1. EH Shepard - "Pooh and Piglet walked home thoughtfully together"
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Illustrator EH Shepard's charming illustrations of Pooh Bear and his friends have always experienced excellent sales results, with his "Pooh and Piglet walked home thoughtfully together" making $194,000 at Bonhams in 2011.
The sale secured the world record for an EH Shepard illustration at auction, knocking our number two from the top spot and making Shepard one of the most valuable illustrators of all time.
You can read Paul Fraser Collectibles' market update for further advice on collecting EH Shepard works here.
2. EH Shepard - "He went on tracking and Piglet…ran after him"
 Paul Fraser Collectibles' own Pooh sketch |
One of Shepard's best known drawings, and former world record holder, the sketch sold for $180,000 at Sotheby's London showroom in 2008.
Both Shepard illustrations were beaten by the sale of his oil painting of Pooh, which made $285,000 in 2000, despite having never featured in AA Milne's books.
Paul Fraser Collectibles is proud to offer this drawing of Winnie-the-Pooh, signed by the artist.
3. Garth Williams - Charlotte's Web
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A collection of Williams' drawings from the beloved children's book made $780,245 at an auction in 2010. An original cover art illustration, not yet inked and featuring notations from Williams, achieved a 416.6% increase on its estimate, eventually selling for $155,000.
The sale demonstrated the universal appreciation of the 1952 book, which has inspired three movies and numerous successful franchises.
4. Dr Seuss - The Seven Lady Godivas
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Theodore Geisel a.k.a Dr Seuss is best known for his eccentric children's stories and rhymes. Surprisingly, it is an illustration from one of Geisel's few adult books that has secured the highest price at auction. An ink and watercolour illustration called Drunk Again, from The Seven Lady Godivas, made $22,000 at a US auction in 2009.
Illustrations from the American artist are extremely rare, with only a handful known to exist in private hands. A drawing of The Cat in the Hat, signed "best wishes Dr. Seuss", sold at Bonhams in 2006 for $8,500.
5. Arthur Rackham - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
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Arthur Rackham's illustrations for Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland were originally included in the 1907 edition, over 50 years after the book was first published. They have since become the definitive illustrations for discerning fans of the twisted fairy tale.
A fantastic illustration of Alice and the Cheshire Cat made £22,800 ($36,708) in a Bonhams sale in 2004 against an estimate of £10,000-15,000 ($16,101-24,152).
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a brilliant range of illustrations and sketches of some of the best-loved children's comics and cartoons here.
