Garth Williams Archive of Letters (17) with Related Items to Jan Wahl

A collection of letters, a signed Christmas card, and a book related to beloved children's illustrator, Garth Williams (1912-1996) and Jan Wahl. Also included is a single letter from Arnold Lobel, author and illustrator of the "Frog and Toad" books, addressed to Jan Wahl. Williams' most famous works include "Stuart Little", "Charlotte's Web", "The Cricket in Times Square", and the "Little House" series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. He initially studied architecture but made the transition to art and illustration during the Great Depression. He studied at the Royal College of Art in London and the British School at Rome until the outbreak of World War II. During the war, he volunteered with the British Red Cross Civilian Defense ambulances. Williams used a variety of different mediums, depending on the story, from charcoal and graphite to pen and ink, to colored pencils. Below are highlights from the archive:

1. Signed Christmas Card and Illustration. Measuring 8.5" x 11.75", no place, Christmas 1969. Signed "Garth" and inscribed to Jan Wahl, "Jan Wishing you Merry Christmas 1969. A Toast: 'and to several more books beginning 1970' ad: inf:" Inside the card is a sketch of "The Year of the Guinea Pig", featuring four guinea pigs in ink.

2. "Push Kitty" by Jan Wahl, illustrated by Garth Williams. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1968. A charming children's book with colorful illustrations within.

3. Correspondence, Williams to Wahl (17 Total), dating from February 13, 1963 to June 5, 1970. Excerpts:
Typed Letter Signed, August 9, 1963: "…I am working on Push Kitty. Don't think it is easy. It is slowly hatching out of the amorphous shape, in a short time I will be sending Ursula roughs, but how many days --- heaven only knows. It is a hard book, as Ursula's often are, but let me know frankly exactly how you react to roughs…Nothing more to report. Thought I had typhoid, but didn’t…Garth"
Autograph Letter Signed, October 5, 1963: "…I have worked on Push Kitty in fits and starts. Trying to hit what I have in my mind. But so far I'm not happy. I found that it (or at least I can't) can't be done by the same method as 'Bedtime for Francis' - which I thought it could on reading it first time…Anyway, until I send the first samples this is to let you know it is on my desk and has a file of exploratory work done. Hope to be sending Ursula something soon…Garth."
Typed Letter Signed, July 14, 1966: "…I began once again to tackle Push Kitty this week. I feel sure that only with yourself here will the spell be broken, and the final pictures materialize. I enclose maps for reaching this remote section of the world; and advice on minor medicines for the traveler…Garth" Includes a hand-drawn from Guanajuato, Mexico.

4. Three Polaroids of Jan Wahl. Three candid, color photographs of Wahl, included in the June 5, 1970, typed letter.

Most of the letters have retained their original envelopes. Mail folds and light, expected wear to the letters. All with bold signatures. The book dust jacket is worn with tears at the edges and corners. Else very good.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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