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One Of The Best Illustrations From E. H. Shepard’s The Wind In The Willows
44. “Mr Toad... came swaggering down the steps”
An original drawing from The Wind in the Willows. SHEPARD, Ernest Howard; [GRAHAME, Kenneth]
[1950]. 250 x 200mm. Original pen and ink drawing on artist’s board for a full page illustration for Wind in the Willows, depicting all four of the principal characters out- side the front portico of Toad Hall with the front of Toad’s infamous motor car to the side. Signed within the drawing at the base of the steps, with pencil captions by the artist “swaggering down the steps / Wind in the Willows page 129/130 (Chapter VI)”. The reverse of the board with Shepard’s ownership inscription, “Original drawing the property of Ernest H Shepard Long Meadow Longdown. Guildford. Surrey.”. Board slightly toned and occasional ink specks to background, but in generally excellent con- dition. [42953] £85,000 A fine, large detailed drawing depicting one of the iconic scenes from the book, of Toad being confronted by his friends as he attempts to take delivery of a new motor car. Shepard’s illustrations, which first appeared with the 1931 edition of the book, are those most associated with the work. In 1951 Methuen reissued the book, enhanced with six additional full page illustrations of which this is one. This particular piece has become one of the most popular and often reproduced illustrations, from the work, perfectly capturing the essence of each of the principal characters. It is also one of only two full page illustrations to contain all four characters. LITERATURE: Grahame, Kenneth The Wind in the Willows (Methuen, 1951) p132.
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