Bucks County Herald – June 1, 2006

Walter Baum Calvin Ruth

Dear Friends,

Good morning. As I gazed at the price list of 36 paintings and watercolors in the Walter Emerson Baum exhibit, I thought of Calvin Ruth, an 84-year-old Quakertown artist. Ruth held an exhibition of 55 oil paintings and watercolors at the Richland Library several weeks ago.

None of Ruth’s paintings came close to the prices, which patrons paid at the Baum exhibit. Collectors viewed 54 oils, watercolors, pen and inks, charcoals, lithographs, and sketches by Walter Baum. One oil painting was offered for $100,000. The Baum exhibit continues until June 30 at the National Penn Bank office at Route 113 and the Old Bethlehem Pike near Souderton. Admission is free.

Ruth’s exhibit was a one day affair

The Baum and Ruth collections form startling contrasts and comparisons. Both painters are/were prolific. Baum produced daily…often several works of art every day. According to J. Lawrence Grim, Jr., Baum’s grandson, Walter Baum sold them every day in order to support his family. Like Baum, Ruth has thousands of paintings and watercolors in his home. But that’s where the comparison ends. The Ruth collection remains largely unknown and unsold.

Why?

I don’t know. There are sharp differences between the two men. Baum had a large family. Ruth never married and has no children, no nieces and nephews, no relatives. He was an art teacher for nearly 50 years at the Perkiomen School and the Quakertown schools. Ruth is a shy, retiring man who is uncomfortable at promoting his name.

Baum died in 1956, 50 years ago. Ruth is very much alive.

Art galleries and auction houses all over America are very familiar with Baum art. I looked at the Baum price list. I’d bet that the 36 paintings and watercolors will bring in more than $500,000! If Walter Baum were alive, he’d be astonished.

Kathleen O’Dea arranged the Baum exhibition and was very happy with the results of the opening day. “At least 16 paintings sold the very first day and raised $275,000,” she began. “We’re very happy with the results.”

Grim spoke about the Baum treasure trove found in David Baum’s home in Sellersville. “It’s the best collection in one place, owned by one person,” Grim told the crowd. He was in high spirits as he pointed to the bankers who graciously agreed to exhibit the Baums at no charge. “They think they’re running a bank,” Grim laughed. “We think we’re running an art gallery.” Both assumptions were right.

David Baum still lives in his famous grandfather’s home. Because he wants to move to a retirement community, the paintings were discovered. The art world had no knowledge of David’s collection. Picture after picture sat in every room collecting dust in David’s home…even the attic was full of art.

Meanwhile, Calvin Ruth lives with his collection of excellent art in his home. But the world hasn’t acknowledged Ruth…yet.

Ruth is a landscape painter, exclusively. Portrait painting doesn’t interest him. I spent a morning recently with him as he prepared his one-day exhibit on May 20. Like David Baum’s home, every room in Ruth’s home is full of paintings, watercolors, and miniatures.

There are similarities in the styles of Walter Baum and Calvin Ruth. But Calvin Ruth has no art school named for him. And unfortunately, there is little fame. The Baum School of Art in Allentown is well known and successful. Will there be a Calvin Ruth School of Art some day? Who knows?

Like the world of music, most painters receive public acclaim long after their days in this world are over. Their heirs profit from their genius. On the other hand, Calvin Ruth lives with no heirs and without fame and fortune…at least for the present. And that’s a shame. But that’s the world of art.

Sincerely,

Charles Meredith