Frankie and Johnnie - 1928,
Etching.
Morse 236. Edition
100, only 50 printed. Signed and inscribed 100 proofs in pencil. Signed and dated in the plate, lower left; annotated “Frankie and Johnnie” from “HIM”, lower right.
Image size 4 7/8 x 7 7/8 inches (124 x 200 mm); sheet size 8 5/8 x 12 1/2 inches (219 x 318 mm).
A fine, richly-inked impression, on cream wove paper; the full sheet (1 1/2 to 2 1/4 inch margins) with the printer’s tack holes at the sheet edges; in excellent condition. Printed
by Peter Platt.
"A small chorus singing ‘Frankie and Johnnie’ crowds the tiny stage of the Provincetown Players Theatre in MacDougall Street. An episode from E.E. Cummings’ intelligent and entertaining production, ‘HIM’ .“ –John Sloan
l‘Frankie and Johnnie’ is a traditional American popular song. It tells the story of a woman, Frankie, who finds her man Johnny making love to another woman and shoots him dead. Frankie is then arrested; in some versions of the song she is also executed. The song was inspired by one or more actual incidents of murder due to jealousy. At least 256 recordings of "Frankie and Johnny" have been made since the early 20th century. Singers include Big Bill Broonzy, Mississippi Joe Callicott, Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, Frank Crumit, Bob Dylan, Lena Horne, Mississippi John Hurt, Lead Belly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Van Morrison, Fats Waller, Doc Watson, and Stevie Wonder. A 1966 recording by Elvis Presley became a gold record as the title song of a Presley movie.
Collections: Delaware Art Museum, Detroit Institute of Arts Museum, Library of Congress, Metropolitan Museum of Art.
$1700. |
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