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  13. AnonymousAugust 7, 2010 at 8:18 PM

    These are beautiful, especially for Pink Saturday. Thanks for stopping by today! it was great especially since I now found your blog.

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  14. MaggieAugust 7, 2010 at 9:12 PM

    What wonderful art!

    Thanks for visiting my blog today and for your comment! you're too sweet!

    Happy PS!
    Maggie @
    "Do these shoes match this purse?"

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  15. Victorian1885August 7, 2010 at 9:21 PM

    What a lovely print you have found! HPS!

    Wanda

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  16. AnonymousAugust 7, 2010 at 9:50 PM

    Hi, Nan! Thanks for coming over today. Was that today? Ha! It's been a long one, I guess!?

    I love both of the pics you showed. I've never bid at a real live auction. eBay makes me nervous enough! ♥

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  17. ☺lani☺August 7, 2010 at 10:33 PM

    Lovely treasure! Happy Weekend!

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  18. Julie@beingRUBYAugust 7, 2010 at 10:34 PM

    How lucky you were to win that bid.. I've never been to an auction and think my heart would be in my throat to bid on something I really wanted..

    Such a sweet print too.. I must check out your link for the artist...

    Thanks for popping by.. and thanks for the lovely comment re my photos. My mum was a competition ballroom dancer in here younger days..

    Have a lovely weekend. xxx Julie

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  19. Maison MuttAugust 7, 2010 at 10:53 PM

    Finding a special treasure is always a wonderful thing. Typically it's so unexpected and looking back many times, it couldn't have appeared at a more appropriate time. Thanks for stopping by (& to answer your question...I am SOOoooo lucky to only be 30 minutes from I127 where the longest yard sale takes place).
    Licks & Wags, Niki

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  20. Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis HallAugust 7, 2010 at 11:31 PM

    very smart and sharp pinks...
    have a fun day!

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  21. AnonymousAugust 8, 2010 at 9:55 AM

    I have always loved all of her pieces. It's so peaceful. And you did good at that auction. What a buy! I am so honored you mentioned me today. It just made my day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Happy Pink (belated) Saturday and a sweet Sunday. xo Lynn

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  22. RebeccaAugust 8, 2010 at 10:02 AM

    Sweet antique pictures!!! Happy PS on my first PS!!!

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  23. LisaAugust 8, 2010 at 11:13 AM

    I LOVE Mrs. Gutmann's work my very favorites!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  24. CathyAugust 8, 2010 at 11:45 AM

    What a gorgeous print. You were lucky to find her. Enjoy your weekend.

    Hugs, Cathy

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  25. INSIDE THE SHRINKAugust 8, 2010 at 12:53 PM

    I'm visiting here from Spiritual Sundays. The pictures are inspiring. Very beautiful. Our God gives us beauty in many ways doesn't He? God bless, Bobbi

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  26. Neinah AvelinAugust 8, 2010 at 11:52 PM

    My mother in law has several of her prints, they are adorable aren't they?
    Thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving your sweet comment.
    Hugs,

    Neinah

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I appreciate each and every one of your comments! Thank you for taking the time to leave such nice words!