Xavier Martinez Early Family Photos and Ephemera.

About Auction

Live

The Bohemian World of Xavier Martinez

By Turner Auctions + Appraisals LLC

Feb 25, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-02-25 13:30:00 2023-02-25 13:30:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Bohemian World of Xavier Martinez https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/turner-auctions/the-bohemian-world-of-xavier-martinez-12193
Turner Auctions + Appraisals LLC sturner@turnerauctionsonline.com

View Full Catalog (209)

• Lot Description
  [MARTINEZ, XAVIER. 1869-1943.] An archive of numerous items belonging to Xavier Martinez, who was born Javier Timoteo Martinez y Orozco, in Guadalajara, Mexico. The grouping was saved together and includes family letters, photographs, and assorted personal ephemera. Many of the photos and several letters are from his aristocratic foster mother, champion of his artistic education and career, Rosalia LaBastida de Coney (1844-1897), and several official documents/letters relate to her husband, Alexander K. Coney (1847-1930), Consul-General of Mexico. INCLUDES: -- A formal photograph of Martinez, signed/inscribed and dated 1905. -- 5 photos of an unidentified funeral; 7 photos of Rosalia LaBastida de Coney (various sizes), and 10+ cabinet cards and card de visites of unidentified family. -- 2 small signed artworks/cards, by Martinez, including a silverpoint. -- Approx. x 19th/early 20th century photographs (many of his stepmother, Rosalia de Coney). -- Approx. 15 family letters from Mexico, in Spanish (1894; 1897; 1906-1907; 1926; 1936). They are from his father, brother, sister, and nephew. The 1906-1907 letters express worry following the San Francisco earthquake.  -- Approx. 7 letters from Rosalia De Coney, in Spanish, most illustrated with her drawings (1893-1896). -- One letter from his foster father, Consul General Alexander K. de Coney, on mourning paper (both 1897); and 10 letters sent to the Consul General, most appearing to be of an official nature (in Spanish). -- A collection of approx. 34 photo postcards (unsent) of mostly musicians and actresses, late 19th/early 20th century. -- 2 photos of the interior of the Piedmont studio. -- Approx. 17 postcards sent to Martinez from Elsie, Micaela, and others, 1910s-1940s. -- An assortment of misc. personal items, such as canceled checks, a payment contract for a Sherman Clay piano (paid off by Martinez and others); a leather wallet with Martinez inscribed name/address, a copper plate for a visiting card, deed/receipts for house in Carmel (from friend/artist Virginia S. Hale), two programs signed by Enrique Munguia (1933), and other misc. The family letters express affection and closeness from his far-away family. His brother writes on May 17, 1906 (soon after the earthquake): "My very dear brother, Your letter came to calm me down completely. Since I knew of the catastrophe I didn't have a moment of tranquility. I saw you in the rubble or taken by fire or dying of hunger and thirst". His father writes to him in 1907: "My dear son, Since the catastrophe that happened in that country, and [after] Julia [Xavier's sister] wrote to you I haven't had any news from you". His father also writes of his bookstore and bookbinding tools, and requests money from his son. His sister, addressing him as "my dear and unforgettable brother", writes of general family/local news and gossip. The letters from Martinez's foster mother, Rosalia de Coney, are interesting in that they show a close and affectionate relationship, and also Rosalia's own artistic spirit. It was Rosalia who brought him to San Francisco, and she arranged for and advocated for him in his early art education, including encouraging his studies in Europe. She addresses him as "My dear son", frets about his health, tells him that she loves him and is proud of him, and that his father is sending him tobacco and paints. She also seems to discuss his friends and associates, sends a hug to his "woman friend", and giving social advice, discusses a female friend and "tact", and tells him that she wishes he would "separate from his friend". She writes of the death and memories of her father (possibly the funeral photos are for her father). From the Family of Xavier Martinez (1869-1943), Elsie Whitaker Martinez (1890-1984), and Micaela Martinez DuCasse (1913-1989).
• Shipping Info

  • Buyer is responsible for shipping. Here is a list of suggested third-party shippers: SHIPPERS: RM Auction Shipping Services Domestic & International 461 Littlefield Avenue South San Francisco, CA 94080 Contact: Richard Ming Phone: 650-952-1041 Email: ming@worldsfo.com Pak Mail San Rafael 454 Las Gallinas Avenue San Rafael, CA 94903 Phone: 415.472.2533 / 415.472.0603 Email: us148@pakmail.com www.pakmailsanrafael.com UPS Store #1468 2268 Westborough Blvd. Ste 302 South San Francisco, CA 94080 Contact: Ajay and Sheetal Sehgal-Owner Phone: 650.952.6506 Fax: 650.952.6508 Email: store1468@theupsstore.com They will be happy to help you. Thank you http://www.turnerauctionsonline.com/shipping

• Buyer's Premium
  • 29.00 %