Hawaiian boy with uke velvet painting - General Tiki

F Formikahini Tiki Socialite Houston, Texotica Joined: Aug 22, 2002 Posts: 1514	F Formikahini Posted posted on Tue, Dec 11, 2007 8:09 PM On 2007-12-11 19:08, bongofury wrote: If you read "Rascals In Paradise" by James Michener under the chapter "Leeteg The Legend" you will find references to his paintings selling for $5,000.00 in 1954 at the Davis Gallery in Honolulu. It may be possible that the painting by Erwin was selling for $500.00 since he was a "student of Leeteg". According to "Leeteg Of Tahiti" by John Turner, sign painter Bill Erwin claimed to have learned his velvet painting technique while working with Leeteg in Honolulu in 1935. On 2007-12-11 04:28, Formikahini wrote: And that he made a freakin' killing at that time!! $500 - JEEEEZ!! A Leeteg, yes, but "Erwin"? Maybe the buyer knew the full story. And that, Bongofury, is precisely what I meant! Good sleuthing, 'Boo and Bongo! And don't worry, Ben - we won't expect you to be all scholarly-like from now on :wink:

On 2007-12-11 19:08, bongofury wrote:
If you read "Rascals In Paradise" by James Michener under the chapter "Leeteg The Legend" you will find references to his paintings selling for $5,000.00 in 1954 at the Davis Gallery in Honolulu. It may be possible that the painting by Erwin was selling for $500.00 since he was a "student of Leeteg". According to "Leeteg Of Tahiti" by John Turner, sign painter Bill Erwin claimed to have learned his velvet painting technique while working with Leeteg in Honolulu in 1935.

On 2007-12-11 04:28, Formikahini wrote:
And that he made a freakin' killing at that time!! $500 - JEEEEZ!!
A Leeteg, yes, but "Erwin"?
Maybe the buyer knew the full story.

And that, Bongofury, is precisely what I meant!

Good sleuthing, 'Boo and Bongo!

And don't worry, Ben - we won't expect you to be all scholarly-like from now on :wink:

Post #349023 by Formikahini on Tue, Dec 11, 2007 8:09 PM