Rackham, Arthur

RACKHAM, ARTHUR

Two early works, comprising:

i) "I.O.U.", 48 x 125mm., three vignette ink drawings, unsigned, inscribed "Very Many Thanks" and "Archie", mounted, framed and glazed, some creases and very minor spotting

ii) "Unrequited Love", 28 x 65mm., ink drawing on envelope addressed to "Mrs Hopkins | 137 Petherton Road | Highbury New Park | W." with stamp postmarked 24 December 1889, mounted, framed and glazed, some soiling, some browning and tears

In 1884 a young Arthur Rackham became a Junior Clerk at an insurance company. He would later refer to "the long years when the office stool was my lot". The modest salary did, however, enable him to pay for evening art classes. These two ink drawings date from Rackham's time at the Westminster Fire Office (1885-92) and represent some of the earliest known examples of Rackham's work. Archibald S. Hocking (known as "Archie") and Herbert E. Hopkins (son or husband of Mrs Hopkins of 137 Petherton Road) were both colleagues of Rackham's.

PROVENANCE:

Chris Beetles Limited, "The Illustrators: The British Art of Illustration 1800-2008", November 2008 - January 2009, no 18 and 27