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Three-quarter-length portrait study of Charles W. Beck, ... Image 1

Three-quarter-length portrait study of Charles W. Beck, Jr., president of the Beck Engraving Company [printer of The Holy Experiment: A Message to the World from Pennsylvania]

Date
Date unknown
Medium
Sanguine on paper
Credit Line
Gift of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 2015
Dimensions
20 x 12 7/8 in.

Description & Inscriptions

[lower right in red ink]: stamped signature / stamped monogram initials; [bottom left in graphite]: Printer -- Charles M. [?] Beck
Beck's company was responsible for the private printing of Oakley's The Holy Experiment: A Message to the World from Pennsylvania (1922). Printed on handmade paper, the book included 22 colored and gilt illuminated plates, with all text in calligraphy. Production costs exceeded original estimates, adding to Oakley's financial struggles. To offset her expenses several years later, Oakley had protracted correspondence with Beck over payment of his portrait.

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