...among the finest book illustrations ever produced
Illustrations to Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book
Macmillan, 1903.
Large portfolio comprising 16 large mounted colour plates depicting scenes from Kipling's story (each image is 300mm by 250mm). Housed in publisher's green linen slipcase with gilt embossed decoration depicting a winged beast (a mythic emblem used by the Detmolds) to upper cover. Together with a suite of proof plates. The sixteen colour illustrations are mounted and protected by captioned tissue guards. The interesting progression of the printing process is further brought to life by annotations to one of the plate mounts. The whole magnificent production in remarkable condition. Bright, clean and generally stunning. Portfolio and proofs housed in large custom made cloth box.
Maurice and Edward Detmold were twins born in London, who studied animal life in the Zoological Gardens. Much of the work the brothers did was with animal images paying great attention to detail and producing images which are very true to life. This series of illustrations is undoubtedly their most celebrated achievement. "The watercolours themselves must be among the finest book illustrations ever produced" says Keith Nicholson. The paintings were praised for their attention to detail, their realistic images and their great depth. Originals of the paintings are owned by the Victoria & Albert Museum. The portfolio was produced in a small limitation and sold for 5 guineas a set.
Stock ID: 31874
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