Illustration Art

This spring’s Illustration Art auction will celebrate the form as both art and cultural record, offering collectors the opportunity to acquire pieces that span genres, media, and moments. Book illustration is a highlight, led by the cover art of H. Lawrence Hoffman for the 1942 gothic novel, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. We are also pleased to present a special selection of material from the collection of David J. Holmes, a highly respected figure in the rare book community who assembled what has been regarded as the finest private collection devoted to Kenneth Grahame. Among the highlights are original illustrations by Ernest H. Shepard created for Grahame’s classic The Wind in the Willows.

Mid-century magazine illustration is represented with work by real life ‘Mad Men’ Edwin Georgi and Thornton Utz. Appearing on the pages of The Saturday Evening Post and Ladies’ Home Journal, their artwork embraces the period’s polished realism and narrative clarity. The sale will also feature original New Yorker illustrations by Charles Addams and Bruce McCall.

Fashion design highlights include sketches by designers Bill Blass and Gnyuki (Yuki) Torimaru. Particularly notable is Yuki’s design for the first dress he created for Princess Diana. The blue pleated gown, worn by the princess to a banquet with Emperor Hirohito, elevated Yuki’s profile and established an ongoing relationship between him and Diana.