Etching, pencil signed and titled, from Orr's series of North Carolina landmarks completed between 1939-1952, matted and framed.

This rare oversized work is the fifty-first etching to make up a complete series of North Carolina scenes by Louis Orr.

Leland Little Auctions would like to thank Charlene Newson with Gallery C, Raleigh for her help in cataloguing this lot.

Platemark 12 7/8 x 16 1/4 in.; Frame dimensions 24 1/2 x 27 1/4 in.

Private Collection, Virginia

By descent from Lucy Cherry Crisp, North Carolina.

Lucy Cherry Crisp (1899-1977) was a leader in the North Carolina arts scene, serving as Director of the North Carolina State Art Society museum from 1947 to 1955 that eventually became the North Carolina Museum of Art. Born in Edgecombe County, Crisp first pursued music and published two volumes of poetry and eventually shifted her focus to fine arts. She later worked with the USO during World War II. During her tenure as Director of the North Carolina Art Society museum, she was instrumental in establishing early governing procedures for North Carolina Museum of Art.

Louis Orr is best known for these remarkably detailed and highly collectible etchings that illustrate historic landmarks throughout North Carolina. Born in Connecticut and spending much of his formative years in Paris, people fervently began collecting Orr’s work in both countries in the early 20th century. Orr was the first American artist to have work in the permanent collection of the Louvre Museum, and his were also the first etchings to ever join the Louvre’s collection.

Robert Humber, the prominent arts advocate from North Carolina, later commissioned Orr to complete this special series of NC etchings to showcase the beauty of the State. The project took twelve years to complete, and Orr and Humber traveled from town to town with Orr faithfully depicting important landmarks throughout.

Some toning; few faint foxing marks; age to framing; not examined out of frame.

$1,000 - 3,000