[Children's & Illustrated] McCay, (Zenas) Winsor, and (Alfred B. Hunt). Collection of 42 Printer's Proofs for "Little Nemo in Slumberland"

New York: The New York Herald Co., January 1907-December 1908. Comprising 42 original printer's proofs in color, on coated paper. Each measuring 25 1/8 x 18 in. (638 x 457 mm); one measuring 20 7/8 x 16 1/8 in. (530 x 409 mm). Date added in contemporary manuscript in top edge of all but one sheet. Edges brittle, with scattered small chipping and short closed tears, others scattered light to moderate wear and soiling. From the collection of Alfred B. Hunt, pioneering colorist at The New York Herald.

Fantastic collection of 42 original color printer's proofs for Winsor McCay's beloved comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland. From the collection of Alfred Benjamin Hunt (1854-1947), longtime staff colorist at The New York Herald, and a pioneer in the development of color comic strip printing.

Hunt worked at the Herald from 1896-1924, and was a master in the technically laborious Ben Day color printing method. He worked directly with McCay on the Little Nemo series, from its inception in October 1905, until McCay left the paper in 1911. Hunt would receive black and white drawings or paintings from McCay, often with color instructions. He would then develop the strip's coloring with the application of watercolor and then assist in its translation into the Ben Day printing method.

During this time Hunt kept a copy of every proof, of which these are an extensive selection.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Provenance

From the collection of Justin G. Schiller

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Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

Books and Manuscripts

[Children's & Illustrated] McCay, (Zenas) Winsor, and (Alfred B. Hunt). Collection of 42 Printer's Proofs for "Little Nemo in Slumberland"

Books and Manuscripts

[Children's & Illustrated] McCay, (Zenas) Winsor, and (Alfred B. Hunt). Collection of 42 Printer's Proofs for "Little Nemo in Slumberland"

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