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Estimate: $ 10,000 - $ 15,000
ERNEST H. SHEPARD. "He led them into the chalk-pit, till they stood at the very foot." Illustration for page 8 from Bertie's Escapade by Kenneth Grahame (Philadelphia & New York: J. B. Lippincott Co., 1949). Pen and ink with small areas of wash on board. 228x84 mm; 9x7 1/4 inches, on 12x8 1/2-inch board. Initialed in lower right image; obscured portion of Shepard's signature and location ("own Guildford") on verso. Remnant of original Lippincott label preserved and taped to matte verso. Accompanied by a copy of the first trade edition of the book.
an illustration for the timeless christmas story of friendship and plentitude, by two beloved british figures, published after the author's death. Shepard and Grahame had previously collaborated on the most popular illustrated edition of Grahame's classic, "The Wind in the Willows," in 1931, though the author did not live to see its publication. It is believed that the characters "Mr. Grahame" and "A.G.," one of the children who are referred to only by their initials in this tale, represented the author and his late son, Alistair.
