178

Includes over 50 small drawings of open cubes

Sol LeWitt

Two Autograph Letters Signed, "Sol LeWitt" or "SL," to Daniel Greenburg ("Dear Mr. Greenburg" or "Dear Dan"),

discussing the permutations of a cube missing a varying number of edges, in preparation for his work, Incomplete Open Cubes (1974). The first letter, thanking him for help [calculating the number of possible open cubes using a computer], explaining how the results do not meet his specifications, asking whether he would like to try again and, on a second sheet additionally signed with initials, listing his specifications and the possible variations he has found so far. The second letter, remarking that Greenburg's results contain those duplications described in the enclosure and, on separate sheets, listing descriptions of over 50 open cubes, each illustrated with one or more small ink-and-graphite drawings, unsigned. Together 10 pages, 4to, written on separate sheets; minor chipping or staple holes or scattered short closed edge tears mostly to May letter, folds. With the original envelope for the July letter.

Paris, 27 May; Np, 16 July circa 1973.

  • Notes: 27 May: ". . . I think you fed the wrong information into your computer. For instance, all of the results must be in three different dimensions. Therefore I cannot see how with three lines there can be more than three examples: AB BC BF, AB BC CG, & EA AB BC. All other would either be repetitions, or would be non-connected--or less than 3D. In the first group--those with three lines--your list--AB BC BF and AB DA AE are really the same turned one quarter turn. The qualifications are that they be different forms, not just turned one way or another. . . .
    ". . . Would it be possible for you to run it through again, weeding out the duplications? I will be glad to pay for this, as it is very important to my work. I know that there are about 125-130 or so possibilities only, but I have to know the exact number. . . ."

    Provenance: Sol Lewitt to his accountant Sy Greenbaum by gift; thence to the current owner by descent.
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April 9, 2026 12:00 PM EDT
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