394 by 280mm., fine ink and watercolour drawing, signed and dated lower left "Arthur Rackham 1902", artist's note on reverse "First exhibit at RWS", mounted

Exhibited: "Arthur Rackham - Illustrations Drawings and Watercolours" (Graves Art Gallery, Sheffield; Bristol City Art Gallery and Museum; Victoria and Albert Museum), December 1979 - April 1980, item 21

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A SIGNIFICANT WATERCOLOUR BY ARTHUR RACKHAM: HIS FIRST WORK EXHIBITED AT THE ROYAL WATERCOLOUR SOCIETY.

James Hamilton notes in his exhibition catalogue to the 1979-80 Sheffield, Bristol and V&A exhibition that "When [Rackham] was first elected as Associate of the Royal Watercolour Society🍒 in 1902 he just wanted to send the landscapes and figure studies to the Winter exhibition of the Society that year. Edyth [his wife] begged him, however, to submit fantasy illustrations as well, and rejected his objections that people would laugh at them..."

Note the background reused in Grimm's Fairy Tales in 1909.