THURBER, James (1894-1961). A collection of eight pen and ink drawings, [New York, 1934-1943).

A series of James Thurber drawings. A good selection of Thurber's famous "wobbly" drawings, many of which appeared in The New Yorker. Many examples bear captions and include "She's out of fix because they've cleaned up the movies" (29 Sept. 1934); "Her maid told ours that she has a red heart tattooed above her knee" (25 April, 1936 with a slightly different caption); "I don't want any part of it!" (28 Nov. 1936). Uncaptioned drawings include two of a pair of men fencing, and an angry woman talking to a doctor. Also of interest are several drawings that were first collected for his 1943 book, Men Women, and Dogs including "I'm not going home – and you can't make me!" Thurber's work first came to the attention of The New Yorker when his friend and co-worker, E.B. White retrieved several examples from the trash and submitted from for publication. His friend Dorothy Parker, noted that the scenes conjured by Thurber, deals “solely in culminations. Beneath his pictures he sets only the final line. You may figure for yourself, and good luck to you, what under heaven could have gone before, that his somber citizens find themselves in such remarkable situations. It is yours to ponder how penguins get into drawing-rooms and seals into bedchambers, for Mr. Thurber will only show them to you some little time after they have arrived there.” (Thurber. The Seal in the Bedroom and other Predicaments, 1932. Introduction).

Eight sheets, ranging in size from 190 x 115mm to 215 x 355mm. (Occasional glue marks, and edge toning). All hinged at top margins and matted with mylar protective sheets. Cloth clamshell.

Please note that the signed self portrait has been withdrawn from the lot. The description has been edited accordingly.