A Queer Legacy (1906) chapter illustration by Modest Stein
Artist: Modest Stein (All)
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DescriptionI am just in absolute awe of this piece. Yes, as a work of ink, it is an exceptionally fine illustration. But I just can’t help being moved by the historical aspect of it. Holding something in my hands that has survived for well over a CENTURY. It was conceived more than fifty years before I was even born! I still can’t look at it without the hair on my arms standing.
I guess if I wanted someone to blame, I could blame the Heritage Auctions marketing department. Anyone who has ever won (or even bid on) an auction knows that once they have you in their nets, you get alerts and notifications of just about every auction for every type of collectible. In this case, it was the “HISTORY IN PEN & INK: A Century of Cartoons and Illustrations” auction. One side of the postcard I received had a lovely Modest Stein illustration that was interesting enough to prompt further investigation. So I pulled up the auction and started browsing through the lots. I was honestly quite surprised at how impressive many of the illustrations were. Even more surprising was how low much of the bidding was. Certainly nowhere near as competitive as the comic art auctions we’re all so used to. So just for the hell of it, I started tracking a few lots to see if the bidding would pick up as the auction close drew nearer. On the final day, not much had changed in terms of new activity. So I picked out my top two pieces and just went for it. And I won one out of two (at a great price I might add). When the artwork arrived, it was even more beautiful in person. This exquisite chapter illustration by Modest Stein is from a 1906 book entitled “A Queer Legacy” (chapter XI). I would be lying if I told you that title or that name meant anything to me. Everything I know about Modest Stein was in the auction description for this piece. Which actually included some rather interesting tidbits about his life and career. He was Lithuanian by birth and came to the U.S. to pursue a career as an artist. But ended up falling in with some radical anarchists and at one point was involved in an assassination plot. How crazy is that? By 1890 he had given up his political activism and devoted himself fully to his art. For over 5 decades, his work appeared in books, magazines, and newspapers. Again, the fact that this artwork was created almost 120 years ago just blows me away. It’s impossible not to respect the historical element associated with this wonderful drawing. But trust me when I say that the 100-plus years have done nothing to lessen the impact of this incredible piece. The black of the inks is stunning! And the linework is, again, nothing short of exquisite. I love how well the figures are rendered, with all that rich detail. I could stare at this for hours. Anyway, I guess I should probably be more leery of the various mailings I receive from Heritage going forward. The welfare of my bank account could be at stake. Ha! As always, I appreciate your stopping by. Social/Sharing |
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Will K 
Member Since 2006
Posted on 5/15/2025
Yes, we have all fallen into the clutches of Heritage Auctions at one time or another... and another. May you enjoy the art as long as one-time caretaker Murray A Harris. If we were about 100 years older, we might understand what are now called Easter eggs like the lady exposing her ankle or the little bag she's holding.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
Posted on 5/15/2025
Will K wrote:
Yes, we have all fallen into the clutches of Heritage Auctions at one time or another... and another. May you enjoy the art as long as one-time caretaker Murray A Harris. If we were about 100 years older, we might understand what are now called Easter eggs like the lady exposing her ankle or the little bag she's holding.
Thanks buddy! You make an interesting point. And it's actually a topic of conversation that I've been having with many of my collector friends of late. When I look at the some of the pieces that I've been lucky enough to own for 30-40 years, I also realize that if I buy anything today, I will never be able to enjoy it for that long again. While I admit that it somewhat dampens my outlook on buying new pieces, I also realize that I need to try and live in the moment more. Enjoy what I can while I can.
Regarding the lady's ankle flash. I neglected to include the book caption for this chapter illustration. It reads, "His wife knew a great many military men of all grades."
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
Posted on 5/16/2025
E DLS wrote:
Thanks buddy! You make an interesting point. And it's actually a topic of conversation that I've been having with many of my collector friends of late. When I look at the some of the pieces that I've been lucky enough to own for 30-40 years, I also realize that if I buy anything today, I will never be able to enjoy it for that long again. While I admit that it somewhat dampens my outlook on buying new pieces, I also realize that I need to try and live in the moment more. Enjoy what I can while I can.
Regarding the lady's ankle flash. I neglected to include the book caption for this chapter illustration. It reads, "His wife knew a great many military men of all grades."
Ah, a bawdy type per the chapter illustration caption and the frankly scandalous ankle flashing, raising the inevitible question, "were they 'grade' in bed?"
André .
Member Since 2015
Posted on 5/15/2025
Looks in absolutely remarkable condition for the age. I'd say I should check out more of HA's auctions, but they already get enough of my money! Congrats.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 5/15/2025
André . wrote:
Looks in absolutely remarkable condition for the age. I'd say I should check out more of HA's auctions, but they already get enough of my money! Congrats.
