Three original pen & ink drawings by Edward Lear, taken from ‘A Book of Nonsense,’ first published in 1846. The drawings have been examined and fully authenticated as Lear’s work by the late Vivien Noakes, the world expert on Edward Lear. They are drawn on silk, or possibly fine rag paper, and then laid on paper for support. They were drawn, almost certainly for presentation to friends, and would originally have been part of a group of drawings bound in book form, probably at the time of its making in the early 1860’s. There is some staining and browning, but otherwise the drawings are in excellent condition. The drawings are mounted on acid free card and are supplied with a copy of the letter of authentication from Vivien Noakes. Mount sixe: 24.7 x 30.5 cm. Original ‘Nonsense’ drawings by Lear are exceedingly rare.
