The following description has been prepared entirely by the current owner, Roberts S. Fastov, Esq., and, at the collector’s request, has not been edited by Sloans & Kenyon

Note 1): See Note 1) and Note 2) on Lot 1436. This portrait study is not only a sensitive, handsome portrayal of an African American youth, but Holmes 1928 statement that “He is black but that is no matter” gives a penetrating insight into the values of Holmes and Rolle in the segregated, prejudiced sleepy Southern city of Washington, D.C. of 1928, and, in addition to being a sensitive, dignified portrait study of an African-American youth painted by a Caucasian leader of Washington, D.C.'s cultural, intellectual and artistic elite, it is an important political/social history document regarding race relations in this area of the U.S. in 1928, and clearly the views expressed by Holmes to Rolle was an exception to the rule, as far as D.C. Caucasians views of African-Americans. Given Holmes academic training, background, and various jobs and positions that he held, it is not surprising that he would hold such liberal racial views and make such a statement to Rolle. This little portrait hung on the wall immediately next to Mr. Fastov's desk in his study for 40 years. He would look at it relatively frequently and always found it appealing. Sometimes he would take the portrait off the wall and reread the Holmes inscription to Rolle on its back, and its contents never failed to make Mr. Fastov feel a little bit better about men and life, and he would always recall the strong emotional impact that such inscription had upon him, when he read it for the first time 40 years ago, when he acquired this portrait as part of his purchase of the estate of August H. O. Rolle. The presale estimate of $2,000-$5,000 reflects the foregoing considerations as the Askart.com Holmes watercolor records provide little useful precedent for such a small portrait of this size or social, cultural and historical interest. It is recognized that only very select and special collectors will be willing to bid aggressively on this portrait to secure ownership and possession of it, but, for the reasons set forth above, the purchaser will be getting a first class and handsome watercolor and a gilded frame, both done by a master watercolorist, William Henry Holmes, and an important social history document regarding Washington, D.C. in the early part of the 20^th Century.