A Birthday Treat
1974.
Original ink on paper drawing depicting Paddington Bear, in a paper hat, holding a balloon, drawn for (but not used in) Paddington on Top. 144 x 97mm (image size). Signed with initials. Accompanied by a letter from the artist detailing the provenance of the drawing. Excellent condition.
In the letter which accompanied this drawing, dated 4 December 1975 Fortnum writes,
"I have had to do another drawing of Paddington to replace one that damaged. Several try-outs will not be used, and I enclose one of these, hoping that it is sufficiently Paddingtonish for you to like it."
Peggy Fortnum was commissioned to produce illustrations for the first Paddington book in 1958 and continued to illustrate all of the original series of eleven books until 1979. Her deft line drawings, now synonymous with Paddington, were described by the TLS as, "exquisite in its loose and nervous rhythm; she can create movement with what, out of context, would be a meaningless squiggle; she can suggest by a few doodles a storm-clouded sky or the hidden recesses of a candlelit room."
Original drawings of Paddington are very seldom seen in commerce.
PROVENANCE: Peter Dolan (letter from the artist).
LITERATURE: Paddington on Top (Collins, 1974). Unused, but likely to be drawn as an alternative for the heading for Chapter 4: A Birthday Treat.
Stock ID: 43257
£6,000.00
