Original ink drawing by Katharine Sturges for an illustration in Beatrix Potter’s only novel Sister Ann (Philadelphia: David McKay [1932]).

An attractive illustration done for this modern retelling of the tale of Bluebeard (originally writen by Charles Perrault and first printed in 1697), now set in the countryside of Lancashire. Her text had been prepared for inclusion in The Fairy Caravan (1929) but was found to be too long for that purpose. Sister Ann was the last of her books published in her lifetime, and the only one issued solely in America.

Potter felt herself too old illustrate the book, so the designs were done by the American artist, Katharine Sturges. She liked the pictures, and told her publisher “Do thank Katharine Sturges from me for interpreting just what I meant!”. Our drawing is reproduced on page [25].

Sturges is perhaps best-known as the mother of Hilary Knight (of Eloise fame -- See lot 42).