This drawing, and several others I am listing, came from a portfolio of drawings by Pennsylvania folk/outsider artist Wayne B. Blouch of Lancaster, PA, purchased from the estate of art professor & art historian Jill McKeever Furst, who taught at Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia, PA for over 10 years, which may be when she acquired them. There is not much out there about Blouch except a few sales of work at auction (Garth's; Pook & Pook), with those works dated c. 1880s.

What a couple of characters in this one (I especially love the stern face--and polka dot socks!--of our bespectacled man) and what a wonderful array of details and patterns packed into it. The person I purchased these from had done a little research, most useful relative to this one. He took note of the "v" insignias on the sleeves of both men's frock coats, finding a coat very similar worn by the PA 83rd Volunteers during the Civil War. In addition, both men wear crosses on their labels, with another cross over the door, suggesting perhaps our seated man is a chaplain, and our other man handing over some sort of official letter, perhaps containing news the chaplain is none too happy about.

12" x 5 1/4", red and blue ink on ledger paper. Overall very good condition, with an Irregular top edge and a little tearing/folding along the right edge.