Darley, Felix Octavius Carr (1822-1888)

FINE ORIGINAL BLACK AND WHITE WASH DRAWING for the frontispiece of Houghton Mifflin's edition of Dickens, Vol. XI, Martin Chuzzlewit, signed “F.O.C. Darley fecit” lower left

Darley, F.O.C The oval image measures approximately 13 x 11 inches; matted and framed. , Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin, 1894. Standard Library Edition. There is some minor soiling to the margins (covered by the mat); the drawing itself is in fine condition.

A finely executed wash drawing, from which the steel engraved frontispiece (by C.H. Smith) was made. On the left sits an agitated Jonas Chuzzlewit, on the right, Mr. Chuffey, in the middle, Mrs. Gamp, with a solicitous hand on the latter's forehead. Beneath the drawing, Darley has written the caption (reproduced in the book): “'The creetur's head's so hot', said Mrs. Gamp, 'that you might 'eat a flat-iron at it'”. F.O.C. Darley (1822-1888), a highly prolific artist, is the best known of all early American illustrators. Although his designs were carefully copied in wood and steel engravings, his original work has a vigor and dash impossible to reproduce. This dramatic and poignant scene shows this talented artist at his best. A SUPERB ILLUSTRATION BY AN AMERICAN MASTER Early American Book Illustrators, p. 101 et seq.

Item #12491       Price: $1,750.00