Lot 1128: *Michael Ayrton (1921 - 1975), collection of twelve pen and ink and in

*Michael Ayrton (1921 - 1975), collection of twelve pen and ink and ink wash illustrations for The Anatomy of Villainy, inscribed and numbered in order as follows: No. 1. Judas Iscariot, No. 2. Richard III at Bosworth, No. 3. Cesare Borgia, No. 4. Matthew Hopkins. The Witchfinder General, No. 5. Titus Oates, No. 6. Judge Jeffreys, No. 7. Colonel Charteris, No. 8. Robespierre, No. 9. The Marquis de Sade, No. 10. D. D. Home, No. 11. Rasputin and No. 12. Keiser Wilhelm II. In matching glazed gilt frames, 24cm x 14.5cm. Provenance: Formally the property of Nigel Balchin (1908 - 1970) and thence by descent. The works were commissioned circa 1950 for the book 'The Anatomy of Villainy' by Balchin who was a great support to the struggling artist at the time