£80 - £120
Joseph Clayton Clarke, "Kyd" (1857–1937) - "Truth escaping from the well", after the epigram by Democritus, almost certainly for a book illustration, signed Clarke in the lower-left margin, labelled mount, verso inscribed (Mr Bell, Howard Street) and further inscribed twice with a transcript of the poem in two different hands, n.d. [c. 1925-31], pen-and-ink over pencil, watercolour and gouache on board, 38.5 x 53cm
The reverse of the board is twice inscribed in manuscript with the following and as of yet untraced verse, itself repeated on the labelled mount: Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong bell,/Truth is escaping from the well,/Run, ye maiden ladies, run,/The truth has got no clothing on,/Call the policeman, bring a gun,/Come and kill her everyone,/There's no telling what's about,/When the vixen truth gets out.
The colours mostly fresh. The brown with toned portions and some occasional foxed spots, principally to the upper-left to upper-centre. The four corners with pin holes. Upper-right margin with 2cm stable split. Light surface scuffs and abrasions. Rounded verso corners taped to mount, some chipping but not affecting image.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
28.80% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
30.6% inc VAT*
