Image Dimensions: 3 7/8 x 5 3/4 in (10 x 14.5 cm)

Framed Dimensions: 12 3/8 x 10 3/4 in (31.5 x 27.3 cm)

Provenance and authentication:
This collectible has undergone a rigorous forensic evaluation. The signatures were carefully analyzed across multiple criteria, including ink deposition, material aging characteristics, stylistic consistency, and historical alignment. The findings provide a sound basis for authenticity and historical context, and the piece is accompanied by comprehensive documentation supporting both its provenance and verification.

This signed sketch by Ernest Shepard represents a quintessential expression of British literary illustration at its most intimate and enduring. Best known for visually defining the world of Winnie-the-Pooh, Shepard's line drawings shaped the imagination of generations, transforming simple pen strokes into timeless narrative companions.

The sketch demonstrates Shepard's remarkable economy of line and character clarity. With a few assured strokes, he conveys posture, personality, and gentle humor, reflecting the visual language that made his illustrations inseparable from the literary texts they accompanied. Such drawings were not merely preparatory studies but complete artistic statements, capturing the warmth and restraint that distinguish Shepard's work from later, more commercial interpretations.

The signature is executed with calm confidence and natural flow, consistent with Shepard's mature signing style. The pen movement remains steady and unforced, reinforcing the sense that the autograph belongs organically to the drawing rather than serving as an added mark. This harmony between image and signature enhances the sketch's integrity as a finished work.

Within the market for illustration art, signed sketches by Ernest Shepard occupy a highly respected position. Their appeal lies in their direct connection to the origins of twentieth-century children's literature, as well as in their scarcity relative to published imagery. For collectors, such works represent both artistic authorship and cultural memory, making them enduring cornerstones of serious illustration collections.

All sold 'as is,’. The absence of a condition report does not necessarily guarantee an excellent condition. The Buyer is advised to seek independent expert advice in order to be assured of the authenticity and true state of the good.If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via email: info@saltlakegallery.com