Self-taught Ohio-based artist Lewis Smith (1907-1988) is best known for his drawings of diners, women boxers and wrestlers, and trains (it was a lifetime railroad pass that allowed him to travel beyond the family farm in rural Ohio to pursue his other subjects), but I always like the unusual ones, and the most casual sorts of drawings, so jumped immediately on this one, which reminds me of tattoo flash art, too. Daggers and sort of anchor-like forms on one side, and baseball bats on reverse, on a Tower Press magazine advertising mailer, sent to Mrs. Winkelman in Alliance, Ohio (perfect!) Everything about this, down to the last detail, does it for me.
9 9/16" x 8 5/16" and in good condition, with general wear, an old horizontal fold original to the mailer and some toning, all of which to me add to its presence and sense of object-hood rather than at all detracting.
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