A Merry Christmas (1887)

Drawing

-

Edward Martin Taber Family Collection

Drawing of a Spray of Holly: A black ink drawing of a small branch of holly, with leaves and berries. The branch is long and thin, with the leaves concentrated at the top of it. "A Merry Christmas" is written in block letters above the bare end of the branch.
Drawing of a Spray of Holly

A black ink drawing of a small branch of holly, with leaves and berries. The branch is long and thin, with the leaves concentrated at the top of it. "A Merry Christmas" is written in block letters above the bare end of the branch.

Name/Title

"A Merry Christmas" (1887)

Entry/Object ID

S.001.FL.052.I.1887

Description

An ink drawing of a spray of holly, done by Edward Martin Taber for a Christmas gift. The drawing is a possible version of the frontispiece from his illustration of "The Story of Cinderella" for Dorothea Taber Stafford.

Type of Drawing

Ink - Black

Artwork Details

Medium

Pen and Ink

Subject

Still life of a holly branch

Category

Still Lifes, Drawings of Flora, Drawings, Works of Edward Martin Taber

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Edward Martin Taber

Attribution

Attributed to

Role

Artist

Date made

1887

Time Period

19th Century

Place

* Untyped Place

New York

Inscription/Signature/Marks

'A Merry Christmas'

Dimensions

Height

10 in

Width

13-1/4 in

Color

Black

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Notes

Some discolouration of the paper due to age.

General Notes

Note

In a letter to Florence Taber Holt, E.M. Taber writes, "I have now, to begin with, a little drawing of a rose, with "For Dorothea" printed in Roman Capitals; likewise, upon the succeeding page, engrossed "The Story of Cinderella," with all the properties drawed off [...] As soon as I can get some holly I shall draw a wreath with a "Merry Christmas" printed inside, as a frontispiece." (Personal Letter, Nov. 19, 1887). The frontispiece that was given with the illustrated story of "Cinderella", is the one included in "Stowe Notes" (1913). This drawing very closely resembles the one in "Stowe Notes" and is most likely an earlier version or attempt.

Created By

Kathleen Garret