Past Timed Auction

Rare Books, Autographs & Maps

Soft close begins Wed, Apr 22, 2020 at 10am EDT

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Featuring the Mary K. Young Collection of Original Drawings by Beatrix Potter and E.H. Shepard

Online-Only Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on April 22, 2020
Featuring the Mary K. Young Collection of Original Drawings by Beatrix Potter and E.H. Shepard
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NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle’s online-only auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on April 22, 2020 offered items of interest ranging from early Americana to 20th century art. Highlighting the sale was the Mary K. Young Collection of original illustrations and ephemera by Beatrix Potter and E.H. Shepard.

With competitive international bidding, the sale totaled a successful $681,950 against an estimate of $528,500-787,600.

The Mary K. Young Collection

The Mary K. Young Collection of Beatrix Potter and E.H. Shepard was one of the finest collection of such to come to market in decades. This remarkable collection offered rare original drawings by E.H. Shepard, who illustrated such childhood classics as The Wind in the Willows and Winnie-the-Pooh Read More. Also featured in the Collection were original drawings by Beatrix Potter, author and illustrator of The Tale of Peter Rabbit Read More.

The top lot of the day was an original drawing by E.H. Shepard for A.A. Milne’s 1928 book, The House at Pooh Corner, which achieved an exceptional $75,000, surpassing its estimate of $40,000-60,000. The drawing was published on page 132 in Chapter VIII, In which Piglet Does a Very Grand Thing.

Another original drawing from The House in Pooh Corner also found favor among collectors, who drove the bidding far beyond the estimate of $30,000-50,000 to realize $68,750. The drawing was published on page 55 of the book, Chapter IV, In which it is shown that Tiggers don't climb trees.

Topping the works by Beatrix Potter was a watercolor on silk depiction of Mrs. Rabbit buttoning Peter's coat, circa 1901-1905, after the illustration in The Tale of Peter Rabbit. "Now run along, and don't get into any mischief. I am going out" is what Mrs. Rabbit says to her son Peter as she buttons his coat in the opening pages of the book. Contemporary watercolors and drawings depicting the characters from Potter's most beloved book are rare and infrequent at auction, hence the strong price of $43,750, far over its estimate of $20,000-30,000.

All prices include the Buyer's Premium.

PAYMENT
Payment can be made in the following ways:
· By credit card (an additional 2.9% fee will be charged)
· By wire transfer. For instructions, please email [email protected]

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Consignments are currently being accepted. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.

For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141, ext 248, or Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext. 234, or email [email protected]