AN ENDURING MAGIC
The Original Watercolours from The Enchanted Capital of Scotland KING, Jessie M.; STEELE, Isobel K. 1945. Six original watercolours on vellum by Jessie King for Isobel Steele’s Edinburgh fantasy, including the four double page plates in the book, one unused illustration and the wraparound design for the dustwrapper. One of the most notable things about these illustrations is that the palette used by Jessie is much more muted than the reproductions in the book. The originals are more reflective of the actual colours seen in and around Edinburgh, and less garish than the printed version. The book describes a trip packed with discoveries, as a party of school children pay a visit to Edinburgh. “She drew the city as a child might see it, without perspective or modelling, capturing the feeling of wonder that the unsophisticated visitors must have had in first seeing the sights there” - Colin White. PROVENANCE: Noel Fyfe, bookseller and publisher listed in the final book as “the Merchant”.
69. Edinburgh Castle KING, Jessie M.
72. The Enchanted Capital Of Scotland Dustwrapper KING, Jessie M. 1945. Original pen, coloured ink and watercolour on vellum, re- produced as the wraparound dustwrapper. 29cm x 45cm. Signed in ink to lower right-hand corner, with the original title lettering layered over the painting. Mounted in a cream card frame. A vi- brant scene featuring various characters, the castle gates and the Edinburgh skyline in the background. In fine condition. [46066] £15,000
1945. Original pen, coloured ink and watercolour on vellum, 36cm x 44cm, signed in ink to lower right-hand corner. Mounted in a cream card frame. A busy aerial view of Edinburgh’s build- ings, gardens and castle. In fine condition. [46065] £15,000 70. Mary Queen Of Scots, J.M. Barrie And R. L. Stevenson KING, Jessie M. 1945. Original pen, coloured ink and watercolour on vellum, re- produced as a double page spread at pages 49/49. 31cm x 40cm. Signed in ink to lower right-hand corner. Mounted in cream card frame. An illustration of the finale of the children’s adventure in Edinburgh, wherein they meet famous figures from Scotland’s past. In fine condition, bright and unfaded, with a central crease corresponding to the central margin in the book. [46067] £8,500 A whimsical painting depicting children on their visit to Edinburgh meeting the city’s famous historical figures, Mary, Queen of Scots, Robert Louis Stevenson, with a somewhat unconventional city scape.
73. Climbing The Ramparts KING, Jessie M.
1945. Original pen, coloured ink and watercolour on vellum. 33cm x 44cm. Signed in ink to lower right-hand corner. A bright illustration showing the children climbing up to the castle ram- parts of Edinburgh and being bombarded by Gollochs throwing rocks. In fine condition. [46068] £9,500 Drawn for, but not used in, The Enchanted Capital of Scotland.
74. Bagpipes At The Gate KING, Jessie M.
71. McNab’s Garden KING, Jessie M.
1945. Original pen, coloured ink and watercolour on vellum, re- produced as a double page spread at pages 40/41. 28cm x 43cm. Signed in ink to lower right-hand corner. Mounted in cream card frame. A procession of children approaching the gates of Edin- burgh Castle, with the lead child playing the bagpipes to open the gates. In fine condition, bright and unfaded, with a central crease corresponding to the centre fold of the printed illustration. [46070] £7,500 “We’ve to tak’ the pipes, and when we get to the Esplanade I’ve to play them, and we’ve to march up to the Castle gate and it’ll fa’ open of it’s own accord.” A delightful Edinburgh scene with the cobbled streets, Castle Gate and ghosts of pipers of yesteryear.
1945. Original pen, coloured ink and watercolour on vellum. 31.5cm x 40cm Signed in ink to lower right-hand corner. The painting is reproduced as a double page spread on pages 12- 13. A vibrant illustration of the children in the garden, asking McNab about the missing Queen Bee. The image features some of Jessie M. King’s trademark images including a rabbit, this- tles and stylised flowers. In fine condition, clean and unfaded. [46069] £12,000
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