This is one of three little late 20th-century original pen and ink caricatures that I have in my Iconic Edinburgh online store - the other two are by the artist, Barry Fantoni (only one left now of the Fantoni cartoons - one sold in a day).
This one is by the fabulous Willie Rushton (1937 - 1996). The drawing is not fully signed - but it is given to Rushton on a stylistic basis as his style of drawing is unmistakable.
It is signed simply R 91 in the bottom right-hand corner (ie short for Rushton 1991).
Willie Rushton was an amazing and multi-talented man.
He was an English cartoonist, satirist, comedian, actor, and performer who co-founded the satirical magazine, Private Eye. Rushton produced its first cartoons and their layout from his mother’s home in Kensington.
There is a very lengthy entry on Mr. Rushton on Wikipedia - I urge you to read this and discover more about this fine fellow. I remember him fondly from my own younger days - when he was a guest on Celebrity Squares and Blankety Blank - where he never failed to amuse with his sharp wit.
Many of his little caricatures and cartoons were made for publication in the Private Eye - they are keenly sought after by collectors of political caricatures and illustrations.
It is a quirky little drawing - a caricature of the Feminist writer and novelist, Fay Weldon - she is dressed as Little Bo Peep - and she is looking after a strange selection of sheep. To the right-hand side of the cartoon - is her sheep or "shits". Bo Peep's little sheepdog has herded them all up - and they are all contained and looking very nervous behind a little fence.
There is an inscription to the extreme left-hand side (written by Weldon?) - this reads "Amongst whom I do not number Giles... Love from Fay.
In a nice quality chrome metal frame measuring 22 x 22 cm. The image is 13 x 13.5 cm.
Listed at a fair price for this unique little artwork relating to the writer and done by such an important British satirist.
UK Postage will be for Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery. This will cost £10 and applied to your order at the checkout.