Unique piece of art historical ephemera. This is a stamped, postmarked postcard from Japan dated April 20, 1970, with a dateline of Kyoto, handwritten by legendary Minimalist artist Carl Andre to his parents Mr. and Mrs. George Andre in Massachusetts. It was acquired from the collection of Andre's parents - Mr. and Mrs. George Hans Andre - so provenance is impressive. (Andre famously attended Phillips Exeter Academy in Massachusetts, his home state, as did another famous alumnus- Frank Stella, though they would not actually meet until years later). The image of postcard depicts the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto Japan. Andre's letter, not unexpectedly, is written in the artist's trademark laconic style - in all caps. It reads,
APRIL 20 1970 KYOTO
HELLO - IT IS NOT WINTER BUT CHERRY BLOSSOM TIME VERY WET AND RAINING TODAY - SOAKED THROUGH - THIS BUILDING CALLED THE GOLDEN PAVILLION (sic) WAS BURNED DOWN IN 1950 BY A MAN ANNOYED BY ITS PERFECTION - LOVE AND BE WELL CARL
In good vintage condition with expected wear. This postcard was mailed from Japan to the US and saved for nearly half a century.