>This article was originally printed in Antique Trader
 | Ernest Howard Shepard's pen and ink on board is estimated to bring between $100,000 and $150,000. The work was accompanied by the caption: "Pooh and Piglet walked home thoughtfully together in the golden evening, and for a long time they were silent." Photo courtesy Bonhams |
NEW YORK — In its first specialized U.S. sale devoted to illustration, Bonhams is offering several rare and new-to-market illustrations of beloved stories that have shaped the minds and fueled the creativity of children and adults over the past 150 years. This 261-lot, two-part sale takes place June 22, 2011 in New York, featuring drawings and illustrations by Ernest Howard Shepard (Winnie-the-Pooh), Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are), Hilary Knight (Eloise), Garth Williams (Charlotte’s Web), Eric Carle and more.
Perhaps the most famous toys in all of children’s literature are the stuffed animals belonging to young Christopher Robin, with one affectionately named Winnie the Pooh. Ernest Howard Shepard has had children all over the world falling in love with his wistful drawings, capturing each character in A.A. Milne’s Winnie-The-Pooh. Over the years, Shepard drew many Winnie the Pooh pictures for a variety of reasons, but drawings from the first edition rarely come to market. The sale of these remarkable lots coincides with the new Winnie the Pooh movie debuting July 15.
The most notable lot is Shepard’s sketch of a pensive Pooh and Piglet walking home into the sunset after Pooh’s party, just moments before they turn back into ordinary toys; it is estimated to sell for $100,000 to $200,000.
A rarity to auction is the work of Maurice Sendak who donates all of his published work to the Rosenbach Foundation, so the 14 lots that are up for auction are rare to market. The leading highlight among the Sendak lots is his poster design promoting the 1990 International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) ($400,000-$700,000). Other Sendak lots include a set of four photolithographs featuring scenes and characters from Where the Wild Things Are ($2,000-$3,000), a sketch of Moishe, the popular character from the previously named book ($40,000-$60,000) and a wooden shaker box hand painted by the artist for a birthday gift ($6,000-$8,000).
Other notable lots are Garth Williams’ unused painting for the dust jacket for Charlotte’s Web ($60,000-$80,000), an Esphyr Slobodkina’s illustration for Caps for Sale ($20,000-$22,000), Charles Schultz four-panel daily strips featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy ($8,000-$12,000 each), and a Walt Disney charcoal concept drawing for the animated feature “Pinocchio” ($8,000-$12,000).
For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, visit www.bonhams.com. ?
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