Rockwell, Norman

Hand-lettered sign, reading "No Visitors Please," signed ("Norman Rockwell"), black ink over pencil outlines on cream-colored mat board (7 x 12 1/8 in.; 178 x 307 mm), [Stockbridge, MA, c. 1971]; some light soiling and wear. 

Alan Rado (by exchange with the artist)

Condition as described in catalogue entry
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A purloined sign and a happy ending. In 1971, 18-year-old Alan Rado, an art student at the Pratt Institute, was in Pittsfield, Mass., visiting a girl he'd met while working as a camp counselor in the Berkshires. The two friends drove over to Stockbridge and saw Rockwell and his wife Molly standing in their yard. Mrs. Rockwell gave the young people permission to walk around the grounds. The studio was a large converted barn and pinned to the door was Rockwell's hand-written sign, with the artist's signature. Alan impulsively unpinned the sign and took it with him. His friend was appalled at what he had done.  She suggested that they replace the sign with a new one they'd make themselves. That night the two set to work felt-tipped markers, a t-square, and illustrations board, and created a brightly colored new sign. 

The next day the nervous teens returned, placed the new sign on the studio door, and knocked on Rockwell's front door. Alan opened with, "Mr. Rockwell, you know that 'No Visitors Please' sign?" "Yes, it's missing," the artist replied. "I took it." "Why," Rockwell asked. "Because you signed it. Do you want it back?"  Rockwell laughed and said "No, that's okay. You can keep it." Alan then took Rockwell to the barn to see the new sign. "I like it! It's better than mine," Rockwell said. "I'm going to keep it up."

Alan Rado made his final visit to Rockwell in January 1972. When he arrived, he was please to see that his sign was not only still up at the studio door, but that it was protected by plexiglass and secured to the building with screws.

The Berkshire Eagle (24 Sept 1971) took note of the theft on its op-ed page. A copy of the brief notice (mounted on thick card) accompanies this lot.