Letters to the Editor

Written by in the Letters category and the Spring 1990 issue Topics in this article:
Letters presents readers' comments and reactions to specific articles in Pennsylvania Heritage, the initiatives of PHMC, and other developments in the historical, cultural and museum communities of Pennsylvania.

Grif Teller

Now I know who Grif Teller is! For years, my father had an old Pennsylvania Railroad calendar in his office (see “Grif Teller Paints the Pennsy” by Dan Cup­per, winter 1990). It was the 1940 wall calendar, and it took me (as a young boy) on imagi­nary trips all over the country. I don’t remember what hap­pened to the calendar, but just seeing it again made me re­member some of the more enjoyable day-dreams of my youth. It’s odd, but your mag­azine always makes such eve­ryday things take on a special patina, for which you should congratulated.

Jack Heller
Altoona, Pa.

Grif Teller, whose work appeared on Pennsylvania Railroad calen­dars beginning in 1928 with When the Broad Way Meets the Dawn, created a piece enti­tled Serving the Nation for 1940. It was his thirteenth origi­nal painting for the series, which ceased in 1958 with the artist’s Conway Yard. For the series, Grif Teller painted 27 works.

 

Current Affair

Thank you for publicizing noteworthy events and ex­hibits in the your very fine magazine. I have just returned from the Pennsylvania Acad­emy of the Fine Arts, where I saw the exhibition entitled “Paris 1889: American Artists at the Universal Exposition” (see “Currents” in the winter 1990 edition). Your publicity encouraged me to visit this exhibit, and your commentary certainly does justice to this wonderful selection. Every time I read your news of Penn­sylvania’s special events, I realize how lucky we are to be blessed with such a richness of cultural opportunities. I just hope that other Pennsylva­nians take advantage of these fabulous advantages. Again, thank you for making me aware of such beautiful shows.

Iles H. Foreman, Sr.
Philadelphia, Pa.

“Paris 1889: American Artists at the Universal Exposition” will remain on view at the Pennsylva­nia Academy of the Fine Arts through Sunday, April 15 [1990]. More than ninety works by American artists and thirteen pieces by their French mentors are on display. For additional information regard­ing hours and admission, write: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Broad and Cherry Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19102; or tele­phone (215) 972-7600.

 

Liberty Bell

I thought the stereoscope photograph of the Liberty Bell (see “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All The Land” by William C. Kashatus III in the winter 1990 edition) was the best illustration you’ve pub­lished to date. How – and where – did you find it?

Esther C. Brill
Scranton, Pa.

The photograph, made by nine­teenth century Philadelphia pho­tographer John Moran in 1865, was provided by Kenneth Finkel, curator of prints for the Library Company of Philadelphia. For a complete look at photography in Philadelphia, see “A Special Place for Photography” by Kenneth Finkel in the fall 1989 issue, which features another Moran photograph: the 1869 Vestibule of Independence Hall.

 

Holiday Gifts

I thought your gift subscrip­tion offer during the holidays for Pennsylvania Heritage was a great idea, but am wondering if it is available through the year. It’s a perfect way for me to remember birthdays and send congratulations. How can I order more gift subscriptions this year?

Abigail Poozer
Camp Hill, Pa.

Pennsylvania Heritage gift subscriptions are available through the year.