Claggett Wilson was born in 1887 in Washington, D.C. and is considered one of the first “Modernist” painters in the United States. He was a teacher of painting and drawing at Columbia University in New York City when he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1917 at the start of World War One. Wilson served with the 2^nd US Infantry Division and was aide-de-camp to General Wendell Neville. He was wounded twice and was awarded the Navy Cross, Silver Star and Croix de Guerre.

While on occupation duty near Coblenz, Germany in 1919, Wilson painted numerous scenes of what he saw and felt of the war. Twenty-four of those paintings were published by well-known New York Times drama critic and former “Star and Stripes” reporter Alexander Woollcott in this book.

Returning from the war, Wilson began a career as a stage designer and mural painter in New York City. His paintings can be found in several museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Claggett Wilson died in New York in 1952.

Book is a hardcover volume bound in khaki cloth with the title in gold on the front cover. It is a large size and meas. approx. 17.00 x 14.75 inches. Covers have moderate surface dirt around the edges and light wear at corners. Binding is good.

Full title reads “THE WAR PAINTINGS OF CLAGGETT WILSON WITH APPRECIATIONS BY ALEXANDER WOOLLCOTT AND HENRY McBRIDE.” Published in New York by J. H. Sears & Company 1928.

Inside the front cover is a Christmas card simply signed “R. MURRAY” and below the card is a dedication that reads “FROM R. MURRAY TO R. G. HENRY(?) JR. CHRISTMAS -1928.” Nothing is known of either person named.

The interior of the book is very clean and has 24 prints of Wilson’s paintings relating to World War One tipped in on each page.

The plates are full color and are titled as follows:

ATTACK DEVELOPING IN THE CHAMPAGNE

SHELL HOLE STUFF-CHEMIN DES DAMES

STRAGGLERS-FRENCH WOUNDED IN THE RETREAT OF CHATEAU-THIERRY

GRENADIER CUT OFF IN THE FLAMMING WOODS

ENCOUNTER IN THE DARKNESS

RUNNER THROUGH THE BARRAGE-BOIS DE BELLEAU

EARLY JUNE MORNING, BOIS DE BELLEAU-SNIPER POTTED DURING THE NIGHT

SALAD- A CLEANED UP MACHINE-GUN NEST, BOIS DE BELLEAU

THE BILLET AT BOUY

FIRST ATTACK ON THE BOIS DE BELLEAU-5^TH REGIMENT OF MARINES ADVANCING

FRONT LINE STUFF

DANCE OF DEATH

SAVIORS OF FRANCE-JEANNE D’ARC, ST LOUIS, CLOVIS, AND THE HANDS OF THE COMMON SOLDIER

BOUDOIR OF MADAME LA COMTESSE H….

RAID ON OUR TRENCH

HOSPITAL-GREAT SHADOWS ON THE WALL

MARINE BRIGADE MOVING UP FOR THE ST. MIHIEL ATTACK

FLOWER OF DEATH-THE BURSTING OF A HEAVY SHELL

MARINE SCOUT ON THE LUCY-TORCY ROAD AT DUSK

SYMPONY OF TERROR

ROSALIE, ROSALIE!

BACCHUS SURVIVOR-IN THE RUINED GARDEN OF AN OLD CHATEAU

UNDERGROUND DRESSING STATION

VISION-IN THE TRENCHES BEFORE RHEIMS, EASTER MORNING

The last page in the book states “THE PLATES IN THIS BOOK ARE PRINTED IN FRANCE…” All the plates are so marked in the lower left corner and all are in good condition with vibrant colors. There maybe some minor discoloration at corners where the original glue holding the plates to the page has aged but otherwise the interior is very clean.  [ad]

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