Carol Singers an original pen and ink sketch by Charles Folkard c1919

FOLKARD, Charles (1878-1963). "Carol Singers". Original pen-and-ink illustration for Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes. [c.1919].

Original pen-and-ink drawing on paper, 280 x 195 mm, presented in a cream window mount, 310 x 410 mm. In very good condition, with light surface dusting and publication annotations in pencil and ink to the front and reverse, including instructions for reduction. 

Four young carol singers stand in the snow with their song sheets, one holding a lantern on a pole, while a dog beside them appears to join the chorus. The figures are drawn largely in black silhouette, relieved by white scarves, falling snow and the checked skirt of the smallest singer.

An original illustration for Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes, edited by L. Edna Walter and published by A. & C. Black in 1919. Subsequently reused in The Enchanted Way (1937), as recorded by the annotation on the reverse, "Also Enchanted Way I (p.25.)". Provenance: Sotheby's, English Literature, History, Children's Books & Illustrations, 12 December 2017, lot 250, part of a substantial collection of Folkard's artwork for Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes; subsequently into commerce.