Pen and ink sketch of novelist Charles Gibbons by writer William Black 1877

BLACK, William (1841-1898). Original pen and ink portrait of Charles Gibbon (1843-1890), dated 1877.
 
Original pen and ink drawing on paper, the sheet measuring 230 x 190 mm and the portrait approximately 140 x 90 mm. Initialled "W.B." within the image, titled "Charles Gibbon" beneath and dated in ink "Ye Year MDCCCLXXVII". Additionally inscribed in pencil below, "Pen and ink sketch by Wm Black". The sheet has several old horizontal and vertical folds, with associated creasing, soiling and general handling wear; a short tear to top edge, nevertheless complete and in good condition.
 
An original portrait by the Scottish novelist and journalist William Black, depicting his contemporary Charles Gibbon in profile, smoking a pipe.  Black initially studied art in Glasgow before turning to journalism and literature. He later became one of the most popular novelists of the Victorian period, with works including A Daughter of Heth, A Princess of Thule and Macleod of Dare.
 
Charles Gibbon was an Isle of Man-born novelist and journalist who grew up in Glasgow before moving to London. A prolific author of popular and Scottish romances, his best-known works included Robin Gray, For Lack of Gold and In Honour Bound. An uncommon original drawing by one Victorian novelist of another.