Books

GARTH WILLIAMS, (AMERICAN 1912-1996) PUBLISHED STUART LITTLE INTERIOR ILLUSTRATION. Rendered in Ink and gouache on heavy paper stock. Page 40, Circa 1945. Framed to 16.75” X 12.75”. A superb drawing of Stuart being washed overboard from his Central Park Pond sailboat, the Wasp: “the wave came crashing and piling along the deck, caught Stuart up and swept him over the side and into the water, where everybody supposed he would drown”. This phenomenal action piece appears on page 40 of the published book “Stuart Little”. A fine, large image. Drawings including Stuart in them are quite scarce. Publishers notes outside of the margins showing the reduction size and page number. Presented newly matted, framed and glazed in a rubbed delicate wood frame using all archival materials and museum-grade UV acrylic. Unsigned (The original published artwork for Stuart Little had some signed by Williams and others not signed, and for reference a similar unsigned piece from page 35 of “Stuart Little” is currently selling in the $28,000 range). An extraordinary and scarce piece from one of the landmark children’s books by one of the most sought-after illustrators. FRAMED SIZE: 16.75” X 12.75” PEN AND INK ON PAPER, 11” X 6”. PROVENANCE The art was acquired via a premier auction house in the year of the selling of the Garth Williams Estate. The art is in vibrant excellent condition, with small publisher’s notes outside of margins. **Garth Williams was a prominent illustrator of several of the most landmark titles in children’s books including Stuart Little (1945), Charlotte’s Web (1952), The Cricket In Times Square, and The Rescuers (1959). Many of his original illustrations from these books have sold attaining high premiums, including his original illustration of the dust jacket for Charlotte’s Web which realized $155,000 at auction in 2010, and between $10,000 and $75,000 for original artwork of the interior pages. Other notable auction 2010-2012 pricing of Williams' original illustrations include sales of the original artwork for the interior pages of Stuart Little which also averaged in the $15,000 range per piece. ADDITIONAL IMAGES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. Please see our ABE store for other original Illustration Artwork and rare books.

Stuart Little is a children's novel written by E.B. White, first published in 1945 by Harper & Brothers. The story follows a small, anthropomorphic mouse born to a human family, and chronicles his adventures in New York City. The character of Stuart Little was based on a dream White had. The novel's realistic New York City setting and anthropomorphized characters make it a distinctive example of American children's literature. Garth Williams provided the book's original illustrations, which contributed to its charm and success.