Box 1

7 ¼ x 11 inches. Autograph pencil. Ten numbered questions, including “How many legs does Jackson Pollack have?” and “Are brown paper bags filled with tears?”

Franked, postmarked January 29, 1968. Printed exhibition announcement for 8 Man Show 2. In typescript on verso: “Ronao call May Wilsong [sic] 6914246 she at Hotel Carteret on 23 st. next to chlesea [sic] has a package for oyu [sic] you from NY.CS.”; with additional lips drawn in red marker, labelled in same: “May W.”

6 x 3 ½ inches. Nail clippings taped to pink index card, captioned in ink, “A toenail cross for John.” In franked Academy International Office Supplies, Inc. envelope, postmarked May 3, 1973, with labelled “#9” in ink in bottom right corner; addressed in autograph to J Evans, with return address stamp: “Ray Johnson / 44 West 7 Street / Locust Valley / New York 11560.”

Franked, postmarked December 27, 1968. In Lantern Extract envelope addressed in autograph to Jackson and Iris Mac Low.

Franked, postmarked December 27, 1968. In Lantern Extract envelope addressed in autograph to Jackson and Iris Mac Low.

Series 4. Mail Art and Correspondence includes mail art sent from Johnson (1 folder’s worth) and to Johnson (3 folders’ worth), with various correspondents, dating from 1960 to 1995 (with some undated). Many are in envelopes.

9 ½ x 11 inches. Drawing of 69 numbered dots with still from pornographic film, photocopied together; dots 65 and 69 circled in black ink, with autograph text: “Bart, / Feb. 26, 1977 / The scoop is brilliant. Thanks.” Snake drawn in black and yellow ink, with stamp “Collage by Ray Johnson.”

Postmarked December 24, 1976. Image of Cary Grant with pupils replaced by stars; with green star sticker.

Postmarked January 13, 1977. Katherine Hepburn’s name, with the A replaced by gold star sticker.

12 ¼ x 4 ½ inches. Autograph text in pink marker, with pink line across entire surface; “could you please the enclosed card ?” written in black ink, with“Ray” stamped in green and “Mail Art” in black.

12 ¼ x 4 ½ inches. Eight printed black wiggly legs, with shoes drawn on each in blue ink.

Franked, postmarked May 1, 1978. “this is the first of the month too.” Recto: Printed text, “The Cognitive Questions” and “The Postcognitive Questions.”

Franked, postmarked November 21, 1976. “Love the letters! Happy T-Day! XXX,” with drawing of twotentacled squid with squirrel’s head. Recto: Photograph of Buckingham Fountain, Chicago, with the Conrad Hilton Hotel in background. Scalloped edges.

Franked, postmarked May 1975. “#1 message unit series.” With portion of note on pink paper and taped, torn ticket stub from the Elgin Theater. Recto: printed image of the Agassiz Caverns in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

5 ½ x 8 ½ inches. “If you want to fuck a vulture you gotta play dead. / For my dear friend.”

“dear sir: thank you for the duck. it will be my friend I do not have to [sic] many friends, just some humans and a deer – are any of your friends deers?” Addressed in autograph pencil on recto.

“This is the first number of ‘[…].’ I’ll be very happy if you send a contribution for the next number (Before 15th October, after for the third…)” Recto: “Sixty Naturla Greents” by Maurizio Nannucci.

“I’ll be in NY from Oct 22-30 + would love to see you. I will call.” Recto: “Departure from the United States of Absurdity” by Irene Dogmatic, Opal L. Nations, and Pat Tavenner.