Pen and Ink Drawing: "I flung myself on him." Illustration for Oxtave Thanet, "Trusty, No. 49," The Century Magazine, June 1890, page 216.
New York: June, 1890.
Price: $650.00
About the item
Kemble, E. W. at p. 216. Docketed on back. Signed lower left "Kemble" and titled in pencil beneath the drawing. The original title "The Quarrel" is written in blue pencil on the verso. 1 vols. 210 x 195 mm ( 8 x 7-1/2 inches.). Fine. Matted. Walt & Roger Reed, The Illustrator in America, p. 20.
Item #266903
Edward Windsor Kemble (1861-1933) is best-known for his superb illustrations of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn and Puddin’ Head Wilson, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and several of Joel Chandler Harris’ Uncle Remus stories. He was a self-taught artist, whose work “reveals a strong sense of humor and an acute observation of character…” He had a special empathy for Black characters and drew them with an understanding and geniality uncommon in his day” (Reed, p. 20). As noted above, there is a second letter, dated November 16, 1885, in which the artist writes to Rev. Strickland, “Your kind acknowledgement of my little contribution has been received. I send you a photograph of myself which I think is about the best suited to your enterprise...” The photo accompanying the letter is an original, half-length seated portrait of the artist, 4 x 3-1/2 inches, signed by him on the back, with the trademark of Rockwood Photographers, 12 Union Square West, NY. Letters, photo and drawing all bear the rubber stamp of E.F. Strickland, and are docketed in his hand with the date of receipt. Huckleberry Finn, with Kemble's illustrations, was published this same year, 1885.
