Rediscovered Dr. Seuss watercolor debuts Sept. 29
A 1950 watercolor of Tadd and Todd, by Dr. Seuss, rediscovered after several decades, will cross the auction block Sept. 29 through Swann Galleries.
NEW YORK — On Thursday, September 29, Swann Galleries will hold its first fall auction of Illustration Art. Included are unknown works by Dr. Seuss, Charles Addams, Aubrey Beardsley, Erté, Arthur Getz, Maurice Sendak and Garth Williams.
Debuting at auction is an original, rediscovered 1950 watercolor by Dr. Seuss for “Tadd and Todd,” first published in Redbook Magazine. The sketch, which appears in the 2011 book “The Bippolo Seed,” is estimated at $12,000 to $18,000. Other works by children’s book illustrators include Garth Williams’ 1953 pencil drawing of Pet and Bunny for Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House on the Prairie”; the pencil study and finished drawing for the cover of “Frog and Toad All Year” (1976) by Arnold Lobel; and a circa 1950s culinary-inspired watercolor by Ludwig Bemelmans titled “Does Chef Find the Pheasant Pleasant?” all estimated at $4,000 to $6,000. Plus, Disney fans will be delighted by original illustrations for “Fantasia,” circa 1940, with an estimate of $2,000 to $3,000, and “The Three Caballeros,” 1944, which may realize between $800 and $1,200.
The sale continues the Swann tradition of offering original New Yorker cartoons and covers, many with timely election themes. Arthur Getz dominates the field with three original casein tempera covers: “Lincoln Banner, 1948 Republican National Convention,” published June 19, 1948 ($4,000-$6,000); “Election Morning,” published November 1, 1952 ($3,000-$5,000); and “Voting Booth,” published November 3, 1962 ($2,500-$3,500).
The expected top lot of the sale is the 1979 oil painting by Earl Moran, “Lady in the Light (Marilyn Monroe at age 20),” estimated at $20,000 to $30,000. Also coming before bidders is a pastel of Carole Lombard by Bradshaw Crandell titled “Bathing Beauty” ($3,000-$5,000) as well as cheeky works from Robert Abbett, George Gross, and Jack Kirby.
Coming to auction for the first time in 30 years is a run of original pen and ink drawings by Aubrey Beardsley, commissioned for the 1893 publication of “Le Morte ,” London: “Rose Bush” ($3,000-$4,000); “Three Stylized Clematis Flowers” ($3,000-$4,000); “Four Large Lilies” ($2,000-$3,000). Each flower served as an ornamental motif throughout various chapters of the book, representing different themes in each.
For more information, visit www.swanngalleries.com, email cv@swanngalleries.com or call 212-254-4710.
