A noted illustrator of the Golden Age of Illustration from the late 19th to early 20th century, Louis Rhead was born in England, educated at the South Kensington Art School and in Paris before emigrating to New York in 1883 where he spent most of his career. He was a versatile painter, etcher, ceramic designer and book illustrator. He became famous for his poster work published in the mid-1890's for magazines such as Century, Scribner's and The Bookman. He also drew numerous posters for the New York Sun and Morning Journal newspapers. Rhead was the brother of George Wooliscroft Rhead and Frederick Rhead. In 1898, the three brothers collaborated on an edition of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. After 1900, Louis Rhead worked primarily as a book illustrator. Among the many books he illustrated are Swiss Family Robinson, Gulliver's Travels, Treasure Island and Heidi.
Heidi
Pen and ink on paper. Signed. 14 x 9 1/2 inches. Framed and glazed. Heidi stands facing her grandfather who sits in front of his mountain cabin, smoking a pipe. An illustration for Chapter 2 of Johanna Spyri's Heidi, New York: Harper & Row, 1925. Sold as lot #452 in the New York Sotheby sale of June, 1980. Note: The outer margins of this drawing are not displayed in the attached image due to its size. $1440
Through Storm and Darkness, Sleet andShade
Pen and ink on paper. Signed. 16 1/2 x 12 inches. Price $1500
The Brown-Backed Sturgeon Slowly Swims
Pen and ink on paper. Signed. 16 1/2 x 12 inches. Price $4200
Boy Caught by an Octopus
Pen and ink on paper. Signed. 16 1/2 x 12 inches. Framed and glazed. This drawing is unusual in that Rhead drew very few fantasy images. Two other drawings from this same series may be found in the prestigious collection of original illustrative artwork at the Brandywine Museum in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Price $6000
