Slave Illustration By James Daugherty 1930s Original Harriet Tubman Bio No Resv. For Sale

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For sale is a signed, original pen and ink illustration by James Henry Daugherty (1889 - 1974). Daugherty was an American modernist painter, muralist, children's book author, and illustrator (he won the Caldecott Medal for his illustrations and the Newbery Medal for his book on Daniel Boone). I bought it last year in the Washington DC area. I guarantee it’s original, signed and by Daugherty. This is a sale (I previously listed this as a Buy it Now/Best Offer sale... but I like this better... it's more fun).

I also have a Daugherty illustration of a settler (Daniel Boone maybe) fighting off 4 Indians. So check my other sales.

This illustration was used in “The Railroad to Freedom” by Hildegard Hoyt Swift (published in 1932 by Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc.). It’s the chapter heading (page 9, Chapter 2) in this biography of Hariret Tubman and story of the Underground Railroad. . It shows Araminta Harriet Tubman's mother, Harriet Greene ("Old Rit") and the kitchen-boys, Sam and Clarence. Greene is working over an iron pot heating in a cooking fireplace and there’s a chicken on a spit. Same and Clarence are running around with two cats lapping up spilled milk from the floor. Greene has a bandana on and is smoking a pipe. There’s a nice, flowing circular design to the image. I assume the scene it set in Maryland in the late 1830s where Tubman spent her youth.

It’s signed “Daugherty” in pencil in the lower left corner. I also have a later edition of the book I’ll include. On back of the frame mat is a label that says: " "Illustration by JAMES DAUGHERTY for RAILROAD TO FREEDOM by Swift". Written on back of illustration itself it says "R R to Freedom" and 3.50.

I found a nice 1960 edition of the book I’ll include with the illustration. Here's a short bit about Tubman: Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Harriet Ross; 1820 – March 10, 1913) was an African-American abolitionist, humanitarian, and Union spy during the American Civil War. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made more than thirteen missions to rescue more than 70 slaves using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. She later helped John Brown recruit men for his raid on Harpers Ferry, and in the post-war era struggled for women's suffrage.

The image is on tan paper (Daugherty usually worked on brownish paper). It’s black ink with the brown showing through. There are white highlights and overlay which was often used for final edits and changes before use in a publication.

Overall the illustration is in good condition, but there are a few issues. Nicely, the image is hinged (not glued down). But I don’t know if they’re archival hinges. The paper is naturally brown (Daughtery used tan paper a great deal). But there is also some toning around the very edges of the page and in the smoke area (upper left) and some small stains here and there. There's a flattened diagonal crease (hard to see in some light) in upper right corner. I tried to use bright light to show things. But, when viewed under normal light, it’s hard to see any issues.

The shipping price is just for the illustration. I do have the frame (it’s a metal frame just over 21 by 17 3/4)) and it’s shown in one of the photos. It looks nice in it. If you want it, let me know and I’ll give you a price for shipping in the frame.

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Here’s a bit more about Daugherty: He was an important American modernist whose canvases hang in the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney & the Smithsonian. Born June 1, 1887 in Asheville, North Carolina and began his formal study of art, at the Corcoran Art School in Washington D.C. Later he studied at the Philadelphia Art Academy and abroad. In London he read Walt Whitman and became excited about catching in visual images the poet's dynamic concept of America. About 1915 began Daugherty's long absorption in color abstraction. He was a pivotal member of the Sychromist movement in American modernism and as such, had a retrospective show at the Schoelkopf Gallery in NYC in 1971. After 1920 and into the 1930's Daugherty turned to mural paintings portraying vibrant themes from American history. He then turned to illustrating children's books and has more than 50 to his credit and the authorship of a dozen. James Daugherty died on February 21, 1974 in Boston.

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Please feel free to ask questions (except I won't end the sale early). I’ll respond as quickly as possible. Also, I’ve shipped hundreds of items overseas with no problem, but please be aware that Customs can delay things a long time… I will post the true sales price on the customs form… and shipping can be expensive (I’ll work with you to limit costs as much as possible). I offer 14 days money back, but you pay return shipping. So, please look closely at the description and images.

Thanks for looking and good luck if you decide to offer.

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