Henry Justice Ford (British, 1860-1941), 'What think you o'mortal of my fair and lovely wife?', inscribed on the mount 'To Muriel Goodfellow with love... from Henry.J.Ford. March 20th 1917', pen and ink, highlighted with gouache, 37cm x 20cm

This lot and the other example in this sale were gifted to the forebear of the vendor's wife. Thence by descent.

Henry Justice Ford studied at the Slade School of Fine Art and later at the Bushey School of Art, under the auspices of Hubert von Herkomer and counted Edward Burne-Jones amongst his friends. He started exhibiting historical paintings at the R.A. in 1892 but it was as an illustrator that he became famous. Indeed, it was Burne-Jones and Walter Crane that influenced his work for these mythological stories and this secured his fame as an illustrator and particularly for Andrew Lang's Fairy Books (1889-1901). This drawing was for The Olive Fairy Book, page 170.

Condition Report

Mount very stained and discoloured. Unexamined out of frame.

Frame, cracked and chipped.

Bidding indicates acceptance of the condition of the lot.  All lots are sold subject to general wear and tear commensurate with age and handling over time and only obvious faults will be mentioned after a visual inspection. If you have particular specialist questions on any lot, please state these before bidding since we cannot and will not provide a forensic examination of any lot but only a general condition report as a guide only. All condition reports given by Halls Holdings Ltd's representatives or agents are statements of opinion and not fact. If you require any further information about any lots in this auction or about bidding please do not hesitate to contact us again.