According to a letter from Edith Halpert to William Bender, Jr., dated June 23, 1960, John Hedges was a friend of the artist and collected his work during his lifetime. Mr. Hedges also acquired numerous other pictures from the two sales held after the artist's death. A copy of this letter and a letter from Alfred V. Frankenstein dated June 23, 1969, authenticating the picture accompany the lot.