Bidspirit auction | John Tenniel Alice in Wonderland

John Tenniel Alice in Wonderland Gryphon Drawing - Item/Description: Original illustration tracing by John Tenniel (1820-1914). Signed (Initialed signature / monogram) lower right. Gryphon asleep. Original pencil tracing of the illustration on page 138 in chapter 9 of the first edition of Alice in Wonderland. Original tracing for woodblock of drawing. It is known that Tenniel transferred his drawings to the block himself using tracing paper. These preliminary sketches were first drawn in pencil, then in pen and ink. As a third step, Tenniel transferred the outline of the drawings to woodblocks, using tracing paper. These woodblocks would then be engraved by the Dalziel brothers. Woodblocks were used as ‘stamps’, so the images needed to be reversed to produce the correct results in print. CHAPTER IX: The Mock Turtle’s Story. They very soon came upon a Gryphon, lying fast asleep in the sun. (If you don’t know what a Gryphon is, look at the picture.) “Up, lazy thing!?” said the Queen, “and take this young lady to see the Mock Turtle, and to hear his history. I must go back and see after some executions I have ordered?”; and she walked off, leaving Alice alone with the Gryphon. Alice did not quite like the look of the creature, but on the whole she thought it would be quite as safe to stay with it as to go after that savage Queen: so she waited. Material: Pencil on trace, framed under glass. Dimensions: Image size: Height: 3”; Width: 4 1/4”. Framed: Height: 6 3/4”; Width: 8 1/4”. Condition: Discoloration, age, wear. Age: 19th Century. Provenance: Private Collection. Framed and sold by Kennedy & Co Rare Prints 693 5th Ave. Originally purchased together with John Tenniel drawing in previous lot (10). Shipping: $35 Standard (within Continental US) provided In-House. Shipping method is determined by item size, type, fragility and specific characteristics. Shipping and handling costs are calculated based on average carrier rates, delivery distance and packing complexity. International Bidders: Please email admin@taurusauctions.com for a shipping quote to your country. Condition Reports: Please see all photos and read entire description before requesting condition reports. Please contact us before bidding if you require additional photos or have any questions regarding condition. Email admin@taurusauctions.com for all condition reports. See all Terms and Conditions prior to bidding.