Lot 5097: LAWSON, ROBERT. 1892-1957. "Centaur in the garden," etching,

"Centaur in the garden," etching, 123 x 174 mm, signed and limited to 100 copies.

Prior to illustrating the children's classic The Story of Ferdinand (1936), Robert Lawson tried to support himself with a charming series of fine etchings of elves and other fanciful subjects. Few sold. Although the edition states 100 copies, it is unlikely that that many were ever printed. Lawson eventually became one of the most honored and beloved of modern American children's book author-illustrators. He is the only one to ever win both the Caldecott and Newbery Medals.