Heritage Auctions, in a 2002 sale, described this Dr. Seuss character as "reminiscent of the Cat in the Hat." That's not all that helpful, is it? Actually, this drawing is of the Nook from
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (1960). The good doctor has made extensive use of blue pencil before completing the drawing in black ink. The question is, why?
This post is prompted by an inquiry from a reader who knows personally of two other examples like this one rendered with black ink over fairly copious blue pencil. The reader's conjecture is that these might have been done for a commercial or animated project. Presumably the blue pencil lines would not show up when the image was reproduced. So why did Dr. Seuss use these uncharacteristic blue pencils and for what purpose was the artwork initially created? I cannot provide an answer, but I'm hoping that someone else reading this can.
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Dr. Seuss, Nook
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Dr. Seuss, Nook from One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (1960) |
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Dr. Seuss, Nook
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Note: If you know what this was created for please leave a note in the comments section.
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