RARE AND BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL GLAZED WATERCOLOR OF BOOKS BY GEORGE CRUIKSHANK, SIGNED BY HIM, HANDSOMELY FRAMED

CRUIKSHANK, George. Original watercolor signed. No place, no date. Glazed watercolor on card, measuring 5 by 4-1/4 inches; handsomely framed, entire piece measures 11-1/2 by 10-1/2 inches. $3800.

Wonderful original watercolor of haphazardly stacked books by George Cruikshank, signed by him at the bottom of the image, handsomely framed.

The striking piece is a particularly accomplished example of Cruikshank's work as a miniaturist. Here, he has painted a detail from a library or book shop and shown books carelessly stacked, including some falling open to present their contents. Cruikshank's background as an illustrator is clear in the page edges, the carefully drawn portrait inside one book, and each painstakingly rendered spine. Serious Cruikshank pieces are rare and, for the collector, a watercolor such as this is the crowning glory of a collection.

Fine condition.