19 Mar TWO UNIQUE LETTERS BY JAMES LEE BYARS FROM THE EARLY 1970S

Byars, James Lee
LETTER TO PAUL JOLLES c. 1968 – 1974
Three semi-circle sheets of black paper – approx 31 x 15.5cm, both with original gold writing on them – the texts read CONGRATULATE YOU, ON THE NEW FIVE 5 and R. COIN BRILLIANT respectively. All in original 11.5 x 11.5cm white envelope with a large J in starry lettering (also in gold) and numbered 1 also by Byars. The black paper is folded twice to fit the envelope.

AND JOINT WITH

Byars, James Lee
LETTER TO PAUL JOLLES c. 1968 – 1974
Two semi-circle sheets of black paper – approx 31 x 15.5cm, all with original gold writing on them – the texts read MONEY (YR DESIGN) and P.S.I. respectively. Both in original 11.5 x 11.5cm white envelope with a large J in starry lettering (also in gold) and numbered 2 also by Byars. The black paper is folded twice to fit the envelope.

Paul Jolles was a Swiss diplomat who Byars befriended after he met the artist at the Toni Gerber Gallery in Bern. One paper scuff on the opposite side of the letter (where there is no text) and heavily folded but a typical and early brief from the romantic minimalist.

The two letters should be read in order to make sense of the entire message.