Apr 16, 2026 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
369
Constantin Alajalov for the New Yorker cover, March 13, 1937
The Collection of a New York Attorney
ALAJALOV, CONSTANTIN (1900–1987)
[Man in dressing gown doing his taxes]. March 13, 1937. 13 1/2 x 10 inches (34.25 x 25 cm) on a larger sheet of Whatman illustration board, tempera over graphite outlines, signed lower center, remains of a pencil notation by the artist in the right margin, the verso with a number in crayon. Scarring to the blank margins, presently tipped to the front mat at the head, the illustration itself in excellent condition.
Framed on either side by the forces of good (the Founding Fathers) and evil (the devil offering various worldly temptations), a tired-looking man attempts to complete his income tax forms.
Please note that the original text indicated the incorrect date for this drawing
Sold for $7,680
Estimated at $3,000 - $5,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
The Collection of a New York Attorney
ALAJALOV, CONSTANTIN (1900–1987)
[Man in dressing gown doing his taxes]. March 13, 1937. 13 1/2 x 10 inches (34.25 x 25 cm) on a larger sheet of Whatman illustration board, tempera over graphite outlines, signed lower center, remains of a pencil notation by the artist in the right margin, the verso with a number in crayon. Scarring to the blank margins, presently tipped to the front mat at the head, the illustration itself in excellent condition.
Framed on either side by the forces of good (the Founding Fathers) and evil (the devil offering various worldly temptations), a tired-looking man attempts to complete his income tax forms.
Please note that the original text indicated the incorrect date for this drawing
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, Apr 16, 2026
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Successful Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on April 16, 2026 Surpasses Expectations
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Thomas Jefferson Letter Commenting on Toussaint Louverture Achieves $32,000
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
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We Invite You to Contact Us for Complimentary Auction Estimates of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY – Doyle's auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on April 16, 2026 saw international competition drive strong results throughout the sale and a total that surpassed expectations.
Thomas Jefferson Letter on Toussaint Louverture
Highlighting the sale was a fascinating 1802 letter from Thomas Jefferson as president to Maryland Governor John Francis Mercer that achieved a strong $32,000. The remarkable letter captures a rare, candid moment in which Jefferson assesses, with striking clarity, the arrest of Toussaint Louverture, a leader of the Haitian Revolution, by French General Charles LeClerc, Napoleon’s brother-in-law. Jefferson perceptively warned that LeClerc’s actions would erode trust and likely spark further racial conflict—an insight that proved remarkably accurate. Beyond its sharp political foresight, the letter reflects the broader anxiety the Haitian Revolution provoked in the United States, which contributed to decades of diplomatic isolation of Haiti.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
