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Lot 43: Kathleen Hale (1898-?), British A BICYCLE MADE FOR

Est: $3,000 CAD - $5,000 CAD
Waddington'sToronto, ON, CAJune 09, 2009

Item Overview

Description

Kathleen Hale (1898-?), British A BICYCLE MADE FOR FIVE (ORLANDO THE MARMALADE CAT); Watercolour, crayon and pencil drawing; signed lower right, signed and titled verso backing Together with: A three page letter from the artist to the former owner, "Mr. Benson" written in pen and ink on two numbered double-sided pages, dated 18/1/79. Writing from Tod House, Forest Hill, Oxford, London, Hale thanks Mr. Benson for his "fan mail" and recent acquisition remarking, "I am so pleased that 'Orlando & His Bicycle made for Five' is with you. That bike has done some travelling, to fetch (indistinct) up in Canada", with the Air Mail envelope, post marked 19 Jan. 1979 addressed to Mr. Benson and with the artist's return address given as: K. McClean (nee Kathleen Hale). Image 8.5" x 6.5" - 21.6 x 16.5 cm.

Artist or Maker

Provenance

Provenance: John E. Benson, Ottawa acquired circa 1979; By descent

Notes

Note: When Kathleen Hale's Orlando (The Marmalade Cat) first made his debut in 1938 it was to instant acclaim. Miss Hale created Orlando to amuse her sons after dismissing other children's books as boring. This book illustration depicting Orlando taking his wife Grace, and their three mischievous kittens: Blanche, Pansy and Tickle on a camping trip was the first of a series of books created by the artist that have become classics of children's literature for 70 years. In an newspaper clipping accompanying the lot, the writer reports: "At 96, Kathleen Hale decided to sell the original versions of all 16 Orlando books, complete with her artwork." She remarked, "The books are not doing any good in my attic. It's damp up there, and nobody can see them. "

Auction Details

International Art Auction

by
Waddington's
June 09, 2009, 01:00 PM EST

111 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M5V 2R1, CA