Funny coincidence. A few days ago, a collector friend was asking my advice about a trade. The page in question was from the 90's, so about 30 years old. But already had condition issues that would require extensive restoration. On the other hand, this 119 yeal old page is (aside from the obvious aging of the board) in pristine condition. How crazy is that?
As far as HA, yeah, they get enough of my money too. And that's so crazy considering that for the first 30 of my 40 years of collecting, I refused to buy anything from them. LOL! Now, I've lost count of how many auction catalogs, pamphlets, and postcards I get a month from them.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
Posted on 5/15/2025
A whole different world and a whole different time, but the innuendo and humor are just as snarky as ever.
A K
Member Since 2017
Posted on 5/15/2025
In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt was president. There was no federal reserve system. The two world wars had not occurred yet. The Fort Model T had not been produced yet. America was a very different place. I too have never heard of this artist, but he represents what is great about America - someone who came from another country to realize his dreams in the United States. And what a piece of art this is! The line work is beautifully detailed and the expressions on the faces are just beautiful. I am very happy to see this piece in your collection and I hope I will see it in person someday. Congratulations, my friend!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 5/15/2025
A K wrote:
In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt was president. There was no federal reserve system. The two world wars had not occurred yet. The Fort Model T had not been produced yet. America was a very different place. I too have never heard of this artist, but he represents what is great about America - someone who came from another country to realize his dreams in the United States. And what a piece of art this is! The line work is beautifully detailed and the expressions on the faces are just beautiful. I am very happy to see this piece in your collection and I hope I will see it in person someday. Congratulations, my friend!
Wow! What a way to put things in perspective. When you noted the Model T and the two World Wars, it really drove home the passage of time. I look at this piece now and can't help but wonder who will be holding it in their hands 100 years from now. Like the saying goes, Father Time is undefeated. That's such a humbling concept. Anyway, can't wait for your next visit so you can see this in person. Thanks for the comment my friend.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 5/15/2025
Rick W wrote:
This is where art becomes artifact ;)
Nobody wordplays like you buddy. So if this is an artifact, does that make me the Alan Grant of the hobby? Thanks for the comment my friend.
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
Posted on 5/16/2025
Here's to impulse buys! What a beautiful drawing!
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
Posted on 5/16/2025
Usually when I see '06 signed on a piece I know what to expect, ha! 2006 pieces are starting to get up there in age, but 1906 - damn! The illustration quality is great, and the condition is pretty impressive. I've had a similar oddity illustration or two over the years peak my interest myself with HA, here's an example from the 1930s. I was surprised to see that there are actually 2 other pieces by Modest Stein on CAF too, who knew!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 5/16/2025
Kavi H wrote:
Usually when I see '06 signed on a piece I know what to expect, ha! 2006 pieces are starting to get up there in age, but 1906 - damn! The illustration quality is great, and the condition is pretty impressive. I've had a similar oddity illustration or two over the years peak my interest myself with HA, here's an example from the 1930s. I was surprised to see that there are actually 2 other pieces by Modest Stein on CAF too, who knew!
Wouldn't seem like such a big difference between 19 and 20, but it's a whole different story when there are two more digits behind each number. Ha! I totally get the whole '06 thing being a bit misleading. Would I have bought this if it had been drawn in 2006 instead of 1906? I honestly couldn't say. But I'd like to think that its age would have nothing to do with what I think of it as a drawing. The historical aspect certainly added to its allure for me. But I know in my heart I would not have gone after it if I didn't like the artwork. In other words, I didn't buy it JUST because it's from 1906. But that sure is cool. Heh-heh! Thanks for the comment buddy!
James Dornoff
Member Since 2019
Posted on 5/16/2025
A very interesting piece of historical art. Congrats on this very unique and old addition to your collection, broadening your art wall for sure.
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
Posted on 5/16/2025
Think the oldest art I own are a doodle from the early 1910s and one from the twenties? This is a quality illustration likely to have caused raised temperatures in gents of the period at such exposure of flesh. Lol.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
Posted on 5/16/2025
Peter Sullivan wrote:
Think the oldest art I own are a doodle from the early 1910s and one from the twenties? This is a quality illustration likely to have caused raised temperatures in gents of the period at such exposure of flesh. Lol.
Considering his political background, I guess it's not too surprising that he could have been as equally rebellious in his art as well. Hope you're doing well my friend.
Toni S
Member Since 2019
Posted on 5/20/2025
HA is a bottomless pit ... ;) By the way.... what a beautiful illsutration!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
Posted on 5/20/2025
Toni S wrote:
HA is a bottomless pit ... ;) By the way.... what a beautiful illsutration!
My worry isn't so much that they're bottomless. I'm more concerned by the fact that they have so many pits! Haha! Thanks for the comment my friend.
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