Shepard, E.H.

65 by 57mm., preliminary pencil drawing, unsigned, mounted, framed and glazed, some slight browning

Christie's South Kensington, 21 February 2007, lot 1397

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This piece reveals Shepard’s familiar working method. As a preliminary pencil drawing on paper, Shepard experimented with the composition in his sketch-book. Once satisfied, he would remove the sheet from the sketch-book (along a perforated edge), rub a soft pencil over the back and trace significant lines through the paper onto artist’s board. An ink drawing would then be created using this faint pencil guide. This present piece of paper is probably cut down from a sketch-book leaf, but reveals a perforated edge at the top and soft pencil rubbing on the reverse.

Included with this lot is a typed letter of provenance signed by Shepard’s daughter (and illustrator of Mary Poppins), Mary E. Knox, dated 28 July 1978.

The final finished ink drawing is currently unidentified. There is a marked resemblance to the drawing of Pooh (reversed) on page 78 of Winnie-the-Pooh and also the drawing (reversed and without the honey pot) on page 174 of The House at Pooh Corner.