Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
Alaskan Mail Carrier
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1909
Dimensions:
dimensions unavailable
known by reproduction only
Accession number: SUPP2000.622
Research Number: NCW: 622
InscribedLower right: N. C. WYETH / 09 (from reproduction)
References
Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), ps. 284, 288, b/w illustration p. 289; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), C.7, p. 639-640
Curatorial RemarksThis image may have been painted on speculation--the artist mentioned two otherwise unidentified pictures for American Colortype in a letter of May, 1909 (NCW to Henriette Zirngiebel Wyeth, May 20, 1909, Wyeth Family Archives).
The picture clearly has a narrative that is unrelated to the first recorded use as an advertising poster for Champion Harvesting Machines . The print, which measures 13 5/8 x 10 7/8 inches and is marked "© F. A. S," has this text below the image: "The picture represents an incident in the life of an Alaskan mail carrier, Henderson, who it is now claimed was the first to really locate that great mining district that caused what is known as the "Klondike Stampede." He never realized a cent for his discovery, and for some time packed mail for the government from Nome across the hills some forty miles to a series of mining camps. In this way he was able to eke out a living. The story of a particularly terrific fight he once had with a pack of wolves is told by many that knew of his wonderful shooting ability-all but two of the wolves he killed and they finally slunk away, leaving him a victor on the frozen lake."
"F. A. S." probably refers to F. A. Schneider of Philadelphia who held the copyright to at least one other Wyeth image (see NCW1145).
At least one example of a puzzle made from this image (reversed version) has been recorded. It is a "Pastime Puzzle" made by Parker Brothers, Salem, Mass., circa 1935, of plywood with interlocking pieces (13 x 10 inches). The text quoted above is printed directly over the image in the lower left corner.
The picture clearly has a narrative that is unrelated to the first recorded use as an advertising poster for Champion Harvesting Machines . The print, which measures 13 5/8 x 10 7/8 inches and is marked "© F. A. S," has this text below the image: "The picture represents an incident in the life of an Alaskan mail carrier, Henderson, who it is now claimed was the first to really locate that great mining district that caused what is known as the "Klondike Stampede." He never realized a cent for his discovery, and for some time packed mail for the government from Nome across the hills some forty miles to a series of mining camps. In this way he was able to eke out a living. The story of a particularly terrific fight he once had with a pack of wolves is told by many that knew of his wonderful shooting ability-all but two of the wolves he killed and they finally slunk away, leaving him a victor on the frozen lake."
"F. A. S." probably refers to F. A. Schneider of Philadelphia who held the copyright to at least one other Wyeth image (see NCW1145).
At least one example of a puzzle made from this image (reversed version) has been recorded. It is a "Pastime Puzzle" made by Parker Brothers, Salem, Mass., circa 1935, of plywood with interlocking pieces (13 x 10 inches). The text quoted above is printed directly over the image in the lower left corner.
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:1. Advertising poster (Brandywine River Museum library, #4344a); 2. Print, marked "© F. A. S." showing image reversed but signature restored to lower right (Brandywine River Museum library #4344b).
Photo Credit:1. Web: BRM staff; Hardcover: Rick Echelmeyer, digital photography; 2. BRM staff