Letters to an Artist. By Vincent van Gogh. Translated by Mela van Messel. Limited First Edition, First Printing. Viking. New York, 1936.

Vincent van Gogh is the most famous Post-Impressionist painter of all time. While he did not receive acclaim in his lifetime, today his works are some of the most prized art in the world. Paintings like Starry Night, Wheatfield with Crows, and Sunflowers are easily recognizable by van Gogh’s singular brush strokes and exceptional eye for color. Yet as part of his legacy, van Gogh is also often seen as the archetypal tortured artist. No doubt that is partly due to the lack of success he felt in his lifetime, but much more of this association may be traced to his letters. They contain incredible insight into his artistic mind, his passions, his depressions, and his relationships. They are noted for their high literary quality. They are also the basis from which we know most things about Vincent van Gogh. This collection is one of the first of his letters ever published in English. They are the letters to his friend and fellow painter, Anton Ridder van Rappard. The volume contains not just the text, but also facsimile versions of the letters and drawings by van Gogh. It is a phenomenal edition that helped to solidify van Gogh’s historical significance.

This limited first edition is in near-fine condition. In the original cloth with wood panels, about-fine with only fading to spine. Text block fine. All tipped in facsimile letters and drawings present. In the original slipcase, about-fine with only some fading and soiling. With the publisher’s limitation count tab laid in. This copy is one of only 650 numbered copies of the limited first edition.

A near-fine limited first edition of Vincent Van Gogh’s letters to Anton Ridder van Rappard.