The Fairy Press
VAN SANDWYK, Charles
The Fairy Press
[British Columbia, 2021]
Original pen and watercolour illustration; framed and glazed (frame measures 33 x 41.5 x 5cm approx, image measures 18.5 x 26cm approx); the watercolour showing the fairy press, nestled into the roots of an old oak tree; with a hedgehog in a blue apron working the hand press, a mouse looking rather stern behind spectacles, carrying a pile of books; a beautiful fairy figure with wings in purples, blues and oranges, clothed in a cap and flowing flower dress; and two treefolk; one hand-stitching a binding while sitting cross legged on top of a toadstool, with string and paste pot close by on two further mushroom tops; the other contemplating a list, perhaps of the day’s figures; the scene with several other charming embellishments such as the day’s sheets hanging on a line; piles of books and mosses, the Press’s sign swinging from a low-hanging tree branch; grasses and other greenery done in a green watercolour wash; all held in a gilt-ruled dark green mount, and gilt frame custom-made especially for the illustrator, painted in gold and carved with leaves; a fine copy of this stunning image.
Signed by the illustrator to the lower left hand corner. This image appears in Charles van Sandwyk’s autobiographical book, Yours Truly (published in 2021). Each of the figures in the present scene represent members of Charles van Sandwyk’s own personal publishing firm. The purple fairy represents Kim, who ran operations for 25 years; the man on the mushroom sewing is Augusto, the bookbinder; the mouse is Margaret, another book binder working presently at the press; and the hedgehog is Waisiki, current head of operations. The unruly-haired blonde elf to the lower right hand corner is a self portrait of the artist himself.
VAN SANDWYK, Charles
The Fairy Press
[British Columbia, 2021]
Original pen and watercolour illustration; framed and glazed (frame measures 33 x 41.5 x 5cm approx, image measures 18.5 x 26cm approx); the watercolour showing the fairy press, nestled into the roots of an old oak tree; with a hedgehog in a blue apron working the hand press, a mouse looking rather stern behind spectacles, carrying a pile of books; a beautiful fairy figure with wings in purples, blues and oranges, clothed in a cap and flowing flower dress; and two treefolk; one hand-stitching a binding while sitting cross legged on top of a toadstool, with string and paste pot close by on two further mushroom tops; the other contemplating a list, perhaps of the day’s figures; the scene with several other charming embellishments such as the day’s sheets hanging on a line; piles of books and mosses, the Press’s sign swinging from a low-hanging tree branch; grasses and other greenery done in a green watercolour wash; all held in a gilt-ruled dark green mount, and gilt frame custom-made especially for the illustrator, painted in gold and carved with leaves; a fine copy of this stunning image.
Signed by the illustrator to the lower left hand corner. This image appears in Charles van Sandwyk’s autobiographical book, Yours Truly (published in 2021). Each of the figures in the present scene represent members of Charles van Sandwyk’s own personal publishing firm. The purple fairy represents Kim, who ran operations for 25 years; the man on the mushroom sewing is Augusto, the bookbinder; the mouse is Margaret, another book binder working presently at the press; and the hedgehog is Waisiki, current head of operations. The unruly-haired blonde elf to the lower right hand corner is a self portrait of the artist himself.
VAN SANDWYK, Charles
The Fairy Press
[British Columbia, 2021]
Original pen and watercolour illustration; framed and glazed (frame measures 33 x 41.5 x 5cm approx, image measures 18.5 x 26cm approx); the watercolour showing the fairy press, nestled into the roots of an old oak tree; with a hedgehog in a blue apron working the hand press, a mouse looking rather stern behind spectacles, carrying a pile of books; a beautiful fairy figure with wings in purples, blues and oranges, clothed in a cap and flowing flower dress; and two treefolk; one hand-stitching a binding while sitting cross legged on top of a toadstool, with string and paste pot close by on two further mushroom tops; the other contemplating a list, perhaps of the day’s figures; the scene with several other charming embellishments such as the day’s sheets hanging on a line; piles of books and mosses, the Press’s sign swinging from a low-hanging tree branch; grasses and other greenery done in a green watercolour wash; all held in a gilt-ruled dark green mount, and gilt frame custom-made especially for the illustrator, painted in gold and carved with leaves; a fine copy of this stunning image.
Signed by the illustrator to the lower left hand corner. This image appears in Charles van Sandwyk’s autobiographical book, Yours Truly (published in 2021). Each of the figures in the present scene represent members of Charles van Sandwyk’s own personal publishing firm. The purple fairy represents Kim, who ran operations for 25 years; the man on the mushroom sewing is Augusto, the bookbinder; the mouse is Margaret, another book binder working presently at the press; and the hedgehog is Waisiki, current head of operations. The unruly-haired blonde elf to the lower right hand corner is a self portrait of the artist himself.