Van Vechten, Carl. GERTRUDE STEIN WITH BASKET I & PEPE. Original photograph, 1934. 6 3/4 x 9 1/2 inches. Titled and dated, and with the photographer's rubber stamp, all verso. In excellent condition. Ex collection of Saul Mauriber, who was secretary to and friend of Van Vechten. During World War II, Van Vechten volunteered at the Stage Door Canteen. Top-notch entertainers frequently performed there for servicemen. Saul Mauriber, one of the busboys under Van Vechten's supervision, began working as his photographic assistant and remained in this capacity for twenty years. Mauriber was also responsible for organizing Van Vechten's photographs and eventually became the photographic executor for Van Vechten's estate. He edited the 1978 book "Portraits, the Photographs of Carl Van Vechten."
