Posted by JULIO C. LEIVA on February 15, 1999 at 16:15:22:
In Reply to: Willy Seiler posted by Beau Myers on February 20, 1998 at 10:25:44:
My name is Julio C. Leiva, a lover and collectionist of antiques: books, stamps, prints, etchings, etc. In 1994, I went to an antique shop in Van Nuys, California. I was told that there had been a recent estate sales, and they sold me some of Willy Seiler's etchings in excellent conditions. Each one of the etchings comes inside a cover. I would like to know their monetary value in today's market. Judging by the information included in the cover, these prints are from the 1940'.
All the following information is printed on the back of each etching. Both, the title of the piece and the signature of the author are printed in the authors' own handwriting. Furtheremore, each etching comes with its accompanying cover which shows on the cover on both upper left and right corner, the corresponding Serial Number of the etching; in the center, the name of the Author: Etching by Williy Seiler, and at the bottom, the address of the studio: KARUIZAWA 2180; (PHONE: KAR, 2323) NAGANO-PREF. JAPAN. INSIDE THE COVER, THERE IS A BIOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION ON WILLY SEILER. Every single one of the etchings I own, come inside a sijmilar cover, and contains the same information: 1) Etching Serial Number; 2) Biographical Data; 3) Address and Telephone Number of the studio in Japan.
1) JAPANESE CHILDREN, signed by Willy Seiler; Plate #6 : 250 pieces. Edition: Limited.
WILLY SEILER, KARUIZAWA 2180, NAGANO-PREF. JANPAN, TEL: KABUIZAWA: 2323. PLATE NO: 6 * 250 PIECES. EDITION: LIMITED.
2) NAME OF ETCHING: "The Public Bath." Signed by W. Seiler. PLATE NO: 20A * 40 PIECES. EDITION: LIMITED.
COVER: ETCHING BY WILLY SEILER: THE WILLY SEILER STUDIO KARUIZAWA 2180-84, MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 10 KARUIZAWAY, JAPAN, TELEPHONE: KARUIZAWA 2323, 2547: AN OVAL RED STAPS READS: "ORIGINAL HAND COLORED) [SERIAL NUMBER: 20A]
3) NAME OF ETCHING: "Rice Planting." Signed by W. Seiler. PLATE NO. 55 * 200 PIECES. EDITION: LIMITED. COVER: ETCHING BY WILLY SEILER, THE WILLY SEILER STUDIO KARUIZAWA 21180-84; MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 10 KARUIZAWAY, JAPAN; TELEPHONE: KARUIZAWA 2323, 2547. SERIAL NUMBER: 55.
BACKGROUND HISTORY AS PRINTED ON INSIDE COVER:
ABOUT THE ARTIST: (EXTRACT FROM PACIFIC STARS AND STRIPES, AND OTHER NEWSPAPERS)
....WILLY SEILER, renowned German artist, was born in Dresden. His initial schooling in art received in Dresden and Munich, was followed by a two-year period of study in Paris.
After touring Europe extensively, Seiler left Germany in 1928, and has not seen his homeland since--due principally to the disruption of plans by the war and subsequent unsettled conditions of the Continent. To date Seiler has visited 44 countries, some of them several times.
He has exhibited in Rome and Paris, in Jerusalem and Teheran, in San Francisco and Mexico City, to mention only a few points in his globe circling travels. His work has been received enthusiastically everywhere and acclaimed in the highest circles--by maharajahs in India and by princes and leading officials in many other countries.
Seiler's second soujourn in Japan turned out to be a permanent one--he has beeen there over twenty years. After the end of World War II the highly versatile artist instructed American Army personnel in oil painting, life drawing and sketching at the Tokyo Army College, with outstanding success.
Seller's etchings have won him a wide reputation. As the creator of numerous etchings of picturesque Japanese and Korean subjects he has captured the quaintness of the East in the distinctive copperplate medium of the West with superb draftsmanship, to produce an art of rare beauty. Since Seiler's first postwar etchings were sent abroad in 1949, they have met with great popular acclaim. These creations have been well received by the American public and are lending grace, beauty and distrinction to many art galleries and private homes.
In Japan, Seiler's etchings have become well known to art connoisseurs of many nationalities. Members of the Allied Forces have been captivated by the warmth and realism of his creations.
Seiler's etchings of General MacArthur, made from life in 1951, was praised as an outstanding work by the General and Pacific Stars and Stripes. Many prominent persons' features have been captured by the oustanding artistry of Willy Seiler. His latest portrait is an etching of President Syngman Rhee, made in 1957 when Seiler visited Korea on a special assignment for Pacific Stars and Stripes. His sketching trip to Okinawa followed.
Next to his etchings, he is best known for his "Willy Seiler Dolls." These are cute, authentically costumed little figures representing everyday characters of Japan, Korea and Okinawa.
I would like to know the actual value of each one of these pieces in today's market. Please forward all the information you may have.
I have included as much information as possible. Your evaluation and estimate will be highly appreciated.
Cordially yours,
Julio C. Leiva
JLeiva5577@aol.com
