On Saturday, the 8th of December 2012, the article 'Illustration: The old favourites that are now a big draw' about the Illustrationcupboard gallery by Nick Duerden featured in the Observations section with Arts in the Independent newspaper.
It reads:
'How much would you pay for an original Mr Benn, a Mr Men or even a Charlie and Lola? For the next two months, visitors to the Illustration Cupboard in London will have the opportunity to relive some of their favourite children's illustrations, but also, if their pockets are deep enough, to purchase them.
"Nostalgia is definitely part of the appeal", says the exhibition's curator, John Huddy. "A lot of our clients come back year after year because they see things they remember from their own childhood and recall it with such affection they want to pass it onto the next generation."
Children's illustration is an area that has been long under-appreciated in the art-world, but no more. Much like vinyl is enjoying a comeback in a world of downloads, so the drawn line is looking even more appealing in the digital age.
"About time too," Huddy says. "Britain has been a world-leader in picture books for decades now. I'm glad it's finally been acknowledged."
As a consequence, such works are becoming recession-proof investments. But it's not an entirely exclusive exhibition: while a Maurice Sendak lithograph of Where the Wild Things Are (the originals are in a museum) could set you back £5,000, there are works here that start from a mere £75.'
The 17th Annual Winter Exhibition, Illustrationcupboard, London SW1, (www.illustrationcupboard.com)
