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Yes I can help you with the history and location of the painting. My grandfather was a USAF Maj. fly-boy and met a painter named Louis Munghay(not sure if I spelled his name right), but that is the original artist. As a kid I can't count the times I turned the light off in my grandfather's house and stared at the skull you speak of. I have seen and touched the original work many times. But there's more, my Pap liked the work so well that he personally had Munghay paint portraits of my dad and his sister. I have often wondered what the "Vanity" painting is worth, not to mention the hand painted portraits. As far as the original "Vanity" painting, I was told by my Pap that Munghay painted the original B/W and one original color version which are owned by my aunt in NY. They were left to her in his will. However she died not long ago, and the paintings will soon be sent back to the Ramsey side of the family. Needless to say that they are not for sale, I personally will end up with them, because I grew up with them, and my Pap knew my fascination with them. But, I do know what a cool work of art "All is Vanity" is, and I can understand why you seek this information. My advice is to seek out a lithograph of this print. My family will never part with any of the original Munghay collection, it would be like selling a Dali work. If you want more information Where did you see it in the 70's? I was born in 73 and can't remember it ever being gone, unless you were in my grandfather's house, it wasn't an original that you saw. Hope this information helps you in your quest to obtain such a fine work of art. Munghay has not yet received the credit he deserves. The paintings will be appraised when they are back.

Thanx, have a great day.

HI
I Had a black & white copy of this picture also, I am looking for a copy too. please let me know if you find this and where I can get one.
Thanks so much.

Actually, this painting was done much earlier by a prolific painter from California by the name of Cram Allan Glibert.

You can buy a sepia, indigo, and red print from for a reasonable price. The original is by charles allen gilbert. You can also get a print of "gossip". But there are also "flattery" and the def leppard print for me to find.

Did you ever get the painting apppraised?

In the 60's my brother had this same black and white lithograph of "All is Vanity" and I have searched my mother's attic till I'm blue in the face -- they never liked it, but we all love it NOW. At the time, I was little and was afraid of it. I didn't appreciate it. I would LOVE to have it now but we don't know what happened to it. If you have any idea where I can get one of these, please let me know. Thank you so much!

I remember seeing All is Vanity in black and white in a downtown St. Louis card shop, on Olive St. between 8th and 9th Sts. in 1963. That's how much the pic impressed me. It has haunted me since. I will always love it.