There Was Only One Thing He Could Picture Which Would Be Worse... and That Was Leaving Four Unfilled Holes Instead.
1974.
Original ink on paper drawing depicting Paddington Bear, sitting on a box contemplating some holes he has just drilled in a wall. 75 x 75mm (image size). Signed at the bottom left. Excellent condition.
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 Fortnum drawings of Paddington are very seldom seen in commerce. We are not aware of an illustration used in the Paddington books having been offered for sale before.
PROVENANCE: Sent by the artist to Peter Dolan.
LITERATURE: Paddington on Top (Collins, 1974) p. 102
Stock ID: 43264
£8,500.00
