Good Old Times No. 2

1880. GREENAWAY, Kate. Good Old Times No. 2". [N.p., ca. 1880].

Original pen, ink, and watercolor drawing for a greeting card. [N.p.: N.d., ca. 1880]. (Image size 4 3/16 x 2 15/16 inches; 107 x 74 mm.; 9 1/2 x 11 1/4 framed). Depicting a girl in white with a parasol and a boy with a green crop. Signed with initials at lower left corner. The card was issued as Good Old Times No. 2 (Horizontal Edition) (London: Marcus Ward & Co., 1880. The verses were written by G.P. Meade. Matted, framed and glazed.

"With Best Wishes

[G]ood old Times! They told us you had passed away; Who are these ye send us? What have they to say? Just the good old greeting

"Friend, good day!"

Bring what may the future, Bring it smile or sigh; surely we "Good-morrow" will reply."

Kate Greenaway (1846-1901). Born in London to an engraver father and a seamstress mother, Kate Greenaway's drawings were to capture forever an idealized image of Regency in childhood and rural life. From the age of twelve, Greenaway studied her craft, first at the Finsbury School of Art and later at the newly founded Slade School of Fine Art. Greenaway got her first commissions through her father and after one of her card designs sold 25,000 copies in just a few weeks, her work became very sought after by publishers. Greenaway's lines were always light, fine and sure, her watercolors delicate in color and application and she used little or no shading in her work. She depicted clothing meticulously and drew her figures, flowers and plants from life. Her enormous popularity spawned hundreds of imitators.

Schuster & Engen 274, Card 2.

HBS 67398.

$2,750.