Lot 814: 2 Thomas B. Allen Works on Paper Plus Book

Two (2) works on paper and one (1) book by Thomas B. Allen (Tennessee/New York, 1928-2004). 1st item: Watercolor painting depicting the head of a young boy against a gray background. Floated on a gray mat and framed under glass in a carved giltwood frame. Sheet: 4 1/2 in H x 3 in W. Frame overall: 13 in H x 11 in W. 2nd item: Pastel drawing depicting a snowy landscape with a father and two children bringing home a freshly cut Christmas tree. Signed lower left. Matted. Sight: 16 in square. Mat: 22 in square. 3rd item: Book: WHERE CHILDREN LIVE, written and illustrated by Thomas B. Allen. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentiss Hall, 1980. Note: this lot is also accompanied by a file of information on the artist including correspondence between the artist and Mrs. Jane Entrekin about his work and 5 signed 1981 Vanderbilt University exhibition posters. Biography: Nashville-born illustration artist and painter Thomas B. Allen studied at Vanderbilt University and the Art Institute of Chicago. His illustration work appeared in numerous publications including Life, McCalls, and The New Yorker. In 1959 he illustrated a story for Esquire Magazine about bluegrass musicians Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, which led to a close and longtime collaboration, including seventeen country music album covers. Allen earned a New York Art Directors Club Gold Medal and a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators. He taught at the School of Visual Arts in New York and at the Parsons School of Design, Syracuse University, and the Ringling School of Art and Design. A retrospective of his work, organized by the recording artist Marty Stuart, was held from 2000-2002 at the Grand Ole Opry, and Vanderbilt University hosted an exhibition of his work in 1981. 

PROVENANCE: The Entrekin Family Trust; Jane and Ervin Entrekin, Nashville.

CONDITION: 1st item: Very good condition with some small stains to linen mat and small edge losses and abrasions to frame. 2nd item: Very good condition. 3rd item: Wear and some small stains to cover of book.