Saturday Morning, October 11, 2025
Amahl and the Day Visitor
So, what did you think of our author visit yesterday? Silence. Different, spoke one student. Laughter rippled across the room. Oddball, announced another. Wacky! Strange! Weeeird! The classroom exploded, all talking at once. The teacher felt each comment, arrows to his heart. He waited. Even a tsunami recedes to the sea.
Edward Gorey, signed artist proof print. 14 ¼" x 4 ½".
Gorey, an illustrator with a touch, was highly productive, illustrating an estimated 500 books for the trade. He left his Gothic fingerprint in the art market. In later years, he lived on the Cape in Yarmouth, a friend to all who sought him out, a stranger to those who misunderstood his talent.
Looney Tunes sweatshirt. One day, archaeologists will uncover our civilization. How do you think they will interpret it? Animaux Superior.
But you love his books? Silence once again. His pause. Their glances. He stood up and walked around the desks. Answer me another question. Every eye followed his steps. Of all the artists we have studied, who is your favorite? Rhetorical. One girl spoke. Most of us would say, Van Gogh. Murmurs of agreement, a soundtrack to nodding heads. You know his art, his colors, his subjects, but do you know the man? Really know him?
Murder He Rote
The belief is Van Gogh shot himself. He was frustrated, confused, maybe a bit crazy? He died several days later. Not a movement in the classroom. Do you think he was capable of that? The students shifted in their seats, the topic off curriculum. This, the moment when education supersedes memorization and regurgitation.
Star Trek lunchbox with thermos. Spock with face only a Vulcanian-human mother could love.
Leica M-3 35mm camera.
There has been a theory advanced that a sixteen-year-old boy, Rene Secretan, a bully of Van Gogh, murdered the artist. Shot him in the abdomen. The bullet entry angle not conducive to suicide. Perhaps impossible. You love his paintings as you love our author's books. Would you kill them because they weren't like you? He retrieved a folder from his desk and opened it. Inside were stapled packets. This is your assignment tonight. In here are copies of Vincent's letters to his brother Theo. Remember, French status quo hounded him as a madman. We'll talk tomorrow. The hall bell broke the spell.
We All Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
What is normal? Who among us is normal? Even the Oracle of Delphi would find an answer difficult. Unacceptable to one, hero to another. We are human. Each unique. The difficulty is finding your place in life's jigsaw puzzle. If you do, you are one fortunate person.
Batman Sericel - Animated Series, 1990's. All villains, finding community in criminality.
Humans are quick to stack one against another. Pile on. Attack the weakest link. Perhaps the perceived weakest link is the strongest. In the right setting, this person may write the most beautiful symphony, cure the most debilitating disease. We are lightening to label. Walk a mile in my shoes...before you abuse, criticize and accuse.
Disney- Twelve Months of Magic Wreath pin set
Years ago, one auction attendee spent many Saturdays mingling in the crowd. When he bid, he was furtive, ducking behind furniture, darting from one side of the crowd to the other. Man on the run. The crowd watched him, a bit wary. They didn't know him. Not that they could. His wall was high, moat deep. He was a professional artist with some impressive commissions in our community. His hair was red, his eyes Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. He was smart, outshining many. Focused. Socially a butterfly? Never. I called him my Van Gogh.
Sunflowers
Well class, what did you learn from reading your assignment last night? Right on cue, no one answered. You did read the letters, didn't you? Laughter cracked the tension. One boy commented. I was amazed at Van Gogh's genius in his writings about color. He wrote of hues I never knew. The teacher held back, letting his fishing line skim the rapids.
Ralph Lauren Safari factice perfume bottle, 10" H.
I agree, spoke another. His observation abilities were incredible. Van Gogh knew what he wanted, better how to apply it. The students nodded. So, began the teacher, this crazy man sequestered in Arles wasn't so crazy was he? He was lucky though. In all the mayhem, he found his spot, gifting us his wonderful paintings. A collective smile flashed across the classroom. Heads turned, following the educational light. Lesson signed, sealed, and delivered.
Doors open at 8 AM. Auction starts at 9 AM. PA AU 1265L [bb]