Denslow, W[illiam] W[allace]

Original drawing of Mary and her Lamb, from Denslow's Mary Had a Little Lamb, ink on paper, inscribed “To Mr. E.F. Strickland with best wishes from W.W. Denslow May 8th 1904”, along with the artist's device, in ink

Denslow, W.W. Together with an ALS from Denslow to Strickland conveying this drawing, and two prints which Strickland had sent to be inscribed, and the carbon of a verse of thanks from Strickland to the artist. Drawing image 11 x 8, matted to 15 x 12 overall, New York: G.W. Dillingham, 1903. Fine.

This charming, full-page drawing, showing Mary and the Lamb perched precariously on the branch of a tree, the Lamb looking definitely apprehensive, was for one of a series of children's books published by Dillingham in 1903. W.W. Denslow (1856-1915) began formal training as an artist at age 14, studying at New York's Cooper Union, and at the National Academy of Design, and his first published work appeared two years later. From there he proceeded to a notable career in commercial art, specializing in book-cover designs, working as a newspaper artist, and for the Roycrofters. In 1896 he became friends with a crockery salesman and occasional verse writer named L. Frank Baum. Theirs was an attraction of opposites--cynical Denslow and sentimental Baum--but they became collaborators and three years later produced Father Goose: His Book. It became the best-selling children's book of 1899. With sales of over 75,000 copies, it was a hard act to top, but in September of the following year the pair published a work that has sold more copies than any other children's story by an American. It was called The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Despite the success of Oz, Denslow's subsequent life was not a happy one. He remained productive, but had a falling out with Baum (each man felt he was entitled to the major credit for Oz); domestic and financial problems drove him to drink, his career suffered, and he died in 1915 at the age of 58. No major newspaper published his obituary. Things have changed Greene and Hearn, W.W. Denslow, pp. 183-185.

Item #43455       Price: $5,000.00