Newell, Peter. Original Ink and Watercolor Drawing by Peter Newell, Published in Lewis Carroll's The Hunting of the Snark and Other Poems and Verses. New York and London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, [1903]. A completely unique, primary masterpiece of American golden-age illustration art, executed for one of the most celebrated literary collaborations of the early twentieth century. The artwork consists of an original vertical ink and watercolor painting on paper measuring 11-1/16" x 7-1/16" (281 x 180 mm), securely mounted to its original heavy portrait-format studio board measuring 15-5/8" x 11-11/16" (397 x 297 mm). Signed boldly by the artist as "PETER NEWELL" in his characteristic block lettering in the lower right quadrant.
The physical condition of the artwork is graded (9/10) - EXCELLENT (utilizing a standardized 10-point scale for photographic prints and original works of art, indicating mild condition issues that are barely perceptible to the naked eye). The paper matrix retains exceptional clarity, bright tonal depth, and its original structural integrity, with the original studio mount displaying only trivial signs of native handling or peripheral wear. The paper shows no prominent foxing, fading, or silverfish damage, while the delicate watercolor washes retain their original contrast without any modern conservation or retouching.
The Peak of Nonsense Verse and the Poem "Turtle Soup"
This spectacular, museum-grade artifact represents the absolute pinnacle of Lewis Carroll iconography, reimagined by one of America's most distinct visual humorists. Following the massive critical success of his Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1901) and Through the Looking-Glass (1902), Peter Newell (1862–1924) was commissioned by Harper & Brothers to provide forty master illustrations for Carroll's epic nonsense poem, The Hunting of the Snark and Other Poems and Verses in 1903.
This specific, hilarious drawing appears directly facing page 170 in the published volume, serving as the full-page plate for Carroll's iconic parody poem, "Turtle Soup." The drawing captures the whimsical, melancholy essence of the Mock Turtle, perfectly visualizing the famous captioned refrain:
"Beau - ootiful soo - oop! Beau - ootiful soo - oop!"
Newell’s distinct ability to balance soft, atmospheric watercolor washes with sharp, expressive ink work is on full display here, making this one of his most compositionally satisfied and emotionally resonant interpretations of Carroll's work.
An Unprecedented, Market-Defining Rarity
While Newell's printed books are widely collected, his original production drawings for the landmark Lewis Carroll trilogy are notoriously scarce, with the vast majority tied up in permanent institutional archives and museum estates. This spectacular piece is a true market anomaly, constituting the only original artwork from Newell's Hunting of the Snark commission to ever appear on the open market. It stands not merely as a piece of decorative art, but as a monumental primary source from the golden age of book illustration.
A COMPLETELY UNIQUE AND MUSEUM-GRADE ORIGINAL INK AND WATERCOLOR DRAWING BY PETER NEWELL FOR LEWIS CARROLL'S 1903 THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK, CAPTURING THE ICONIC "TURTLE SOUP" SCENE AND SIGNED BY THE ARTIST, CONSTITUTING A PARAMOUNT ARTIFACT FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH INTO THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICAN ILLUSTRATION, VICTORIAN NONSENSE LITERATURE, AND THE PUBLISHING HISTORY OF HARPER & BROTHERS, REPRESENTING A DISTINGUISHED ACQUISITION FOR INSTITUTIONAL SPECIAL COLLECTIONS OR PRIVATE AMERICANA AND ART HISTORY ARCHIVES.
# 001035