House favorite Edward Gorey is on offer with a run of six original works. Highlights feature Dogear Wryde Postcards Interpretive Series, 1979, a group of 11 pen-and-ink illustrations for the postcard series ($7,000-10,000); three separate designs used in the various stage productions of Amphigorey, circa 1992–2002 ($6,000-9,000); and the 1979 postcard Gorey designed for the purpose of replying to fan mail, which reads “You’ve written me to no avail, because I never read my mail” ($4,000-6,000).
Children’s illustrations will feature a series of works by Arnold Lobel: a 1976 pen-and-ink drawing for the story The Surprise ($4,000-6,000), and two 1981 illustrations for The Frog and Toad Coloring Book ($3,000-4,000 each). Also available is Chris van Allsburg with an 1987 conté crayon on board for The Z Was Zapped, The J was rather Jittery ($6,000-9,000); the full cover design created for the John Lane re-issue of The Song of Sixpence Picture Book from the George Routledge Picture Books series of the 1870s by Walter Crane ($4,000-6,000); C.F. Payne with Micawber – Imitating Norman Rockwell’s Triple Self-Portrait, acrylic, watercolor and colored pencil, 2002, published in Micawber by John Lithgow ($800-1,200); as well as works by William Pène du Bois, Lynn Munsinger, Tomi Ungerer, Ludwig Bemelmans, Tomie de Paola, and more.
Additional highlights include book and magazine illustrations with Haddon Sundblom’s 1942 illustration for the story All a Girl Needs by Gladys Taber, published in The Ladies’ Home Journal ($8,000-10,000); Brian Froud’s double-panel watercolor, gouache and ink work for The Land of Froud, 1977 ($6,000-9,000); as well as a run of sci-fi images by Don Brautigam.
The sale will conclude with the popular New Yorker section and will feature covers designs by Constantin Alajalov ($4,000-6,000), Arthur Getz ($3,000-4,000), Lee Lorenz ($2,500-3,500), and a proposed design by Rea Irvin ($700-1,000). Cartoons include Charles Addams with I imagine it’s the University of Southern California, published in 1937 ($6,000-9,000), as well as Roz Chast, Lorenz, Frank Modell among others.
Limited previewing (by appointment only) will be available through June 23, to be scheduled directly with a specialist in advance and conforming to strict safety guidelines. Swann Galleries staff will prepare condition reports and provide additional photographs of material on request. Advance order bids can be placed with the specialist for the sale or on Swann’s website, and phone bidding will be available. Live online bidding platforms will be the Swann Galleries App, Invaluable, and Live Auctioneers. The complete catalogue and bidding information is available at www.swanngalleries.com and on the Swann Galleries App.
