Original Illustrations from an Unpublished Children's Book
(ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS).Freddy and the Bull.(England: 1960s(?)) (Cover drawing: 180 x 153 mm. Other drawings: 230 x 161 mm.) Ten original pencil and crayon illustrations mounted on drawing board, with a printed mock-up of the cover, and an overlay demonstrating the placement of the title. Tape residue yellowing some of the board edges, overlay and printed mockup with some wrinkles, subtle toning to paper (due to the glue used) but the original illustrations otherwise in fine condition.
A delightful series of modernist illustrations with a strong sense of style, telling the story of a boy and his mischievous bull.
Characterized by confident lines, simplified shapes, and bright colors, the illustrations here are reminiscent of the mid-century children's books illustrated by commercial and graphic artists such as Naiad Einsel and Art Seiden. Pencil and crayon are the main media used here, creating a childlike aesthetic that is further developed with limited shading and flattened perspective. The story involves a young boy and his pet bull, who gets loose from his enclosure and causes a bit of havoc around town. Because these images exist without any words and with no imposed order, it is ultimately up to the viewer to decide how the story unfolds.
The brand of drawing board used here indicates that the artist was probably working in London, but the lack of signatures or any other identifying marks means we have had little luck tracking down their identity. Although the images are in a finished state and at a stage where mock-ups were required, we find no evidence that a book with this title was ever published. (1105)
