January 2023 Catalogue

60 Great Books - 21 - Bauman Rare Books An Amazing Offering: Garth Williams’ Original Watercolor, Pen And Ink Illustration For The First Edition Dust Jacket Of Charlotte’s Web, From The Collection Of The Book’s Legendary Editor And Ardent E.B. White Supporter, Ursula Nordstrom 18. WILLIAMS, Garth. Original watercolor illustration [Charlotte’s Web dust jacket]. No place, 1952. Octavo (8 by 11 inches, folded to 8 by 6 inches), original watercolor, pen and ink illustration on laid paper; handsomely window-matted and framed, entire piece measures 20 by 17 inches. $65,000. Original watercolor, pen, and ink front cover and spine illustration for the dust jacket of the first edition of Charlotte’s Web by Garth Williams, a preliminary version of the final cover, evidently sent by Williams for approval to Ursula Nordstrom, the legendary director of Harper’s department of children’s books from 1940 to 1973 and the editor of Charlotte’s Web. From the personal collection of Ursula Nordstrom. One of the dynamic forces in children’s publishing of the 20th century, Ursula Nordstrom oversaw the publication of such classics as Goodnight Moon, Harold and the Purple Crayon, Where the Wild Things Are and the two E.B. White books, Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web. In 1952, White unexpectedly showed up in Nordstrom’s office with a newmanuscript, Charlotte’s Web. Nordstrom reportedly asked him if he had an extra copy for her to send to Garth Williams, who had illustrated Stuart. By all accounts, Nordstrom loved Charlotte, as did Williams, and the illustration and production of the book became a great collaboration. Finally, on July 10, 1952, Nordstrom wrote to White: “Here is a rough proof of the jacket. I’ve been hoping to get a corrected proof to send you but guess I’ll send this uncorrected one now. The green will be brighter, and will therefore brighten the entire jacket” (Marcus, 51). This original watercolor by Garth Williams of the front and spine of the dust jacket, from Ursula Nordstrom’s personal collection, is no doubt one of the jacket versions discussed by Nordstrom and White in these letters. This painting differs from the final dust jacket in several respects, but bears strong overall similarity. The verso of the illustration contains notes by Harper artists for creation of a jacket proof copy: “File. EB White Charlotte’s Web. He will give us black plate of jacket (in line) will just 3 colors proof of black (or on blue print of black).” It also includes measurements of the finished jacket. This illustration was lent by Nordstrom’s estate to the Chrysler Museum exhibit “Myth, Magic, and Mystery: One Hundred Years of American Children’s Book Illustrations,” and is featured in the exhibit’s catalogue. The exhibition label is included with the piece. An extraordinary original drawing with the most important possible provenance, in fine condition. “An unusual and witty story which provides a gentle introduction to questions of mortality, Charlotte's Web is a modern classic.”—BookTrust

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